Welcome, New Faculty!

New faculty will receive payroll onboarding information via emails generated by Workday, Penn's human resources and financial processes platform. These emails will provide instructions on how to initiate the I9 process and make an appointment at Onboard@Penn, which will facilitate the process of payroll form completion.

When visiting the Onboard@Penn Center, new faculty should bring all personal identification documents (passport, driver's license, social security card, etc.). Non-Resident Aliens should refer to the Onboard@Penn site for a list of required documents. Please note that new regulations require that all new employees must present a social security card for photocopying and submission to the Penn records office. Please consult with the Onboard@Penn Center if a social security card/number is not available.

New faculty who are internal Penn transfers and already on Penn’s payroll system should email the ASC Payroll Administrator to ensure that their payroll record has been updated to reflect the new position information.

Faculty are paid on the last weekday of each month.

The PennCard is the official University of Pennsylvania identification card for members of the Penn community. New faculty are eligible for a PennCard when their Workday record has been processed and approved by the University, which will typically occur within a few days of the start date, or earlier. After visiting the Onboard@Penn Center, new faculty should visit the PennCard Center (located inside the Barnes and Noble Bookstore, 36th and Walnut St., second floor) with a valid form of photo ID (driver’s license, passport, etc.), in order to have their photograph taken and PennCard issued. There is no charge for the initial card. Visit the PennCard website for more information.

PennKey is the University of Pennsylvania’s system for securing critical online services. The PennKey system is required to authenticate an individual's identity to many of Penn's networked systems and services. New faculty are eligible for a PennKey when their Workday record has been established by the school. Information about establishing the PennKey is provided at the PennCard Center at the time the PennCard is issued. 

When the PennKey has been set up, please email the PennKey only (not the password) to Lizz Cooper, IT Help Desk Manager and Donna Burdumy, Director of HR so that the ASC email address can be established.

All PennKey holders are required to enroll in Two-Step Verification to protect their personal data and improve the University’s overall security. Two-Step Verification provides an added layer of protection when accessing PennKey-protected websites and applications. After logging in with your PennKey and password, you will be prompted to verify your identity - the second step - using a device in your possession, such as a mobile phone.

Two-Step is easy to use and provides numerous verification options, so you’ll always be able to access your data, even if you’re not connected to a cellular data or WiFi network. Instructions for enrolling will be provided with the PennKey information at the PennCard Center, or visit Two-Step Overview and FAQ.

Penn currently offers four medical plan options. All plans include prescription drug and behavioral health coverage. Visit the Medical Plan Options website for information about the plans, including a chart detailing the employee cost for each plan. Additional information can be obtained by calling the Penn Benefits Center at 1-888-PENN-BEN (1-888-736-6236).

Penn currently offers two dental plan options. Visit the Dental Plan Options website for information about the plans, including a chart detailing the employee cost for each.

Penn currently offers two vision plan options. Visit the Vision Coverage Options website for information about the plans, including a chart detailing the employee cost for each.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are designed to save Penn employees money when paying for eligible expenses not covered by other benefit plans. Contributions may be made to a Health Care FSA for health care expenses that are not eligible to be paid by insurance, and/or a Dependent Care FSA for dependent care (daycare, elder care) expenses. Visit the Flexible Spending Account website for more information about eligibility, contribution limits, and more.

The University provides full-time faculty with basic group term life insurance equal to their benefits base salary (to a maximum of $300,000) at no cost to the employee. They also offer a variety of dependent and supplemental insurance plans for purchase. Visit the Life Insurance Options website for information about all of the available plans.

Visit the Saving for Retirement website for information about plan choices, eligibility, maximum contribution amounts, and more. The Penn Retirement Call Center can help with questions regarding retirement plans and can be reached at 1-877-PENN-RET (1-877-736-6738).

If you have money in a prior employer's retirement plan, you may want to consider rolling that money into your new retirement account at Penn. Click here for more information about how to roll over contributions.

If you worked at a 501(c)(3) nonprofit prior to Penn, you may be eligible for Prior Service Credit - a waiver of the one-year waiting period of employer contributions. Please click here for more information about how to apply for Prior Service Credit.

Each year faculty and staff have the opportunity to make changes to benefits elections during the annual Open Enrollment period in mid-April. Changes made during this period become effective for the following plan year (July 1-June 30). The elections made during Open Enrollment stay in effect for the entire plan year unless you experience a qualifying life event change. Click here for more information on open enrollment.

If you experience a change in family or employment status, you may be eligible to make changes to your benefit elections outside of the Open Enrollment period. Qualifying events include the birth or adoption of a child, marriage or domestic partnership, divorce or separation, death of a dependent, and change in your dependent’s eligibility for benefits. Keep in mind that the IRS limits the types of changes you can make for such events. If you experience a qualifying life event, log on to your benefits page via the Workday dashboard to change your coverage. Changes must be made within 30 days of the event.

All Penn employees are invited to join the University of Pennsylvania Federal Credit Union, located at 3900 Chestnut Street, a member-owned, not-for-profit financial institution that provides financial products and services to current and former University of Pennsylvania employees and their families. Services include checking and savings accounts (deposits can be made from automatic payroll transfers), car loans, holiday and vacation clubs, member-only car sales, and online banking.

West Philadelphia is home to Penn's campus. The neighborhoods are characterized by tree-lined residential streets with pre-war apartment buildings, brick row homes, ornate Victorian twins, and charming single-family homes. Penn Home Ownership Services (PHOS) helps foster the University's commitment to neighborhood development by offering incentives and support to faculty and staff to purchase and renovate homes. PHOS offers eligible employees the opportunity to apply for closing cost assistance for home purchases and funds towards home improvement. They also offer resources for home buyers and educational workshops. If interested in living in the greater West Philadelphia neighborhood, check out the resources and information available on the PHOS website.

Penn’s Department of Recreation operates several gymnasiums, parks, and pools that are available for use by members of the Penn community, and discounted membership fees are available for university faculty and staff. Information about facilities, costs, class schedules, and the PennFit program can be found on the PennRec website.

Penn provides tuition benefits to full-time faculty, their children, and/or their spouse/partner. Visit the Tuition Benefits website for more information.

With input from the Annenberg community, the ASC Communications Office has compiled a Google map with restaurant, museum, and activity suggestions. It's perfect for newcomers who are new to the area or Penn, or for anyone who wants recommendations on where to eat and play in the city. 

For help getting around campus, visit Penn's Facilities & Real Estate Services page where you can download maps or get driving or walking directions.

Penn encourages the use of public transportation and assists public transit commuters by offering discounted options and/or pre-tax benefits through programs such as the Commuter Pass Program (COMPASS), TransitChek®, and PATCO Freedom Pass. Penn also provides a variety of campus transit services, such as the Penn Bus, Walking Escort, Van Pool, and others. Parking Services operates a number of parking facilities on Penn's campus. For more information about transportation and parking, please visit the Penn Transit website.

The Annenberg School building is open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Holiday and summer hours will vary and are communicated via email from the Building Administrator.

There are three entrances to the building: the main entrance on the first floor, off of Walnut Street, and two second floor entrances off of Locust Walk. The second floor entrances are closed at night and on the weekends, and at those times only the Walnut Street entrance may be used.

The Main Office includes a kitchen area with coffee set-up for use by the Annenberg community. Coffee and tea are provided free of charge, and filtered water is available via a dispenser located next to the refrigerator. A full-size refrigerator and microwave are also provided in the main office kitchen and in the faculty kitchen. It is expected that all employees will be respectful of the kitchen area by cleaning up spills, disposing of trash properly, and not allowing old or expired items to linger in the refrigerator.

All faculty are provided with a mailbox. Mail is delivered twice a day, sorted by the front office staff, and distributed to the appropriate mailbox. Mailboxes should be checked periodically throughout the day for new contents. Bins are provided in the Main Office for outgoing mail. Please be sure to use the appropriate outgoing bin (domestic, international, intramural) and attach a mailing account slip (Available from the Receptionist) if necessary. 

The emergency number for the entire Penn campus is 511. By dialing 511 from a University telephone, University of Pennsylvania Police will be dispatched immediately to the emergency location, and Philadelphia Fire Rescue will be notified. Please note that dialing 911 instead of 511 will disrupt the emergency response chain and could significantly delay the arrival of emergency help. If a University telephone is not available, please call (215) 573-3333. ASC Security should be informed of all emergency incidents as soon as possible so that they may direct emergency responders to the appropriate building location, complete incident reports, etc.

The Annenberg School takes the safety and security of its faculty, staff, and students very seriously. The School employs six security guards on varying shifts from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Holiday hours will vary.

For assistance, or to report a situation, please call (215) 898-1881, or contact the ASC Building Administrator at (215) 898-2996.

Individuals are responsible for ensuring the security of their office or work space, and everyone is strongly encouraged to keep office doors closed and locked when not occupied, with personal items locked safely in drawers at all times.

E-Mail

New faculty will be provided with an ASC email address and instructions for accessing ASC’s email service (Office365). 

Desktop

Faculty will be provided with a desktop computer with a suite of software applications to facilitate productivity: a school email account, network drive space, network printing, and other facilities. New faculty will be provided with support from a member of the IT Help Desk in order to become oriented to the technology provided. 

ASC IT oversees all of the technology related tasks at the school. For computing support, please complete a support ticket online or call (215) 573-8361.

Faculty will be provided with an office telephone and informed of the number upon arrival. A telephone User Guide detailing the various features of the telephone is available here.

A photocopier that includes print, scan, and fax capabilities is located in the Main Office and is available for use by ASC faculty for business purposes. A large capacity shredder is also located in the Main Office. The front office Administrative Assistant will orient new faculty to the location and proper use of equipment.

Common office supplies are stocked in the Main Office. Special requests can be submitted to the front office Administrative Assistant.