We are now taking applications for plots in the BHSU Anita Haeder Community Garden! Plots are $25 and reserved on a first-come first-served basis. Email Eva.Chase@BHSU.edu for more infomation or to reserve your plot.
Please join us in celebrating Arbor Day at Black Hills State University on April 24th from 2:30pm - 4pm at E.Y. Berry Library for hands on tree grafting workshop and tree planting techniques!
Activities include presentation of the 2023 Tree Campus Higher Education recognition plaque, a demonstration of proper tree planting techniques and a hands-on demonstration of grafting an apple tree to another rootstock.
We are looking forward to hosting students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Please contact Debbie Liddick or Eric Hanson if you have any questions at 605-642-6560.
How to Keep Your Aflac Policies! Please click the link to learn more:
On, April 25, 2024, a variety of our employee benefit companies will be on campus and available from 9 am – 1 pm in the Jacket Legacy Room to meet with you about your health, wellness, investing opportunities and your employee benefits.
A few local businesses will be there as well!
SDRS speakers are scheduled to present in the Trump Room and in the Student Union as shown below:
9:00—9:45: SDRS - A general overview of the SD Retirement System and what this means for you!
9:45 – 10:30: SDRS Supplemental - A summary of the 457 and Special Pay Plans.
Open to all BHSU employees, students, and spouses with a chance to win door prizes and grand prizes for those who attend and stop by some booths! This is a great opportunity to learn about investing as well as ask questions about your employee benefits!
Also, individual retirement sessions will be available throughout the day. We still have open spots to sign up!! Please contact HR at 605.642.6549 or by email at BHSUHumanResources@bhsu.edu to sign up for your ONE-ON-ONE session with SDRS - Hurry and reserve your spot today!!
It is time to celebrate the outstanding contributions and achievements of our colleagues! We are excited to announce that we are now accepting nominations for our annual employee recognition event. Remember, individual winners will each earn $500! Now is the time to make your recommendations.
This event serves as an opportunity to honor individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, innovation, and teamwork in their roles. We encourage all employees to take a moment to reflect on the hard work and accomplishments of their peers and nominate those who have truly made a difference. You may nominate multiple colleagues across different categories if you believe they meet the criteria.
Visit https://portal.sdbor.edu/bhsu-fac-staff/Pages/Human-Resources.aspx for nomination forms and descriptions of the awards.
Please email the nominations to BHSUHumanResources@bhsu.edu
Awards will be given out at the State of the University this Fall!!
!! The deadline for nominations is May 6, 2024!!
BHSU TO HOST ANNUAL JOY OF LEARNING SERIES THIS MAY
Black Hills State University will be hosting the annual Joy of Learning, a unique speaker series that allows community members the opportunity to learn from faculty and locals who are experts in their fields. This year’s event will include 20 one-hour sessions and take place May 13, 14, 15, and 16.
The series will include lecture sessions on topics such as the current activity at the Sanford Underground Research Facility, landmarks in Black Hills history, a listener’s guide to orchestral music, and a presentation by Rushmore Bikes. In addition to lectures, the series will offer art demonstrations, musical performances, and a tour of a local sustainable farm.
All sessions will be held at the Joy Center on the BHSU campus unless otherwise indicated on the schedule. Sessions will be held at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4 p.m. each day and are free and open to the community. Donations are welcome with proceeds going towards scholarships.
“The Joy of Learning was created simply to give BHSU and the Spearfish community the delight of learning new things just for the sake of learning,” said Dr. Amy Fuqua, dean of the College of Liberal Arts at BHSU.
For a full schedule and more information, visit BHSU.edu/JoyofLearning. Some topics discussed may not be suitable for all ages. For questions, please contact Dr. Amy Fuqua at Amy.Fuqua@BHSU.edu.
Attention All Benefit Eligible Employees -
Benefits Open Enrollment will be May 1st thru May 15th.
The choices you make during Open Enrollment will be effective FY25 - July 1, 2024
You must take action during Open Enrollment. Employees must actively elect or opt out of coverage by logging into Employee Space between May 1 – May 15, 2024. If you do not make your selections or opt out by May 15, you will be enrolled in the Washington employee-only plan. Your dependents will have to wait until next year's open enrollment to sign up for benefits unless you experience a Qualifying Life Event. Dental, vision, and other flexible benefits will not roll over.
The FY25 Benefit Guide can be accessed here: https://bhr.sd.gov/BenefitsGuide.pdf
If you want a physical copy of the Benefits Guide, please call the BHRA Benefits team at 605.773.3148 and a copy will be mailed to your home address.
Other resources, including Alex ,Registration Links for Open Enrollment Presentations and Assistance Sessions can be found here: https://bhr.sd.gov/fy25plans/
We encourage all employees to review the Benefit Guide and sign up for presentations to see the changes to the FY25 Benefits, including premium changes for health and dental, Well-Being Rewards changes, and the additions of the Wellness Champions, Employee Health Office, and Hinge Health.
IMPORTANT: Please take the time to log into Employee Space before Open Enrollment. This will allow you to view your current benefits, dependents, and beneficiaries, and to ensure that you can make your elections when Open Enrollment begins.
For questions regarding FY25 Open Enrollment, please contact the System Payroll Center at PayrollSSC@sdstate.edu or the Bureau of Human Resources and Administration at BenefitsWebsite@state.sd.us.
The Mileage Reimbursement and In-State Lodging Reimbursement rates will increase on July 1, 2024 and are outlined below. There are no other changes to meals or out-of-state/out-of country reimbursements.
MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT
Effective July 1, 2024, the mileage reimbursement rate will increase to be consistent with the mileage reimbursement
rate for business set by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), or $0.655 per mile. If a state employee elects to use a
personal vehicle for state business but an Office of Fleet and Travel Management pool vehicle is available, the mileage
reimbursement rate will be set at 45% of the rate set by the IRS, or $0.295 per mile.
IN-STATE LODGING
Effective July 1, 2024, the maximum in-state lodging reimbursement rate will increase to be consistent with the actual
cost of in-state lodging, not to exceed the rate set by the General Service Administration (GSA). The standard rate of
$107 per night will apply to travel in all counties in South Dakota, except for those specifically listed by the GSA. The
lodging reimbursement rate for out-of-state and out-of-country travel will not change from the current rate of $175 per
night, with an additional $100 available with excess lodging approval.
Primary Destination County Maximum Lodging Rate Standard Rate Applies for all locations without specified rates - $107.00 per night.
Deadwood/Spearfish Lawrence: October – May: $107.00 per night; June – September: $157.00 per night.
Hot Springs Fall River/Custer: October – May: $107.00 per night; June – September: $152.00 per night.
Rapid City Pennington: October – May: $107.00 per night; June – August: $169.00 per night; September: $107.00 per night
COME PET THE STRESS AWAY!
The Western Hills Humane Society has kindly offerred to bring several friendly, fur
babies to campus the week of finals week! Signficant research shows the positive
impact pets can have on our emotional and physical well-being. Some studies indicate
those who have pets live longer and lead happier lives! Pets offer us social support
and help us to reduce stress.
Please stop by to give cuddles and to receive some cuddles and love! Pet the Stress
Away will be on April 29th and May 2nd from 11 to 2 pm. We will be outside on the
green in front of the student union or inside the student union, pending weather. For
further questions, please contact the student health and counseling center at 605-
645-6520.
Submitted by Rebecka Funk on 2024-04-05
Please join us in keeping Spearfish Beautiful!
DATE: Wednesday April 24, 2024
TIME: 5:45 pm to 7:30 pm MDT
LOCATION: St Joe Street and Spearfish Creek/Rec Path
DISTANCE: approx. 1 mile from the starting point for each crew. We will clean both sides of the road.
TOTAL MILEAGE CLEANED: 2
PARKING: Meet in The Joy Center parking lot
*We will have some vests to use from the State if you'd like. If not, please wear a bright colored shirt that is easily seen. We will equip children with vests first. After all, they are our future!
*We will have cloths and rubber gloves available in limited quantities along with trash grabbers, and hand sanitizer courtesy of Heisler's Hardware and buckets courtesy of TUF Storm Restoration and Quiksigns! Feel free to bring your own gloves, hand sanitizer, and another protective gear you feel is important to your safety. Mask are recommended, but not required as we are outside. That said please keep your space from others you did not arrive with.
*Children must be supervised. Please use your best judgment on the appropriate age for your children to participate. Parents/Legal guardians are the only responsible party for their child/children's safety.
*Please no pets at this event.
*Please respect private property - do not go through fences, open fences, or walk through yards.
Why? We have a beautiful community and beautiful planet. We have a responsibility to be kind to our planet so future generations can enjoy her like we do. We need to be the change we want to see in others.
The Send-a-Thanks platform was developed for employees to be able to send a special thank you, or kudos, to one of their colleagues across campus. Employees who receive a send-a-thanks are entered into a monthly drawing for either a bookstore gift card or a mug and gift card courtesy of Einstein's.
We would like to give a SHOUT OUT to the following individuals who received some KUDOS!!!
If you would like to send a special recognition to someone, please click the quick link on the main e-Update email.
Thank you for everything you do for BHSU and helping to make this a great place to be!!
Saturday 4/27: 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday 4/28: 2 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Monday 4/29 - Thursday 5/2: 7:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Friday 5/3: 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.