2
HELP WITHYOUR TAXES
Tax returns arebeing prepared atno charge by theDuke Law School.
5
EMPLOYEESPOTLIGHT
Meet Rekayi Isley,Community ServiceOfficer for theDuke Police Dept.
6
TALKING WITHTALLMANTRASK
AQ&A sessionwith Duke’sExecutive VicePresident.
NEWS YOU CAN USE :: Volume 1, Issue 1 :: March 2006
WORKING
@
DUKE
elcome to
Working
@
Duke
–your source for useful news,features and information about working at Duke.
You might be thinking,“Why is Duke sending me more paperabout stuffthat does not affect me and I do not have time to read.” The truth is that we’re actually sending you less paper with more conciseand better information.Let me explain. This new publication evolved out ofwork by a Duke-wide committeethat spent more than a year assessing internal communications across theuniversity.In its 2004 report,the committee wrote that “many membersofthe Dukecommunity nowfeel overloaded with e-mail messages,newsletters,and other information while,at the same time,feeling uninformed about developments that affect their lives.” The conclusions led the committee to a self-evident truth — commu-nication is more than a process ofdistribution.And it shouldn’t be ascavenger hunt,either.The burden so far has been too much on you tofind information and connect the various dots to see the bigger pictureof Duke and to make sense ofit.Since the committee’s study,much work hasgone into improving the flow ofinformation and rethinking how best toconnect people with the information theyneed and want from across Duke. As a result,several initiatives are under way.They include the new online newspaper,
Duke Today
;apublication called
This Month at Duke
thatfeatures events and Duke’s community outreach efforts;and this new publication.
Working@Duke
will consolidate information currently included in several department publications,including
Benefits Advantage
.
Working@Duke
also replaces
Dialogue
as the primaryinternal publicationon campus.Thus,less paper.David Jarmul,who chaired the internal communications committeeand is associate vice president ofnews and communications,believes thatall membersofthe Duke community will benefit from these changes.“This new package ofprinted and online materials reflects what our com-mittee heard from faculty,staff,students and others across the Dukecommunity,”he said.“We’ve taken a hard look at what we’ve been doing and made significant changes to help people get the information theyneed.” Wehope
Working@Duke
provides you with a better way to find out what’s going on at Duke and gain a better understanding ofissues thataffect your daily work and the resources available to support you.Forinstance,in this first issue,you will learn about tax assistance the DukeSchool ofLaw provides at no charge to many ofour staff.You will alsoread about an innovative health program that may help do something few,ifany,employers have done in recent memory — lower the costofhealth insurance for their employees.In
Working@Duke
,we also plan to share stories about the work of you and your colleagues,stories that highlight the many ways in which youcontribute to the education,research,and health care missions ofDuke.
In a recent study, Duke community members reported feeling overwhelmed by publications, yetuninformed.
Working@Duke
will replace several print publications and serve as a primary source ofinformation for people who work at Duke.
“
The burden so far has been too muchon you to find information and connectthe various dots to see the bigger pictureofDukeand to make sense of it.”
—Paul Grantham, directorOffice of Communication Services
Willie Mae Daye, a housekeeper in the Allen Building, has worked at Duke for six years.
Whyyoureallyneedthispaper
Newsletter ~ continued on back page
W
This paper consistsof30% recycledpost-consumer fiber.
Bob Dean Named Directorof Duke Police
Robert H. “Bob” Dean Jr. has beennamed director of Duke Police.Dean, who served the Duke com-munity for 41 years before retiringand returning last year as interimdirector, will lead the department’sday-to-day operations and reportto Aaron Graves, associate vicepresident for Campus Safety andSecurity. Dean’s appointmentcomes after he served sevenmonths as interimdirector whilethe university conducted a national search for associate vice presidentfor Campus Safety and Security. Graves started work Jan. 9.
Upfor a Challenge? Clock in for Better Health
Duke is challenging faculty and staff to work together to accumulateone million minutes of exercise in 12 weeks. In January, LIVE FOR LIFEbegan Duke On the Move — The Million Minute Challenge, a newprogram. In the first two weeks of the program, 2,100 people signed upand have logged more than 350,000 exercise minutes. You can reportyour minutes online and be entered into a drawing for multiple prizes.Every time you accumulate and report 100 minutes of exercise, yourname will be entered into a drawing for prizes such as gift certificatesto local restaurants, an iPod Shuffle, free fitness memberships, and aspa package. To register, visit the Duke On the Move Web site atwww.hr.duke.edu/onthemove, stop by the LIVE FOR LIFE office at04290 Red Zone, Duke Clinic, or call (919) 684-3136 (option 1).
Sign Up Early for Summer Camps
Human Resources is developing a list of the summer camps andprograms available in the Durham area. The programs include athleticand academic camps sponsored by Duke, as well as other arts andrecreation camps. Visit www.hr.duke.edu/child-family/care.html orcall Staff & Family Programs, (919) 684-9040, for more information.
Duke Fitness Club Expands
Two new health clubs have been addedto the Duke Fitness Club. Faculty, staff,and family members can now join any of12 full service fitness facilities at dis-counted membership rates. The fitnessfacilities of the expanded Duke FitnessClub offer 24 locations throughout theTriangle. If you join a fitness centerthrough the Duke Fitness Club, thereare no annual fees or contracts, andmembership dues can be deducted from your paycheck. Visitwww.hr.duke.edu/eohs/livelife/fitness.html or call LIVE FOR LIFE at(919) 684-3136 (Option 1).
Need A Babysitter or Eldercare Services?
Human Resources recently printed its bi-annual
Babysitting and Eldercare Guide
.This referral guide lists the names of Duke students,staff and family members, and Duke alumni who are available to pro-vide child and elder care. Most care is part-time or one-time and isprovided at the child’s or elder’s home. The guide is available at Staffand Family Programs located in 154 Trent Hall and online atwww.hr.duke.edu/child-family.
2
S
taceyMcGavin sits with her lap-top open in the DukeUniversity Federal Credit Union.A yellow highlighter and copy ofthe “2005 Volunteer Resource Guide”rest by her side.It’s tax time,again.McGavin and other volunteerDukeLawstudents,staffand faculty membersare offering free tax prepara-tion services to people who work atDuke,as well as residents ofDurham. To be eligible for the service,clientsmust earn$35,000 or less. The Law School’s VolunteerIncome Tax Assistance program, VITA,has been a staple at Duke formany years.Last year,volunteerslogged more than 2,000 hours andfiled more than $300,000 in refundsand credits for more than 200 clients,manyofwhom work at Duke. Volunteers started seeing clients Jan.27 and will continue preparing returns through April 7. Ayoka Harding,who works inDuke Environmental Services as ahousekeeper,was among the firstclients Jan.27.She has used the law school service for the last few years.“I think it’san excellent benefit,”said Harding,29.“More Dukeemployees should take advantage of this service.Therearen’t too many jobsthat offer this for free.” The VITA volunteers do morethan preparethe return.They helpdetermine whether workers at Dukeareeligible for child and earnedincome tax credits — refundseasily overlooked.“Our goal is make sure peoplenot only get their refunds,but they getthe credits they deserve,”said ChrisMcLaughlin,a 1996 graduate ofDukeLawand assistant dean for Academicand Student Affairs.“We also helpthem avoid $100 to $200 in taxpreparation fees.” VITA volunteers receive two daysoftax preparation training from theInternal Revenue Service and arequalified to prepare and file tax returnselectronically,which allow taxpayers toreceive their refunds in less than a week.McGavin,the Duke Law Schoolstudent,also volunteered to preparetax returns last year.“I like participating in this programbecause some ofus don’t know muchabout the Durham community,andthis gets us out more,”McGavin said.“A lot ofthe Durham community ismade up ofemployees at Duke.Thereis another community at Duke besidesthe students and the faculty.”
—By Leanora Minai Editor,Working@Duke
DukeLaw School preparestax returns at no charge
TOBE ELIGIBLE, CLIENTS MUST EARN $35,000 OR LESS
Ithink it’s an excellentbenefit. More Dukeemployees should takeadvantage ofthis service. Therearen’t too many jobs that offerthis for free.”
—Ayoka Harding
“
Duke Law School student Stacey McGavin isvolunteering to prepare tax returns at no chargefor Duke employees.Robert H. “Bob” Dean Jr.
LOOKING
AHEAD
@
DUKE
March 21 ::
President Richard H.Brodhead will talk at 4 p.m. inGriffith Auditorium. He will offeranupdate on strategic planningfor theDuke studentcommunity.
April 7 ::
The Duke FarmersMarket opens, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.,infront of the Medical CenterBookstore and on the walkwaybetween Duke Hospital and theMedicalCenter.
April 24-30 ::
North CarolinaFestival of the Book, at Dukeand throughout Durham,www.ncbook.org.
April 26::
2006 PresidentialAward Luncheon, noon,Washington Duke Inn.For more events, check theuniversity’s online calendarat http://calendar.duke.edu
News
briefs
IF YOU GO
WHAT:
Duke Law SchoolVolunteer Income TaxAssistance (VITA) preparesreturns at no charge. To beeligible, clients must earn$35,000 or less.
WHERE:
E.K. PoweElementary School, 913Ninth Street, from 10 a.m. to2p.m. on March 4; DukeUniversity Federal CreditUnion, 1400 Morreene Road,from 11 a.m. to5p.m. onApril 7; and the ImmaculateConception Catholic Church,725Burch Avenue,from 2p.m. to 4 p.m. on March 19,March 26 and April 2.
DETAILS:
Walk-ins areaccepted, but clients withappointments receive priori-tyservice.Contact the siteto make an appointment.
MORE INFO:
Visitwww.law.duke.edu/student/act/vita/index.htm orcall the VITA Hotline,(919) 613-8526
Those tall yellow poles topped with bluestrobe lights can be used for more thanjust serious emergencies.“You can use them any time you need help or toreport suspicious behavior or unsafe conditions,”said SarahMinnis,a major with the Duke University Police Department.“You can ask for directions,or,ifyou have car problems, we can assist with getting you in touch with home,a friend,your automobile club or a local repair service.Our dis-patchers will stay on the line with you to make sure the callgoes through and assist with directions when needed.”Ofmore than 500 emergency phones,139 ofthese areblue light help telephones,and they are scattered throughouttheuniversity - along jogging trails,in parking lots,near busstops and between Duke Clinic and Duke Hospital.Someofthe phones are attached to yellow poles;others aremounted on utility poles,buildings and in elevators.Pick upthe handset or press the red button,and you are immediately connected to a Duke Police dispatcher,who will know yourlocation and can carry on a two-way conversation.“When you press the button to talk on the phonesequipped with a blue strobe light,the light will be activated,so responding officers and others in the immediate area willknow where you are located and that assistance is being requested,”said Sandy DeWeese,a crime preventionspecialist with Duke Police.“We strongly encourage the use ofthese devices asameans ofrapid communications with the Duke PoliceDepartment,no matter how serious your concern or issuemay be,”said Aaron Graves,associate vice president forCampus Safety and Security.Ifyou believe an area at the university or health systemmight benefit from the installation ofan emergency or bluelight phone,call the police department’s crime preventionoffice at (919) 668-3106.An assessment will be conductedtodetermine ifa phone can be installed.
—By Leanora Minai Editor,Working@Duke
Ihonestlythought I wasgone. If that equipmenthadn’t been in the wayand caught me, Iwouldn’t be herenow.”
—Carl Ward
C
arl Ward knows that what lies behind some doorscan turn your life upside down. Aplumber atDuke,Ward opened a fourth-floordoor in Duke Clinic and stepped into an open shaft that was once a room.The 4-foot fall was interrupted by duct work,leaving him with a shoulder injury.But he was grate-ful to be alive.“I honestly thought I was gone,”said Ward,52,whohas worked atDukefor 16 years.“Ifthat equipment hadn’tbeen in the way and caught me,I wouldn’t be here now.” Ward’s accident in 2001 highlights the significance ofarecently revised safety policy for Duke.The policy focuseson eliminating or reducing conditions and behaviors thatcould result in injuryorillness.Dr.Wayne Thomann,director ofoccupational andenvironmental safety,said Duke is working to create aculture within the university and health system in whicheveryone feels a responsibility to ensure a safe environmentfor students,patients,faculty,staffand visitors.Under the revised policy,everyone who works at Dukeis required to identify and report safety issues in a timely manner.“Safetyis not just the responsibility ofthe safety office.It is the responsibility ofeach and every person who works here.We all needto be aware ofour environment,identify potential problems and help seek remedies beforean accident happens,”Thomann said.Morethan 1,300 workplace accidents werereported atDukebetween July and December 2005.In addition to thepersonal toll,these accidents disrupt productivity and resultin high medical expenses for Duke — money that could beapplied to other programs,benefits and services.In Ward’s accident,which Thomann said is uncommon,ametal grate had not been placed over the open shaft toprevent someone from falling through.Soon after the inci-dent,agrate was installed. While most accidents are not as severe as Ward’s,themajority are preventable.Thomann,who helped coordi-nate revisions to the safety policy,is now working to raiseawareness about the role each person plays in creating asafe environment.“Some ofthe thingspeople can do are simple,butsignificant,”Thomann said.“Ifyou see a spill on a floor,take the time to find some-thing or someone to helpclean it up before someonegets hurt.Or ifwe have icy conditions,use designatedparking decks and walkways to get to and from work safely. We want to eliminate accidents entirely,especially thosecaused by unnecessaryrisks orpeople not paying closerattentiontotheirsurroundings.” Ward said he can certainly appreciate the value ofcreat-ing a safety culture at Duke.“Anything that can be done tohelp with safety in the work place is good,”he said.On the dayofhis acci-dent,Wardwas following aceiling water sprinkler line inan area being renovated inDuke Clinic.As he looked up,he unlocked the door,steppedout and immediatelyfell intothe dark,open shaft.Still clutching his keys inthe door lock,Ward hung by his right arm briefly,before falling about 4-feet on heating and air equipment.He was able to crawl out and call for help.In May 2002,nearly five months later — after shouldersurgery and rehabilitation — Ward returned to work with ahealthyperspective on the importance ofsafety and being aware ofhis surroundings.“Today,I don’t open doors without glancing downbefore I walk in,”Ward said,“especially in the dark.”
—By Jane PaigeWorking@Duke Correspondent
“
3
S A F E T Y
F I R S T
Staying
safe
DUKE’S BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL
Falls,lifting and being hit byanobject or person are the most fre-quentcauses of injuries at Duke.There have been 118 more incidentsreported this year in these cate-gories compared to last year. Still,the number ofaccidents thatresulted in lost work time hasslightly decreased.
Carl Ward
New safety policy requires employeesto reportunsafeconditions
Ofmore than 500 emergency phonesat Duke, 139 are equipped with a bluestrobe light that is activated when acall is made.
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DUKE POLICE?
Visit www.duke.edu/web/police/
Top Three Causes of Injuries
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Visit www.safety.duke.eduor call (919) 684-2794
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Working@Duke - March, 2006
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