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Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Professional Development Corner: March 12, 2025

Growth Mindset and Professional Development:  Do You Have a Growth Mindset or a Fixed Mindset?


by Patty Marbury, Director of Training & Development

Make it a priority!
A growth mindset is the belief that abilities, intelligence, and talents can be developed through dedication, hard work, and perseverance. This concept, popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck, contrasts with a fixed mindset, where individuals believe that their qualities are static and unchangeable. In the context of professional development, a growth mindset encourages individuals to seek out challenges and learn from mistakes.

Adopting a growth mindset can help you stay motivated and engaged, even when faced with obstacles or setbacks, as they are seen as learning opportunities rather than failures. By viewing challenges as part of the learning process, you will be more likely to take on new responsibilities and engage in professional development and lifelong learning.

Some key benefits of having a growth mindset include:
  • Increased Motivation and Effort: If you believe that your abilities can improve with effort you will be motivated to work harder and stay committed to your goals.
  • Resilience: You will be better equipped to handle setbacks, and view failures as stepping stones to success, rather than as reflections of your abilities. This is even more important during times of uncertainty like we are facing now.
  • Continuous Learning: You will be motivated to seek new knowledge and opportunities for professional development – enhancing your skills through conferences, courses, workshops, certifications, books, articles, and podcasts.
  • Adaptability: having a growth mindset helps you remain flexible and open to new methods, tools, and processes.
  • Leadership Development: A growth mindset is essential for leadership, as it promotes coaching, mentoring, and continuous improvement.
By adopting a growth mindset, you can take ownership of your development, leading to greater job satisfaction, career advancement, and personal and professional fulfillment.

Read the rest of Patty's Professional Development Corner - it features links to online and in-person professional development opportunities, both paid and free, at UVA and beyond!

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Monday, March 10, 2025

Registration is Open for 2025 Spring FOCUS

Exciting news: registration for the Spring 2025 FOCUS Conference is officially open! This year’s event will be hosted by the University of Virginia from May 20–22, 2025, bringing together finance professionals for an engaging and informative experience.

What to Expect at FOCUS 2025

The FOCUS Conference is designed to provide essential updates, professional development, and networking opportunities for finance professionals. The event will include:

  • In-person sessions featuring expert speakers and industry insights
  • CPE credit opportunities (for in-person attendees only)
  • The VSCPA Ethics Course, AI Ethics 2025, available for an additional $60 fee on May 20, from 3–5 PM
  • A mix of interactive discussions, training, and networking events

Logistics & Accommodations

💲 Cost to attend in person: $350
🏨 Hotel accommodations: The Omni Charlottesville Hotel, $199/night
📅 Hotel reservation deadline: April 21, 2025, at 5:00 PM
📍 Book your stay: Omni Hotel Reservation

Important Notes for Attendees

After registering, you’ll receive an email prompting you to download the Whova App—our official event platform. This will help verify your registration details before we load your information into the system. If you do not receive this email, please contact Jonathan Duff at duffwj@vt.edu.

FOCUS Online Registration opens on May 5, 2025. The cost for virtual attendance is $50; however, online participation does not qualify for CPE credits.

Need Assistance?

Contact us at askfinance@virginia.edu; we'll be happy to help!

Join us for an enriching conference experience—register today and spread the word with your colleagues!

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Friday, March 7, 2025

Tech Tips from our LSPs: Zoom Companion Mode

Welcome to Tech Tips, a new recurring feature on the blog! Brought to you by our talented Local Service Partners (LSPs), this series will share quick, actionable advice to help you make the most of the technology you use daily. From handy shortcuts to game-changing tools, these tips are designed to show you how tech can boost productivity and simplify your work life.

In this edition, we'll learn how to make sure remote users can hear all attendees (in-person) in Zoom Room meetings!

With Zoom Companion Mode, in-person attendees can use their laptops as a microphone to help improve sound quality for remote users. This mode is available with Zoom v 6.3.10.

1. First, make sure your Zoom App is up to date. Click your profile icon, then Check for Updates from the drop down menu. 

2. Start by selecting the Pair button, next to the Notifications icon (bell). 

3. Then, select the Connect as a companion option.

4. Now, the Companion mic is active and available to use!

That's it! Now remote users will be able to hear you from your laptop's microphone! If you need help using Zoom Companion Mode, please reach out to our LSP Team at finhelp@virginia.edu.

For a step by step demonstration on how to turn on Companion Mode, check out this video below!


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UVAFinance in Action: March 12, 2025

Shoutout to these UVAFinance leaders!
Waves of Wisdom: Empowering Women Leaders 

This week, several of our UVAFinance team members had the privilege of representing the University at the SACUBO 2025 Women's Leadership Forum in Virginia Beach! The forum, hosted by the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SACUBO), brought together women leaders in higher education finance to share insights, build connections, and grow as professionals. 

With the theme "Waves of Wisdom: Empowering Women Leaders," the event provided a platform for inspiring discussions on leadership, career growth, and the future of finance in higher education. We're proud to have our team engaging in these important conversations and bringing back new ideas to strengthen our work at UVA. In picture from left to right: Katie Walker, Lorrie Jean, Olga Weider, Tracey Marcotte, Julie Richardson, and Amanda Meares. 

Stephanie McAteer (left) & Yvonne Metheny (right)
Stephanie McAteer and Yvonne Metheny's Contributions to Treasury 

Thank you to Stephanie McAteer and Yvonne Metheny for participating in Treasury's review and consideration of third-party debt management tools. Their insight into the evaluation, not only from Treasury's view but also from the perspective of Accounting and Financial Reporting, was extremely valuable and appreciated. Thank you both for helping the Treasury team continually improve Internal Bank processes and for being such collaborative partners on efforts spanning across departments! 

Congrats Mike!
Mike Hayton's ITIL 4 Foundation Certification

Congratulations to Mike Hayton, Local Support Partner Manager, for earning his ITIL 4 Foundation certification. This certification strengthens Hayton's expertise in IT and digital service delivery, equipping him with the tools to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and contribute to a culture of continual improvement. With ITIL 4, Hayton is well-positioned to help our team navigate modern IT practices, optimize value streams, and drive innovation. Way to go, Mike! Your dedication to professional growth makes a real impact. 

Ajoni & Syd with the BEACON crew
Ajoni Wynn-Floyd & Syd Dorsey Tour of BEACON Kitchen

Recently, Ajoni Wynn-Floyd and Syd Dorsey were hosted by BEACON New Hill Development on a tour of their new shared kitchen facility. BEACON Kitchen will be hosting its ribbon cutting on April 5, 2025 from 12pm - 4 pm. Wynn-Floyd and Dorsey will be hosting a table at this event, so it's something you don't want to miss! Thank you to Ajoni and Syd for being amazing outreach partners and taking the time to interact with and support our local businesses!

Read more about BEACON Kitchen






Congrats Ann!
Ann Paxton's Transition to Service Experience & the Finance Solution Center

Ann Paxton originally started as a temporary at the front desk with UVAFinance in September of 2020, and became a regular employee in July of 2021 as a Business Services Associate. She worked with the Business Services Team under Stacey Rittenhouse until this February. Now, Paxton is beginning her work under Joey Carls as Senior Experience Associate with his Finance Solution Center team. She will be helping with cases that need more care after escalation to make sure questions are answered quickly and completely, and with attention to the root cause of the issue. She's embracing this new role as a self-proclaimed "Finance Detective." Paxton's work with Stacey's team has set her up to understand the systems UVAFinance uses, and who to turn to for expertise on cases. Dawn and Kellyn have allowed her to shadow them and have "been so helpful while I've been training!" Congratulations on this transition Ann, we know you will do great things!

Note:  If you're used to going to Ann for support on Administrative tasks, remember that our Business Services Team is here to help.  Read more on the web. 

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Changes to Workday: Global Navigation & Assign Costing Allocation Task

Good changes are coming!
We have an exciting new update to your Workday Menu! With the upcoming Workday Release 1 on March 17, we're getting a big improvement to the Global Navigation Menu as well as changes to the Assign Costing Allocation Task.

Changes to Global Navigation:

  • New Categories: Workday is introducing predefined categories to help organize the worklets in your menu.  The worklets you use will be organized into categories such as professional, team, personal, organization, and more.  
  • No More 20-Worklet Limit: Now, you can add as many worklets to your menu as you want! Workday will automatically sort them into the right categories for you. 

These updates make navigation smoother and give you quick access to everything you need without worrying about a worklet limit. Log in after the update on March 17 and see the difference!

Changes to Assign Costing Allocation Task

Workday will also update the layout of the Assign Costing Allocation task.  The enhancements streamline the user experience of adding and removing proposed costing allocations while also simplifying the workflows for revising, approving, and reviewing costing allocation changes for workers. You'll note a new display for the Proposed Costing Allocations tab, an updated display of Existing Costing Allocations, and the ability to access these tabs from your inbox when you configure the Assign Costing Allocations task as a subprocess.  




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Great News: Your Quartzy Subscription is Free for Another 3 Years!

Another 3 free years!
Quartzy, a popular program that UVA labs use for Inventory Management, has generously agreed to provide free subscriptions for the entirety of UVA for another three years.

In 2023, we negotiated two years of free subscription while other public entities pay fees, alongside a discounted rate for the years 3-5, a $250 credit for each lab, and free onsite training sessions following the punch-out implementation. Last year, we also negotiated and implemented the free shipping and handling. 

This new agreement with Quartzy provides the labs an additional three years of free subscription to their Inventory Management System, which is a significant cost-saver for UVA. The value of the subscription is $150 annually per user, and with 1,444 total users at UVA (of which approximately 1,000 are active), this results in savings of $150,000 per year, and $450,000 over the next three years! By purchasing scientific supplies from Quartzy last year, we saved about $167,000 in product cost, and $20,000 on shipping and handling fees from the negotiations. 

These covered subscriptions mean UVA users can explore all Quartzy's features and keep labs running smoothly without worrying about fees!
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Wellness Resources: March 2025

Emotional & Financial Well-Being Classes 

The above emotional and financial well-being classes are eligible for earning $25 Hoos Well rewards. You must be enrolled in a UVA Health Care Plan to ear awards. 

New WeightWatchers Benefit 

March is National Nutritional Month and Hoos Well has added a new WeightWatchers benefit for employees and spouses enrolled in a UVA Health Plan. WeightWatchers Core and Premium memberships are now available for no monthly fee

  • To access the offering, log in to the Hoos Well Portal and access it through the Benefits list. 
  • Already a WeightWatchers member? Find steps for transferring your account through the UVA/WW landing page.

Employees not on an eligible health place can receive discounted monthly rates. WeightWatchers Medical Clinic is not included in this benefit. 

Take a Health Assessment 

Take the Health Assessment through the Hoos Well Portal and you'll earn $100 in rewards while gaining valuable and actionable insight into your current state of health!

Click here to take the assessment (if you already have a Hoos Well Portal account).

Don't have a Hoos Well Portal account? Find more info and create an account here.

Next Steps Consult 

Once you've completed your Health Assessment in the Hoos Well Portal, you can schedule a Next Steps Consult and earn $25 in rewards. A Next Steps Consult offers: 

  • A 15 minute call with a health guide 
  • Help understanding the results of your health assessment 
  • Help finding programs and activities that fit your specific needs

You must have a Hoos Well Portal account to participate. 

Virtual Offerings (ongoing)

  • Hoos Well Virtual Resources:
    • Suite of virtual resources to help you remain physically and emotionally well during the extraordinary challenges. 
  • UVA Rec Virtual Recreation:
    • Range of quality programs, services, and venues that support all dimensions of wellness through sport, fitness, and recreation. (Also, in-person classes).
  • FEAP Virtual Resources:
    • Collection of resources to support mental and emotional wellness 
  • WW (WeightWatchers):
    • Digital subscriptions and workshops are available at a discounted price. You must also be eligible for 50% reimbursement. 
  • eM Life:
    • Online mindfulness platform to promote health, happiness, stress management, and self-care. 
  • UVA Walking Paths (not virtual)
    • Interactive walking paths throughout the university. Use the interactive map on your smart phone or print a PDF. 

Warm Up with some Hearty Stew

Before the winter bids us farewell, why not try a new stew recipe to warm you up on a cold day? Stews can often be prepared in just one pot, making for easier clean up. And, they can be packed with all kinds of nutritious goodies, like beans, rice, potatoes, and other veggies, plus plenty of flavorful seasonings. Here are a few to try: Moroccan Bean Stew, Thai Vegetable Stew, and Hearty Lentil Stew

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Thursday, March 6, 2025

March 27 Lunch & Learn: Spring into Sustainable Gardening

Sign up today!
UVA employees are invited to join a Lunch and Learn from 12-1 pm, where we will be joined by Fiona Flynn, UVA's Morven Kitchen Garden Manager. Enjoy a catered lunch while learning sustainable gardening tips to prepare your own garden for spring! Participants will receive seeds to take home to start growing their own edible plants.

Event Details

  • Thursday, March 27, 12:00 - 1:00 pm 
    • Newcomb Hall, South Meeting Room

To register, click the link here

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OSP's New Blog

Click here to visit the blog!
UVA’s Office of Sponsored Programs has been looking for an efficient and effective way to share critical, real-time updates with the research administration community—covering everything from sponsor updates and policy changes to professional insights and procedural guidance. 

After exploring several approaches, they found the perfect solution: launching a dedicated blog! This new platform will serve as a key connection point between OSP and the field, much like the UVAFinance blog does for the finance community.

Although the blog's content and cadence are still in the works, it will be an invaluable resource for OSP stakeholders. 

The blog can be found at https://osp.research.virginia.edu/blog!

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Thursday, February 27, 2025

Organizational Excellence Upcoming Events 2025

Register for these events before they 
fill up!

UVA's Organizational Excellence is offering a variety of upcoming events that serve to amplify UVA's impact. Check out these three sessions below!

Navigating Transformation: Change Management and Organizational Culture

OE Learning Program: Short Session

Does it sometimes feel like change is the only constant in life? Embracing change, both personally and professionally, can be challenging. Whether you're leading a small team or managing an entire department, this session will help you understand the people side of change and strategies to foster adaptability, overcome resistance, and inspire a culture that embraces change. 

Participants will learn valuable insights from the transformative initiatives the Health System has implemented over the past three years. 

  • Presenter: Mary Frances Southerland, Chief Administrative Officer, UVA Health
  • When: March 26, 2025, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
  • Where: Educational Resource Center, Meeting Room B (In-Person)

Register for this event here

Enhancing Decision-Making for Better Outcomes

OE Learning Program: Affinity Dialogue Session

Join colleagues across UVA for a collaborative session focused on improving decision-making of all types - strategic, tactical, and operational. Come share and explore practical approached to make decisions more effectively and drive successful organizational results. 

The session topics will be co-constructed by the group to address what's important and useful to you - from decision-making processes to the speed and accuracy of decisions and more. Whether you play an advisory role or are directly involved in decision-making processes, this peer-to-peer learning opportunity allows for sharing your experiences and uncovering new insights to address decision-making challenges.

Don't miss the chance to learn and share together!

  • Presenters: Peer-to-Peer Sharing and Learning
  • When: April 17, 2025, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
  • Where: Bavaro Hall, Holloway Hall Room 116 (In-Person)

Register for this event here.

Registration Opens: NCCI 2025 Annual Conference -  Atlanta, Georgia, July 8-11

Engineering Change and Empowering Transformation in Higher Education

Share insights and solutions about organizational change, process improvement, strategic planning, and innovation in higher education. Network with peers and learn actionable strategies. Register here and learn more about sessions, events, and the keynotes. 

Questions about UVA's institutional membership that is open to all faculty and staff? Contact Tim at orgex@virginia.edu.

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Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Cornerstone Project Team Seeks Feedback

Interested in community 
service?
Contributed by Andrea Kester, School of Data Science

The greater Charlottesville region has a significant unmet need for individuals with budget and finance skills to serve on finance committees or as treasurers in local nonprofit organizations.

Our Cornerstone Project Team is working to incentivize staff to seek public service, train and support staff willing to take on financial leadership roles, match them with nonprofit board openings, and recognize and reward their service.  

To most effectively do this, we need feedback on your interest in volunteer opportunities.


Click to answer a 3-minute survey.

 

This survey will ask you about your participation and interest in community service (specifically local boards). For more information on UVA's paid leave for community service, visit this webpage.

Thank you for your time and feedback!

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Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Wellness Resources: February 27, 2025

Stay well

FEAP Group Events & Webinars

Kultivate Konnection - March 6, 11:30am

Monthly, 60-minute drop-in session

Drop in on the first Thursday of each month for a 60-minute emotional wellness break for those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color (BIPOC). Join us in a space that facilitates healing of race-based trauma through a sense of connection with colleagues, shared experiences, and the cultivation of a sense of authenticity and kinship. Share and learn strategies for challenges you are facing and feel uplifted in a welcoming and soulful environment. 

Register here!

EQ in Action: Thriving at Work and Strengthening Relationships - 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a critical skill for navigating workplace dynamics, managing stress, and building strong professional relationships. 

In this interactive session, you'll explore the core principles of EQ, understand the science behind emotional responses, and gain practical strategies to enhance communication and collaboration at work. Through real-world scenarios and guided discussion, you'll leave with actionable techniques to strengthen your EQ and thrive in your role.

Register here! View recorded webinars here.

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Monday, February 24, 2025

UVAFinance in Action: February 27, 2025

Azamat Akhmedov
Azamat Akhmedov: Clarifying Taxation for Graduate & Postdoc Scholars

Azamat Akhmedov partnered with the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs to draft a new set of Foreign National Taxation FAQs. These resources provide clear, accessible guidance on complex tax topics, helping international scholars navigate their obligations with confidence. Azamat's expertise and collaboration are making a meaningful impact in supporting the University's global community!



1099 Filing Success: A Collaborative Achievement!

This year, the 1099 filing process, traditionally a challenge for our team, saw remarkable improvement thanks to a strong, cross-functional effort. Recognizing the need for continuous improvement, a dedicated team was assembled from both Finance and the Medical Center to streamline and enhance the process. Through collaboration, we were not only able to complete a mock filing of our 1099 run, but also prepared to file early--a feat that has only been accomplished once before in the tenure of our team members. This achievement reflects countless hours of relationship-building, meetings, and trial and error. Major kudos to Ryan Ellis, Andrew Clark, Franky Kong, Logan Hobbs, Caleb Knapton, Andrew Sallans, Meredith Dixon, Jonathan Agop, Ron Crawford, JJ Sullivan, Joel Kreider, Cynthia Mendoza, Jamie Reid, UVA Print, and our friends at the UVA Health System (Josie Aragon-Harvey, Odile Browman, Sarah White, Shaniece White-Merritt). 


Doug Stiles' Fixed Assets Impact 

In just the twelve months that Doug Stiles has been at the University, he has tagged over 1,800 pieces of capital equipment and inventoried more than 3,000--ensuring accuracy and efficiency in the Fixed Assets process. His dedication to timely and precise Salesforce case management exemplifies Service Excellence and Accurate Information. Thank you for all of your hard work, Doug!


Ensuring Timely Holiday Stipends & Refunds 

Student Financial Services and the Payments Team planned ahead and engaged early to coordinate a holiday break settlement, ensuring timely payments for students. Over the Holiday break, the Payments Team processed an off-cycle SIS run, successfully settling 41 stipends and 42 refunds. With stipends under increased scrutiny in recent years, this collaborative effort between SIS and AP made a meaningful impact--ensuring students and graduate students received their funds on time, even during the holidays. Thank you to Ryan Ellis, Tina Brice, and Shelly Winston-Bowers for their dedication to UVAFinance values of Service Excellence and Collaborative Relationships!


Core Values Session for New Hires

Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting a "Core Values" session for our recent new hires in UVAFinance! A big thank you to Patty Marbury for leading this important session, which introduced our new team members (Victoria Malamphy, Christa Albanez, Matt Phillippi, Alper Cakir, Robbie Almand, Katreace Payne, and Tari Omekwe) to UVAFinance's values and our vision to be UVA's valued and trusted financial partner. It's essential to us that, from day one, every new hire understands our culture and the important role they play in our success. 

We appreciate our new colleagues taking the time to dive in and learn more about what makes UVAFinance special. We're confident they'll do great things here, and we wish them all the best as they begin their careers with the team!

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New & Improved Account Certification Resources!

Resources just for you
The Training & Development team has crafted multiple resources to help you stay on track of new changes with Account Certification.
If you have any additional questions regarding these updates to Account Certification, please reach out to Askfinance@virginia.edu.

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Taxation for Foreign Nationals: Key Guidelines and Resources

Key guidelines & resources
Contributed by Azamat Akhmedov

Understanding the complexities of foreign national taxation at UVA is essential for compliance and financial planning. Key concepts include tax residency, taxable payments, tax treaties, and compliance requirements.

Understanding Tax Residency

One of the primary considerations is the distinction between immigration and tax residency. While immigration status and tax residency are related, they are determined by different criteria. Tax residency is assessed through the Substantial Presence Test, which considers the number of days an individual has been present in the U.S. over a specific period. Individuals exceeding 183 days in a taxable year generally become tax residents. However, exemptions apply for F-1 and J-1 students (for their first five years) and J-1 scholars (for their first two years).

Taxable Payments for Foreign Nationals

The most common types of taxable payments at UVA include:

  • Non-qualified scholarships and fellowships (stipends) – Subject to taxation for non-residents.

  • Awards and honoraria payments – Honoraria payments, often given to visiting lecturers and peer reviewers, are taxed at a 30% federal rate.

  • Non-qualified travel reimbursements – If travel expenses do not meet the IRS’s bona fide business purpose criteria or lack proper documentation, they become taxable.

  • Royalties – Frequently processed at the end of the year, these are also taxed at a 30% rate.

  • Wages for student and scholar employment – While taxable, F-1 and J-1 students and scholars are exempt from Medicare and Social Security taxes during their non-resident period.

Tax Treaty Considerations

Tax treaties between the U.S. and over 60 countries may partially or fully exempt certain payments from taxation. However, tax treaty benefits are not automatic—they must be requested before payment processing. Additionally, recipients must have a U.S. tax identification number (ITIN or SSN) to qualify for treaty exemptions.

Honoraria Payments and Compliance

Compliance for honoraria payments follows the 9-5-6 Rule, which states that an individual cannot have spent more than nine days performing services in the U.S. at any one institution, and cannot have received honoraria from more than five U.S. institutions in the past six months. Proper documentation is essential, including a completed Honoraria Payment Approval Form, ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

Travel Reimbursements for Non-Employees

Non-employee travel reimbursements are generally not taxable if they serve a bona fide business purpose. However, independent graduate research travel, which does not meet this criterion, is considered taxable.

Tax Reporting and Resources

Form 1042-S is used to report taxable payments made to foreign nationals. UVA issues these forms in February each year, including reports of income exemption under tax treaties.

To assist departments and individuals navigating foreign national taxation, key UVA policies and IRS resources are available. While UVA employees can provide general guidance, they cannot offer tax advice to individuals.

For further inquiries, we're happy to provide guidance on specific cases involving foreign national taxation.  Reach out to us via askfinance@virginia.edu 


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New on Finance Matters: Records & Information Management

Finance Matters with guest Caroline Walters

In this episode of Finance Matters, hosts Brandi Van Ormer and Patty Marbury sit down with Caroline Walters, head of UVA's Records & Information Management Department, to discuss how efficient records management can save time, money, and resources. Walters shares how well-organized records make information easy to locate and accessible to the right people, while formal retention policies streamline audits and reduce legal risks. She also explains how effective records management preserves the University's historical records, eliminates unnecessary duplicates, and maximizes space.

Listen in below!

Resources Mentioned

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Carruthers Hall History: Reflecting on UVA's Transition to Oracle

Carruthers Hall History
At UVA, transformation has long been part of our story. Although many of us experienced Finance Strategic Transformation (the implementation of Workday Finance), it's worth remembering that change is nothing new. More than 20 years ago, UVA underwent another seismic shift: moving into Oracle Financials. Patty Marbury recalls this pivotal time in UVA's history. 

When Marbury joined UVA in June 2000, the Oracle project was already in full swing. "We had MANY different systems that went into Oracle," she says. "It pulled together all the various systems that different units had into one system--about 26 major systems. We got as close as we could to having one system."

By July 2001, Oracle Financials went live, marking a new chapter in UVA's operations. It wasn't just a technological shift; it also marked a cultural change. Marbury describes an era where purchasing was still done by phone, fax machine, or even teleprinter. 

Marbury's role began with training development, and once the system launched, she and the rest of the training team found themselves on the front lines of the Oracle helpdesk. Located in one of the Michie buildings, the helpdesk occupied a top-floor conference room filled with row after row of tables, phones, and computers. The atmosphere was noisy and chaotic, with a steady stream of calls flooding in, "We worked from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.," she recalls. "It was all hands on deck. Anyone on the project team--trainers, subject matter experts, you name it--pitched in." 

Despite the long, busy hours, Marbury describes it as one of the best times of her professional life. "Looking back, it was so much fun," she said. "It was my first experience at UVA, and I'll never forget it."

The Oracle rollout didn't end with financials. The next phase was the implementation of human resources functions, which meant another stint at the helpdesk. Over time, UVA formalized the helpdesk into a dedicated, integrated support team for HR and Finance Oracle issues. Initially run in-house, the helpdesk was eventually outsourced.

Technology also advanced during this period. Marbury remembers using AOL's instant messenger to communicate quickly, and a ticketing system called Remedy, which served as the Salesforce of its day. "Remedy allowed us to enter information after calls, build a database of solutions, and eventually pull those answers when needed," she explains. After working on multiple Oracle phases and helpdesk assignments, Marbury eventually transitioned to working directly with UVA's HR team. Nine years ago, she came to UVAFinance, where she has remained a valued team member since.

As UVA continues to evolve with modern tools and systems, it's worth reflecting on past transitions and the dedication of our colleagues. Change is constant, but the shared sense of teamwork and resilience has always been a hallmark of UVA's story. 

__________________________________________________________________

If you have memories to share from your time at UVA and the changes you've seen, please contact bv8h@virginia.edu.

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Phase 1 of Move to Paymode

The move is a phased approach
UVA is changing its payment processes by transitioning to Paymode ACH, a widely used and trusted Bank of America payment platform. This transition will improve efficiency and financial alignment while ensuring seamless payments to our valued vendors. 

Key Dates for the Transition

  • Phase 1 - Starting March 3: Vendors already enrolled in Paymode will be transitioned automatically. UVA will notify these vendors directly. No action is required.
  • Phase 2 - Late Spring: UVA will begin transitioning additional vendors to Paymode. Specific dates and instructions will be shared in advance. 
  • Ongoing Communication: Updates will be provided via email and this webpage.

What does this mean for Vendors?

For vendors already using Paymode, the transition will be completely seamless--no action is required. Paymode offers both a Basic (Free) and Premium (Paid) membership. Vendors' existing Paymode enrollment will remain the same.

  • If any updates are needed, Bank of America or Bottomline (BoA's partner) will reach out to vendors directly. 

For vendors not yet enrolled, we will provide updates and details in the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition. This phased approach ensures vendors have the support and information needed for a successful rollout. See also: FAQ for Vendors.

What does this mean for UVA Departments?

UVA departments will not experience any disruption in payment processing as a result of this transition. However, if your team interacts with vendors regarding payments, you may want to be aware of the following: 

  • Vendors already using Paymode will be transitioned automatically. No action is required on their part. 
  • Future phases will include additional vendors. Updates will be provided as the transition progresses. 
  • The payment process itself remains the same for UVA departments. There is no change to how payments are initiated within UVA's financial systems. 

If vendors have questions about this transition, UVA departments can direct them to AskFinance or the Bottomline support team. See also: FAQ for UVA Departments.

_________________________________________________________

 For more information or if you have any questions about the transition to Paymode, please contact the Ask Finance team. They are ready to assist with any inquiries you may have. 

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Thursday, February 20, 2025

Real ID Requirements

Beginning May 7
Beginning May 7, 2025, the federal government will require you to present a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or ID card, or another federally approved form of ID, to board a domestic flight. 

For more information, please visit the DMV's website

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Women in Data Science Charlottesville 2025

Women in Data Science (WiDS) Charlottesville is independently organized by the University of Virginia School of Data Science to increase participation of women in data science and to feature outstanding women doing outstanding work. WiDS Charlottesville 2025 will be held in person at the School of Data Science with a livestream option available for sessions taking place in the Capital One Hub.

Event Details

  • March 28, 2025 - Hybrid - 11:00am - 5:30pm
    • School of Data Science, 1919 Ivy Road

This year's event will feature a keynote discussion with Lexi Reese, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Lanai Software; research lightning talks by emerging data scientists; an interactive art project; resume reviews; and a panel session on self-advocation. WiDS Charlottesville is a free event held at the UVA School of Data Science and all genders are welcome to attend.

Notes: 

  • Lunch is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Only events in the Capital One Hub will be livestreamed.
  • If you need accommodations, please let us know during registration. 
  • Families are welcome and a Green Room with children's activities is provided. 
  • Free parking is available in the JPJ West Lot with shuttle service on the Gold Line.

Reserve your seat here.

To check out the full event agenda, click here.

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Thursday, February 13, 2025

Professional Development Corner February 12, 2025

Make a plan!
If you had a New Year's resolution to engage in more professional development, we hope you've found some good opportunities and have started! If not, you can start now! There are plenty of online, self-paced, as well as instructor-led courses and programs available to you. Remember to discuss all professional development opportunities with your manager prior to applying for any funds. (See below for more information on the Education Benefit).

Why is Professional Development Important?

Check out this article from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, How Professional Development Can Boost Employee Engagement on how participating in learning activities benefits all.

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Coursera

Did you know that UVA has a University-wide subscription for Coursera? Check it out and start learning!

Upcoming Offerings

Listed below are links to offerings that may be of interest. (Remember, if you are requesting departmental funds, make sure it is approved before you make any arrangements).

NACUBO

  • 2025 Annual Meeting - July 26-29 in Washington, DC (National Harbor, MD) -- Save the date; registration not yet open
  • Washington Update: 2024 Post-Election Analysis - Recording from webinar on 11/19/24 is available. You must log in to listen. 
  • Other Live Online Events - unless indicated, the session is free to NACUBO members (which we are, although you need an individual account)
    • Washington Update: What's Next for Higher Education Policy: Navigating a New Congress and Administration - Feb 11, 2025, 2:30-3:30PM 
    • The Change Leadership Toolkit: Resources for Leading Systemic Change on Campus - Feb 13, 2025, 4:00pm
    • 2025 Endowment Leadership Series -- Seven webinars, Feb 18 - Mar 6, 2025 ($325)
    • NACUBO Student Success Series - Feb 25, 2025, 3:15pm - Jul 9, 2025
  • Self-Paced Courses and Microlearning
    • Strategic Higher Education Finance and Planning ($595)
    • F&A Short Form ($150)
    • Facilities Management ($49)
    • Essentials of College and University Accounting ($125)
  • 2025-2026 Emerging Leaders Program (Applications open on April 1 and must be submitted by May 15, 2025)
  • Podcasts
    • Career Conversations 
    • NACUBO in Brief

EACUBO

SACUBO

The Chronicle of Higher Education 

*New* LearnBFSI (several interesting for fee courses – note this company is in Australia) including: ChatGPT for CPAs and Finance Professionals : learnBFSI

Also consider the following as you plan your professional development for the year: 

Education Benefit 

Each year you have $2,000 of centrally-funded education benefit for professional development or $5,250 to use for tuition toward a degree-seeking program. See https://hr.virginia.edu/career-development/education-benefits-1 for more information. (To be eligible for this benefit, you must have had six months of service in a benefits-eligible position at UVA by the start date of the class, with the intent to remain on the active payroll during the entire term of the class.)  

 

Professional Development Request Form  

UVAFinance team members Since we have submitted initial FY 2025 professional development requests already, please discuss with your manager and use the Professional Development Request Form before you register for any program. Remember, not all professional development opportunities require submission of the form. If an opportunity is less than ½ day AND there is no cost associated with it, then do not submit a form. Many LinkedIn Learning courses and some courses offered by UVA Human Resources or other UVA departments meet these criteria. Otherwise, the form must be submitted. If unsure, feel free to ask! 

 

For LEADERS 

Here’s an article from the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): The Top 20 Leadership Challenges – this informative article provides many links to other articles and resources. 

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