Cabin Fever or SAD?

Advancement // December 10, 2009

It's the dead of winter, and unless you're one of the lucky ones living in the southern states, you're lacking some sunlight—and warmth. Decreased sunlight can lead to what's become commonly known as SAD, or seasonal affective disorder. Not to be confused with cabin fever, SAD is more serious.

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How to Communicate Reduced Benefits With Faculty and Staff

Business and Operations // December 10, 2009

We all want to deliver a positive, insightful, motivating welcome back, lets-go-get-them employee speech. However, you might be wondering how it's possible to be positive when your staff and faculty are going to have to embrace salary freezes, salary cuts, layoffs, new working hours, 403b match reductions, and benefit cuts this year.

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Smarter Spending Tips

Business and Operations // December 10, 2009

Now is the time to buckle down and get serious about finances. Experts predict that 2009 will offer little relief to our suffering economy, as no rebound is assumed to happen until 2010—2011 more likely. So, with no easy-to-swallow antidote in sight to aid our sore pockets, it's in our hands to cushion our own accounts.

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The Ongoing Gardasil® Controversy

Advancement // December 10, 2009

If you're looking for a health article to add to your newsletter, updating parents on the ongoing controversy surrounding Gardasil could be a perfect topic. Since 2006, Gardasil has been at the center of a controversy. Commercials on TV tell us it's a miracle drug, yet the Internet tells us it comes with risks. Giving our kids a vaccine that protects against cancer would seem to be a "YES!", but knowing all the facts is important before beginning the series of Gardasil vaccines.

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Social Networking—Do We Need a Policy (And Is It Any of Our Business)?

Business and Operations // December 10, 2009

Many schools have an "Acceptable Use of the Internet" policy published in their employee handbooks—which we absolutely recommend, for the protection of the school and its employees. However, unless your HR policies are on the cutting edge (and kudos to you if they are!), the "acceptable use" policy probably doesn't mention social networking (like use of MySpace, Facebook, etc., by teachers and administrators). The question arises, "Should we? Is it any of the school's business what employees do on their personal time online?"

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Tough Times Call for a Tough Leader

Business and Operations // December 10, 2009

According to Workforce Management, reports suggest that many employers are cutting their training and development budgets in response to the recession. At the same time, there are reports of other organizations that are retooling their human resources departments to enhance the skill sets required to succeed under new market realities. These kinds of contradictory responses are familiar. In times of crisis, leadership development is commonly seen as simultaneously crucial to organizational success and also as a luxury that must be sacrificed while the organization focuses on the situation at hand.

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Protecting Your Guests

Advancement // December 10, 2009

While touring your campus, guests may be exposed to elements they're allergic to. Some allergens such as pollens, grasses, and other natural elements, you have very limited, if any, control over. As education, communication, and cooperation are the keys to preventing a serious situation, it's fair to say that protecting your guests can be challenging without the support of your entire staff.

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How to Help Staff Members Address Personal Issues

Business and Operations // December 10, 2009

November is National Employee Recognition Month. One of the most important ways you can recognize your faculty and staff members is to provide resources that will aid them during these trying times. (Recognition Professionals International, a site run by a nonprofit group, has a wealth of ideas and resources regarding effective employee recognition efforts.) After layoffs, salary reductions, and the like, employers are looking into ways to offer relief for employees who are still on board and dedicated to seeing their organization through these times.

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Stop Doubting Yourself

Business and Operations // December 10, 2009

Some leaders, especially those new to management, struggle to find their management styles—a balance between their professional work identity and their "natural," out-of-work identity. In a struggling economy such as ours, it's common to feel insecure about your work environment. You may be nervous to let your guard down and show your true personality. Of course, there is the argument that maintaining a distinction is good. However, good managers should feel comfortable enough to allow their true selves to shine into their working environments. Remember, allowing yourself to shine through your leadership role lets you be more creative and effective.

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GEDs on the Rise

Advancement // December 10, 2009

Research is showing that in areas hit hardest by the economic downturn, GED classes are on the rise, and filling up fast. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national unemployment rate for 16-to-19-year-olds was 21.5% in April. This is up from 15% a year before. As the unemployment rate continues to grow across all age brackets, adults desperate for any work to alleviate some of their financial burden are beating high school students out of jobs in places such as grocery stores, retail shops, and restaurants.

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