myHR: December 16, 2015

Penn Seasonal Discounts and Events

It’s a season of lively arts and culture as well as a time of giving, on and around campus. Take advantage of these special Penn offerings available now and into the new year.

Annenberg Center Live: The Annenberg Center offers a 10% discount to Penn staff and faculty for all Annenberg Center performances. On January 31, enjoy an unforgettable evening of jazz with the Mack Avenue SuperBand, featuring Gary Burton, Tia Fuller, Sean Jones and the Christian McBride Trio.

Computer Connection: Penn’s on-campus computer retail outlet offers holiday discounts now through December 31.

Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA): Looking for a cutting edge cultural experience? Admission to Penn’s ICA is always “free for all.” The ICA’s current exhibitions, Christopher Knowles: In a Word, Becky Suss, and Josephine Pryde: lapses in Thinking by the person i Am, are open now through December 27.

Morris Arboretum: Regular admission to Morris Arboretum is free for PennCard holders. The arboretum’s Holiday Garden Railway, open now through January 3, is a delight for rail fans and greenery lovers of all ages. The final evening of the railway’s special Friday Night Lights display is Friday, December 18.

Penn Bookstore: Penn faculty and staff are eligible for a 10% discount at the Penn Bookstore. Check out their Gifts Under $25 and the collection of Penn novelty holiday sweaters.

Penn Museum: General admission to the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology is free for PennCard holders. While you’re there, take advantage of a 15% Penn faculty and staff discount at the Penn Museum Shop filled with unique gifts inspired by the museum’s international collections.

Penn Press: The University of Pennsylvania Press discount for faculty and staff is 30%. During this holiday season, you can save 40% when you buy these beautiful books directly from Penn Press.

• The Artist's Garden: American Impressionism and the Garden Movement
• Paint, Pattern, and People: Furniture of Southeastern Pennsylvania, 1725-1850
• The Sphinx That Traveled to Philadelphia: The Story of the Colossal Sphinx in the Penn Museum

Just use discount code “PG82” when placing your order at www.pennpress.org.

Deals@Penn: Visit the Deals@Penn website for information about the YouDecide discount program and other special offers for Penn faculty and staff all year long.

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Suspension of Normal Operations

Although Penn normally never stops operating, emergencies such as severe weather conditions may sometimes result in the cancellation of classes and/or the full or partial closure of certain areas of the University. Decisions affecting work schedules and class cancellation are made by the Executive Vice President in consultation with the Provost. The University will announce a closing or other modification of work schedules through the following means:

• the University’s emergency information number: (215) 898-6358 (215-898-MELT)
• communications from the Division of Public Safety
• KYW News Radio (1060 AM)
• the UPennAlert Emergency Notification System (for University-related incidents & crises)

The University’s emergency radio identification code numbers (KYW News Radio) are “102” for day classes and schools/centers and “2102” for evening classes. The message that accompanies the code number will provide the operating status of the University. Be sure to keep this information in a place you can easily access.

Even when Penn is officially closed due to an emergency, there are some essential services that must still be provided, such as Public Safety or Facilities. Staff members in essential positions are still required to work as normally scheduled under these circumstances.

For more information on suspension of normal operations, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/resources/policy/other/suspensionofnormaloperations.

Tired of Winging It? Learn the Basics of Project Management

Are you in the habit of just winging it on every project? Do you frequently find yourself heading in the wrong direction? Working without a real plan can be exhausting as well as inefficient, yet it happens all too often. You know there must be a better way. Proven project management methods will help you and your team achieve more with fewer last-minute hiccups and other stressful hassles.

Learn the basics the Project Management workshop on January 20, 2016, 9am-12pm, and prepare to take off for a successful new year.

Register now for this convenient half-day seminar and get ready to build your project management skills. Penn’s Project Management workshop covers the fundamentals of guiding your projects from start to finish, and beyond. Learn how to identify the key activities in the project life cycle and how to construct a project timeline. Understand the role of the “triple constraint” in project management and apply it in determining project scope. Learn how to keep projects on track by managing project risks and effectively using a communication plan. Capture valuable project lessons and use them to define and improve project management practices within your organization.

When you register for Project Management on Knowledge Link, your department will be charged a nominal fee of $75 for the complete program.

For more development opportunities, visit the Learning and Development website.

Did You Know? Be in the Know Online Health Assessments

Penn’s wellness portal, hosted by StayWell, has relaunched. Now Be in the Know participants can access this year’s online health assessment, along with many Be in the Know Bonus Actions and other resources to enhance your health and wellbeing. So get ready to make Winter Break your wellness break! Visit https://penn.staywell.com and have your PennKey handy to sign onto the secure site.