benefits Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Dec. 6, 2016

December 6, 2016 by Clif Smart

In this issue, I provide information about changes in the implementation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Background information

On Nov. 22, a federal judge issued a temporary injunction halting the new Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rule that was scheduled to go into effect Dec. 1. This action was a surprise to most parties tracking this issue, given the late date and the impact on the process for so many entities. It has created significant regulatory uncertainty across the country.

On Dec. 1, the Department of Labor (DOL) notified the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas that it plans to file an appeal with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the District Court’s temporary injunction.

The possible outcomes of the temporary injunction range from the court of appeals siding with the DOL, to possible changes to the new rule at some future time, to the new rule never being instituted. With a new administration taking office on Jan. 20, 2017, it is very difficult to predict the final outcome.

Decision moving forward

University leadership consulted with many universities, local entities and others to determine logical steps to take as we move forward in this uncertain environment. Some had implemented their plans as early as October and continue to move forward, many have placed a hold on implementation and others have decided to implement a hybrid version of their original plan.

Based on this input and internal considerations, the university has decided to suspend implementation of a portion of FLSA-related changes until resolution of this issue becomes clear.

Details for employees returning to exempt status

Employees who were reclassified as “professional non-exempt” and began tracking hours worked as of Nov. 16, will return to “exempt” status effective Nov. 16. As a result:

You will not need to submit a timesheet for Nov. 16-Dec. 15.
You will need to resume completing a monthly leave report; these may not be immediately available.
You will need to complete a leave report for Nov. 16-30 by Dec. 15.

How to report leave taken Nov. 16-30

Employees who received an increase in salary effective Dec. 1 will retain those raises.

Employees returning to exempt status will receive a communication this week from human resources explaining these changes in more detail.

University leadership will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds, and will communicate any resulting changes.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 11, 2016

October 11, 2016 by Clif Smart

This week I want to highlight several important events on campus.

United Way/Missouri State Way

The Missouri State Way and United Way Campaigns kicked off last week. The campaigns will run through Nov. 4. Missouri State University faculty and staff make an incredible difference on our campus and in our community through participation in these two campaigns.

Campaign packets have been distributed in campus mail. You can also find information about the campaigns on the Missouri State Way and United Way webpage. Please join me in participating by completing and submitting the contribution forms.

After you complete your contributions forms, please plan to attend the Celebration Luncheon at noon on Friday, Nov. 4 in the PSU ballroom. I look forward to seeing you there!

Benefits open enrollment

Our open enrollment period for employee benefits began last week. All benefit-eligible employees are encouraged to go through the open enrollment process to select, decline and review the benefits that we offer at Missouri State. You might be surprised by what we offer for you and your dependents:

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance (new carrier)
Supplemental life insurance
Group universal life insurance
Critical illness insurance
Accident insurance

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability are 100 percent paid for by the university.

It’s important to do it now – the deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 1. Once elections or changes have been made, no changes can be made during the year unless they are due to a qualifying/life changing event (e.g. marriage, divorce, birth, etc.).

We encourage you to go through the enrollment process even if you plan to keep what you currently have. Not taking any action could result in the possibility of you having the incorrect benefits and deductions. Please refer to the Open Enrollment FAQs for additional information.

Enrollment is online. Visit the open enrollment webpage to begin.

Homecoming

This week we will welcome alumni, friends and supporters of Missouri State University to campus as we celebrate Homecoming. Please plan to attend some or all of the events throughout the week:

Student Rockstar competition at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Hammons Student Center
Yell Like Hell pep rally at 6 p.m. on Thursday in Hammons Student Center
On Friday:
- Wall of Fame Induction Ceremony at 4 p.m. in the PSU ballroom
- Pointer Sisters concert at 8 p.m. in Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts
On Saturday:
- Homecoming parade at 9 a.m. on Saturday on John Q. Hammons Parkway
- Breakfast with Boomer at 10 a.m. on Saturday in Meyer Library
- Men’s and women’s basketball scrimmages from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in JQH Arena
- Tailgate at Bearfest Village at 11 a.m. on Saturday outside Plaster Stadium

Please also join me at 2 p.m. on Saturday to cheer our Bears football team to victory as they take on the Leathernecks of Western Illinois University.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Aug. 23, 2016

August 23, 2016 by Clif Smart

As you know, classes started yesterday. I am happy to report that our opening day enrollment shows an increase of 773 students over last year’s opening day enrollment number. This represents an increase of 3.8 percent.

What enrollment growth means to you

Enrollment growth indicates the health of our university. More students want to attend Missouri State because of the hard work that each of you do to make the university better. This growth also helps pay for compensation increases and the hiring of new faculty and staff.

The official census count is made after the fourth week of class, and I will update you again on the status of our enrollment at that time.

Making space for our students

The executive committee of the Board of Governors met last week. I wanted to report on two highlights from the meeting.

First, the board approved a management agreement with the owner of the Shoe Factory Lofts in West Plains. Under this agreement, Missouri State will manage the Shoe Factory Lofts for an 18-month trial period. This arrangement will provide the university with the capacity to grow its West Plains campus, apply university policies to the Shoe Factory Lofts and its residents and streamline students’ use of financial aid to pay for housing in West Plains.

Second, the board approved a construction contract to relocate the Veterans Student Center to Meyer Library. This will provide additional space for the Veterans lounge and will place the lounge near the Veterans Student Services office. It will also free up space in Carrington Hall to accommodate the Title IX office.

Understanding the Employee Handbook changes

Finally, I wanted to update you on the board’s actions last month on paid leave options for employees. On the administration’s recommendation, the board approved modifications to the Employee Handbook that:

Provide sick leave for 9-month faculty (sections 7.2 – 7.5)
Establish policies for long-term paid sick leave for faculty and clarify the situations in which such leave is available and the protocol for requesting it (section 7.20)
Expand the Staff Shared Leave Pool (section 7.19) to
- allow employees to utilize the pool for additional qualifying events such as certain family care situations (e.g., maternity, paternity, elder care, etc.) and bone marrow or organ donation
- reduce the amount of earned vacation time that must be donated to participate
- increase the number of leave hours that may be granted from 320 to 480

These actions expand paid leave options for both faculty and staff. I am pleased at our board’s commitment to continue to make Missouri State University a desirable place to work.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Oct. 27, 2015

October 27, 2015 by Clif Smart

The Board of Governors met on the Friday before Homecoming. I wanted to take a moment to update you on the highlights from the Board meeting.

Board expands employee benefits, recognizes University supporters

At the Programs and Planning Committee meeting, the Board provided feedback on the draft mission, vision and values statements. If you have not had the opportunity to review these statements and provide your feedback, I would encourage you to do so. You can find these statements and a feedback form on the Long-Range Plan webpage.

During its regular meeting, the Board watched two excellent student presentations. The University’s award winning Ad Team presented at the beginning of the meeting. Four undergraduate students presented to the Board on their research at the end of the meeting. I received multiple comments from Board members about how impressed they were with the student presenters.

Board expands employee benefits

The Board approved a set of expanded benefits under the University’s health and dental plans. The University increased hospice care coverage from $2,000 to $10,000. The revised plan will also cover wigs resulting from medical treatment, breast pumps and related equipment, and hearing aids for newborns. The University also expanded dental coverage to certain adult dependent children of eligible employees (up to 26 years of age). You can find detailed information about these and other coverage on the employee benefits webpage.

The Board approved awards to two individuals for their support of Missouri State University.

Dr. Norm Shealy recognized with Bronze Bear Award

The University will recognize Dr. Norman Shealy with the Bronze Bear Award.

Dr. Shealy has been a longtime friend of the University. Dr. Shealy donated his 250 acre farm in Fair Grove, Missouri to the Foundation, and he established the Mary-Charlotte Bayles Shealy Chair in Conscientious Psychology in Missouri State’s department of psychology.

Board names first recipient of Government Excellence Award

The University will recognize Senator Mike Parson with the Government Excellence Award.

Senator Parson has demonstrated outstanding support for the University in the legislature since 2004. He spent multiple years championing a capital bonding package that resulted in a state appropriation of $18.9 million to Missouri State University to renovate Ellis, Hill and Missouri halls.

Dr. Shealy and Senator Parson will receive their awards at the University’s December commencement ceremonies.

Contract approved for Glass Hall renovation, addition

The Board approved a contract with DeWitt & Associates for the renovation and addition to Glass Hall. We broke ground on the Glass Hall project on the Thursday before Homecoming, and we’re excited to see construction get underway. This project will provide our students with a significantly improved learning environment when it opens in the fall of 2017.

Finally, the Board voted to name the addition to Glass Hall the Robert Gourley Student Success Center in recognition of a significant gift commitment from Robert and Marlese Gourley.

Please join me in thanking the Gourleys for their investment in the future of our students.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for March 31, 2015

March 31, 2015 by Clif Smart

I want to update you on two task forces that I recently created to address important issues for our University.

Task forces address family leave, graduate tracking

The first is the President’s Task Force on Family Leave and Support. In February 2015, Faculty Senate approved a report from the Faculty Senate Ad Hoc Family Leave and Support Committee titled “Family Leave and Support Committee Proposal.” Staff Senate and other campus groups have evaluated similar fringe benefit issues and made other proposals.

The President’s Task Force on Family Leave and Support is charged with reviewing the Family Leave and Support Committee Proposal and other relevant proposals, collecting and analyzing any information necessary to evaluate such proposals, and developing and prioritizing task force recommendations to be evaluated by the Executive Budget Committee for the FY 2017 budget. I have asked this task force to submit a report to me by Dec. 3.

The second is the President’s Task Force on Graduate Tracking and Outcomes. The Board of Governors and senior administrators have indicated that graduate tracking is a priority for the University. Additionally, state law now requires all four-year universities in Missouri to report on graduate outcomes as part of the state’s performance funding model. This means that in the near future the amount of state appropriations Missouri State University receives will be partially dependent on our graduate outcomes.

The President’s Task Force on Graduate Tracking and Outcomes is charged with creating protocols for graduate outcome information collected by colleges, departments and other University units to be reported centrally. This task force is also charged with developing recommendations for process improvements at Missouri State University regarding graduate tracking. I have asked this task force to meet three times before the end of the spring semester to ensure that we are prepared to centrally track outcomes for our spring 2015 graduates.

Please contact my office if you have information or ideas that the task forces should consider as they analyze these important issues.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

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