The top candidate for the University of Alaska Chief Human Resources Officer position, Erik Seastedt, will be in Fairbanks for a second interview, Thursday, August 1.

Seastedt has more than 24 years professional experience in human resources to include labor relations, compensation, benefits, policy development, strategic planning and effective performance assessment.

UA leadership, governance representatives and statewide staff will have the opportunity to meet the candidate between 11. a.m. and noon in the Sherman Carter Conference Room (Butrovich 204). A video site will also be available in the Bragaw Office Building Room 205.

The University of Alaska has hired Bill Bieber as director of the Mining and Petroleum Training Service, or MAPTS.

“Bill has an impressive 34-year history in the mining and petroleum industries in Alaska and Montana. He’s been a roughneck, EMT and laborer who worked his way up to operations, human resources and safety management positions at Barrick Gold Corp., Teck-Pogo Inc. and Placer Dome Exploration Inc.,” said Fred Villa, associate vice president for UA’s workforce programs.� “At Barrick Gold, Bill oversaw seven consecutive years without a lost time accident. We’re fortunate to have a professional with Bill’s depth and breadth of experience to oversee MAPTS.”

Bieber started July 1. He replaces Dennis Steffy, who recently retired after running MAPTS since the university created it in 1979.� MAPTS has offices in Soldotna, Juneau and Anchorage, which serve the entire state.

MAPTS is one of the university’s premiere workforce training programs, having trained more than 100,000 students in everything from underground mine safety to oil and gas drilling technology. Other courses include well control certification, oil spill response training, hazardous materials and emergency response, hazardous waste operator training, underground entry-level miner training, drillers roustabout training and heavy equipment simulator training for the underground mining industry.

“MAPTS has a long history of excellent workforce training, in large part due to the dedication and hard work of Dennis Steffy,” Bieber said. “My focus is to take MAPTS to the next level by creating a more dynamic and diverse program that encompasses both compliance and skills-based training.� MAPTS will build a culture of success in both the classroom and the industrial job site, with the goal of putting qualified Alaskans to work.”

Associate General Counsel Michael O’Brien was the Statewide recipient of the 2013 Staff Make Students Count Award. He was unable to attend the award ceremony during the June Board of Regents’ meeting in person and met up with President Gamble in July for his portrait and recognition.

In a great showing of cross-MAU support, the nomination and endorsements for O’Brien came from a variety of staffers the University of Alaska Fairbanks. According to the nomination, O’Brien has been an integral part of the UAF Student Services team over the past few years, but in the past year he went above and beyond to enhance UAF students’ educational, academic, recreational and athletic experiences. �� MORE….

Renew Your Decal/Permit Online at: www.uaf.edu/parking or print and drop off the completed FORM at the Office of the Bursar, Parking Services Division, Room 116 Eielson Building. You can mail the completed form to PO Box 757370 or deliver via campus mail to Box 7370.

In order to receive your decal(s) prior to September 3, 2012, the online purchase or hard copy form must be received in the Parking Services office by August 19, 2013.

Effective immediately, due to a change in state legislation, all procurement dollar thresholds for UA expenditures have been increased as follows:

• The level under which competition is not required is raised from $5,000 to $10,000.
• The level under which competition is not required for professional services is raised from $50,000 to $100,000.
• The level under which competition is not required for hotel, conference, convention or catering services is raised from $50,000 to $100,000.
• The level over which formal competition (IFB’s/RFP’s) is required for goods and services is raised from $50,000 to $100,000.

Please note that the per transaction limit for ProCards, Limited Purchase Orders and Blanket Purchase Orders remains at $5,000 to remain consistent with UA policy on controlled property.

A new search function has been added to the Board of Regents' Policy and Regulations online. The new functionality will make it easier to reference specific policies and subject matters within the official rules and regulations of the University of Alaska. The searchable policy and regulation can be accessed from the Board of Regents website: http://www.alaska.edu/bor/policy-regulations/

All employees enrolled in a UA Choice plan should now have received their ID card from Premera at their home address. This single card is good for use at both doctors' offices and pharmacies. In addition to the health plan group number and pharmacy group number, the card has the phone number for the 24-hour nurseline and Premera customer service.

If you haven't already registered at Premera.com, you can do so easily by going to Premera.com and register as a new user. You'll need your Premera ID number to register. On the website you can see your current and past plan activity, review your benefits coverage, compare costs for treatments within network, print a temporary coverage letter and order replacement cards, even download a mobile app to help manage your activity.

Here are some health plan numbers you'll find handy:
Premera Group #1000033
Rx Bin #: 610014
Rx Group #: BCWAPDP
Premera Customer Service: 800-364-2982

Presenting "The UA Foundation and its Partnership with UA" Aug. 21 and 22, 2013

Are you familiar with all the ways in which the UA Foundation and campus development teams partner to seek, secure and steward private gifts to UA?

The UA Foundation, in partnership with UAA and UAF development staff, is offering a comprehensive day-long seminar at UAF on Aug. 21 and at UAA on Aug. 22 to help answer all your questions about how the campuses and the foundation work together to promote private giving to UA and ensure that donors’ wishes are honored. ALL university staff members are welcome and encouraged to attend.

After an introductory "How the Foundation Partners with the Campus Community" discussion, members of the foundation and UAA or UAF development teams will lead discussions on such topics as stewardship, scholarships, fundraising support and prospect research and management. The afternoon session will focus on gift acceptance and spending - everything from special events, endowments and memorial funds to grants vs. gifts, real estate and restricted gifts. Not only informative, it will be an opportunity to meet and greet development and foundation staff and learn more about how we can partner to promote successful private fundraising for UA.

Please RSVP for either date/campus by visiting the sign-up page at� http://www.alaska.edu/foundation/rsvp-for-training/

Details about the location of the training and a schedule of sessions will be sent to all who RSVP prior to the training.

Questions? Please contact found.help@alaska.edu�� We look forward to seeing you there!

Did your 9th grade son or daughter receive the postcard (pictured below) and a brochure in April from UA suggesting they apply to UA? If so, Student and Enrollment Services would like to hear your child's and your impressions.

Call Arthur at 8148, or email amhusseyiii@alaska.edu. Your feedback will be really helpful.