New! New! New!
Streaming the Staff Service Recognition Luncheon
On Wednesday, May 19, the University will recognize 40 staff members for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 35 years of service! The HR Committee of US/A, which is hosting the event, has arranged for the awards component of the event to be streamed online. Anyone interested in watching can go to www.drew.edu/live and see the live presentation of the awards and speeches by the supervisors of those celebrating 20 or more years of service. The presentations will begin around 12:45 p.m. – hope you can watch the festivities online!
Changes in Life, Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
On June 1, 2010, The Hartford insurance company will be the carrier for the life, short and long-term disability insurance programs at Drew. The good news is the benefits are exactly the same; the even better news is that by using one carrier for all three programs, we were able to realize a modest savings, which will be passed on to enrolled participants in the form of reduced premiums!
Faculty and staff are automatically enrolled in short and long-term disability insurance upon eligibility — no action is required to continue this benefit. However, faculty and staff currently enrolled in the life insurance program will need to update their beneficiary information. Please watch for an email later this month with details on the program. Anyone who is not currently participating in the life insurance program will be able to enroll during Open Enrollment in November. Questions? – please call Fredi at 3795 or Deborah at 3515.
Health Care Reform
The health care reform law that passed in March has generated a lot of discussion and questions about coverage for dependent children up to age 26. The law will apply to Drew as of January 1, 2011; however, we are awaiting guidance from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services and United Healthcare regarding how the enrollment and related costs will be handled. We will share the information with you as soon as it is available.
Is your child graduating in May or June?
Currently, dependent children are covered under our medical plan as long as they are under age 23 and are enrolled as a full-time student. Medical coverage stops at the end of the month they graduate from high school (or college) and are not enrolled for full-time studies in the fall. If your child graduates and is currently covered under our medical plan, you can continue their coverage for up to 18 months under COBRA. For information on COBRA rates please call Fredi Cox at x3795. Alternatively, you can enroll your child in a plan offered through other insurance carriers in NJ. For more information, click on http://www.healthinsurance.org/new_jersey or http://covertheuninsured.org/stateguides/English/NJ.pdf.
Voluntary Retirement Program
As announced last Friday, the Board of Trustees has approved a Voluntary Retirement Program (VRP) for faculty and staff. Eligible faculty and staff will receive full details in a letter that will be mailed to their HOME address in early June and will have until July 30, 2010 to make application for the VRP. All applicants will be advised of the status of their request by mid-August.
Calendar of Events
General
Wednesday, May 19 Service Recognition Luncheon live on www.drew.edu/live
Friday, June 4 Summer Fridays Begin
New Faculty and Staff Orientation:
Monday, June 7 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Madison House, Room 104
Monday, June 21 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Madison House, Room 104
Staff Performance Appraisals
Supervisors meet with vice president to review evaluations by May 21
Evaluations, position content questionnaires or certificates
and title changes and/or promotion requests due in HR by May 28
TIAA-CREF Individual Counseling Sessions (by appointment only*)
Thursday, May 20 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. University Commons, Room 207
Monday, June 7 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. University Commons, Room 207
Wednesday, June 30 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. University Commons, Room 207
*to schedule an appointment go to tiaa-cref.org or call 1-800-732-8353