March 17, 2025

As we continue to celebrate FIU Employee Appreciation Month, we thank YOU, our faculty and staff, for your commitment to excellence and supporting our students. You truly make FIU a great place to work, learn, and grow.

Keep the celebration going and share your appreciation for your colleagues by sending them an e-card or posting a shoutout on Empower!

Be sure to enjoy the special promotions and activities happening all month long as a small token of appreciation for all that you do!

Questions? Contact HR Relations at (305) 348-6099.

Join in on the fun and participate in the FIU Employee Appreciation Month Scavenger Hunt for a chance to score fun prizes!

How to Play:

1. Follow the Division of Human Resources on LinkedIn.
2. Explore the promotions and activities marked with a yellow paw print.
3. Post on LinkedIn what you enjoyed the most about each promotion and/or activity. Tag FIU Division of Human Resources, and use #FIUEmployeeAppreciation.
4. Each post is one entry into the FIU Employee Appreciation Month chance drawing. The more places you visit and share, the better your chances to win!

We thank all of our participating units for making FIU Employee Appreciation Month possible.

Questions? Contact HR Relations at (305) 348-6099.

Step into a world of inspiration at the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum for a special Scavenger Hunt starting Monday, March 17, to Monday, March 31.

Enjoy a 30-minute exploration of Frost’s newest exhibition, Path of the Panther, curated by wildlife conservation photographer Carlton Ward Jr. This powerful exhibit documents the efforts to save Florida’s endangered state animal and the landscapes that sustain it.

How to Play:

1. Visit the museum and make it a fun break in your day. Bring colleagues along to join the adventure!
2. Pick up a Scavenger Hunt booklet at the front desk.
3. Explore the museum and complete the hunt.
4. Return your completed booklet to the front desk. Answer correctly for a chance to win a prize!

The Frost Art Museum is always buzzing with new exhibitions and events. Ignite your artistic eye and discover what’s happening this month!

Questions? Contact the Frost Art Museum at (305) 348-2890.

Enjoy a 45-minute VIP tour of the Stocker AstroScience Observatory, exclusively for faculty and staff.

Whether you're a science enthusiast or simply looking to enjoy a relaxing, enriching experience, this tour is the perfect way to recharge and discover something new with your colleagues.

The VIP tours will take place on Wednesday, March 19 at 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. Space is limited and advance RSVP is required!

Get a glimpse of recent participants enjoying the tour session. Don't miss out on this engaging experience!

Questions? Contact the Stocker AstroScience Center at (305) 348-3964.

There is still time to take advantage of the exclusive deals and promotions offered by shopFIU and several of our campus vendors through March!

Check out the promotions below to enjoy savings and unique perks.

Questions? Contact shopFIU at (305) 348-2187.

Be sure to review these important benefits updates and reminders:

• Reminder Flexible Spending Accounts for Plan Year 2024
• Chard Snyder's Health Savings Account (HSA) Consumer Pathways Program
• Educational Retirement Webinars | Spring 2025
• Florida Prepaid Open Enrollment | February 1 - April 30, 2025

Questions? Contact Benefits Administration at (305) 348-2181.

Check out these savings from our Perks Program:



• Florida Prepaid College Plans
• Miami Dade County Fair & Exposition
• Zoo Miami
• Miami City Ballet
• Dream Vacations, A CruiseOne Company
• YouFit

Questions? Contact Benefits Administration at (305) 348-2181.

Knowledge of Financial Education (KOFE) is delighted to be back with more financial counseling resources for our workforce!

KOFE is designed to help Panthers stay financially fit by providing online self-help resources and unlimited financial coaching. To access these resources, faculty and staff can register for free using your FIU credentials.

Stay connected on everything wellness! Tune in to upcoming webinars and catch up on March's newsletter, Marching into Savings: A Fun and Family-Friendly Guide to Financial Fitness. 

Questions? Contact Benefits Administration at (305) 348-2181.

Start off your work week feeling recharged by tuning into the virtual Mindful Mondays sessions, taking place every Monday from 12 to 12:30 p.m.!

In short, rejuvenating lunchtime sessions, you'll explore techniques that cultivate presence, awareness, and resilience. Each session features a brief introduction, a guided meditation, and Q&A.

Mindful Mondays are open to all faculty, staff, and retirees. Register today to participate!

Questions? Contact the Center for the Advancement of Teaching at (305) 348-4214.

Are you tired of resisting reality and struggling against life’s challenges?

Join the Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) for an empowering webinar exploring the transformative practice of radical acceptance, a powerful tool for embracing life as it is, without judgment or resistance.

In a virtual session, you’ll discover how accepting reality, rather than fighting it, can lead to greater emotional peace, resilience, and freedom. Radical acceptance isn’t about resignation, it’s about finding strength in letting go of the need to control everything, and instead, learning to navigate life’s difficulties with compassion, mindfulness, and grace.

Embrace life as it is and unlock the power of radical acceptance. Register for any of the 12 p.m. Zoom sessions below:

• Wednesday, April 2
• Friday, April 4
• Tuesday, April 8

Questions? Contact the Office of Employee Assistance at (305) 348-2469.

To ensure the safety of our faculty, staff, and students, FIU maintains a strict policy pertaining to the use of firearms.

This policy contains information regarding possessing, storing, manufacturing, or using a dangerous article, i.e. destructive devices, explosives, slingshots, weapons, tear gas, guns, electric weapons and fireworks on any property owned by the university.

Any violation of this policy will result in immediate termination of employment.

For more information, review the Fire Arms and Dangerous Weapons Policy.

Questions? Contact Employee Labor Relations at 305-348-4186.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Linda Spears-Bunton, former Program Director and affiliated faculty for the African and African Diaspora Studies Program.

In honor of Linda's legacy, a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 5 at 2 p.m. at the Coral Gables Congressional United Church of Christ, 3010 DeSoto Boulevard, Coral Gables, Florida, 33134.

For more information, please contact Patricia Barbetta.

Questions? Contact the FIU Retiree Association at (305) 348-6099.

Rain can carry trash and chemicals into our waterways—but small actions make a big difference!

How to get involved:

• Join the Office of Sustainability and EH&S for the Stormwater Drain Labeling Event on Thursday, April 10 at the Field Support Building (FSB), MMC. Sessions are available at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. To sign up, scroll down on the EH&S event calendar, choose an event session, and click "I am interested". This is a great opportunity to learn, engage, and make a difference on campus. Together we can protect our environment - one drain at a time!
• If you spot something that doesn't belong in the storm drain or see pollution happening, report it.

Do you know someone that actively promotes practices to ensure a safe work and learning environment? Recognize them with an EH&S Shout Out! Be sure to stay up to date with current EH&S announcements and events. Do you have a topic you would like included in the EH&S newsletter? Submit a topic today!

Questions? Contact Environmental Health & Safety at (305) 348-2621.

Did you know the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (COM) has expert physicians that specialize in blood-related conditions?

An unexpected diagnosis can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. COM's hematology specialists, led by Dr. Aron Berkman, are here to provide exceptional care tailored to your unique needs. From blood cancers to other blood disorders, COM specialists create personalized treatment plans to help you navigate your health journey with confidence.

Be sure to take advantage of this FIU perk and schedule an appointment! Contact your insurance provider beforehand to find out about your coverage eligibility.

Questions? Contact FIU Health at (305) 348-3627.

Did you know that each purchase of a new FIU license plate can help fund essential programs that benefit the entire university?

Show your support for FIU with a specialty license plate for just $25!

Demonstrate your commitment and pride and get yours today. Other state and local taxes and fees apply with your purchase.

Questions? Contact Parking, Sustainability & Transportation at (305) 348-3615.

It's that time of the semester again where shopFIU wants to hear from YOU!

Please take a few moments to fill out the shopFIU tracker survey and share your recent experience. Your feedback is appreciated as it helps ensure quality service and informs future offerings on campus.

shopFIU strives to continuously offer our university community with the best on-campus dining, retail and shop services.

One randomly selected faculty or staff member who completes the shopFIU tracker survey will be entered into a chance drawing for a $300 airline voucher from Delta Airlines.

Questions? Contact the Office of Business Services at (305) 348-2187.

Join us on Tuesday, March 18, at 11 a.m. for The Leadership Lectures featuring Dr. Mitch Maidique. Hosted by the Center for Leadership at FIU, this engaging lecture will explore the powerful insights and leadership lessons that shaped Dr. Maidique’s journey to success.

Get ready to be inspired! There's still time to RSVP at lead.fiu.edu/lecture.

Questions? Contact the Center for Leadership at (305) 348-5323.

FIU is a State University System of Florida member, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affirmative Action Employer for individuals with disabilities and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination, contact FIU's Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility at 305.348.2785 or email ocrca@fiu.edu.

Should you need an ADA accommodation to participate in a university event, program, or activity or need to request materials in an accessible format, please contact FIU’s Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Accessibility (CRCA) at (305) 348-2785 or accomodations@fiu.edu. All requests for ADA accommodation or accessible materials for this event must be submitted to CRCA at least seven (7) business days prior to the event or at the earliest possible opportunity.