• Teaming Up to Facilitate Partnerships Between Suppliers and Facilities
    At UPST, we are dedicated to building partnerships that drive efficiency and deliver value to our campuses. That’s why we’re excited to partner with the Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium (MHEC) to host the Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) Supplier Roadshows! These special events bring campus buyers and preferred MRO suppliers together to strengthen connections, showcase resources…
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  • UPST is Hiring! Help Us Find Our Next Director of Strategic Sourcing
    With recent transitions in leadership, UPST is excited to begin the search for a new Director of Strategic Sourcing. Do you know an experienced leader who would be a great fit? Please consider sharing this opportunity with them! This critical role offers a chance to shape impactful procurement strategies, lead a talented team, and contribute to the University’s mission of advancing education and…
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  • New Hires, Promotions & Departures
    New Hires, Name Hire Date Title Department Sheree Ohen January 13 Assistant VP Equity & Access Academic, Student Affairs & Equity Gabriela Weaver January 13 Assistant VP Academic Affairs & Research Academic, Student Affairs & Equity Pankaj Bansai January 15 Data Warehouse Specialist, Sr. UITS, Promotions, Name Promotion Date Title Department Srinivas Allada January 20 Manager, Database Systems UITS, Departures, Name Departure Date Title Department Nithya Nannuru January 25 Applications Specialist Employee Services Team Erin Rubinton February 8 Manager, Database Systems UITS Yara Hentz February 14 Program Manager UITS
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  • Celebrating Excellence: Highlights from UMPO’s Annual Awards Ceremony
    On January 15th employees came together to celebrate achievements and milestones at our annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony., Congratulations to the following Group Awards!,  , Commodity Codes Alignment Project Team, Nominated by Patrick Hitchcock, this team was recognized for its work aligning commodity codes, which demonstrated exceptional collaboration and efficiency. Andrew Buroni, UMPO Fellow Claudia Cortes, Training & Communications Manager, UPST Deirdre Delaney,  Director, Financial Data & Analysis, University Controller Mike Durkin, Chief Procurement Officer, UPST Brian Girard, Deputy Chief…, Enterprise Data and Analytics Cloud Transformation Team , Nominated by Brad Smith, this team’s efforts in transforming enterprise data and analytics were celebrated for their forward-thinking and impactful contributions. Muthanna Alwaili, Senior Data Warehouse Specialist, UITS Jim Barbieri, Principal Software Administrator, UITS Steve Celi, Principal Software Administrator, UITS Jeff Collins, Principal Network Specialist, UITS Pam Cove, Principal Data…, Project Fast Lane Team,  Nominated by David Nero, this team was praised for their dedication to streamlining critical processes and driving innovation. Allison Bamforth, Project Portfolio Manager, UITS Frank Butler, Principal Portfolio Manager, UITS Steve Celi, Principal Software Administrator, UITS Lisa Connor, Applications Specialist II, UITS Claudia Cortes, Training & Communications Manager, UPST Jeff Gull,…, FAFSA Simplification Implementation Team , Nominated by Brad Smith, this team successfully implemented transformative changes to the FAFSA process, ensuring enhanced accessibility and efficiency. Abdi Ali, Applications Specialist II, UITS Taylor Boutwell, Applications Specialist I, UITS Patrick Brandon, Application Specialist, Sr., UITS Lynne Cao, Applications, Specialist, Sr., UITS Dee Cogliandro, Director, Release Mgmt & QA, UITS…, President’s Office Leadership Development Program Team , Nominated by LeeAnn Pasquini, this team’s focus on leadership and professional development was recognized for its lasting impact on the organization. Allison Bamforth, Project Portfolio Manager, UITS Vanita Chawla, Manager Automation, UITS John Dawson, System Specialist, Sr., UITS Carol Dugard, Director, HR Operations, HR Kristina England, Sr. Digital Experience & Access, UITS Kelly Gregory,…, University Controller’s Team , Nominated by Lisa Calise, this teams commitment to excellence was a key highlight of their award. Sud Baswa, Financial Analyst, I, University Controller Deirdre Delaney, Director, Financial Data & Analysis, University Controller Kelly Gregory, Associate University Controller, University Controller Patrick Hitchcock, Assistant VP and University Controller, University Controller Melody Jin,…, Via Study Abroad Application Implementation Team, Nominated by Shawn Skelly, this team’s dedication to enhancing the study abroad experience was celebrated for its innovation and success. John Healey, Contracts & Strat Sourcing Manager, UPST Rob Jacob, Applications Developer, Prin., UITS Christine Packard, Assistant VP, Enterprise Risk Management, Mgmt & Fiscal Affairs Julie Rodriques, Application Specialist II, UITS Kathy Sawyer,…, Congratulations to the Individual Recipient Awards, Neha Ajgaonkar, (Presented by Mike Durkin), Vanita Chawla, (Presented by Shawn Skelly), Dee Cogliandro, (Presented by Michael Milligan), JoAnn Conley, (Presented by Colin Murphy), Christine Escobedo, (Presented by Anna Zuev), Ashley Hunter, (Presented by Amanda Onwuka), Garret Oliver, (Presented by Amanda Onwuka), Christine Packard, (Presented by LeeAnn Pasquini), Ben Sweeney, (Presented by Albion Osmani)          , Recognition of Years of Service, Congratulations to our dedicated employees who have achieved over 25 years of service! We are proud to welcome three new members to the prestigious 25+ Club this year., James Pearson, (Senior Applications Specialist), David McDermott, (VP External Affairs/Senior Advisor), Carol Dugard, (Director, HR Operations)   Not able to make the ceremony? View the recording .   
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  • Important Information Regarding Social Security Benefits
    On January 5, 2025, a law entitled the “Social Security Fairness Act” was enacted. This law may provide a significant financial benefit to certain eligible Massachusetts public employees when they retire.  , Background, Massachusetts public employees, including UMass employees, pay into the Massachusetts State Employee Retirement System (MSERS) or the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP). The time that they work for the University counts toward their eligibility for a pension from MSERS or in ORP. Massachusetts public employees do not pay Social Security taxes and their employment with the University does not…
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  • Harvard Pilgrim Reaches Agreement with Local Hospitals
    Harvard Pilgrim has reached an agreement with both St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester and MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham and Natick. Employees in the Harvard Pilgrim Quality HMO and Harvard Pilgrim Explorer POS plans will be able to continue to see their providers at these hospitals.   The contract runs through December 31, 2028.   Employees may call Harvard Pilgrim at 844-442-7324 or…
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  • Digital Accessibility Compliance Quarterly Project Update – February 2025
    In April 2024, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a rule requiring public entities to make their digital content accessible by April 24, 2026. This rule applies to all public web content, mobile apps, and course materials. The following reflects UITS project team efforts so far:, Completed Activities, The Digital Experience team has completed the development of four self-paced digital accessibility training courses: Develop and Deliver Accessible Presentations, Write Accessible Emails, Create Accessible Social Media Posts, and Create Accessible Excel Spreadsheets. The first course on Write Accessible Email was rolled out to UITS in late January. Developed a Digital Accessibility Compliance…, In Progress Activities, Migrate all web content remediation tasks to the Accessibility Tracker Review existing PDFs on the website and work with departments to identify PDFs that can be converted to HTML content, native file formats, or web forms Establish testing timeline for high-impact products, What to Expect Next, The third-party product testing strategy will be shared with leadership and product owners in the next month.   The evaluation process for the Document Remediation RFP is underway, with the selection of the bidder expected to be finalized within the next month. Digital Experience team will work with General Counsel and Administration and Finance (A&F) to define an accessible procurement…
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  • Join Us for the UMass MRO Roadshow at Amherst
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  • The MRO Roadshow is Coming to UMass Amherst!
    Following two successful supplier roadshows,, UPST is headed to Amherst!, In collaboration with the, Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium, and campus leadership, we’re bringing together UMass buyers and preferred, Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) suppliers, to strengthen connections, showcase resources, and enhance procurement processes across the UMass system. The event is open to UMass faculty, staff, and students but will have a special focus on our MRO approved suppliers and their usual buyers. , MRO Roadshow – UMass Amherst , 📅 Date: Monday, March 3, 2025  🕚 Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM  📍 Location: Campus Center Auditorium, UMass Amherst  🔗 Learn more: https://www.umassp.edu/node/30306   Stay connected—, follow, share, and engage with UPST on LinkedIn, to stay updated on upcoming events and initiatives! 
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  • Insights from the Fall Management Labor Conference
    On November 21, 2024, the Fall Management Labor Conference brought together labor, legal, and human resources management leaders to discuss critical issues shaping the future of university unions. A key focus was the impact of online learning on faculty unions, as the post-pandemic shift to digital instruction has redefined teaching responsibilities. Panelists explored how universities are…, Keynote Speaker:, The Honorable David Lowy, UMass General Counsel, Panelists:, Joseph Ambash, Outside Counsel, Fisher & Phillips LLP Michael Eagen, Associate Provost for Academic Personnel, Amherst Mickey Gallagher, Executive Director of Labor and Employee Relations, Boston Brian Harrington, Director of Labor Relations, Amherst Dave LaChappelle, Senior Director ER/LR and HR Compliance, Chan Matt Lyford, Director of Employee and Labor Relations, Chan Eliza Mina, Labor…, Facilitators: , Marsophia Ducheine, Associate Counsel – Labor, Office of the General Counsel Alexcia Gayle, Senior Director of Labor Relations, Amherst  Jacquie Kittler, Director of Employee and Labor, UMPO, Welcoming and Closing Comments: , Marie Bowen, Vice Chancellor of Human Resources, Boston Lisa Calise, Senior Vice President for A&F    
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