University Times

Staff Association Council and Human Resources officials are discussing the possibility of creating a new staff position, employee ombudsman, as a kind of neutral liaison with HR concerning individual employee issues.

As one SAC member noted from the floor of the organization’s April 19 meeting: “We’ve talked about it for years. Employee Relations helps with certain kinds of things, but when it comes down to it, Employee Relations works for the University.”

SAC Executive Vice President Lindsay Rodzwicz said that SAC officers have talked with Cheryl Johnson, vice chancellor for Human Resources, about the creation of this post and have another meeting scheduled with Johnson and other Pitt officials to discuss the possibility.

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In other SAC news:

• Heather Williamson, student service manager in the Student Payment Center, spoke at the meeting about the revamped PittPAY website (http://payments.pitt.edu), which allows students to enroll in eRefunds and view their payment plans. It also requires them to update the names of those authorized to use the site to pay their tuition and other bills.

• The call for nominations for the Chancellor’s Awards for Staff has gone out (www.hr.pitt.edu/CAFS-Guidelines), with a deadline of May 5.

• Spring assembly registration is available on the SAC website
(https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cACPavWv94f8GAR). This year’s program will be held May 23, noon-3 p.m., in the William Pitt Union Assembly Room. It includes a keynote address by Chancellor Patrick Gallagher on the theme of diversity and inclusion in the workplace; breakout sessions on career journeys, salary negotiation for women, respecting coworkers’ diversity and facilitating intergroup dialogue; and lunch.

• SAC’s May 9 brown bag seminar will be on open enrollment and benefits, to be presented by Lori Carnvale, HR director of Benefits.

• Pitt Day at Kennywood this year will be July 19.

—Marty Levine