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News Link –Oct. 22, 2009
Oct. 30 Is Deadline to Change Your Employee Benefits for 2010
Open/Switch Enrollment Period for Benefits Under Way – Changes Effective January 2010
Open enrollment for vision and dental insurance and switching enrollment for medical and dental insurance is under way. To submit changes please contact your Human Resources Technician to schedule an appointment. The last day to enroll or switch enrollment for the 2010 plan year is October 30. The effective date for these changes will be January 1, 2010. If you have questions regarding benefits, contact Human Resources at Ext. 4600.
CNM’s Cafeteria Plan Can Save Some Employees Hundreds on Taxes in 2010
By joining CNM’s Cafeteria Plan (Flexible Spending Account), you can guarantee tax savings for yourself, and therefore put more money into your own pocket. Your payroll taxes are calculated at about 25 percent of your pay. When you put some of your salary into the Cafeteria Plan, that 25 percent goes back to your pocket instead of to taxes like federal and state taxes, Medicare, and Social Security. How much would you save?
If you defer this amount: Your pocket receives approximately this:
$2,500 $625
$2,000 $500
$1,500 $375
$1,000 $250
$500 $125
- You can be reimbursed through the Cafeteria Plan for expenses that aren’t covered by your health plan, along with other out-of pocket expenses like co-pays, prescription costs, and over-the counter medications.
- If you have children in day care, you can pay for day care expenses this way and save lots of money in taxes.
- Deductions for this plan are taken from your paycheck before taxes are taken out and deposited into an account for you. Then you submit receipts for these expenses. The plan reimburses twice each month.
Since 2009, a local firm, The Cafeteria Plan Company, was hired by CNM to administer the plan and will continue to do so for year 2010. Note that the deadline for enrollment is close of business on Friday, October 30, 2009. If you have questions, contact The Cafeteria Plan Company at 505-822-9300 and ask for Dionne Wright. You may also contact Ms. Wright via email at dwright@rsabq.com. Or call CNM Human Resources at Ext. 4600.
Consider Donating to CNM’s Leading the Way Campaign
The CNM Foundation has officially kicked off this year’s “Leading the Way” employee giving campaign. Leading the Way gives employees the opportunity to make a donation to the charity of their choice, local or national, or to a CNM program or scholarship through the CNM Foundation. The donation can be payroll deducted and spread evenly across a year of paychecks. Your donation is tax deductible. With a minimum donation of $1 per pay period, or $24 for the year, you will receive a free camping chair. For the upcoming week, there will be sign-up tables at the following times and locations:
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Friday, Oct. 23 |
9:00am-11:00am |
Physical Plant |
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Monday, Oct. 26 |
1:00pm-3:00pm |
SSC Patio |
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Wednesday, Oct. 28 |
9:00am-11:00am |
Max Salazar Breeze Way |
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Thursday, Oct. 29 |
9:00am-11:00am |
A Building-Patio |
For the complete sign-up table schedule, click here. For more info, call the Foundation at Ext. 4685.
Cookie Gram Campaign Also Under Way
In conjunction with the Leading the Way campaign, the Leading the Way team is also organizing the popular “Cookie Gram” campaign. You can purchase a half-dozen cookies for $5 or a dozen cookies for $10 and have them delivered to one of your favorite co-workers. Funds from the cookies will go to the Rust Opportunity Assistance Fund, which provides emergency assistance to students in need. For more info, call a committee member: Chris Cavazos (AACD) Ext. 5315; Julie Avitia (SVC) Ext. 5010; David Martinez (Purchasing) Ext. 4530; Pam Nicolary (WTC) Ext. 5260; Merlene Rueda (ITS) Ext. 3027; or Francesca Tapia (Parking Services) at Ext. 4637.
Don’t Take the Bait – October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month
October is designated as National Cyber Security Awareness Month to bring attention to the importance of protecting yourself, your family and your organization from online crime. All the members of the CNM community are encouraged to learn more about cyber security and put that knowledge into practice in their homes and at CNM. To learn more about how to avoid getting hooked by fraudulent online activities, please click here.
New Anti-Virus Software to be Installed on College Computers
A new anti-virus software, Symantec Endpoint Protection, will be automatically installed on all CNM computers over the course of the next several weeks. The automated deployment is designed to be non-disruptive, so computer users may not be aware of the installation process until it’s completed and a new icon appears at the bottom of your screen.
Here is the schedule for updates:
Oct. 26 – South Valley “admin computers
Oct. 27 – Westside Campus “admin” computers
Oct. 28 – Workforce Training Center “admin” computers
Oct. 29 – Montoya Campus “admin” computers
Nov. 2 – Main Campus buildings JS, L, SB, TC, PPD
Nov. 3 – Main Campus buildings SSC, ST (portables), BT (portables), MS, KC
Nov. 4 – Main Campus buildings N, W, A, M, E, S, RPC
The software installation on computers in the academic computing labs and computer classrooms will not be deployed until after the above schedule is complete. Also, CDs for home installation of this new anti-virus software are available for checkout through the ITS Service Desk. For questions or concerns, contact the Service Desk at Ext. 4357 or at servicedesk@cnm.edu.
New College Policy for ‘Data Classification and Handling’ Enacted
A new administrative directive – “Data Classification and Handling” – is now available online on The Source. This policy identifies the different levels of classifications for various CNM data and appropriate protection and handling policies. CNM employees must be aware of their responsibilities related to this policy as the college continues to steadfastly respect and protect the privacy of students, employees and alumni. Please click here to review the policy. A team will soon be assembled to identify the application and enforcement of this directive.
New Versions of Camtasia, Snagit Now Available for Distance Learning Faculty
The Office of Information Technology Services (ITS) has purchased a limited number of licenses for Camtasia 6.0 and Snagit 9.0. Since a limited number of licenses are available, priority will be given to Distance Learning faculty. The licenses allow for faculty to have the software installed on a CNM computer and on a single, personally-owned home computer. If you are a Distance Learning faculty member and you’re interested in either of these software options, contact the ITS Service Desk at Ext. 4357 or servicedesk@cnm.edu. Installation CDs can be checked out through the Service Desk for home installation and in some cases ITS can remotely install the software on CNM computers.
Organizational Learning Hosts Team-Based Learning Workshops
Organizational Learning is offering free workshops for faculty and staff to learn more about the “team-based learning” approach that is popular in the health professions and other disciplines such as English, math, business, sociology, psychology, etc. The workshop will be offered on Nov. 6 from 10 a.m. to noon in S-17 and on Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon in S-17. To register or for more info, click here or call Ext. 4400.
Learn Valuable Coaching Techniques Through Organizational Learning Workshop
CNM’s Achievement Coaches recently completed professional development endeavors through the well-known Coach U and they’re ready to share some of their coaching techniques with you through a workshop organized by Organizational Learning. The methods can help you set and reach goals in the workplace and the workshop is free for employees. It will take place Nov. 11 from 9-11 a.m. in S-17. For more info or to register, click here or call Ext. 4400.
Learn About ‘How War Injuries Affect Your Veteran Students’
CNM’s Student Services Veterans Task Team will sponsor a workshop titled “How War Injuries Affect Your Veteran Students” on Oct. 23 from 9-11 a.m. in Jeannette Stromberg Hall, Room 311. Representatives from the department of neuropsychology at the Veterans Affairs (V.A.) Hospital in Albuquerque and the Women’s Stress Disorder Treatment Team will address how the common injuries and affects of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, may affect veteran students at CNM and how CNM can support these students’ success in the classroom. Refreshments will be served. Faculty, staff, students and the general public are welcome. For more info, call Ext. 3000.
Opportunities in Education, Social Work Topics of Next ‘Careers in Uncertain Times’
The next forum in a series on ‘Careers in Uncertain Times’ will focus on opportunities in the fields of education and social work. Erica Volkers, CNM’s director of Education Programs, will be the presenter for the forums that will take place on: Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to noon on Main Campus in the Student Services Center, Room 203; and on Oct. 28 from 11 a.m. to noon at Montoya Campus in Tom Wiley Hall, Room 204. For more info, call Ext. 3000.
Seasonal Flu Shots Available at South Valley Campus
The CNM Student Health Center will be providing its last doses of seasonal flu shots to students and employees at the South Valley Campus on Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Room 40. CNM has not received word on when it will be provided doses of the H1N1 vaccine. For more info, call the Student Health Center at Ext. 3080.
Make Plans Now to Attend Fall 2009 Graduation Ceremony
CNM’s Fall 2009 Graduation Ceremony will take place at Tingley Coliseum on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. The deadline to request caps and gowns to participate in the ceremony is Nov. 25 at 5 p.m. If you participated in the Spring 2009 Graduation Ceremony, you can contact Stephanie Taylor (Ext. 4749 or staylor50@cnm.edu). She will have your cap and gown size on file. If you didn’t participate in the spring ceremony and want to participate this fall, please e-mail staylor50@cnm.edu the following information:
n Name
n Height, weight and cap size (small, medium, large)
n Degree type (associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.D.)
n Field of study
n College and city and state it’s located in
n Express whether you need a gown package or just the hood, gown, cap or tassel.
If you confirm to attend the ceremony but later find out you are unable to do so, please call the Student Activities Office (Ext. 3238) and inform them as soon as possible to prevent CNM from being charged for a cap and gown that won’t be used.
NMERB Pre-Retirement Seminars Scheduled
The New Mexico Educational Retirement Board will be conducting pre-retirement seminars over the next several months. Here are the two seminars:
n Retirement 101 – Your Educational Retirement Benefits. It covers your retirement benefits and helps you to make wise decisions considering those benefits. It is presented in 2 ½ hours on a weekday evening, typically from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
n Retirement 201- Getting Your Ducks in a Row. In addition to the Retirement 101 contents, includes information about Social Security, New Mexico Retiree Health Care Authority benefits, the New You – Aging Well, Estate Planning, and Financial Planning in Retirement. It is presented on Saturday mornings from 8:30 to 12:30.
Retirement 101 Retirement 201
November 17 Rio Rancho January 9 CNM Workforce Training Center
February 23 APS Board Room
March 24 Los Lunas May 1 CNM Workforce Training Center
For more information and to register go to www.nmerb.org
Help CNM Build Green Momentum – Keep Your Personal Appliances at Home
Please leave personal appliances at home. The CNM Sustainability Team, in concert with CNM”s Budget Reduction Plan, is requesting that, effective immediately, no additional personal appliances be brought to the CNM campus. Please leave coffee machines, microwaves, small refrigerators, etc. at home and use the appliances already on campus. Many small appliances use significant amounts of energy. Please help CNM reduce its energy usage and costs.
Student Success Workshops Set for Fall Term
CNM is offering several student success workshops for the fall term. These workshops are available to all CNM students, faculty and staff. Space is limited. To RSVP or for more info, call the TRiO office at 224-4375 or e-mail wsmoker@cnm.edu. The workshops are:
Friday, October 30 Money and Budget Management 10:00 to 11:30 SSC Cafeteria
Friday, Nov 13 Student to Student Q & A 10-11:30 SSC 102
Friday, Nov. 20 Career Exploration 1:30-3:00 SSC 203
Need to Know Your Current Budget Status?
Budget status reports are now available for everyone to obtain through the Argos report writer. You can now access your current budget status in real time, or your budget status as of a particular month, or even for past years. The Office of Planning, Budget and Institutional Research is offering a one-hour training session on how to print your budget status reports in Argos. Anyone may attend, but we encourage those responsible for obtaining budget information for your department to sign up as soon as possible. Please contact Jessica Forbes at ext 3450 or jforbes@cnm.edu. The next training will be held on Oct. 21 from 2-3 p.m. in S-21 on Main Campus.
Calendar
Save the Date for School to World Event
The annual School to World event will be held on Feb. 27, 2010, at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Mark your calendars if you plan to participate. For more info, call Ext. 4673.
News Link is a weekly e-newsletter provided by the Marketing and Communications Office for CNM faculty and staff. To submit an item for inclusion, please e-mail theMarketing and Communications Office. Please include “News Link” in the subject line of the e-mail. The deadline for News Link is 3 p.m. Wednesdays.
