In The Know – Issue 180
Posted in: In the Know
Composting Comes to Freeman Dining Hall
Beginning February 2026, the University began composting kitchen scraps from Freeman Dining Hall through a cross-campus partnership that supports the Facilities Sustainability Plan’s landfill-diversion goals.
Nominate a Student for the Future Student Affairs Professionals Program
The Future Student Affairs Professionals aims to educate, mentor and engage with undergraduate students who have the potential to pursue a future career in Student Affairs. Through an application process, 20 juniors and seniors will be selected to learn more about the field of Student Affairs. Participants will have the opportunity to shadow different departments, attend conferences, join committees and meet and build relationships with current professionals in different functional areas of Student Affairs.
HR Updates
Performance Management Key Dates and Reminder: AFT Professional Staff
2026 PARs Launched for CWA Employees
The 2026 Performance Assessment Review (PAR) is now live in Workday. Your Supervisor has received a task in their Workday inbox to complete the initial agreement. The initial agreement is due on January 31, 2026.
This year, we are providing all Civil Service employees with a self-guided employee-facing version of the Performance Assessment Review training.
If you have questions regarding the 2026 Performance Assessment Review or have not received your Initial Agreement, please email performance@montclair.edu. A ServiceNow ticket will be created on your behalf.
2025 W-2 Form Available in Workday
Employees have access to print and download their 2025 W-2 form in Workday.
How to Access Your W-2 Form
- From your Workday home page, please select the Pay Icon from your Apps list
- Then select My Tax Documents
- Once in My Tax Documents scroll down and you’ll see a table with available tax year W-2 documents that you can view/print
Paper W-2 Forms
In accordance with IRS Guidelines, employees who elected to receive a paper copy will have had their W-2 mailed out by Friday, January 30. Please note that if your W-2 is two pages, you will receive two envelopes in the mail.
If you have questions, contact Human Resources at askhr@montclair.edu or at x7700, option 1.
Updates
Faculty and Staff Commencement Registration
Montclair State University is excited to hold Spring 2026 Commencement exercises on Monday, May 11 and Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at Prudential Center in Newark. Advanced registration is REQUIRED for all faculty and staff attending Commencement. There are two registration forms depending if you are a staff member working the event or a faculty or staff member participating in the academic processional. Registration will close on Monday, March 30, 2026. Due to event coordination needs, faculty and staff MUST register by this deadline. Late registrations will not be accepted. Visit the faculty and staff Commencement webpage for more information or email officeofspecialevents@montclair.edu.
Montclair’s Middle States Self-Study: A Campuswide Reflection on Mission, Growth, and Resilience
The University’s self-study report has been completed and formally submitted to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The self-study has provided an invaluable opportunity to take stock of Montclair’s significant growth, examine how the institution continues to deliver on its mission and identify the ways we are strengthening institutional resilience for the future. The self-study report is available for the community to view online.
World’s Fair Day 2026 Planning
Interested in helping plan World’s Fair Day 2026? Attend a planning meeting! World’s Fair Day will be held on April 23, 2026. Contact Casey Coleman for more information. Planning meeting schedule as follows at 10 a.m. on Zoom
- Friday, March 13
- Friday, April 10
Reminders
Career Development Program
The Career Development Program (CDP) provides professional development support for employees represented by the AFT (membership not required), including librarians, tenure-track and teaching faculty and professional staff. The program is designed to help participants build new skills or areas of expertise through meetings, workshops, symposia, short courses and training programs. Applicants must submit a written proposal along with a detailed budget breakdown and are encouraged to submit one cohesive proposal centered on a common theme. Application due Monday, March 2, by 4:30 p.m.
Donate to Create Recharge and Restore Kits for Students
The Red Hawk Pantry, CART Performance Operations and CAPS are partnering to distribute Recharge & Restore Kits to students at the end of the semester. These kits are designed to encourage students and support their wellbeing during this stressful time. Kits can include a mix of salty and sweet snacks, study supplies, stress relievers and/or self care items as well as personal notes to boost morale.
You can support this initiative by donating supplies for the kits from the Amazon Wish List.
Monetary donations can be made online via the TIX.com CART Donations page. Select “Red Hawk Pantry Care Kits” (see image below) to donate to this project. The cost of 1 kit is about $15.50. Our goal is to give out 150 boxes this first semester.
In The News
- Joel Penney (Communication and Media) is quoted in this POLITICO report of an analysis that found rapper Nicki Minaj’s social media posts supporting conservative causes were amplified by an army of bots and coordinated activity.
- Lisa Hazard and Kirsten Monsen (Biology) are featured in this Inside Climate News article about ranavirus outbreaks in New Jersey and how rising temperatures could exacerbate the problem.
- Dan Geltrude (Adjunct, Accounting and Finance) appeared on a Newsmax segment to discuss tariffs and other news topics related to the economy.
Kudos
- To Hanan Atiyat (College for Community Health), Amanda Carcione (College of the Arts) and Celest Van Nice (College of Science and Mathematics) for presenting at the 2026 Region 1 and 2 NACADA Conference in Providence, Rhode Island. Their session highlighted the power of collaborative leadership and the strength it brings to student success work.
- To Mike Peters (University Communications and Marketing) on his upcoming photography exhibition, The People Project. 20% of print sales will be donated to the Red Hawk Pantry for students experiencing food insecurity.
Social Media Post of Note
Winter wonderland in #RedHawkCountry ❄️☃️
Photo of the Week
When winter hits hard, facilities clears the way! A big thank you to our Facilities team for their hard work during the 2026 blizzard. They play a vital role in keeping our campus running smoothly day in and day out. – University Photographer: Mike Peters
Quick Links
Have an item you’d like included in Kudos or Reminders? Want to nominate a staffer for our spotlight? Use this form to tell us. Read more about our people and programs in the University News Center and in back issues of In the Know. And find out what’s happening on campus in the Events Calendar.