Human Resources Website

Human Resources New Hire Tasks

As you prepare for your employment with Grand Valley State University, we want to provide you with information regarding the People, Equity and Culture (PEC) Division's portion of New Faculty Orientation, as well as the onboarding tasks you will need to complete for a successful transition to GVSU.

The People, Equity and Culture Division brings together the offices that support the employee experience throughout your career at GVSU. During New Faculty Orientation, you will be introduced to representatives from Human Resources, the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, the Office of Inclusion & Equity, Employee Ombuds, and other members of the division who are dedicated to supportyin facultly success.

In mid-July, you will receive an email containing your benefits packet and additional onboarding information. The packet will include information about the benefits available to you as a new faculty member, along with instructions for completing required tasks in Workday. We encourage you to review these materials before attending New Faculty Orientation on Thursday, August 6, 2026.  

During the People, Equity and Culture program, you will:

• Learn about the offices and resources within the People, Equity and Culture Division that support faculty throughout their employment.
• Meeting your Human Resources Business Partners and learn how they can assist you with workplace questions, employment matters, and professional support.
• Learn about employee benefits, retirement options, leave programs, wellness resources, and payroll processes.
• Become familiar with the Office of Civil rights and Title IX, the Office of Inclusion & Equity, Employee Ombuds, and other campus resources that help foster a safe, respectful, and inclusive university community.
• Complete required onboarding activities, including benefits enrollment, payroll elections, Faculty Oaths, and I-9 employment verification, with assistance from Human Resources and Payroll staff.
• Meet representatives from TIAA and Fidelity and ask questions about retirement planning and investment options.

IMPORTANT DATES AND ITEMS TO REMEMBER:

• Mid-July 2026: you will receive an email containing your benefits packet and instructions for completing your onboarding tasks in Workday, including benefits enrollment, payroll elections, tax forms, direct deposit, the Faculty Oath, and the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification.
• Thursday, August 6, 2026 – New Faculty Orientation Day 1: Human Resources staff will be available to assist you with completing your benefits enrollment, payroll elections, Faculty Oath, and I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification. To make the most of your time, please come prepared with questions and bring your original identification documents required for I-9 verification.
• Monday, August 17, 2026: Deadline for eligible 9-month faculty to elect the 12-month pay option. If you do not complete your election by the deadline, you will default to the 9-month pay option. You will have another opportunity to make this election during the next annual election period.
• Sunday, August 30, 2026: You will receive your first paycheck.
• Within 30 Days of Your Hire Date (Friday, September 4, 2026): Deadline to complete your benefit elections in Workday, if you missed New Faculty Orientation. Benefit elections no completed within the required enrollment period will automatically be enrolled in the Standard PPO Medical Plan with Delta Dental single coverage plan. You will not be able to opt out until the next Open Enrollment period in October 2026. Any changes made during that time will take effect on January 1, 2027. Completion of your benefit elections will be done in your Workday profile. A task will appear in your Workday inbox to complete your elections. Your selected benefits will be effective retroactively to August 6, 2026. 

ADDITIONAL POINTS TO CONSIDER:

• You must bring with you the original identification documents required to complete your I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification on August 6, 2026.
• Faculty/Staff Picture IDs can be obtained at the Registrar's Office, located at 150 Student Services on the Allendale Campus, or 115C DeVos on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Please bring your G-Number and a form of identification to be able to print your ID.
• Direct Deposit information can be completed in Workday. You will receive a task in your Workday inbox to set up direct deposit.
• Tax Forms must be completed in Workday. You will receive a task in your Workday inbox to complete your task forms. An employee from the HR Payroll team will be available on August 6, 2026 at New Faculty Orientation if you have questions.
• Retirement plan investment representatives from TIAA and Fidelity will be present at New Faculty Orientation and are available, thereafter, for one-on-one appointments. To schedule, visit the TIAA website and the Fidelity website to select a time. For further information, please refer to the Retirement Planning section of the Human Resources website.

If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources office at (616) 331-2215 or by email at [email protected]. 

We look forward to welcoming you to Grand Valley State University and introducing you to the People, Equity and Culture Division. We are committed to support your success from your first day and GVSU and throughout your career.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Additional resources helpful for new faculty can be found on the Pew Faculty Teaching & Learning Center New Faculty webpage and include:

• Important Dates
• Campus Maps and Driving Directions
• Faculty Quick Start Guide

We look forward to meeting you and supporting your teaching at GVSU.

Network Login to Access Technology

To make sure you can access your GVSU email, Blackboard (classroom management system) and Banner (student information system) during the IT sessions, please be sure to complete the following items by August 6. You will not be issued a GVSU ID number or network login (required to access all GVSU technology) if these forms are not completed.

• Return your signed contract
• Complete the required payroll forms (W-2 and I-9)

Should you have questions or concern regarding these items, please reach out to your departmental contact.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Additional resources helpful for new faculty can be found on the Pew Faculty Teaching & Learning Center New Faculty webpage and include:

• Important Dates
• Campus Maps and Driving Directions
• Faculty Quick Start Guide

We look forward to meeting you and supporting your teaching at GVSU.