September 19, 2007

Dear Faculty and Staff:

There has never been a more dynamic period in the history of the University of Miami. Recently named “Company of the Year” by South Florida CEO magazine, the University of Miami reached a lofty billion dollar-plus campaign goal ahead of schedule and jumped two points to No. 52 in the U.S. News & World Report “America’s Best Colleges” rankings this year. By many measures, the University of Miami is an institution on the rise.

We reached these milestones because of the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff. Each of you, no matter your role, has played an important part in our success. After hearing from you this spring about what is most important to you through focus groups, an online survey, and the new Employee Benefits Advisory Council, the University has taken many steps to meet your needs.

To that end, I am pleased to announce UMatter—a new holistic approach to your UM benefits that reflects our commitment to partnering with you to help safeguard your health, wealth, and future.

We are committed to excellence in all of our endeavors, including taking care of our University family. We will continue to provide proactive and ongoing communication with regard to your UMatter benefits and look at ways to make these programs work for your diverse needs. We want to partner with you to ensure that each of you reaches your fullest potential.

In addition, 2008 will be filled with events and promotions to enhance our UMatter Wellness Programs. It is time we begin a new culture of wellness here at UM. A healthy university is a thriving university. Throughout 2008 you will see a number of UMatter Wellness Program enhancements to help you balance your personal and professional lives.

Lastly, the Open Enrollment period will take place October 15 through November 2. This is your annual opportunity to re-evaluate your choices and enroll in important benefits programs. I encourage you to take the time to review the literature, attend the annual Benefits Fair, and also attend one of the many information/departmental sessions. The decisions you make now could have a significant impact on the well-being of you and your family.

By working together, we can ensure future success. Thank you for your dedication to this wonderful University—UMatter.

Sincerely,

Donna E. Shalala

PS: I hope you will join me on UM Employee Day in the Orange Bowl on Saturday, October 13 when we play Georgia Tech.