Human Resources Reminders
Join Us for Take Your Child To Work Day on April 22!
Have the kids in your life ever wondered what you do all day? Now’s their chance to find out!
On Wednesday, April 22, Human Resources is hosting "Take Your Child to Work Day," a fun-filled day designed for kids ages 10–14 to explore our campus, learn about the amazing work happening here, and see their adults in their Vassar habitat.
How to Participate:
1. Register Your Child by this Friday, April 17th. We have a full day of interactive sessions planned from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It’s a great opportunity for them to see the college, meet other kids, and participate in hands-on activities. Employees are invited to have lunch with their participating child at Gordon Commons as part of the day’s activities.
Register Your Child by April 17th
2. Showcase Your Work! We want to show the breadth of what we do. Can you help pull back the curtain on your role? We are looking for employees to help make the day unforgettable:
10-15 minute conversations: Share your role and a "day in the life" story.
45 minute activity: Lead a hands-on demo or interactive activity. We are here to help you plan!
OR Help with logistics and keeping the day running smoothly.
Responsible Use and Disclosure of AI in the Workplace
As shared in this month’s Staff Forum and Faculty Meeting, a new policy on Responsible Use and Disclosure of AI in the Workplace has now been published in the Vassar Policy Library (note: while we had also planned to introduce this at the Administrative Forum, time did not allow).
This policy applies to non-academic work and is not applicable to faculty teaching, student coursework, or research. It establishes guardrails for use, while recognizing that some employees may find AI tools helpful in their work. It also aims to clarify expectations for safe use, helps employees avoid uses that are restricted under the policy, and protects institutional data. Individuals remain responsible for how they use these tools, and for the resulting work.
Given the pace of change surrounding AI tools, the policy may evolve over time. It has been published with a link to a feedback form to support ongoing input. An FAQ has also been created (click below to read), and it will be updated as questions arise.
We invite you to attend an upcoming Q&A session; please use the RSVP form below to sign up:
- Tuesday, April 28 at 10:00 am (Zoom)
- Tuesday, April 28 at 2:00 pm (MPR)
- Wednesday, April 29 at 10:00 am (MPR)
Thanks to CIS, HR, and other employees who contributed thoughtful input to this – including members of the cross-functional AI Working Group!
RSVP to Information Sessions here
Professional Development Highlights
Gmail Training
Thursday April 16th, 2:30-3:30pm, via Zoom
Zoom link will be emailed to registrants prior to the training.
Staying organized and connected is essential to working efficiently across campus. This training will introduce both the fundamentals and more advanced features of Google Calendar to help you manage your schedule, coordinate with colleagues, and streamline communication. You will learn practical tools to organize your time, set priorities, and make the most of the platform’s collaborative features. This training is open to all Vassar employees.
Presented by: Emily Doucet, Human Resources Administrative Fellow
Register here
Evaluation
Tuesday, April 21st, 1:00 - 2:30pm, Ordan Room (Main Building, 2nd Floor)
It's common to struggle with the ambiguity of assessment—how do you judge someone's work, and how do you navigate these conversations? In this training, we will demystify the evaluation process, exploring the core components of assessment and teaching you how to define clear, measurable criteria, as well as navigating evaluation meetings with confidence. These skills ensure your evaluations are objective and transparent, leading to more constructive outcomes. Open to managers and supervisors.
Presented by: Ginger Jurecka Blake, Associate Vice President of Human Resources
Register here
Vassar History Tour
Wednesday, April 29th, 1:30 - 2:30pm. Tour start: Inside Main Gate
On Matthew Vassar’s birthday—April 29th, join the Head of Special Collections and College Historian, Ronald Patkus, for an engaging tour that brings the story and history of our campus to life. Connect with other employees, and learn about the people and events that have shaped the environment we work in today! Open to all employees. Please note: Tour is limited to 20 people. After spots have filled, there will be a waitlist, and you will be notified if spots are available.
Presented by: Ronald Patkus, Head of Special Collections and College Historian and Adjunct Associate Professor of History on the Frederick Weyerhaeuser Chair
Register here
Upcoming Training from The Office of Institutional Equity
Bystander Skills: What To Do When You're Not "In Charge"
Monday, April 20, 2:00-3:00 PM, Thompson Library, Class of 1951 Reading Room
Most bystanders aren’t “in charge,” but they are in the moment. Open to the entire Vassar community, this workshop builds practical, realistic bystander responses for both consent concerns and bias incidents using the 5 Ds (Distract, Direct, Delegate, Document, and Delay) through hands-on practice in common campus settings such as parties, residence halls, classrooms, student organization meetings, and online spaces. The session emphasizes three core skills: choosing the safest strategy based on power dynamics and urgency, using short scripts that interrupt harm without escalating risk, and knowing where and how to refer concerns and support impacted individuals without investigating or promising outcomes.
Presented by: The Office of Institutional Equity
Register here