Human Resources

As a new employee to the Life Sciences Institute, one of your first contacts should be with Human Resources, which consists of Erin Stephens, Human Resources Officer and Jennifer Cordes, Human Resources Assistant. HR assists all new LSI employees with the following: posting open positions in the LSI; hiring permanent, temporary and work-study employees/students; working with new hires to complete appointment paperwork; assisting international exchange visitors with immigration paperwork (J1, H1B, etc.); and troubleshooting problems relating to employee benefits, timesheets, pay, etc.

As a new employee to the LSI, here are 10 things that you will need to know and consider that may apply to you in your new position:

What is an MCard and how do I get one?

The MCard is an identification card that is required for all University of Michigan faculty, staff and students. The MCard is used as your main source of entry into the LSI before or after normal business hours (Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm) and weekends.

Depending on your job title at the date of hire, HR will inform you when you will receive your MCard (either at New Employee Orientation or on your first day of employment with the LSI).

What benefits am I eligible to receive as a University of Michigan employee?

The benefits that you are eligible to receive as a University of Michigan employee depend on your job title and percent appointment. All U of M employees with a 50% appointment or more are eligible to receive benefits from the University. The U of M Benefits website can be found at http://www.umich.edu/~benefits/

How much does parking cost and how can I get a parking permit?

The University's parking system consists of color-coded parking areas located in structures and surface lots on the Ann Arbor campuses. Four tiers of parking are provided at progressively lower costs that reflect the proximity of the parking to campus core areas and parking convenience. Parking permits or AVI devices in corresponding colors - Gold, Blue, Yellow, or Orange - authorize access.

All permanent, regular employees with at least a 50% appointment or more are eligible to purchase any of the four parking permits. Temporary employees, students or employees with an appointment under 50% are not eligible to purchase a blue or gold permit - they are only eligible to purchase the yellow or orange permit. The U of M Parking website can be found at: http://www.parking.umich.edu/index.html.

The Palmer Parking Structure is the closest parking structure to the Life Sciences Institute. If you are eligible to park there, you will need to purchase an AVI device along with a Blue Parking Permit. For the 2005-2006 year, the cost of the Blue Parking permit will be $540 + $20 deposit for the AVI device.

If any of my personal information changes throughout the year (home address, telephone numbers, emergency contacts, benefits, tax information, direct deposit, etc.) can I change that myself? If so, how do I do that?

Yes, you can change that yourself by going to Wolverine Access and clicking on "Employee Business" under the "Faculty and Staff" header. You will be required to sign in using your uniqname and your Kerberos password. From there you will be able to change any personal information that is listed.

How often will I be paid and can I have my check direct deposited into my bank account?

Depending on what your University job title is, you will either be paid biweekly (twice per month) or monthly (at the end of each month). You should check in with HR on your first day of work to see which timesheet you will be responsible for completing each pay period. You will receive an email from HR at the end of each pay period reminding you of when your timesheets are due to her.

When you hire into the University, you will have the option of having your check direct deposited into your checking or savings account each pay period. The direct deposit form can be found at http://www.payroll.umich.edu/dirdep.pdf. Once you complete the form, you will need to mail it to the Payroll Office for processing. You also have the option of changing your direct deposit information online by going to Wolverine Access and clicking on "Employee Business."

If my current visa's end date is approaching, how do I go about extending my visa?

If you are currently on a J1 visa and your end date is approaching, you will need to contact HR at least 60 days before your end date. It currently takes the International Center at least 30 days to process your J1 visa application/extension. HR will work with you on completing the appropriate paperwork that is necessary to apply for or extend your current J1 visa.

If you are currently on an H1B visa and your end date is approaching, you will need to contact HR at least 6 months before the end date. It currently takes the International at least 5 months to process the application and or extension paperwork for the H1B visas. HR will work with you on completing the appropriate paperwork that is necessary to apply for or extend your current H1B visa.

For more information on the U of M's International Center, please feel free to visit their website at http://www.umich.edu/~icenter/

If you have any additional questions or would like further information, please feel free to contact HR at the following:

• Erin Stephens, HR Officer. (734) 615-5684. eschick@umich.edu

• Jennifer Cordes, HR Assistant. (734) 615-4200. jcord@umich.edu