The Daily Bulletin Archive

From the Special Adviser to the Provost for Academic Research Initiatives
Now that you understand where to go for pre-award support and post-award financial grant administration from previous articles in the RF communication series, it is time to review the “people” needs of your project. That’s where the Research Foundation Human Resources (RF HR) office on the Buffalo State campus can help. From getting someone hired to celebrating a successful career with retirement, the RF HR office hopes to achieve a “one-stop shopping experience” to make the employment process as simple as possible.

The RF HR office staff will work with you to determine how to recruit, hire, manage, and retain individuals in any of the employment categories as a regular, student (undergraduate and graduate), or summer employee. In addition, the RF HR office also manages a broad range of employment-related functions, which include employee benefits administration, time and attendance reporting, leave administration, payroll management, employee relations, performance management, and retirement planning.

As director of human resources, Sandra Schoelles oversees all HR functions at the Research Foundation on campus, supervising a staff of three full-time employees. In addition to her HR generalist duties, Schoelles works closely with employees and supervisors to manage employee relations matters and the performance management process. She is also responsible for developing and administering the RF Affirmative Action plan.

Stephanie Gruarin is the payroll and hiring specialist and assists with the processes to help get the right person on payroll, including the federal government’s E-Verify program. Whether you are searching for that new employee or getting someone onto the RF payroll, Gruarin can guide you with the paperwork, salary issues, and job-description assistance that go into a successful employment situation. Gruarin manages several different HR management systems including the newly launched Success Factors performance management system. She is also available to discuss student titles, student expenditure categories, employment responsibilities, and all other issues related to student employment.

Chris Goff is the human resources associate supporting new and current employees. She is primarily responsible for administering all RF employee benefits plans, for example, health benefits, spending accounts, time and leave processes (including accrual management), FMLA, short-term disability, workers’ compensation policies, and retirement plans. As the department “information” specialist, Goff can help supervisors and employees with reports related to their benefits, including leave accruals.

Courtney Cox is the RF HR contact for undergraduate staff. He shows them the time-sheet process, when and how they will get paid, the payroll calendar, and any other issues related to paychecks. Cox also handles the fellowship process from an award to the student. He explains the taxation issues related to fellowships to help supervisors and graduate fellows understand the financial issues related to fellowship appointments with the RF.

Sincerely,

Mark W. Severson, Ph.D.
Dean of the School of Natural and Social Sciences