April 14, 2025

We are looking forward to welcoming our future Panthers to FIU for the highly anticipated FIU Bring Your Child to Work Day! On Thursday, April 24, you'll have an opportunity to provide your children with insights on how your important role contributes to the overall success of our outstanding university.

If you are interested in bringing a child to campus that day:

1. First, discuss with your supervisor to receive approval.
2. Complete the mandatory Parental Consent Form.

This year’s celebration will be Out of this World, and we’re making it extra sweet! Vicky Bakery, located by the Patricia and Phillip Frost Art Museum, will be giving away free cookies to our future Panthers on event day!

In addition to acquainting your child to your role and your unit, you will have an opportunity to participate in optional campus activities to make this a truly Out of this World experience for our future Panthers. Due to limited activity availability, please make sure to select your preferred activities by Thursday, April 17 at 12 p.m.

We can’t wait to spark inspiration and create unforgettable memories together! 

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

We encourage our faculty and staff to have check-in conversations with their supervisors about their Performance Excellence Progress (PEP) goals.

Now is the perfect time to facilitate open and constructive dialogue with your supervisors/managers, as the 2024-2025 PEP Documents are now available in PatherSoft HR.

Please note the mid-year discussion is just a check-in. PEP documents should not be submitted at this time.

On-demand training, providing PEP Mid-Year Checkpoint guidance to employees and managers are now available on FIU Develop.

Check out these helpful PEP trainings:

• Enroll in Employee Training
• Enroll in Manager Training
• FAQs

Questions? Contact Talent Management and Development at (305) 348-3206.

Stay informed and up-to date on FIU's policies! Please make sure to familiarize yourself with FIU policies and policy updates that may impact your work here at FIU.

The updated policies below have been recently published:

• 1710.295 Sick Leave Policy: This policy administers the accrual and appropriate use of sick leave.
• 1710.300 Sick Leave Pool: This policy allows eligible regular employees to donate sick leave hours to the Sick Leave Pool.
• 1710.145 FMLA, Parental, and Medical Leave: This policy administers the federally mandated Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); the University Parental Leave; and the University Medical Leave in accordance with university guidelines.
• 1710.050 Catastrophic Pool: This policy establishes guidelines for the purpose of allowing the donation of sick leave hours from one employee to another in catastrophic circumstances that affects the employee or the employee’s immediate family members.

Visit the FIU Policy Library for more information.

Questions? Contact the University Compliance Office at (305) 348-2216.

The Office of Employee Assistance (OEA) is proud to launch Let’s Talk About It—a new speaker series dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and fostering a supportive workplace culture at FIU.

In honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month, the first session features mental health clinician Diana Guzman, LMHC, MCAP, CCTP, CACTP. In her talk, From the Depths of Despair to the Light of Hope, Diana will share her personal journey and explore the importance of awareness, seeking help, and finding a path to healing.

Register ahead of time and join us for the first session on Wednesday, May 28 at 12 p.m. in the Green Library (GL), Room 220, MMC.

Together we can break the stigma of mental health and build a community that prioritizes wellbeing. Light bites and refreshments will be served. We hope to see you there!

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

“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” – Glenn Close.

Did you know May is the National Mental Health Awareness month? The OEA invites you to the new Mental Health Matters virtual workshop to learn more.

Attendees will explore mental illness prevalence, stigma, risk factors, warning signs, emotional resilience practices, available resources and much more.

Be sure to register for this virtual session held on Wednesday, May 14 at 12 p.m.

Let’s keep the conversation going and empower ourselves with knowledge that supports a healthier, more compassionate community.

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

Check out April's Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Shout Out featuring Richard-Todd Zicarelli, Senior Engineer II, Department of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, College of Engineering and Computing.

Do you know someone who actively promotes safe practices and behavior to ensure a safe work and learning environment? Recognize them with an EH&S Shout Out!

Anyone can be a champion for safety. Protect your fellow Panthers by reporting safety concerns or near misses to EH&S.

Don't forget to check out EH&S's upcoming events! Do you have a topic you would like EH&S to feature in an upcoming newsletter? Submit a topic today.

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

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.

Congratulations to our KOFE Quarterly Winners: Sherryma Smith-Chow and Glaucia Fernandes! Don’t miss your chance to be next—attend all upcoming webinars for an opportunity to win!

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

Congratulations to our staff and faculty who were honored and celebrated during the 2025 FIU Service and Recognition Awards Ceremony, held on Friday, April 11. During this special occasion, we took a moment to honor colleagues for their unwavering dedication and outstanding contributions to our university. 

We extend our deepest appreciation to Gabor Financial Solutions for their generous support with the Generations Ahead Scholarship, and to the FIU Department of Theatre for adding a magical touch to this unforgettable celebration.

Check out some of the event highlights and make sure to congratulate our 2025 Recognition Award Recipients through Empower.

Stay tuned to our website for images and videos of this unforgettable event coming soon.

We thank YOU, our faculty and staff, for making FIU a place of excellence, purpose, and Panther pride. PAWS UP!

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

Stay current with the following important benefits updates and reminders:

• 9-Month Faculty: Deferred Earning Program (DEP) Enrollment Period | 2025-2026 Academic Year
• Educational Retirement Webinars | Spring 2025
• Reminder Flexible Spending Accounts for Plan Year 2024

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

Don't miss out on these great savings offered through the Employee Perks & Services Program:



• Brightline
• Florida Prepaid College Plans
• Tickets at Work
• StubZero
• Actor's Playhouse
• Vitamix

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

As a university, FIU has a responsibility to support academic freedom and civil discourse.

To uphold and encourage full and open discourse, and the exchange of ideas and perspectives, we remind our university community that FIU endorses the Florida Board of Governor’s Statement of Free Expression.

Aligned with our university’s mission, we view this as an integral part of our ability to deliver a high-quality academic experience for our students, engage in meaningful and productive research, and provide valuable public service.

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

Be sure to check out the FIU Calendar for a list of new and exciting events.

Want to share an event? Complete an event submission form to be featured on the FIU Calendar.

Questions? Contact calendar@fiu.edu.

FIU is a State University System of Florida member, Equal Opportunity, Equal Access, and Affirmative Action Employer for individuals with disabilities and veterans. FIU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, national origin, marital status, and veteran status in its employment decisions, programs, and activities.  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.