Fiscal Updates: 

• Spring ‘26 Payroll Pre-Encumbrance
  • The B.O. will be pre-encumbering Spring ‘26 PAs that were recently submitted for these payroll types:
  • Adjunct on 2Ls
  • Grads – all accounts (except for GA Hold)
  • PE will be reflected on Dec 1st and Jan 1st reports

Other: 

• Changes to KFS Invoicing Procedures
• Accounts Receivable has streamlined the following procedures:
• Invoicing UConn Health
• Departments invoicing UConn Health should no longer Cc Accounts Receivable when emailing their KFS invoice to UCH.
• Departments should continue Cc’ing Brittany Fabrizio at UCH (bfabrizio@uchc.edu).  All other steps of the process for billing UCHremain the same.  As a reminder, a purchase order or MOU must be obtained before invoicing UCH, and a contact person at UCH must be listed on the invoice. 
• Billing other State of CT Agencies
• Departments invoicing other State of CT agencies should no longer Cc Accounts Receivable when emailing State Transfer Invoices to the agency.
• All other steps of the process for billing other State of CT agenciesremain the same.  Please note that a contract, MOU, or other written agreement should be obtained whenever possible to ensure payment can be collected in a timely manner. 
• For more information, contact: Accounts Receivable at accountsreceivable@uconn.edu

 

Procurement Updates: 

• A new software pre-review process has been implemented to improve efficiency and clarity around ProCard software purchases. Effective immediately, these reviews will move from HuskyBuy to Kuali Build.
• New pre-review process: Software and cloud service ProCard exception reviews now occur in Kuali Build, replacing the former HuskyBuy exception form—used only when a supplier won’t register in HuskyBuy or accept a UConn PO.
• Standard purchasing unchanged: Most software purchases should still use the Software and IT Service non-catalog requisition in HuskyBuy, unless the above exceptions apply.
• Benefits: The new Kuali Build form streamlines reviews, improves communication with distributed IT, and requires primary users to attest to IT policy compliance.
• Supplier Classification: DRS Hold (HuskyBuy)
• Suppliers with Department of Revenue Services (DRS) hold will appear in supplier search results
• Under state warrant hold statutes, UConn is prohibited from issuing payments to suppliers with unresolved obligations to the State of Connecticut
• DRS address in HuskyBuy should NEVER be used as orders cannot corrected within the existing document if approvedà new requisition will be needed
• See additional guidance:
• Supplier Classifications: https://kb.uconn.edu/space/FPB/26920845314/Supplier++Classifications
• Searching Suppliers in HuskyBuy: https://kb.uconn.edu/space/FPB/26922549422/Searching+Suppliers

 

OVPR/Post Award Updates: 

• IDC Update:
  • The university is sharing an update on the revised IDC distribution model and ongoing budget uncertainty
  • IDC distributions: PIs began receiving the new 5% real-time IDC distribution on 9/18/25, but did not receive this portion from July 1–Sept 17.
  • Catch-up payment: A one-time deposit covering that gap will be made to PI accounts before 1/1/26

 

• Reminders from SPA Meeting:
  • Payroll Cost Transfers
    • Ensure all accounts (debits and credits) are included and match the SmartHR
    • Include employee name and ID
    • Attach backup such as a copy of SmartHR or Paper PA
    • Attach timecard if student labor
    • SPS’ November SPA Meeting (12/17/25):
    • See Presentation slides: 
    • https://content.research.uconn.edu/pdf/storrs/sps/spa/December-2025-Storrs-SPA-web.pdf
  • SPA Training Opportunities
    • Level One Basics-January 6 and 8, 8:30am-12pm
    • Subawards e-Learning module 
    • Available via Learning@work
    • Effort and Commitments e-Learning module
    • Available via Learning@work
    • Direct all questions and inquiries that fall under expanded authorities to SPS Post-Award Grants and Contracts Specialist or Business Office 

 

 

HR (Human Resources) and Payroll Updates  

• Graduate Assistantship Offer Letters in Slate Project/Transition 
  • All departments are anticipated to transition their Graduate Assistantship Offer Letter process starting with Fall 2026 Graduate Assistantship Offer Letters.  
  • For more background on the project, please visit the Graduate School’s website HERE 
  • We will also be sure to provide updates as we near the full transition.  

  

• Minimum Wage Adjustment 
  • Effective January 1, 2026, per Public Act 19-4,the State of Connecticut minimum wage will be increased to $16.94/hour.  
  • This transition will occur centrally for all applicable employees.  
  • Please be sure to review any employees with a current hourly rate above $16.35 to determine if a proportional adjustment will need to be processed. Manual adjustments should not be entered until the central change occurs by Payroll. The BO will notify departments when these can be processed. 

 

• Graduate School Timely Topics 
  • If you’ve missed any sessions or wonder if a specific topic has previously been covered, a complete prior session listing is available HERE 

 

• HR PageUp Training 
  • Register for sessions HERE 
    • Upcoming sessions: 
      • Regular Payroll 
        • January 12, 2026 at 9:00am
    • Special Payroll 
      • • January 13, 2026 at 9:00am

  

CAHNR Internal Professional Development Opportunities:   

The CAHNR’s Dean’s Office is committed to providing opportunities for faculty, staff, and graduate students to expand their professional knowledge and skills. Throughout the year, the Dean’s Office will organize workshops and offer training, that will help the CAHNR community grow. Workshops and training will focus on fostering employee understanding and abilities in both hard and soft skills, such as in communication, HR/Payroll competency, and creativity.   

As Professional Development Opportunities are finalized, they will be listed on our website here. Please be sure to check regularly for new learning opportunities and other about upcoming events.   

 

• CAHNR Staff Advisory Council (SAC)  
  • Visit the CAHNR Staff SharePoint Site for opportunities with professional development, networking, and even hobby and wellness events.  

  

Shout-outs 

• Welcome
  • Jessica Goldman, Educational Program Assistant 1, EXT Middlesex County

 

Fun ”Dad” Jokes  

• Why is partying in Times Square overrated?
  • Because they drop the ball every year.
• What do farmers give their wives on New Year’s Eve?
  • Hogs and kisses 
• What New Year’s resolution should a basketball player never make?
  • To travel more
• And our personal favorite
  • Only six months until fiscal year close!