Editor's notes:

TITLE: Introduction to Carnegie Mellon's Staff Handbook: A Human Resources Guide

DATE OF ISSUANCE: The staff handbook was most recently revised effective July 1, 2007.
(For a summary of the changes that were made, see http://hr.web.cmu.edu/staffhandbook/changes.pdf.)

ACCOUNTABLE DEPARTMENT/UNIT: Human Resources. Questions on policy content should be directed to Barbara Smith, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, x8-4747.

For the remainder of the handbook, see:

• About This Guide, Volume I
• Employment Status, Volume II
• Compensation, Volume III
• Time Off & Leaves, Volume IV
• Staff Development, Volume V
• Staff Relations, Volume VI
• Staff Services, Volume VII
• Work and Family Chart

You can view or print a copy of the handbook in Portable Document Format (PDF). To do this, you need a copy of Adobe Acrobat. (Click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader for free.)

• Staff Handbook, PDF version

Welcome to the Carnegie Mellon Community!

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Carnegie Mellon University. In joining this learning community, you are now a member of one of the world's leading research universities.

Our success, which is grounded in a core set of institutional strengths and values, is made possible by the dedication and achievements of our faculty, staff, students, and alumni. You are joining more than 4,400 staff and faculty members whose tradition of innovation, commitment to problem solving, and spirit of collaboration help us to achieve excellence every day.

The university-wide mission--which is the heart of the university's strategic plan--is a dynamic blend of education and research:

• To create and disseminate knowledge and art through research and artistic expression, teaching and learning; and to transfer intellectual products to society.
• To serve our students by teaching them problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork skills, and the value of a commitment to quality, ethical behavior, society, and respect for one another.
• To pursue the advantages provided by a diverse and relatively small university community open to the exchange of ideas, where discovery, creativity, and personal and professional development can flourish.

A key goal in our strategic plan is to provide an environment that enables each member of our community to succeed in advancing the university's mission. Your accomplishments will ultimately determine our ability to realize our vision of being a leader among institutions. During your time at Carnegie Mellon, I encourage you to seize every opportunity you have to grow and succeed, thereby helping our university to thrive as well.

Again, welcome to one of the best universities in the world. We're glad to have you on our team. Best wishes for much success.

Jared L. Cohon
President