HR News

Apply to Join the Employee Benefits Assessment Council

Dear Colleagues:

As part of the University’s ongoing commitment to provide affordable, high-quality benefits, we are seeking new members for the Employee Benefits Assessment Council (EBAC). The council has become an important component of the University’s benefits decision-making process, and we are now looking to fill positions as current members complete their terms.

About the EBAC

The EBAC, chaired by Maxwell School Professor of Practice Emeritus Thomas Dennison, meets regularly throughout the year (including during the summer) to address, explore and assess University benefits and to evaluate and provide input into decisions about any changes to existing benefits. The council reports to the University’s Administrative Benefits Committee in collaboration with Human Resources leadership. Council members gather input from the University community through various channels and provide recommendations on benefit options, changes and improvements to University leaders involved in making final decisions.

Staff and Faculty Representative Selection

The council includes faculty and staff representing a broad range of perspectives. We are seeking both faculty and staff members through a self-nomination process. Any faculty or staff member in good standing is eligible and invited to apply. For those interested in being considered, please complete the online application.

Key Dates

  • Deadline to submit applications: Friday, Dec. 5, 2025
  • Representative notification: Selected representatives will be notified by mid-December
  • First meeting: To be scheduled by the chair in early 2026

The EBAC plays a vital role in ensuring that faculty and staff voices are well represented in benefits decisions. I encourage you to consider applying for this meaningful opportunity to be engaged in University decision-making.

For more information about the council, visit the HR website.

Sincerely,
Alex Dietrich
Interim Chief Human Resources Officer

Dont’t Miss Upcoming Application Deadlines

Dependent Care Subsidy Deadline: Dec. 5

The University offers subsidies to assist with dependent care expenses. Apply by Friday, Dec. 5. Review eligibility and apply on the Dependent Care Subsidy webpage.

Schedule B (Reduced Medical Contributions) Deadline: Dec. 5

You may qualify for reduced health plan contributions based on household income and size. Apply by Friday, Dec. 5. Review eligibility and apply on the Schedule B webpage.

Dependent Tuition Deadline: First-Time Applications Began Nov. 15

If you’re using or planning to use the Dependent Tuition Benefit for the 2026-27 academic year, apply through MySlice. The benefit requires annual application and approval. First-time application deadlines began Nov. 15, and renewal application deadlines begin on Feb. 1. Deadlines vary by program type. Visit the Dependent Tuition Benefit webpage for complete details and specific deadlines.

Supplemental Life Insurance and Long Term Disability

If you newly elected or increased supplemental life insurance during Open Enrollment, complete the MetLife Statement of Health form [PDF] and return it to MetLife. If you newly elected long-term disability insurance, complete the Medical History Statement form [PDF] and return it to The Standard.

Contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 with questions.

Open Enrollment Continues This Week

Open Enrollment continues through Friday, Nov. 14.

This is your annual opportunity to make changes to your benefits for 2026. Outside of this window, you can only modify most benefits if you experience a qualifying life event.

  • Visit the Open Enrollment website for more information.
  • Take action through Nov. 14: Log in to MySlice to complete your 2026 benefits enrollment. If you do not take action, your 2025 coverage continues automatically, except Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), which require active enrollment each year.

Questions About Benefits?

  • HR Shared Services: Contact 315.443.4042, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are available on request.
  • This Thursday, meet with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) and Human Resources representatives to discuss any personal benefit questions. Employee Benefits Assessment Council (EBAC) members will also be available to receive input on the University’s benefits program.

Important Retirement Plan Information for 2026

  • Review Your Retirement Savings: While you can change contributions anytime, Open Enrollment is an ideal time to evaluate what you’re setting aside and ensure you’re on track for your future goals. Log in to TIAA to review your account balance and update contributions through the Open Enrollment tile in MySlice.
  • New IRS Rule for Catch-Up Contributions: If you are age 50 or older and earned $145,000 or more in 2025 from Syracuse University, your catch-up contributions to the Voluntary Retirement Plan will automatically be made as after-tax Roth 403(b) contributions. Learn more on the Retirement Planning webpage.
  • Need Help? Schedule a meeting with a TIAA financial consultant or get assistance with your account by calling 855.842.2873 (TTY: 800.842.2755) or signing up online. This service is included in your benefits at no additional cost.

Benefits Open Enrollment Begins Today

It’s Time to Select Your Benefits for 2026

Syracuse University provides comprehensive benefits—from health coverage to retirement plans, wellness programs to caregiving resources—designed to keep you and your family healthy, secure and supported.

Need-to-Know Information:

  • Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your benefits, make changes for 2026 and explore programs and resources you may not be using. Outside of this window, you can only modify most benefits if you experience a qualifying life event.
  • Visit the Open Enrollment website for more information.
  • Take action Nov. 3-14: Log in to MySlice to complete your 2026 benefits enrollment.

Questions About Benefits?

  • HR Shared Services: Contact 315.443.4042, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are available on request.
  • Open Enrollment benefits webinar: Watch a recorded overview of 2026 benefit offerings anytime.
  • Today and next week, meet with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) and Human Resources representatives to discuss any personal benefit questions. Employee Benefits Assessment Council (EBAC) members will also be available to receive input on the University’s benefits program.

Reminders:

  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) require re-enrollment. FSA elections don’t carry over automatically—you must enroll each year during Open Enrollment.
  • Review Your Dependents, Beneficiaries and Personal Information in MySlice.

Open Enrollment for 2026 Benefits Begins Next Week

The University’s annual benefits Open Enrollment period for faculty and staff runs Monday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Nov. 14. This is the annual opportunity for eligible faculty and staff to review their benefits and make changes for the upcoming year, unless a qualifying life event occurs mid-year.

Visit the Open Enrollment website for an overview of 2026 benefits, including what’s new for the upcoming year. Review the options carefully to ensure selections meet your needs for the coming year.

Support and Resources Available

  • HR Shared Services: Contact 315.443.4042, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments available on request.
  • On-Demand Session: Watch a recorded overview of 2026 benefits anytime.
  • In-Person Campus Sessions: Meet with Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) and Human Resources representatives to discuss any personal benefit questions. Employee Benefits Assessment Council members will also be available to receive input on the University’s benefits program.
  • Excellus BCBS (Medical and Dental Plan Inquiries): Contact 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220), Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Optum Rx (Prescription Inquiries): Contact 866.854.2945 (TTY: 711), available 24/7.
  • TIAA (Retirement Planning): Schedule a consultation with a University-dedicated financial consultant at 855.842.CUSE (TTY: 800.842.2755) or online.

How to Enroll

Log in to MySlice Nov. 3-14 to complete your 2026 benefits enrollment. If you do not take action, your 2025 coverage continues automatically, except Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), which require annual enrollment.

Contact HR Shared Services for assistance.

Fall Foliage Walk

Join the Syracuse University grounds manager, Joe Quarantillo, for a guided autumn walk to enjoy the vibrant colors of the season!

Tuesday, Oct. 21*
1-2 p.m.

This will start with a meet up at the Schine Underground (Schine Student Center) for a welcome from Alex Dietrich, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer and a cup of warm cider or tea. 

*Please note, this is a date change from the originally scheduled Oct. 30

Sign up for the Fall Foliage Walk! 

Dependent Tuition Benefit Applications for 2026-2027 Academic Year

Faculty and staff who are using or planning to use the Syracuse University Dependent Tuition Benefit for the 2026-2027 academic year must apply through MySlice. The benefit requires reapplication and approval each year.

Application Deadlines

First-Time Applications (new benefit use or switching programs):

  • Tuition Exchange: Nov. 15
  • Syracuse University Tuition Waiver: Nov. 15 (early decision); Feb. 1 (regular admission)
  • Cash Grant: May 1*

Renewal Applications (same program as prior year):

  • Tuition Exchange: Feb. 1
  • Syracuse University Tuition Waiver: Mar. 1
  • Cash Grant: May 1*

*Wait until you have your 2025 Form 1040 or Form 4868 before applying for the Cash Grant. Applications will be denied if non-applicable tax forms are submitted.

Visit the Dependent Tuition Benefit webpage for application instructions and policy information.

For questions, contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.

Empowering Supervisors Through Communication and Leadership Skills: Crucial Conversations and Crucial Influence Return This Fall

This fall, the Office of Human Resources is once again offering two transformative professional development programs designed specifically for supervisors and managers: Crucial Conversations and Crucial Influence. These workshops equip leaders with the tools to navigate high-stakes discussions and drive meaningful behavior change within their teams.

Crucial Conversations: Mastering High-Stakes Dialogue

4-week in-person series | Mondays, Oct. 6-27 | 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | North Campus

Whether addressing performance concerns, resolving conflict or navigating sensitive topics, Crucial Conversations helps participants recognize when a conversation becomes “crucial.” Over four weeks, learn how to work through disagreement to achieve better results in an honest and respectful way with confidence. You’ll develop skills through instruction, application, practice, group discussion and self-reflection—not just theory—for lasting improvement.

Learning Outcomes:

  • • Identify problems contributing to poor results and broken relationships.
  • • Keep composure when sensing emotionally charged conversations.
  • • Identify any assumptions you may be bringing to a crucial conversation.
  • • Take steps to rebuild safety and return to dialogue.
  • • Find and cultivate mutual purpose with those who hold opposing viewpoints.
  • • Turn each “Crucial Conversation” into a course of action that leads to results.

Register now for Crucial Conversations. Interested but these dates don’t work? Join the waitlist for a future session.

Crucial Influence: Leading Lasting Change

3-week in-person series | Fridays, Oct. 31, Nov. 7 and Nov. 13 | 9 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | North Campus

Crucial Influence empowers leaders and supervisors to create sustainable change by understanding the psychology of behavior and motivation. Through hands-on practice and real-world application, participants will learn how to influence others effectively.

Learning Outcomes:

  • • Identify key behaviors that drive results.
  • • Diagnose challenges using six sources of influence.
  • • Engage multiple sources of influence to overcome persistent and resistant behaviors.

Register now for Crucial Influence or join the waitlist for a future session.

What Past Participants Are Saying

  • “This training will make me more capable of dealing with hard conversations.” — Crucial Conversations participant
  • “I thought the program was excellent … It opened up an entirely new way of thinking for me.” — Crucial Influence participant
  • “I think all managers should be required to take this course.” — Crucial Conversations participant
  • “The program facilitation, content and materials all served as phenomenal aids in learning how to influence for lasting change. The goals were clear, communication from the facilitator was appropriately managed for the audience and everything went quite flawlessly.” — Crucial Influence participant

Additional Information About Crucial Conversations and Crucial Influence

  • Full attendance is required for all sessions.
  • Crucial Influence is open to supervisors and managers only. Crucial Conversations is open to all employees (but geared toward those who supervise others).
  • Cost is $350 per participant (departmental approval required).
  • Space is limited—early registration is encouraged.

Email Pam Gavenda, associate director of organizational development and training and Crucial Conversations/Crucial Influence certified trainer, if you have questions about either program.

Flu Vaccine Clinics and Blood Pressure Screening

Free flu vaccines to all Syracuse University faculty and staff, administered by Wegmans Pharmacy staff. 

Flu vaccine details: The vaccine being offered is the trivalent flu vaccine*, protective against three strains of the influenza virus. The trivalent flu vaccine is preservative free; there will also be limited doses of the egg-free vaccine and senior (65+) vaccine.

*Additional information on the trivalent flu vaccine can be found on the CDC’s website.

New! In addition to flu vaccines, complimentary blood pressure screening is also being offered to registered participants and will be administered by Wegmans Pharmacy staff.

What about COVID vaccines? When the COVID vaccine is available, it will be offered at the on-campus flu vaccine clinics to those with an appointment. 

Flu Vaccine Clinics:

  • Wednesday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 304 ABC Schine Student Center
  • Tuesday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 500 Hall of Languages
  • Friday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 003 College of Law (Dineen Hall)
  • Thursday, Oct. 2, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Skybarn
  • Wednesday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-2p.m., Whitman, Milton Room
  • Thursday, Nov. 13, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 500 Hall of Languages

Scheduling

  • Appointments are required*. All scheduling of flu vaccine appointments is done via the Wegmans scheduling tool. Follow the steps in the scheduling tool and when prompted to find locations nearest to you, use the zip code 13244.
  • If have questions about the campus vaccine clinics or if you need accommodations to schedule your appointment, please contact the Wellness Initiative.
  • If you have questions about your scheduled appointment, contact Wegmans Pharmacy at 315.698.6730.

*Appointments will become available in the Wegmans scheduling tool 30 days prior to the scheduled flu vaccine clinic date.