December 20, 2022

Enjoy this special holiday message from your senior vice president of Human Resources and vice provost of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

As we approach the end of the year, we wish to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude for your contribution in making this year truly special.

The coming year holds great promise, with a plethora of exhilarating new experiences and opportunities to continue celebrating our triumphs in classic Panther fashion. Thank you for being a part of our journey!

Check out this end-of-year video for a recap of this year's Division of Human Resources events, and be sure to follow our Facebook and Instagram to stay up-to-date!

Questions? Contact HR Relations at 305-348-0101.

Submit your nomination(s) today for the 2023 FIU Recognition Awards!

Don't let this year pass without taking the time to formally recognize and thank members of our outstanding faculty and staff for their invaluable contributions to FIU. Nominators and nominees in good standing will also be included into a chance drawing for door prizes as a show of appreciation!

Before submitting your nomination, be sure to review all eight award categories and writing tips by visiting the nomination information site. Don't forget to use the nomination template to submit a well-developed nomination for this signature event.

Nomination deadline: Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

Questions? Contact Trudy Fernandez, Director, HR Relations & Director, FIU Retiree Association at 305-348-0101.

Do you ever wonder when all of the recent stress you're feeling is going to end?

Languishing is an emotion we all have; it is the sense that the pile up of pressures weighing us down is getting heavy and we need relief. If that is how you feel, then this workshop is for you.

Languishing abounds in our personal and work life and can have a huge impact on mental health.

Working on our mental health need not be reserved just for those who are in crisis or who are faced with an official diagnosis. Mental health matters for everyone, all the time. The Office of Employee Assistance's (OEA) Languishing: How to Overcome It and Thrive workshop will offer you beneficial information to establish and sustain a healthy mind and body.

Don't forget to register for the last session, taking place on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 12 p.m.

Questions? Contact OEA at 305-348-1412.

2023 is around the corner. Are you looking forward to the possibilities? The OEA has a powerful workshop to get you on track.

Who hasn't looked back in their life, at some point, to review their past? After all, the past has contributed to the present and may impact the future. To live a healthy life, we must adopt a mindset of openness to our emotions and thoughts.

By examining our past with awareness and mindfulness, we not only make peace with regret, we can also use it to empower our present. That’s how we create extraordinary future outcomes. This workshop will provide a framework for learning from the past to make better choices in the future.

Register soon for The Power of Regret - How Moving Forward Requires Looking Backward:



• Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at 12 p.m.
• Friday, January 20, 2023 at 12 p.m.
• Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 12 p.m.

Questions? Contact OEA at 305-348-1412.

Mindfulness is “the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment — and accepting it without judgment.” Mindfulness in Togetherness (Meditation) group sessions will foster a sense of community, a safe place to relax and promote balance and emotional well-being. 

Sessions will take place at 12 p.m. every other Wednesday of the month via Zoom. 

Register and save your virtual seat to join any of the upcoming workshops Mindfulness in Togetherness (MiT).

Questions? Contact OEA at 305-348-1412.

Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) sends a big thank you to everyone who participated in the Fall 2022 Virtual Escape Experience!

You have shown your commitment to safety by taking a few moments of your free time to learn about various safety topics by navigating through the challenges in the escape experience.

Special shoutout to the sweepstakes winners! If you were not selected or did not have an opportunity to participate, the EH&S Virtual Escape Experience will be back in Spring 2023. Stay tuned!

EH&S wants to hear from you! Let them know about your experience as they strive to improve the program.

Questions? Contact Operations and Safety at 305-348-2621.

Be sure to review these important benefits and reminders:

• Medical Flexible Spending Accounts for Plan Year 2022
• Attendance Award Winners
• Shared Savings Program Challenge
• Address Review and Update
• Dependent Eligibility Verification

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

Check out these savings from our Perks Program:

• Jet Gift Baskets
• Brightline
• University Credit Union
• Residence Inn Marriott - Miami Beach/Surfside
• Equinox

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

The holidays are upon us, Panthers! Therefore, as things start to slow down, shopFIU will be gradually scaling back their operations to meet the shift in demand. If you're still on campus in the coming days you'll want to stay up to date with what's open by visiting the shopFIU hours of operations page, finding locations on FIU Mobile or reviewing the updated hours.

Don't forget, shopFIU is always listening via our shopFIU Listens 24/7 feedback portal. Have something you want to let shopFIU know about? They're all ears!

Questions? Contact Business Services at 305-348-7247.

The holiday season might be coming to an end, but the giving spirit hasn't! You have an opportunity to win $500 dining dollars from Panther Dining.

To be considered, simply reload $50 dining dollars to your employee meal plan before Saturday, January 14, 2023. Each $50 entry received via the Panther Dining meal plan office or on the Dine on Campus website, will be entered for a chance to win.

Questions? Contact Business Services at 305-348-7247.

Brush up on compliance matters and stay up-to-date with FIU's policies and procedures. Make sure to review the updated 370.001 Centers and Institutes at FIU:

• The Florida Board of Governors Regulation 10.015, Institutes and Centers, requires University Board of Trustees to adopt policies for establishing, operating, evaluating, reviewing, and disbanding institutes and centers in the State University System. A copy of the university institute and center policies shall be on file in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs in the Board of Governors office.

Questions? Contact Office of University Compliance & Integrity at 305-348-2216.

It's vital to be aware of the university's policy on alcoholic drinks as the fall semester draws to a close and as we participate in end-of-year holiday celebrations.

Any event organized by a department involving the sale, distribution, or service of alcohol must follow several guidelines detailed in the Regulation, including that pre-approval from the Vice President of Student Affairs Office, must be sought at least three weeks in advance. Approval is sought through the Central Reservations system by answering “Yes” to the question regarding serving alcohol at your event. 

Those events falling outside of the Central Reservations system or those being held off-campus must submit the Request for Service, Sale, or Consumption of Alcohol web form. Failure to request prior approval is in direct violation of the FIU-2505 Alcoholic Beverages Regulation.

Questions? Contact Student Affairs at 305-348-9968.