University Business Processes

*Please Note*

Introduction to University Business Processes, Acquiring Goods and Services, and Accounting and Reporting Processes are in the process of being revamped due to the launch of Project Café, the University's new financial management system. We expect to launch our new workshops in late Spring or Summer of 2010. For information about Project Café training, please click here.

HRD700 - Introduction to University Business Processes

The first workshop in a series informing employees about each of the University’s major business processes. Introduction to University Business Processes uses lectures, group discussions, case studies, and exercises to introduce participants to the concepts, policies, and practices that shape the business environment at Northwestern.

Key Points

• Identify major components of the University’s business operations
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of administrative support
• Distinguish between different fund types
• Describe key internal control and financial security practices and procedures
• Apply sound business practice concepts to executing University business

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HRD710 - Acquiring Goods and Services

The second workshop in a series informing employees about each of the University's major business processes. Acquiring Goods and Services focuses on the purchasing process in its entirety. Hands-on exercises, lectures by University experts, and discussions of real-life situations enable participants to understand the concepts needed to process orders correctly. Introduction to University Business Processes is strongly recommended before this workshop.

Key Points

• Understand how acquiring goods and services fits into the University structure
• Recognize the importance of documenting receipt of goods
• Become familiar with the process for returns, vendor credits and cancellations
• Identify and implement the key elements of the payment process
• Learn how to select and use a variety of vendors

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HRD720 - Accounting and Reporting Processes

The third workshop in a series informing employees about each of the University’s major business processes, Accounting and Reporting Processes is ideal for employees working with non–sponsored program financial reports and accounting services. Participants learn about the services offered by the Office of Budget Planning and the departments under the Controller’s Office, including Financial Systems, Accounting Services, and the Bursar’s Office. Introduction to University Business Processes is strongly recommended before this workshop.

Key Points

• Identify the roles and responsibilities of the Controller’s Office and the Office of Budget Planning
• Learn how to access and understand financial statements generated by CUFS
• Learn to interpret data on budget statements (FM160, FM162)
• Learn about the following forms and when to use them: Requests for Accounting Correction (RAC), Intra-Institutional Voucher (IV), Transfer Voucher (TV), Journal Voucher (JV), Request for New Account, Request for Budget Appropriation Change (RBAC)

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HRD730 - Effective Business Operations: A Guide to Internal Controls

Effective Business Operations helps University employees to effectively and efficiently administer operations; keep reliable financial records; produce accurate reports; comply with University policies, procedures, laws and regulations; and safeguard University assets. Prerequisites: none.

Key Points

• Find out what can happen if adequate controls are not in place
• Learn the key control elements and how they relate to one’s job
• Obtain a self-assessment tool to evaluate internal operations
• Identify whom to contact with questions or concerns about business operations

*$50 no-show/cancellation fee. Chart string (formerly CUFS) required to register.*
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HRD740 - What Should I Do? NU Standards for Business Conduct*

This workshop takes an ethical point of view of the major policies and procedures guiding the University’s work flow. In a highly interactive and informal environment, participants review key points and do’s and don’ts, then learn how to recognize potential problems and where to go for answers.

Key Points

• University employment
• Sexual harassment and discrimination prevention
• Confidentiality
• Representing the University; conflict of interest
• Purchasing and vendor relations
• Travel, entertainment, and gifts
• Proper accounting
• Proper use of University assets and network and computing resources
• Copyright and trademark infringement

*NU Standards for Business Conduct is offered as part of NEO Part 2 so if you are registered or plan to register for NEO Part 2, you do not need to attend this session.
*$50 no-show/cancellation fee. Chart string (formerly CUFS) required to register.*
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HRD750 - How Compensation Works: An Overview for Employees

This workshop provides an understanding of Northwestern University 's compensation philosophy and how the Office of Human Resources Compensation Division partners with Schools and departments to manage and administer a fair, equitable and competitive pay program for staff employees.

Key Points

• Structuring a job description
• How jobs are evaluated and the use of salary surveys
• How performance relates to merit increases
• Salary ranges: how they're developed and how to use them for salary administration
• When to ask for additional pay

Look for this course in the Spring of 2010.
*$50 no-show/cancellation fee. Chart string (formerly CUFS) required to register.*
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HRD760 - GreenTalk

A series of one-hour information sessions designed to educate NU staff and faculty about green initiatives and resources on campus.  

Next session will focus on:

Greening NU -- curious about what you, your office and the campus can do to be more environmentally proactive?  Come to this Green Talk Session!

• Learn how your actions impact our environment.
• Identify ways to green your office operations.
• Discover how recycling helps to contribute to the bigger picture and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Find out what NU is doing to be a more sustainable institution.

Did you know? 

Northwestern University recycles more than 1,500 tons each year or about 27% of our campus waste stream.  However, we can do more. To aid in that goal, additional materials are now acceptable in campus recycling! Click here to read more.   

For complete NU recycling program details Click Here

To learn more about the environmental impact of campus recycling efforts Click Here

Want to ‘green’ your office? Check out the sustainable office checklist Click Here

NUIT is going green with a new web site. To visit Click Here

Check out One Book One Northwestern- "Northwestern invites you to participate in "One Book One Northwestern," our community-wide reading program hosted by the President's Office of the University. This year we are reading Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thomas Friedman's "Hot, Flat, and Crowded," which illuminates topics of great relevance for everyone concerned about the challenges and solutions to the global climate crisis. The goal of One Book is to create a common conversation throughout the campus community, including an ongoing discussion blog involving students, faculty, and staff across each of our campuses. "

*$50 no-show/cancellation fee. Chart string (formerly CUFS) required to register.*
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Manager's HR Toolkit

What Every Northwestern University Manager Needs to Know

HRD690 - ADA Accommodations: Step by Step Guidance for Supervisors and Managers
This interactive workshop instructs supervisors and managers on the basic requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its impact on the workplace.

This workshop is for supervisors and managers with direct reports, and people who are responsible for the administration of HR policies in their units.

Key Points

• Understand the definition of a disability
• Identify employees who are protected
• Learn about employer requirements, University policy and procedures
• Determine appropriate responses to performance deficiences that may be linked to a disability
• Determine appropriate responses to requests for accommodations

**$50 no-show/cancellation fee. Chart string (formerly CUFS) required to register.**
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HRD755 - How Compensation Works: An Overview for Managers

This workshop provides an understanding of Northwestern University 's compensation philosophy and how the Office of Human Resources Compensation Division partners with Schools and departments to manage and administer a fair, equitable and competitive pay program for staff employees.

This workshop is for supervisors and managers with direct reports, and people who are responsible for the administration of HR policies in their units.

Key Points

• Structuring a job description
• How jobs are evaluated and the use of salary surveys
• How performance relates to merit increases
• Salary ranges: how they're developed and how to use them for salary administration
• When to ask for additional pay

**$50 no-show/cancellation fee. Chart string (formerly CUFS) required to register.**
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HRD821 -Navigating Difficult Employee-Relations Issues

An employee who is having performance issues shares with you that he has trouble concentrating because he has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).  How do you respond?  

• Become his confidant?
• Refer him to Perspectives (NU’s Employee Assistance Program)?
• Share with your HR Consultant and/or your manager (in confidence) that he has ADD?
• Tell him he needs to figure it out and improve his performance?
• None of the above

The answer is E) none of the above.  ADD is an issue that is protected under the law as a disability.  Once we are aware of some employee issues, we are legally placed on notice and must respond appropriately.  Does that mean employee performance can’t be managed in these situations? Come learn how to respond to difficult employee issues like these and take the guess work out of knowing the right thing to do, when the right thing isn’t so obvious.  You’ll leave this session with the skills and tools needed to face difficult situations without fear or reservation and respond appropriately every time.

This workshop is for supervisors and managers with direct reports, and people who are responsible for the administration of HR policies in their units.

Key Points

• Which employee issues are protected under the law and what response is required
• The legal ramifications of what you do (and don’t do) as a manager
• How to ensure equal and fair treatment of employees
• How to effectively manage the disciplinary process under all circumstances
• How to advise and when to refer Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) issues to HR
• When and how to apply Intermittent FMLA
• When to handle difficult situations and conversations yourself and when to get help from (and refer employees to):
• Perspectives
• Your HR Consultant
• Office of Equal Opportunity and Access
• Office of Work/Life Resources
• Office of Sexual Harassment Prevention

**$50 no-show/cancellation fee. Chart string (formerly CUFS) required to register.**
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HRD820- Work/Life Stategies for Enhancing Workplace Performance

In order to attract and retain the best employees, NU offers a variety of policies and programs that help staff members integrate the competing demands of work and personal life.  Whether or not your employees are able to use these programs depends largely on your knowledge, awareness and willingness to support them.  Work/life strategies aren’t a nice-to-have perk; they play a pivotal role in the engagement, motivation and performance of your staff. Come learn how to inspire high performance by implementing strategies at the department/team level that enhance work/life integration.

This workshop is for supervisors and managers with direct reports, and people who are responsible for the administration of HR policies in their units.

Key Points

• Why a strong work/life culture matters and why work/life strategies are important to you as a manager
• What work/life resources are available to you and your staff – probably many more than you think!
• Implementing flexible work options: If you offer flex time for one person, do you have to offer it to everybody?  (The answer might surprise you.)
• Responding to and maintaining a professional relationship when an employee shares a delicate personal concern
• Customizing approaches that work for you and your employees
• Proactively addressing challenging situations that have work/life components before they impact performance
• Building a culture that supports work/life integration

**$50 no-show/cancellation fee. Chart string (formerly CUFS) required to register.**
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For more information, please contact Learning & Organization Development at 847-467-5081 or training@northwestern.edu.