Dear Gallaudet and Clerc Center employees,
We hope you are having a great week. The weather has certainly been unpredictable, with temperatures reaching the 90s last week and dropping to the 50s–70s this week. We hope everyone has been staying healthy through the changes.
Before sharing a few updates from Human Resources, we would like to extend our congratulations to the Model Secondary School for the Deaf for winning the Academic Bowl!
New Bison Perk: Bank of America
Human Resources is pleased to announce the launch of the Employee Banking and Investing Program with Bank of America for all Gallaudet University employees. Employees who currently have their direct deposit relationship with Bank of America will be able to become members of the award-winning Preferred Rewards® Gold Tier program. Through this program you can enjoy many exclusive benefits and pricing discounts, all designed around the ways you save, spend, and borrow with Bank of America and invest with Merrill. Because you work for Gallaudet University, you will receive this benefit without the minimum three-month average requirement of $20,000. Going forward, any Gallaudet University employee who sets up part or all of their Direct Deposit with Bank of America will be able to enjoy this benefit program as well.
In addition to the Preferred Rewards Gold Tier benefit, through the Employee Banking and Investing Program, Bank of America offers financial education webinar opportunities throughout the year to help inform and guide you on your individual financial journeys. To learn more, we strongly encourage you to attend one of the scheduled 30-minute Banking & Investing program overview webinars:
4/28, 12:00 p.m. session sign-up link
4/28, 4:00 p.m. session sign-up link
5/8, 2:00 p.m. session sign-up link to be provided through myGU next week
The official program web page is live and can be accessed here. To review other Bison perks, please visit our website.
Conflict Resolution Training
As you may be aware, Human Resources and the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs are two departments where employees may seek support with conflict resolution. We recognize the need for additional support, particularly while Ombuds services are paused until further notice.
We are inviting employees interested in serving as a conflict resolution resource outside of HR and EOP. Participants will be asked to serve in this role following completion of a two-day training. Manager approval is required to participate.
This two-day onsite training will be provided by the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland on June 1-2, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The training will introduce participants to core conflict resolution and communication skills, including understanding conflict, active listening, and problem-solving.
Through interactive exercises and role-playing, participants will explore conflict styles, practice effective communication techniques, and learn strategies to navigate and resolve workplace challenges. The training is tailored to reflect situations commonly encountered by Gallaudet University staff and students.
If you are interested, please complete the registration form. Space is limited, and participants will be selected to ensure representation across divisions at the University and Clerc Center. You will receive an email confirming whether you have been selected to participate.
Upcoming HR Workshops
Human Resources will be hosting the following workshops for all employees:
1. Employee Relations 101
April 29, 2026 | 10:45 a.m. - 11:50 a.m. | In Person
This workshop introduces the basics of employee relations and explains how Human Resources supports employees when workplace concerns arise. Attendees will learn when to contact HR, what types of issues HR can assist with, and how to navigate common workplace situations. To sign up, please complete this registration form.
2. Understanding Reasonable Accommodation and FMLA
May 7, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m. | Zoom
Attendees will learn about the differences between reasonable accommodation and FMLA, including when employees may consider applying for these options. To sign up, please complete this registration form.
Update on Compensation Study
We would like to share an update on the compensation study. A dedicated website has been developed to provide ongoing information and will include an FAQ section for additional questions by next month. The site also lists the members of the Compensation Study Advisory Committee who supported the selection of our compensation consultant, CBIZ. We also extend our appreciation to the Faculty Senate, Gallaudet Staff Council, and the Clerc Center HR team for coordinating stakeholder group meetings with CBIZ.
The analysis for faculty and teachers is expected to be completed by the end of the academic year–May 2026 for Gallaudet and June 2026 for the Clerc Center, respectively. The analysis for staff positions will be completed during the summer. CBIZ and the Compensation Study Advisory Committee will provide an update to the Executive Team and the community in Fall 2026.
Staff Professional Development Week
In case you overlooked their previous announcement, Gallaudet Staff Council (GSC) will be hosting the Staff Professional Development Week during the week of May 18, 2026 for all staff. Please save the dates and plan to attend workshops. GSC will communicate more information when they become available.
Tuition Benefits
Employees who applied for tuition benefits for the Spring 2026 semester must submit final grades within 30 days of course completion. To be eligible for reimbursement, the application form must have been submitted to Human Resources prior to the start of classes, and the required grade criteria must be met.
We hope you have a wonderful rest of the week. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please submit a case to ServiceNow.
Sincerely,
Human Resources
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