Human Resources Newsletter: August 2026

Parker Pond on a sunny, blue sky day.

 

Greetings colleagues!

As we welcome a new academic year, I am reminded that the strength of UAlbany is found in our people. The energy, dedication and Great Dane pride demonstrated across our campus make this mission. 

As we begin the semester, I encourage you to show your Great Dane pride by wearing UAlbany apparel or purple and gold on Fridays and help us build a stronger tradition of campus spirit together.

Warm regards,

Gary Evans.

Gary Evans
Chief Human Resources Officer
 
 


 

 

HR Highlights

  • Fall Pay Schedules: The Fall 2026 semester payroll schedule is now available. Please review to determine when you will receive your first paycheck of the semester.
  • Insurance Deadlines: Employees returning for the fall semester will receive information about deadlines for enrolling in health insurance and retirement during the first week of classes.
  • Student Employment: Student Assistant hires must be submitted to the JobX portal promptly to allow time for processing before their start date. Please make sure to review the pay schedule for payment timeframe. During high volume period (August and September), timesheets will take more than five days for processing. Plan accordingly.  
  • Campus HR Services Satellite Office: Human Resources is excited to announce the opening of the new Campus HR Services Satellite Office this fall. Located in the Computer Science Building for added convenience, the office will provide select HR support, answer questions and accept paperwork submissions, reducing the need for employees to travel to the University Administration Building. Additional details regarding location, hours of operation and available services will be shared soon. 
  • 2026 Salary Increases: Eligible CSEA, PEF, M/C and UUP employees will receive a 4.5% salary increase, including applicable retroactive salary and additional pay increases. (Note: Employees should refer to the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement for specific eligibility requirements.)
    • CSEA, PEF and M/C: Increases and applicable retroactive payments will be processed in the September 23, 2026, paycheck for employees on the Administration payroll. Increases are effective March 26 or April 2, 2026, depending on payroll status.
    • UUP: Increases and applicable retroactive payments will be processed in the October 7, 2026, paycheck for employees on the Administration payroll. Effective dates vary based on employee pay basis, beginning July 2, August 13 or August 27, 2026, as applicable.

 

Start of Semester Essentials

  • Employees who have been off payroll for more than three pay periods must reactivate direct deposit.
  • Faculty time records are expected to open no later than September 1, 2026. All faculty, including those returning from sabbatical, are asked to confirm their record has reopened. Contact [email protected] with any questions.
  • International students who worked during the summer and received new Work Authorization must alert HR Assistant for Employment Eligibility & Tax Compliance Valerie Goris. International employees must schedule a time to complete all of the required forms with Valerie via Calendly. Valerie will be available by appointment only from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. August 3 to September 3, 2026. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

 

Hiring & Onboarding

A new step-by-step guide to the search process is available for professional staff and faculty hires. Please contact [email protected] with any questions if you are looking to hire.

Upcoming New Employee Orientation & Start Dates include:

  • August 13, 2026
  • August 27, 2026
  • September 10, 2026
  • September 24, 2026
  • October 8, 2026
  • October 22, 2026
  • November 5, 2026
  • November 19, 2026

As a reminder, supervisors of new employees are encouraged to join us for a short reception on the morning of orientation days!

While required forms are collected during orientation, new employees can review required forms beforehand ensure they properly submit their onboarding materials.

 

Other Tips & Resources

  • Review our Time and Attendance (TAS) Guides for professional employees, faculty and classified employees to help you track your time and accruals. Be sure to submit your time record as scheduled to ensure accruals are up to date.
  • TAS Guides for Supervisors are also available. Be sure to review submitted time records submitted by direct reports for accuracy and approve them as scheduled.
  • Did you know if you need a leave of absence, no matter which one, you must contact our Time Records unit? A variety of leave programs are available. Depending on eligibility, Paid Family Leave and Paid Parental Leave are applicable to both deliveries and non-deliveries.
  • Looking to retire? Employees who are six months out from retirement are encouraged to join us at one of our new monthly group retirement meetings. Contact [email protected] for further information.
  • Did you know that you can update direct deposit, withholding changes and access your paystubs and W-2's online through New York State Payroll Online (NYSPO)? Active employees who have a New York State employee number (starts with N) can view NYSPO and make changes.
  • If you are a new or current supervisor of State employees looking to develop your supervisory skills join Employee Relations and Organizational Development for the Supervisor Network for Success learning series this fall. Be sure to join the Supervisor Network for Success Team on Teams for announcements, discussions and sneak peaks.  
  • Title VI Training for All SUNY Employees is launching soon. The training provides background on the law, its applications and realistic examples that may be disturbing but are intended to help recognize how Title VI violations can occur in a college setting. Watch your email for more information and the deadline for completing this important training. For any questions about Title VI, please contact [email protected]. 
  • NY HELPS has been extended through June 2028. The University at Albany has several exciting career opportunities in New York State employment in clerical, administrative, health and safety, and facilities under the NY HELPS program, which has temporarily eliminated the Civil Service examination requirements for many of the positions at UAlbany. Know someone who is looking to join State service or are you looking for available positions at UAlbany? Please visit Interview Exchange and click on jobs labelled ‘NY HELPS’ to apply.

 

Coming Soon

 

 

Highlights Across Campus

 

UAlbany's 62 participants pose for a photo at the 2026 CDPHP Workforce Challenge on the Empire State Plaza in downtown Albany.

 

After Commencement, HR was proud to kick off the summer with an amazing turnout at the CDPHP Workforce Challenge! UAlbany’s team came in third place in the categories of Most Participants for an Education Organization and Most Motivational T-shirt. Thank you to the 62 runners who joined us downtown and Unleashed Greatness in the race.

 

HR Roundabout

From Mid-May to August, we welcomed 95 new employees to campus! We appreciate the continued collaboration from departments across campus as we on-board new staff.

Additionally, we congratulate the 19 retirees we off-boarded this summer and wish them the best in their next adventure!

 

 

Meet HR

 

Julie Buhr.

Julie Buhr, SHRM-CP

Benefits & Engagement Assistant

Julie has been in the Human Resources field for about four years in both university and non-profit settings. Her career started at Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, and then Clemson University HR until July of 2025, when she moved back home and joined UAlbany.

She loves helping people at work feel supported and comfortable navigating their benefits and leave options. She currently focuses on Time Records & Leave with her supervisor, Ariana, but she also assists with Benefits & Engagement. You can contact Julie at [email protected] with any questions about leaves, time records and benefits.

 

Ariana Wallace-Barrett.

Ariana Wallace-Barrett, MS in HRM

Attendance & Leave Administrator

Ariana has been a member of our HR team since February 2022, joining shortly after earning her bachelor's degree from UAlbany. As part of the Benefits and Engagement team, she is responsible for all matters related to leave administration, time reporting and time record management, helping to ensure compliance with applicable time and leave regulations. 

Ariana is passionate about helping employees navigate their leave options and resolve time record inquiries with confidence. She also recently earned her Master's degree in Human Resource Management from Stony Brook University, furthering her expertise in leave administration. You can contact Ariana at [email protected] for assistance with leaves of absence or time records.