News

Wondr is a skills based digital weight loss program offered by Baylor University at no cost for members of the Baylor health insurance plan.

The Fall 2021 semester is upon us as we welcome students and their families to campus this week for Move2BU and various other events before classes begin on Aug. 23.

Throughout the summer (100 deadliest days) members of the Baylor community participated in the SAFE2SAVE challenge. Thank you to those who participated by putting their phones down while driving to help make Waco a safer community. See who the winners are!

See which of your peers have been nominated for their "above and beyond" service in July! Salutes may be submitted by colleagues, students, or parents throughout the year. Nominate someone today!

We look forward to welcoming the fall semester, which begins on August 23. As we continue to navigate COVID-19, please review this most recent update to help you prepare for a normal fall with classes and events at 100% capacity. Additional information regarding fall is forthcoming. Continue to monitor your email.

Staff Merit is effective August 1 for bi-weekly and monthly employees. If you have questions about your merit outcome, please reach out to your line manager. Merit can be viewed in Ignite.

The Black Faculty & Staff Association strives to create an inclusive, thriving, and resilient community for Black faculty, staff and students at Baylor University. Learn more about membership and meet the board!

Student worker hiring is now open for Fall or Academic year 21/22 in Ignite. We encourage hiring managers to submit hires as soon as possible, but the deadline to submit hires is August 6 for an August 23 start date. Currently, there is a two week processing timeline. Learn more!

The class of 2025 is by far the largest incoming class Baylor has ever seen. They need our help! Please consider being a part of their journey and volunteer three hours to help by directing traffic, carrying bags and boxes, or serving as a greeter or part of the welcome party. Learn more!

In March of 2020, Baylor University temporarily waived all fees associated with telehealth due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning August 1, 2021, all fees associated with telehealth visits will reset to normal benefit cost amounts. Learn more!

Did you know Ignite has a News & Announcements Feature? After you log into Ignite, scroll toward the bottom to see this simplified resource for receiving important information. Check back regularly for new and updated content!

Beginning June 2022, Baylor University will add the celebration of Juneteenth to the list of official University holidays. Recognition will fall on a designated day each year – Monday, June 20 in 2022, as June 19 is a Sunday. Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States. The University welcomes the opportunity to be among the growing list of organizations recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday.

During the month of July, TIAA is offering live webinars to help you prepare for retirement. If you are unable to attend these webinars when offered, they will be available for 90 days after each live event.

See which of your peers have been nominated for their "above and beyond" service in June! Salutes may be submitted by colleagues, students, or parents throughout the year. Nominate someone today!

Dean Jon Singletary, PhD, is partnering with the GSSW’s Center for Church and Community Impact to offer a certificate program called Enneagram for Leadership. Courses can be purchased individually or as a package. BU employees can enjoy a 20% discount!

Is there an unsung Ignite hero that keeps things moving forward? A mentor on campus who has helped you grow? An employee who went above and beyond this past semester? You can recognize any Baylor Staff member for a job well done online through BaylorPLUS. Recognize someone today for putting the PLUS in their work at Baylor!

Watch this 2 minute video from CAPTRUST to learn how easy it is to become empowered to plan your financial future.

During the month of June, TIAA is offering live webinars to help you prepare for retirement. If you are unable to attend these webinars when offered, they will be available for 90 days after each live event.

See which of your peers have been nominated for their "above and beyond" service in May! Salutes may be submitted by colleagues, students, or parents throughout the year. Nominate someone today!

Congratulations! We have been operating within Ignite one full year today. Over the next few months we will highlighting Baylor’s achievements through the years through the stories of employees who have been a part of not only Ignite but the many advancements that came before it. Stay tuned!

Starting June 2, COVID-19 testing at the Clifton Robinson Tower will be 9am-10:30am and Washington Tower will be 11am-12pm. Additionally, please read about on campus Summer Mask Guidance.

Be rewarded by putting down your phone while driving. Join SAFE2SAVE and Baylor University in driving change on the roads across Waco by participating in our Safe Driving Competition throughout the month of June!

Vanguard College Preparatory School is pleased to announce the graduation of its first graduating Bright Scholarship recipient, Emma Lowe. Lowe earned the Bright Scholarship in 2016 as an incoming 7th grader from Midway Middle School. Congratulations!

Baylor Health Services will hold a Family Vaccine Clinic this Saturday, May 22, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the McLane Student Life Center (SLC) gym. Each family member will need to choose a time range to arrive, complete this online form, and bring the form to their scheduled appointment.

Floating Holiday hours were given to eligible employees due to a change in the 2020 Baylor Holiday schedule. These hours will not be paid out and will expire on May 31, 2021 if not used. If you have any Floating Holiday hours, please ensure you use these hours before utilizing any vacation or sick time.

Our next quarterly update from Oracle is scheduled Friday, May 21 – Sunday, May 23. During the update, Ignite access and/or services will not be available. Learn more.

Learn information about Summer Student Worker hours, timecard monitoring and approvals, FICA deductions, Fall & Spring hiring/rehiring, and a training video.

The goals module in Ignite will be opened up this summer. In the meantime, you can use this Word template to create and track your goals out of system.

Learn more about upcoming events and resources for Baylor Wellbeing such as a safe driving competition, virtual appointments, investment advice, a digital weight-loss program, and more.

See which of your peers have been nominated for their "above and beyond" service in April! Salutes may be submitted by colleagues, students, or parents throughout the year. Nominate someone today!

Baylor University is committed to providing a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment for all members of the University community. We accomplish this together through many venues but most importantly through our Sexual and Interpersonal Misconduct (Title IX) and Civil Rights policies and the requirements of mandatory reporting. Employees with direct or indirect knowledge of alleged policy violations have a responsibility to report, even if you believe the information has already been reported. We all play a part!

Vaccinated individuals can be exempt from weekly testing once the vaccination is reported to Baylor. Learn more about vaccine resources and notification procedures!

There are steps managers should take now to ensure you are prepared for a successful Staff Merit process. Learn more!

Dr. Lenore Wright returns to Leadership Spotlight to discuss developing supporting women in leadership. Sign up in Ignite to attend at noon on Friday, May 7.

Looking for an easy way to create a poll to find a meeting time? Use Microsoft FindTime in the desktop or web-based versions of Outlook to reach consensus on a meeting time among people both within and beyond Baylor. Simply open a new Outlook message, select the people you want to invite, and click the "New Meeting Poll" icon. Follow the prompts to set up and distribute your poll. FindTime can even create a meeting invite once the group agrees on a meeting time! To learn more about Microsoft FindTime, visit www.baylor.edu/helpdesk/findtime.

Please consider supporting the Staff Endowed Scholarship sponsored by Staff Council. This scholarship has provided for 15 students based on financial need and merit since 2012. Thank you for your continued support of Baylor students!

You may be wondering what COVID-19 resources Baylor provides employees with this far into the the pandemic. Resources include telemedicine through MDLive, Employee Assistance Program, and more. Visit the FAQ page of www.baylor.edu/coronavirus for updated information.

If you were unable to attend the Spring into Wellbeing virtual event earlier this month or if you would like to view it again, you can watch the full recording here.

Looking for a way to jump start your wellbeing journey? This helpful workbook style guide can help you make important first steps towards your wellbeing and create a working plan to achieve your wellbeing goals for 2021.

The Division of Student Life provides programs and services that faculty and staff are able to participate in to support their Wellbeing. Here are some tips on eating, hydrating and sleeping that were shared during the Spring into Wellbeing virtual event.

The final step in the staff performance appraisal process is due April 30. Learn more.

Want to be a better leader? Sign up for leadership classes in Ignite today!

Learn about how Baylor Staff Council has been supporting staff through the year. You can view agendas and debriefs.

See which of your peers have been nominated for their "above and beyond" service in March! Salutes may be submitted by colleagues, students, or parents throughout the year. Nominate someone today!

The manager evaluation portion of the Staff Performance Review Process is due this Friday, April 9. Learn more.

To drive a rental car or university owned vehicle on behalf of Baylor you must complete the authorization form, consent form (forms signed with a "wet" ink signature), and all required trainings. Learn more.

Join us Saturday, April 10 for four outstanding presentations on Nutrition, Sleep Health, Fitness, and Mental Health Self Care Tips. Register today!

Staff Council elections are now open for the 2021-22 year. All votes must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Friday, April 9.

Visit our Wellbeing Calendar to find virtual resources and events that focus on the 5 dimensions of wellbeing through various workshops.

Deadline to complete the Great Colleges to Work For survey is due Friday, April 9.

The testing protocol for those who have received a COVID-19 vaccination has been updated. Learn more.

The Self-Evaluation portion of the Staff Performance Review Process is due this Friday, March 19. Learn more.

Please join us on April 1 for a virtual lunch as we learn from Dr. Jim Marsh, Dean of Student Health and Wellness, on how staff can serve the health and wellness needs of students in our current environment.

Cori Pinkett, Assistant Athletics Director for Character Formation, is the featured leader on this week’s Leadership Spotlight and will be discussing character and leadership. Sign up in Ignite to attend at noon on Friday, March 19.

Caribbean Island Hop Challenge will begin on Monday, March 1. For the month of March, complete the goal of 100,000 steps (about 3500 steps/day...you can DO IT!) and your name will be entered in a drawing for AWESOME door prizes. Register Today!

All faculty and staff who are working on campus regularly MUST complete weekly testing. Exception requests must be submitted to be excluded from this requirement. Learn more.

The 2021 Staff Performance Review Process is now open in Ignite and staff can now complete their self-evaluation.

The Baylor Family Support Advisory Committee is seeking input regarding supportive practices that have been meaningful to you through supervision and areas for improvement to guide our work in relation to family and caregiver needs. We are kindly asking you to take 5 minutes of your time to complete this anonymous survey.

Catapult Health is offering a VirtualCheckup™ at no cost to all employees and spouses who are enrolled in our BCBS health plan. If you participated in a Catapult checkup in the past, a year-to-year results comparison is included in your checkup. Register before March 12.

Regular weekly COVID-19 testing resumed on Monday, February 22 for students, faculty and staff at all campus locations. Learn more at www.baylor.edu/coronavirus.

Congratulations to Cynthia & Ellen Weaver, daughters of Baylor employee William Weaver, for being selected to the Baylor's Bright Scholarship at Vanguard College Prep School!

The 2021 staff performance review process will open March 1, 2021. Learn about timelines, self-evaluation info, manager guides, and more.

See which of your peers have been nominated for their "above and beyond" service in February! Salutes may be submitted by colleagues, students, or parents throughout the year. Nominate someone today!

Beginning on February 26, 2021, the in system Ignite Help Desk and Ignite Call Center will merge with the HR Service Center to form the Ignite Service Desk. From February 26 onward, all inquiries for either of these service desks will be routed to one location: The Ignite Service Desk. Learn more!

Baylor Staff were provided with two "Floating Holidays" to use whenever desired, in consultation with the staff member's immediate supervisor, prior to May 31, 2021. Learn more about how to enter this time into Ignite.

February 3, 2021 was the Virtual Spring 2021 Welcome Back All Staff Meeting. Baylor leaders provided information for staff regarding Baylor’s COVID-19 efforts and plans for the spring semester and staff recognition opportunities. Watch today!

Every year more than 1,700 organizations join together
to encourage Americans to save for their futures. We’re
proud to take part by sending all TIAA participants
valuable tips and resources to help them save more.

See which of your peers have been nominated for their "above and beyond" service in January! Salutes may be submitted by colleagues, students, or parents throughout the year. Nominate someone today!

The diligent adherence to our health and safety policies, preventive measures, and testing participation by Baylor faculty and staff directly impact our ability to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the Baylor community. We ask that you please review the items in this article related to Campus Safety Measures, Weekly COVID Testing, Spring 2021 Academic Event Proposals, and Employee Resources.

Join us Wednesday, February 3 at 11:00am for a Zoom Webinar that will discuss important updates and upcoming staff events.

The staff performance review process will launch in early March. More information – including timelines and instructions for completing the process in Ignite - will be provided in the coming weeks. There are some steps you can take now to work towards a smooth and meaningful review process.

Nominations are now open for names of staff members to serve on the Staff Council! The deadline for nominations is Monday, February 15.

Leadership Spotlight is a twice monthly, half-hour interview series highlighting and learning from Baylor leaders sharing real-world leadership challenges, examples, and advice. Sign up today!

Whether you’re at home or on-the-go, Naturally Slim will help you build lifelong health habits that lead to weight loss, less stress, better sleep, and more. Registration now open!

Between now and February 19 all employees and spouses enrolled in the Baylor medical plan can register with Catapult Health for a Virtual Checkup. Getting a health checkup has never been easier. Participants will review their results with a board-certified Nurse Practitioner via virtual consultation and develop a personal action plan.

TIAA will offer live webinars throughout February to help you keep your financial goals on track. Register for the Live Webinars at www.tiaa.org/webinars.

Weekly testing for faculty and staff will begin the week of January 25. Please schedule your first appointment within that week at any of the available testing locations and add that appointment as recurring on your calendar. Learn more!

Campus closures occur throughout the year for holidays or days of observance. However, there are times when the University may experience a closure unexpectedly due to inclement weather or other emergency related situations. When a University closure occurs, it is important to pay extra attention to timecard entries and submission deadlines to ensure employees will be paid promptly and accurately. Learn more!

Across the United States, state unemployment offices have been receiving an ever-increasing number of fraudulent claims from people claiming to be someone else. Colleges and universities are no exception, and Baylor has been receiving such claims from people fraudulently assuming the identity of our faculty or staff. As such, all Baylor faculty and staff are urged to take precautions against identity theft and notify Baylor Human Resources if they receive mail from Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) or other state agency about unemployment claims and take other steps as identified in this webpage.

To encourage physical activities to improve overall health during the COVID pandemic, the Department of Wellness will be offering all of their FitWell classes, with the exception of F45 program, free of charge for all faculty, staff, students, and spouses.

See which of your peers have been nominated for their "above and beyond" service in December! Salutes may be submitted by colleagues, students, or parents throughout the year. Nominate someone today!

Over the past few weeks, the City of Waco and McLennan County began receiving a limited number of COVID-19 vaccine doses for individuals in Phase 1A, including front-line health care personnel, first responders and critical populations following guidance from the Texas Department of State Health Services. Currently, the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is not able to provide vaccines to individuals outside of Phase 1A. Employees with questions regarding vaccination for Phase 1B individuals should contact their local health care provider.

Leadership Spotlight is a twice monthly, half-hour “lunch and learn” interview series of different Baylor leaders from across campus sharing real-world leadership challenges, examples, and advice. Sign up to attend via Zoom in Ignite.