5 things you need to know this week

A weekly series designed to highlight events, benefits, perks, and items of interest for University of Miami faculty and staff.

Celebrate Food Day 2020.
Tuesday, Oct. 20, and Wednesday, Oct. 21.
Every October, the University community honors World Food Day, a worldwide celebration and movement of healthy, affordable, sustainably produced food, and a grassroots campaign for better food policies. This year, participants can virtually attend a panel discussion about the importance of food sustainability on Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. hosted by ECO Agency, Food Recovery Network, Plant Based Canes, and CommUnity Garden. Register for the keynote lecture on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 12:15 p.m. about getting fresh food to underserved neighborhoods with the Urban Oasis Project. Learn more about these events, which are presented by UM’s Office of Civic and Community Engagement, GreenU, ECO Agency, the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy, and the Butler Center for Service and Leadership.

Access free, virtual membership at University wellness centers. 
Available to new members who enroll before Oct. 30.
The University of Miami Wellness Centers—including the Herbert Wellness Center on the Coral Gables Campus and the UHealth Fitness and Wellness Center on the Medical Campus—are offering a free week of virtual membership for virtual classes to faculty and staff members who sign up before 30. Access membership for either facility via the online portal. Learn how to redeem this offer. Register for classes at the UHealth Fitness and Wellness Center.

Make changes to your benefits plan.
Now through Friday, Oct. 30.
While there are no changes to premiums and deductibles under the UM Aetna benefits plan this year, take the time to review and update your benefits plan via Workday. Still have questions about your benefit elections? Review the open enrollment guidebooks, tip sheets, and FAQs to help decide which plan is best for you. Visit the Open Enrollment site. Need help? Contact HR’s Total Rewards benefits team by completing the online form at miami.edu/benefits/ask or by calling 305-284-3004.

Attend the Compliance and Ethics Week interactive session. 
Monday, Nov. 2, at 11 a.m.
The University Compliance Services team will host the annual Compliance and Ethics Week interactive online session about understanding UM’s Sexual Misconduct policy. Register to attend an online session that is facilitated by Maria Sevilla, Deputy Title IX coordinator, and highlights the importance of compliance and ethics. University faculty and staff members will learn about sexual misconduct and how to address sexual harassment to cultivate a culture of compliance.

Remember to celebrate safely.
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The holidays are best spent when everyone is safe and happy. Make sure you know the holiday fire safety do’s and don’ts when it comes to celebrating in offices, residential buildings, and other campus locations. Check out these pro tips from the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Contact Christine Daley at 305-243-8443 or c.daley@miami.edu for more information.