September 2008

• ANNUAL OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD
  From September 15 through October 17, 2008, faculty and staff can enroll in or make changes to health / dental / vision plans, FlexCash, Dependent Care (DCRA) and Health Care Reimbursement (HCRA). Forms must be received by Friday, October 17, 2008. Changes made during open enrollment will go into effect January 1, 2009.
  
  For employees currently enrolled in DCRA and HCRA programs, remember that you must re-enroll for the 2009 year during this open enrollment period!
  
  For more information on plan updates and rate changes, please see the Open Enrollment 2008 Newlsetter or contact the Benefit & Retirement Services unit at 415.338.1875.

• 27th ANNUAL BENEFITS FAIR WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1ST, 2008 - On The Road To A Healthier YOU!
  To provide faculty and staff with valuable information, resources, and tools to make positive health choices, the Office of Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management presents their annual benefits fair Wednesday, October 1st, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jack Adams Hall. Highlights of this year's fair include:
  
  • Over 30 exhibitors from industries including healthcare, fitness, investments, insurance, and mortgage companies on hand to answer your questions
    
  • FREE services such as blood pressure checks, back and posture analysis by local chiropractor, body mass analysis and flexibility testing
    
  • Exciting door prizes
    
  • Vendor give aways

For more information, download the Benefit Fair Flyer. Hope to see you there!

August 2008

• Lori Gentles named Associate Vice President, Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management

Lori Gentles, the new Associate Vice President, Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management, comes to SF State with nearly 20 years of experience in human resources management. Most recently, she served as Human Resources Director and Assistant County Administrator for Contra Costa County. Prior to joining Contra Costa County, Gentles held personnel management positions with the cities of Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona. Gentles received her undergraduate degree in Interpersonal Communications from Arizona State University and a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from the University of Phoenix.

July 2008

• HR Launches New Retirement Services
  

Human Resources' new retirement services program combines individual service together with CalPERS' state-of-the-art online retirement planning tools and is designed to educate and empower SF State faculty and staff to confidently plan for the future.

Under the new program, employees can:

• consult with Benefits and Retirement Services representatives regarding retirement and financial planning opportunities
• attend retirement and financial planning workshops, including monthly workshops conducted by Paul Alires, on campus or at the CalPERS regional office
• access improved on-line resources such as My|CalPERS, a CalPERS personalized website providing everything employees need to plan their retirement and manage their CalPERS information
  

To learn more, visit the Financial Planning and Retirement web page or call the Benefits and Retirement Services helpline at 415.338.1875.

May 2008

• THE FEE WAIVER & REDUCTION PROGRAM INFORMATION, FEES AND APPLICATIONS FOR THE FALL 2008 SEMESTER ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE.
  

Fee Waiver & Reduction Program provides an opportunity to eligible CSU employees to enhance their professional development in their current position, or toward a future career in the CSU, at a reduced cost.  The program waives or reduces the University fees students are normally required to pay each semester.  In many cases, the benefit may be passed to an eligible child, domestic partner, or spouse.

Fee Waiver & Reduction Program
Fall 2008 Fee Payment Deadlines
Fall 2008 Registration Deadlines

For further information contact: Eric Cannon, ecannon@sfsu.edu

November 2007

• THE FEE WAIVER & REDUCTION PROGRAM INFORMATION, FEES AND APPLICATIONS FOR THE SPRING 2008 SEMESTER ARE NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE.

Please submit your application between: November 7th – November 29th to avoid any complications, including additional fees. Employee applications and fees should be submitted to the Cashier/Bursar's Office (ADM 155), while Dependent application and fees should be submitted to Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management (ADM 252).

Employees, as well as dependents, must adhere to University registration fee payment deadlines or they will be subject to additional University fees. If the fee waiver and reduction registration fees are not paid by the dates shown below, employees, as well as dependents, will be required to pay the corresponding additional fees.

University Spring 2008 deadlines:

November 29th, 2007 - additional $20 administrative fee

January 2nd, 2007 - additional $25 late registration fee

For further information on University Spring 2008 registration fee payment deadlines please visit the Bursar's office online, or in person.

For information concerning your personal registration time, please visit mysfsu (*SFSU ID number and PAC number required).

Fee Waiver & Reduction Program Hotline: (415) 338-2678

September 2007

• BENEFITS OPEN ENROLLMENT FROM SEPTEMBER 17 THROUGH OCTOBER 12, 2007

From September 17 through October 12, 2007, faculty and staff can enroll in or make changes to health, dental, FlexCash, Dependent Care (DCRA) and Health Care Reimbursement (HCRA) programs. Any changes made during Open Enrollment will go into effect January 1, 2008.

Employees who are currently enrolled in DCRA and HCRA programs, please remember that you must re-enroll for the 2008 calendar year during the annual Open Enrollment period.

For additional information, please contact the Benefits and Disability Programs unit at 415.338.1875.

• Putting Your Health, Family & Future First @ THE 26th ANNUAL BENEFITS FAIR MONDAY, September 17th, 2007 in Jack Adams Hall

Faculty and staff are invited to attend Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management's 26th Annual Benefits Fair Monday, September 17th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Jack Adams Hall on the third floor of the Cesar Chavez Student Union.

Representatives from the following CSU benefit plans will be on hand to answer questions: health, dental, life and vision insurances; ASI (CSU's HCRA/DCRA program administrator), CALPERS Home Loan, A+ Auto & Home Insurance, and Calstate 9 Credit Union. For those interested in learning more about planning their financial future, representatives from financial investment services such as The Standard, TIAA/CREF and VALIC will also be present.

This year, the fair will feature the following FREE services: back and posture analysis by local chiropractor; biofeedback testing by SFSU’s trained Ergonomic Program representatives; body mass analysis and flexibility training by the Village Fitness Center; five minute back massage, door prizes and more. Hope to see you there!

April 2007

• HRMS/E-TRAC will be unavailable from 5:00pm Friday (5/4) to 8:00am Monday (5/7)

Due to scheduled necessary maintenance on the University's production database environment which will be taking place over this weekend, E-TRAC, faculty NTW/AT module and Leave Balance web pages will be unavailable from 5:00pm Friday, May 4th 2007 to 8:00am Monday May 7th 2007. LCD and FMS modules will be available.

If there are any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact fivehelp 5-4357 or fivehelp@sfsu.edu.

• Open Enrollment for the CalPERS Long-Term Care Program

The Application Period begins April 1, 2007 and extends through August 31, 2007

Call 1-800-908-9119 today to request an application kit. 

Employees, Spouses, Adult Siblings, Parents and Parents-In-Law are eligible.  Even if you do not apply for the program, your eligible family members can still apply.  An application kit can be sent anywhere in the United States.  Information on the plans and rates are also available at www.calpers.ca.gov.

• Fall 2007 Fee Waiver Program

Fee waiver information/fees/applications for the fall 2007 semester are available on-line at Human Resources Homepage-Professional Development and its website: http://www.sfsu.edu/~hrwww/aeiou/feewaiver.html

Employee applications and fees should be submitted to the Cashier/Bursar's Office (ADM 155) at lease two weeks prior to their registration date (http://www.sfsu.edu/on-line/login.htm).

Dependent Fee Waiver participants should also complete and submit both the appropriate application and fees to Human Resources (ADM 252). For details, specific questions and/or eligibility concerns, contact the fee waiver helpline at extension 82678.

March 2007

• CESAR CHAVEZ HOILIDAY PAY SCHEDULE

Due to the timing of the Cesar Chavez holiday, Human Resources and Fiscal Affairs are making arrangements to allow employees who receive paper pay warrants to pick up their March warrants on Friday, March 30th instead of the scheduled distribution date of April 2nd. Employees who receive paper warrants and would like to pick up their March warrant early should report to the Human Resources office in ADM 252 on March 30th between 8:30 am to 10:30 am with photo identification. The pay warrants are dated April 1st.

Employees who do not pick up their warrants on March 30th will receive their March warrants on the scheduled distribution date of April 2nd. Employees who receive their pay via direct deposit will receive their paper direct pay statements on April 2nd.

Departments are advised that authorized warrant pick up people are to report to ADM 255 for check disbursement between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm on April 2nd. If there are any questions regarding this matter please call Wanda Humphrey, Payroll Manager at (415) 338-2628.

• SUMMER 2007 FEE WAIVER
  The Summer 2007 Fee Waiver Program information and application for continuing and newly admitted employees and their eligible dependents are available at http://www.sfsu.edu/~hrwww/aeiou/feewaiver.html. A limited supply of employee and dependent fee waiver applications is available in Human Resources (ADM 252). Effective March 26, applications and fees are to be submitted to the Bursar/Cashier's Office (ADM 155). Eligible employees should check for their Touch Tone or on-line Gator Registration date/time at: https://www.sfsu.edu/online/login.htm. Eligible dependents should continue to submit their completed Dependent Fee Waiver Application packet to Human Resources (ADM 252) at least 2 weeks prior to their registration date. Effective January 16, 2007, the age limit for unmarried dependent children of employees represented by CSUEU (Units 2, 5, 7 and 9) is 25. For details, specific questions and/or eligibility concerns, contact the fee waiver helpline at extension 82678.

February 2007

• NEW! Temporary Faculty Benefits Orientation
  The Benefits and Disability Initiatives Unit is happy to announce new Temporary Faculty Benefits Orientation sessions scheduled to begin February 14, 2007. The orientation has been designed to give temporary faculty an overview of the CSU sponsored benefits programs available to them at SFSU, inform them of benefits eligibility criteria and important deadlines. To attend a workshop, reserve a space by contacting the Human Resources Benefits Helpline at 415-338-1875.
  
  Please review the orientation schedule, the temporary faculty eligibility summary and the temporary faculty checklist/enrollment deadlines summary for important details.
  

December 2006

• ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY - 2007 TRAINING SCHEDULE
  The 2007 training schedule has been posted, including information on the types of training and locations for the 2007 calendar year. Topics such as Back Safety, Fire Safety and Hazardous Waste Management will be covered.
  

November 2006

• NEW CSU VISION PLAN CARRIER - EFFECTIVE JAN 1,2007
  We are pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2007, Vision Service Plan (VSP) will provide administration of vision benefits and claims on behalf of the employer-paid California State University (CSU) Vision Plan. VSP is replacing Medical Eye Services (MES)/Blue Shield, which will administer CSU vision benefits through December 31, 2006. For additional information, see the VSP detailed benefit notification and the "Benefits at a Glance" flyer.

• CATASTROPHIC LEAVE DONATION PROGRAM
  Faculty and staff are invited to participate in the Catastrophic Leave Donation Program by donating vacation or sick leave credits to an individual or the Catastrophic Leave Bank. Credits are used by employees who have experienced a catastrophic illness or injury, exhausted their own accrued leave credits and are totally incapacitated from work. The maximum number of hours employees can donate in a fiscal year is determined by their collective bargaining identification unit but ranges normally from 16 to 40 hours. To donate, download the form here and forward to Julia Chan in Payroll.

• SPRING 2007 FEE WAIVER
  
  The Spring 2007 "to be completed/typed on-line" Fee Waiver Application is available at http://www.sfsu.edu/~hrwww/aeiou/feewaiver.html. Also, for those without access to a computer, a limited supply of employee and dependent fee waiver applications are available in Human Resources (ADM 252) for the Spring 2007 semester. Effective November 27th, applications and fees are to be submitted to the Bursar/Cashier's Office (ADM 155). Eligible employees should check for their Touch Tone or on-line Gator Registration date/time at:https://www.sfsu.edu/online/login.htm. Eligible participants of the Dependent Fee Waiver Program should continue to submit their completed/typed "on-line version" of the Fee Waiver Application packet to Human Resources (ADM 252). Employees with eligibility questions should contact Jackie Bender, Training Coordinator, at extension 82678 or via e-mail at jbender@sfsu.edu

September 2006

• OPEN BENEFITS ENROLLMENT FROM SEPTEMBER 1 THROUGH OCTOBER 13, 2006
  From September 1 through October 13, 2006, faulty and staff can change health and/or dental plans, and enroll in such programs as FlexCash, Dependent Care (DCRA) and Health Care Reimbursement (HCRA).  Changes made during open enrollment will go into effect January 1, 2007.
  For employees currently enrolled in DCRA and HCRA programs, please remember that you must re-enroll for the 2007 year during this open enrollment period!
  For more information, please contact the Benefits and Information Initiatives unit at 415.338.1875 or visit the Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management website at http://www.sfsu.edu/~hrwww.

• Putting Your Health, Family & Future First @ THE 25th ANNUAL BENEFITS FAIR WEDNESDAY, September 27TH, 2006 in Jack Adams Hall
  Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management will hold their 25th Annual Benefits Fair Wednesday, September 27th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Jack Adams Hall on the third floor of the Cesar Chavez Student Union. 
  Representatives will be on hand to answer questions regarding: health and dental plans; CALPERS Home Loan; A+ Auto & Home Insurance; as well as financial planning services such as VALIC and TIAA/CREF. 
  This year’s faire will feature the following FREE services:  eye exams, blood pressure check; back and posture analysis by local chiropractor; biofeedback testing by SFSU’s trained Ergonomic Program representatives; body mass analysis and flexibility training by the Village Fitness Center; five minute back massage and exciting door prizes!
  Hope to see you there!

• Fall 2006 Ergonomic Safety Program Coaches Training sessions begin Sept 28. SFSU Staff interested in participating, contact ESP @ 415-338-1449 or visit the Ergonomic Safety Program home page for additional info.

August 2006

• Academic Professionals of California (Unit 4), 2005/2006 Educational Achievement Stipend program deadline is August 23, 2006. 
  Notices have been sent to all individuals who were employed in a Unit 4 position between July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.  In order to be considered for the 2005/2006 Educational Achievement Stipend, you (1) must be (or have been) employed in a Unit 4 classification with the California State University system between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006; (2) have been awarded a Master’s or Ph.D. degree by an accredited institution between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006; and (3) submit an official original transcript to Human Resources no later than August 23, 2006.  For additional information concerning this stipend, contact Jackie Bender at jbender@sfsu.edu

July 2006

• New Commuter Benefit for SFSU Employees
  Faculty, staff and administrators can now enjoy transportation savings through Commuter Check Direct via payroll deduction. With the program, you can save up to 30% on your expenses by deferring up to $105 of your pretax salary to transit every month. Home delivery and easy on-line administration maximize your convenience, and make participation simple and fast. Our University Parking and Transportation Program and Human Resources, Safety & Risk Management have partnered together to administer the program. Contact University Parking and Transportation at extension 81441 with any questions and visit http://www.CommuterCheckDirect.com for additional information or to enroll. You may also call Commuter Check Direct at (800) 559-7909 for assistance. For detailed information and instructions on how to enroll, please consult the San Francisco State University Pre-Tax Transportation Plan(.pdf).

June 2006

• Fall 2006 Fee Waiver
  
  At last, our new "to be completed on-line" Fee Waiver Application is available at http://www.sfsu.edu/~hrwww/aeiou/feewaiver.html. Also, for those without access to a computer, a limited supply of employee and dependent fee waiver applications are available in Human Resources (ADM 252) for the Fall 2006 semester. Effective June 12th, applications and fees are to be submitted to the Bursar/Cashier's Office (ADM 155). Eligible employees should check for their Touch Tone or on-line Gator Registration date/time at: https://www.sfsu.edu/online/login.htm. Eligible participants of the Dependent Fee Waiver Program should continue to submit their completed "on-line version" of the Fee Waiver Application packet to Human Resources (ADM 252). Employees with eligibility questions should contact Jackie Bender, Training Coordinator, at extension 82678 or via e-mail at jbender@sfsu.edu

May 2006

• Annual Performance Cycle
  
  The annual performance evaluation cycle for permanent staff and administrators begins in May and continues through July 2006.  The rating period is July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2006.  All staff evaluations are to be finalized and submitted to Human Resources by July 28, 2006.   Evaluations for administrators are to be forwarded to the appropriate Cabinet Officer by July 28, 2006 and then to Human Resources for placement in the personnel file.  For more information and a link to an on-line tutorial, click here.

April 2006

• Notice Concerning Temporary Staff Appointments
  
  The Human Resources Department is revising the process and procedures for separating and reappointing temporary staff (non-faculty) appointments.  Human Resources (HR) will continue to provide monthly reports to departments to identify employees with temporary appointments that will end during the current and next pay period.  To avoid payment/salary problems and interruption in benefits, as applicable, an E-TRAC is required for all temporary reappointments no later than the 15th of the month in which the appointment is scheduled to end.  Should you not wish to reappoint the temporary employee or HR does not receive an E-TRAC for reappointment by the 15th of the month, HR will automatically separate the employee and no action on your part is necessary.
  

March 2006

• Summer 2006 Fee Waiver Program Applications/Information
  Available in Human Resources

  Only continuing and newly admitted students need apply.  Employee and Dependent Applications/information for the State-Supported Summer 2006 are available in Human Resources (ADM 252).  The Employee Fee Waiver Program enables eligible University employees to take courses, which are considered “Work Related” or are part of an approved Individual Career Development Plan at reduced rates.  The Dependent Fee Waiver Program enables eligible University employees to transfer their benefit to a spouse/domestic partner or dependent child.

  Beginning Wednesday, March 29th, or two weeks prior to your Registration Date, you may submit applications and fees to the Cashier’s Office (ADM 155).  Individuals utilizing the Dependent Fee Waiver Program should continue to submit their applications and fees to Human Resources (ADM 252) at least two-weeks prior to their touch-tone registration date.  The Late Registration Fee ($25) and Administrative Fee ($20) are NON-REFUNDABLE.  These fees are required with fee waiver applications submitted after the established date on University Calendar and should be hand carried to the Cashier’s Office.

  Touch Tone or On-Line Gator Registration:  Eligible employees should check for their Touch Tone Registration date/time at:  https://www.sfsu.edu/online/login.htm

• Revised Absence and Additional Time Worked Report (STD 634) - The 634 form, used to report sick, vacation, comp time taken, Jury Duty, Positive-Pay hours and other work-time related data, now includes specific data fields required to record absences/additional time in the Leave Accounting system and to identify employees by the SFSU ID instead of the Social Security Number to comply with federal law.  The revised 634 form and  instructions on how to fill out the form are both available on the HR forms page.
  
  
• Collective Bargaining Contract changes 2005/2006.  HR has prepared a summary of recent contract changes pertaining to salary, benefits and other conditions of employment.  You can find out about the salary increases and adjustments for which you are eligible by clicking here.  Should you wish more detail, go directly to the full contracts by scrolling down to "Facts About Your Position" on this web page.
  
  
• SPRING 2006 FEE WAIVER.  Both employee and dependent fee waiver applications/information are available in Human Resources (ADM 252) for the Spring 2006 semester.  Applications and fees may be submitted to the Bursar/Cashier's Office (ADM 155) effective November 21st.  Eligible employees should check for their Touch Tone or on-line Gator Registration date/time at:  https://www.sfsu.edu/online/login.htm.  Those eligible participants of the Dependent Fee Waiver Program should continue to submit their packets to Human Resources (ADM 252).  Employees with eligibility questions should contact Jackie Bender, Training Representative, at extension 82678 or via e-mail at jbender@sfsu.edu
  
  
• SFSU JOINS CSU IN LAUNCH OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING FOR SUPERVISORS.   HR has notified the employees on our campus in classifications that have one ore more supervisory responsibilities to complete a two-hour interactive training course on sexual harassment mandated by AB1825, California's new harassment training law.  To access more information about preventing sexual harassment, including the SFSU Sexual Harassment Policy, Sexual Harassment Advisors and other resources on and off campus, click here.
  
  
• 2005/2006 ANNUAL DRIVE FOR CATASTROPHIC LEAVE BANK .  Pledge your sick leave and/or vacation leave to the Catastrophic Leave Bank.  Donations to the Bank should be forwarded to Human Resources, ADM 252 Attention:  Julie Chan (Leave Accounting and Disability Pay Coordinator) , 415.338.7192.  To access the form, click here.
  
  
• EMPLOYEES IN POSITIONS NOT COVERED BY SOCIAL SECURITY.  Effective July 1, 2005, new and re-appointed employees not covered by Social Security are required to read and sign the Statement Concerning Your Employment In A Job Not Covered by Social Security (CSU FORM SSA-1945) prior to appointment.  To access information about Social Security Form SSA-1945, the form, web links and phone numbers for additional information click here.
  
  
• EMPLOYEE AND STUDENT INFORMATION SECURITY (ESIP)  is a 20-minute on-line program consisting of a tutorial and quiz that all faculty, staff and student assistants must complete before they can access employee and student data. The program is designed to familiarize all employees with privacy issues and guidelines for the use of employee and student data maintained on our campus. All employees will be prompted to take the ESIP training when they access web sites that contain employee or student data.  The training is mandatory and must be completed before the web site can be accessed. The  training eliminates the requirement to sign confidentiality agreement forms and is required for all employees even if they have previously completed a confidentiality agreement form.  To access ESIP, click here.  For answers to frequently asked questions and additional information on privacy rights, click here.
  
  
• HIRING AND RETAINING QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES (HARQ) is a web based program designed to ensure that administrators, faculty and staff who recruit for staff and administrative positions, regardless of duration, are fully informed of the process and time lines to conduct an effective and legal recruitment process from job posting through hiring and on to initial performance evaluation practices. HARQ uses MacroMedia Breeze and Flash technology to bring this program to your desk- top. Administrators and hiring supervisors will be prompted to complete this program when they submit a request to post a position for recruitment. The program is voluntary although crucial in ensuring legally appropriate recruiting practices. To register for the program and receive an e-mail with your user name and password, e-mail aeiou@sfsu.edu.  Include your full name, email address and the name of the program for which you are registering.
  
  
• COACHING FOR PERFORMANCE is a 20-minute web based training program designed to guide you through the annual performance evaluation process which begins now! Campus performance guidelines require the evaluation of the performance of all staff and administrators each fiscal year. The evaluations are due in Human Resources by June 30. The program is voluntary although encouraged to facilitate effective coaching for improving performance.  To register for the program and receive an e-mail with your user name and password, e-mail aeiou@sfsu.edu.  Include your full name, email address and the name of the program for which you are registering.