Navigating Boston College's PeopleSoft Information and Essential Resources

Boston College provides a comprehensive suite of resources and systems for its students, faculty, and staff. Among these, PeopleSoft HR stands out as a centralized hub for various administrative tasks. This article aims to guide you through accessing and utilizing PeopleSoft, understanding important security measures, and familiarizing yourself with other essential BC resources.

Understanding Your BC Credentials

Every member of the Boston College community receives a unique username upon joining. This username, typically derived from a portion of your last name combined with random letters, is essential for accessing BC systems. Usernames are specifically for signing onto BC systems and will not be changed unless there is a security issue.

Your BC Password is the key to accessing many BC applications and systems, including Agora Portal and EagleApps. It is crucial to maintain its security by adhering to the following guidelines:

Do not leave your password written down or share it with anyone.
Include both uppercase and lowercase letters (case-sensitive).
Include both letters and numbers (alpha-numeric).
Avoid using your login name in your password.

A good strategy for creating a strong password is to devise your own acronym from a meaningful phrase.

Password Management and Third-Party Tools

Managing multiple passwords can be challenging. While Boston College ITS does not officially support third-party password managers, they have reviewed and approved certain options for personal and work use. Remember that support for these tools comes from the vendor or online community, not ITS Support.

It is also important to note that your Secondary Password must be different from your main BC Password.

Securing Your Account with 2-Step Verification

2-Step Verification, also known as two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA), provides an extra layer of security to protect your BC account. It combines something you know (your password) with something you have (a phone or code).

How it Works: When logging in, you'll enter your password as usual. Then, you'll be prompted to provide a second factor, such as a code from your phone or a push notification.
Duo Mobile: BC utilizes Duo Mobile for 2-Step Verification. The Duo Mobile app can be used on smartphones or tablets. Once installed, tap “Approve” on the login request sent to your device. A push notification is sent to the device, and you can review the request and tap Approve to authenticate. You can also authenticate using a passcode generated with Duo Mobile. You can use smartphones, tablets, mobile phones, and landlines as secondary devices.
Google 2-Step Verification: Google 2-Step adds extra security, and helps safeguard you from phishing scams and ransomware. Google 2-Step Verification adds an extra layer of security to your BC Google account. You need to be using macOS Catalina (v. You need to be using Office 2019 or higher to do Google 2-Step.

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Enrollment: To enroll in Google 2-Step, go to the Google 2-Step Enrollment page and follow the prompts.
Backup Codes: In case you don’t have access to your phone, it is a good idea to set up backup codes.
Duo vs. Google 2-Step: BC 2-Step Verification uses Duo to verify your identity and login to secure BC services such as Eagle VPN, MyBill, PeopleSoft HR, and Peoplesoft Financials. For more information about BC 2-Step Verification, visit bc.edu/2step.
Using Duo with Google 2-Step: Yes, but only as an authenticator app to get a passcode for 2-Step. Duo will not send push notifications like it does for VPN or Peoplesoft. Follow instructions to turn on Google 2-Step Verification using an authenticator app. Ignore any mentions of Google Authenticator or other mobile applications - you'll be using Duo Mobile instead.Follow the "Third-Party Account Setup" instructions on the Duo's Guide to Two-Factor Authentification page. Important: When the barcode appears, open your Duo Mobile app. When prompted to validate on Google, you will be instructed to use the Google Authenticator app.
New Students, Faculty & Staff: New students, faculty & staff: You have 1 week to set up Google 2-Step Verification after you first login to your BC Google account. If you do not set up Google 2-Step within this time, you will get the message below when attempting to sign into your BC Google account. All other people accessing the shared account need to be set up as delegates. Learn more about delegates. Security Note: Sharing passwords with others is not secure. If Google detects multiple logins from different devices at the same time, it will assume the account is compromised and suspend it.

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Accessing the Eduroam Wireless Network

When connecting to the eduroam wireless network at Boston College, you are required to enter your BC Password. Changing your BC Password will disconnect you from the eduroam network, prompting you to re-enter it. Before changing your password, it's recommended to "forget" the eduroam network in your mobile device settings.

PeopleSoft HR System

The PeopleSoft HR System integrates data and processes of the University into one unified online system. Complete your direct deposit and W-4/M-4 tax withholdings in PeopleSoft HR. You will find How To Guides in the helpful links to your right.

Important Information for Employees

Boston College provides a wealth of resources and information for its employees, covering various aspects of employment and well-being.

Compensation and Salary

A "Market Reference Point" (MRP) is assigned to each position.
Each position has a salary range based on its MRP. The salary range for each position can be calculated by multiplying the MRP by 80% to arrive at the range minimum and by 120% to arrive at the range maximum.
The hiring range, for job posting purposes, is the range minimum to the MRP.
Members of the professional administrative staff are paid on the 16th of the month for work performed that month (except in cases where the 16th falls on a Saturday or Sunday, at which time payments are made on the Friday prior to the 16th).

Role Descriptions and Performance Appraisals

Role Descriptions detail a position's key responsibilities. You should review your role description annually with your supervisor during your performance appraisal.
As part of the overall Performance Management Program, the formal performance appraisal is a summary of the year-long communication between supervisor and employee.
The supervisor and the employee should jointly decide the most effective method of completing and reviewing the appraisal forms.
They should be completed during March and April.
The performance of new employees is reviewed at the end of the official probationary period, that is, after six months of employment for exempt employees and four months of employment for non-exempt employees.
Exempt employees hired between December 2 and May 31 and non-exempt employees hired between February 1 and May 31 are not eligible for the annual merit review.
Employees who transferred to another department after January 1, should be reviewed by their previous supervisor.

Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Positions

An exempt position is exempt from the overtime pay provisions of the FLSA, the employee must be paid on a salaried basis, and must perform work duties that the FLSA defines as exempt based on his/her major job functions.

Non-exempt staff are eligible for payment for extra/overtime hours worked at the request of the supervisor at times when workloads or unusual circumstances make it necessary. Whenever possible, the extra hours will be offset by allowing the employee an equivalent number of hours off during the same pay period so that the total hours worked will not exceed 40 in a week. "Compensatory time" for extra/overtime hours is not permitted to be carried over to subsequent weeks.

Additional Employee Resources

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Boston College offers an Employee Assistance Program benefit, provided by KGA. You receive 24/7 access to a network of experts with solutions and support for busy people managing busy lives.
Communications Directory: The Boston College Communications Directory is printed each fall. Employees should review their information for accuracy. Please confirm that you have at least one work phone number listed. Enter a department extension if it is missing.
Employee Relations: Employee Relations handles employee complaints while helping employees navigate changes and resolve conflicts. We also provide managers with resources and support.
Employment: Employment is responsible for advertising, recruiting, and hiring for staff positions and the BC Temp Pool (Dining, Facilities, Administration), making job offers, approving postings, guiding managers with employee relations matters including corrective action, developing and providing guidance for policy interpretation and application, and termination. Our hiring process follows a standard set of steps.
University Ethics Reporting Hotline: The University ethics reporting hotline provides an anonymous channel for employees to facilitate reporting of possible illegal, unethical, or improper conduct when normal channels of communication are not available or are impractical under the circumstances.
Lunch & Learn Family Caregiving Seminars: Lunch & Learn Family Caregiving Seminars cover topics such as nutrition, sleep, and resilience with regard to children and adolescents.
Reasonable Accommodation Form: Form for employees to request a reasonable accomodation.
Boston College Children's Center: The Boston College Children's Center provides a high-quality preschool curriculum and extended daycare for children of faculty, employees, and graduate and undergraduate students.
Employee Facilities and Services: Boston College offers employees a range of facilities, services, and other resources aimed at providing opportunities for recreation, learning, and social interaction; and at promoting health and welfare.
Walks for Causes: Join your fellow BC employees in a walk for one of many great causes.
Free Yoga Classes: Free yoga classes for employees of all skill levels are offered across the Brighton, Newton, and Chestnut Hill campuses.
Boston Private Industry Council's Job Collaborative Program: Since 1985, Boston College has participated in the Boston Private Industry Council's Job Collaborative Program.
Sessions with TIAA and FIDELITY: Sessions with TIAA are held via phone and video. Sessions with FIDELITY are held via phone and Zoom. The PIC program is funded by the President's Office and administered by the Department of Human Resources.
OVPHR: OVPHR is dedicated to upholding the dignity of every individual.
Ready to Quit Smoking?: Ready to quit smoking?

Campus Security

Jeanne Clery Act: The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires the annual disclosure of certain crime statistics as well as institutional policies regarding campus security.

Workplace Safety

Accident/Injury Reporting: The manager will complete an accident/injury report and forward it to the Risk Management department within 24 hours. A Workers’ Compensation claim cannot be processed without the accident/injury report. If the employee returns to work within two days, a return-to-work note is not required.

Additional Resources and Information

Eagle ID: You may obtain your Eagle ID one to two days after you have completed all new hire paperwork with the HR Service Center.
Parking Permit: You must first request a parking permit under the Account and Personal Info section in the Agora portal. New hires can obtain a temporary, one week parking permit to allow time to obtain the regular permit. Familiarize yourself with the campus, including parking.
Logout Behavior: I logged out of one BC service and noticed it logged me out of another BC Service. If you’re logged into a Portal service (starts with portal.bc.edu, services.bc.edu, or eagleone.bc.edu) and log out, you will be logged out of other Portal services.
Service Availability: Yes. If a service is grayed out, it may mean that a service in not available 24/7 or there are a few services that are dependent on third party sites (including non-BC sites).
Privacy Preferences: If you have not set your Privacy Preferences yet. BC requires that you review and confirm the information and the privacy indicators before releasing your information. All information may be made unavailable to the general public. Total Non-Disclosure is an option available to BC students within Privacy Preferences, which allows you to conceal your identity from the rest of the BC Community and from the general public beyond BC. For those who choose this option, BC will take exceptional measures to deny knowledge of your existence to others. This service is not without its disadvantages. BC telephone operators will have no information about you or record of you at Boston College. BC administrators will not acknowledge your existence to ANYONE seeking information about you. Note: Selecting "No" on Total Non-Disclosure and suppressing every individual item of information is not the same thing as selecting "Yes" on Total Non-Disclosure.
Class Rosters: Everyone else has Class Rosters/My Courses except me. Boston College does not automatically release ClassMate Rosters/My Courses for you.
Financial Planning: You should know in advance how your financial planner is to be compensated. Sometimes a flat-fee arrangement may be the most expensive. However, you need to know how much of a planner's compensation is to be derived from products you buy in order to decide whether it is better to buy the product carrying a commission or to pay a flat fee to the planner. Don't hesitate to request the names of several clients, both long term and short term. Financial planning is a broad field, and not all planners are qualified in all areas.
Hiring a Financial Planner: The person should have a four-year degree, preferably in a finance-related field. Look for someone with solid experience (at least five years, preferably more) in the financial planning field, or at the very least with strong experience in the related fields of insurance or securities. You should probably look beyond someone who has recently moved into the field after making a career change.

Community and Inclusion

Jewish Faculty, Staff, Administrators, and Allies: The Jewish Faculty, Staff, Administrators, and Allies affinity group at Boston College provides opportunities for all members of the BC campus community to learn about Judaism, celebrate Jewish holidays and cultural traditions, engage in open dialogue, and discuss current events. The group aims to create a supportive environment to build community while developing social, educational, and programmatic partnerships to raise awareness about the Jewish experience on campus.
LGBTQ+ Advocacy: An association of faculty, administrators, and staff that provides support and advocates for the LGBT community at BC.
Mission and Values: The roots of Boston College lie in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, the 2,000-year Catholic intellectual tradition, and the faith experience of St. Bernard R.

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