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| August 2010 | |
State of Florida life insurance changes begin
January 2011
Effective January 1, the state of Florida’s basic life insurance coverage will reduce from 1.5 times an employee’s base salary, to a flat coverage rate of $25,000. The coverage, underwritten by Minnesota Life, will be paid by the employer for full-time staff; however, part-time employees will pay a portion of the cost based on their FTE. Also under the new plan, coverage is no longer reduced at age 70. During open enrollment, the state will automatically transfer or enroll the following employees into the new $25,000 coverage: full and part-time employees presently in basic life and full-time employees not currently enrolled in basic life. Part-time employees who are not enrolled in the basic life plan must actively sign up for coverage due to the shared cost. As open enrollment approaches, more information will be provided by the state on how to enroll in the plan. Additionally, employees who do not want the automatic $25,000 coverage must opt out of the plan during the open enrollment period.
With this significant change to the state of Florida’s basic life insurance plan, the state has worked with Minnesota Life to add to additional coverage levels at 6 or 7 times base salary up to a million dollars, whichever is less. For this year only, during Open Enrollment, the state will allow certain increases to the optional life plan (employee paid) without a medical application.
No medical application is required for the following. Therefore if:
- You don’t have optional life coverage currently, you may sign up for 1 times your salary
- You have optional life at 1, 2, 3 or 4 times your salary, but your coverage is less than $500,000, you may increase by one time your base salary
- You want to increase 2 times your base salary or more
- You are currently enrolled at 5 times your base salary
- Your coverage is already at $500,000 (regardless of coverage level, i.e. two or three times your base salary)
In addition to the state’s basic and optional life plans, UF offers supplemental life coverage through Lincoln Financial.
Life insurance is an important piece of your financial plan and can help your family meet future needs. Now is a good time to assess whether your current coverage is adequate. Before Open Enrollment begins, you may want to shop for other life policies and compare costs, though most require a medical application or review to enroll. You may also want to consult with a financial advisor about taking life premiums you would have paid and consider using that money for other investment options. By taking some time now to research, you’ll be better prepared during Open Enrollment to make decisions about the various life insurance options that are available.
Questions? Please contact University Benefits and Retirement at (352) 392-2HRS (2477) or benefits@ufl.edu.
Eligibility requirements, collective bargaining affect
salary increases
On June 11, President Machen announced a salary increase plan that included merit salary increases for faculty and staff for the 2010-11 year. A 4 percent merit increase pool was created for salaried faculty, and a 3 percent merit increase pool was created for all eligible staff.
To be eligible for consideration, employees must meet the university’s eligibility requirements. Individual merit salary increases for faculty and staff are based upon approved departmental merit criteria recommended by the chair, approved by the dean, and supported by completed performance evaluations. Because the salary increases are merit-based, individual employees may receive merit increases above the established merit increase pool percentage based on exemplary performance.
The salary increase plan was subject to agreement of the collective bargaining units in accordance with their respective contracts. Agreement on the salary increase plan has been reached with each union representing faculty and staff.
Merit salary increases will be included in the Friday, August 27, paycheck (retroactive to July 1 for 12-month employees).
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UF Academy accepting applications for 2010-11: Discover your leadership potential!
UF Training and Organizational Development is pleased to announce a call for applications to join the UF Academy for 2010-11. Applications to participate are being accepted now through the close of business on August 27. Participation in the Academy will last from October 2010 through June 2011.
Designed for emerging leaders at our institution—faculty and staff—the UF Academy is a 9-month program that provides a UF-specific approach for up to 15 recognized star achievers who are “emerging leaders” at UF. Participants are selected via a competitive application process. Entering its eighth year, the UF Academy focuses on immersion in the university culture and exposure to its organizational structure as well as exploring important leadership competencies.
To participate in the Academy, an employee must be exempt with at least two years of supervisory or decision-making responsibility at the University of Florida and meet the additional criteria described on the web site. The “two years of experience” criterion is waived for employees at the assistant director level and above as well as interested faculty members.
For more information, including the application, please visit: http://www.hr.ufl.edu/training/leadership/academy.asp.
Campus Preview Session for myUFL Financial System Upgrade now available online
An online version of the myUFL Financial Systems Upgrade “Campus Preview Session” is now available. This session introduces some of the changes to the myUFL system that will occur in conjunction with the upgrade slated for spring 2011. It is appropriate for system users who are responsible for financial transactions in their areas as well as managers who may be interested in learning more about the upgrade generally. Additional detailed training will be provided in fall 2010 and spring 2011.
To register for the online Campus Preview Session, please navigate to my.ufl.edu, My Self Service, Request Training Enrollment. Search for course number PST150. For more information about the myUFL Financial Systems Upgrade project, please visit its web site at upgrade.my.ufl.edu.
Do you know of someone deserving of recognition?
2011 Prudential-Davis Productivity Award nominations due September 10
Nomination forms for the 2011 Davis Productivity Awards program, which annually honors state government employees throughout Florida, are now available. In addition to honoring “innovation, creativity, and smart work,” the awards program recognizes individuals and work units that have adapted or implemented previous years’ award-winning achievements to create added value. Eligible for nomination are individuals, teams, and work units as well as entire state agencies or their divisions, regions, districts, and institutions. Nominations are accepted each year in the fall with the award winners announced in March.
The Davis Productivity Award nomination forms must be completed and submitted online. From the HRS website, you can link to the Davis Productivity Awards site and begin the nomination process. Instructions are available to walk you through the online process.
Nominations for the 2011 Davis Productivity Awards must be submitted online to the Agency Coordinator by Friday, September 10. If you have questions, please contact Kenya Williams, UF awards coordinator, at (352) 273-1761 or kenya-williams@ufl.edu.
you receive important insurance mailings
In preparation for the fall Benefits Open Enrollment period, employees should use this opportunity to make sure their home and campus P.O. Box addresses are reflected correctly in the myUFL Directory. To help ensure important mailings are received — particularly those relating to Open Enrollment—home and work mailing addresses should be updated no later than August 31 in the myUFL system.
To make sure mailing addresses are up-to-date in the myUFL system, please complete the following steps:
Log on to the myUFL portal with your GatorLink username and password. If you don’t know your username and password, call (352) 392-HELP for assistance.- Click “My Account” in the myUFL systems menu.
- Select “Update My Directory Profile.”
- Scroll down to the “Local Home Data” section. IMPORTANT NOTE: Foreign nationals are required to maintain a foreign address for tax purposes and therefore should not modify the Permanent Home Data Address which is reserved for the foreign address. Instead, the Local Home Data Address field should be used for the local address. Questions regarding foreign addresses or tax implications should be directed to the Tax Services Office at (352) 392-1231.
- Fill in your updated address information in Address Line 1 and click “submit” at the bottom of the page to complete the address change. (Click here to see a screen shot example).
Identity Coordinators who enter mailing addresses for employees, graduate assistants, and pre-doc fellows are required to use the Identity Management system. To find your department’s Identity Coordinator, please refer to http://www.bridges.ufl.edu/directory/cordlist.pdf.
In addition, while you’re taking the time to update your home address, it’s also a good time to check your emergency contact information and update it if necessary, which can be found under the same navigation My Account > Update Emergency Contact.
Contact your directory administrator or the UF Help Desk at (352) 392-HELP or helpdesk@ufl.edu with questions pertaining to the UF Directory.
Registration for fall training currently underway
Registration for UF Training and Organizational Development’s fall training opened August 2. New management workshops are now available that are based on the university’s management/leadership competency model. Business communication and computer application (MS Excel and Access) courses as well as myUFL training and the Pro3 series, designed for administrative professionals, all continue to be offered. Several of our training compliance partners are highlighted in this semester’s catalog as we all work to help ensure our institution is a safe and secure place in which to work and learn. A new “Diversity at Work!” workshop rounds out the fall curriculum.
Visit the online course catalog today to learn more! To register, log in to myUFL and navigate to My Self Service>Training and Development> Request Training Enrollment.
Employee Education Program accepting applications
for the fall semester
The Employee Education Program (EEP) is a popular benefit available to eligible UF faculty and staff. The program provides tuition assistance for up to six credit hours of eligible college-level courses per semester.
Employees interested in participating in the EEP during the fall semester should register and turn in applications to the institution they plan to attend by the following deadlines:
University of Florida:
EEP Registration Period: August 12 – 27
EEP Applications Due: 5:00 p.m. on August 30
Registration after August 27 is subject to a $100 late registration fee.
Santa Fe College:
EEP Applications Due: July 15
If you register on or before this date, your EEP application is due to the SFC cashier’s office by 4 p.m. on July 15. Registration is still permitted after July 15; however, the EEP application must be turned in by 4 p.m. the next business day after registering.
For complete program participation requirements, eligibility, and application deadlines, please visit www.hr.ufl.edu/education/eep. For questions about this program, please contact Kenya Williams, UF Training and Organizational Development, at (352) 273-1761 or kenya-williams@ufl.edu.
Deadline for Higher Education Opportunity (HEO) scholarship applications is November 1
The University of Florida’s Higher Education Opportunity (HEO) provides children of full-time TEAMS employees with the opportunity of tuition assistance for an undergraduate education at the University of Florida. In March 2011, Human Resource Services will select, at random from a pool of eligible HEO applicants, 50 TEAMS employees to participate in this program. Each eligible employee may submit one child’s name into the drawing. To be considered for this benefit, the TEAMS employee must apply for the HEO by November 1.For the child of each selected employee, the university will pay the in-state matriculation fees (the actual tuition minus any additional fees for building, capital improvement, financial aid, technology, activities, athletic, health, transportation, etc.) for up to 12 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters and six credit hours during the summer semesters. Please note that any Bright Futures scholarship award will be subtracted from the amount the student can receive from the HEO. As long as the student remains eligible for the program, the Higher Education Opportunity will assist with the student’s tuition until he or she has accumulated a maximum of 132 credit hours or has been enrolled in college for six years (whichever comes first). Please visit the HEO website to read about additional eligibility requirements.
To be entered into the HEO drawing, the full-time TEAMS employee must:
- Submit a completed HEO application form to UF Training and Organizational Development no later than November 1, 2010.
- Have applied for admission to the University of Florida no later than November 1, 2010.
- Graduate from high school no later than July 31, 2011.
It is important to note that the University of Florida admissions process and the HEO selection process are separate. Selection for the HEO benefit does not indicate admission into the University of Florida. Application for admission to UF also does not automatically enter a child’s name into the HEO drawing. In the event that a child is not accepted to UF, the benefit may be used at a public community college in the state of Florida.
For questions about this program, please contact Kenya Williams, UF Training and Organizational Development, at (352) 273-1761 or kenya-williams@ufl.edu.
The 2010 UF IT Awards nomination period is now open!
This awards program serves as a recognition event for deserving UF information technology staff. There are three categories of awards: Bringing out the Best: Collaboration, Innovation and Everyday Leadership Throughout UF IT; Serving the Client: Providing Consistent and Exceptional Service; and Unsung Hero: Working Behind the Scenes.
You are invited to nominate IT staff. You may nominate staff from your area or from a department that provided you with excellent service or results. The eligibility requirements are outlined on the IT Web site.
The university’s IT action plan (ITAP) focused on unifying the IT environment on campus, and this program mirrors that commitment. The UF IT Awards recognizes individuals and teams who bring out the best in each other, serve the UF community with distinction, and honor staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep university systems and networks running around the clock. Winners are selected by a committee of campus IT staff.
Vice President and CIO Elias G. Eldayrie will announce the winners at the annual Fall IT Assembly, scheduled for October 7.
Last month, People First, the state of Florida’s benefits administrator, performed an upgrade that requires some members reset their password before accessing the system. System password requirements and the recommended process to reset a password are:
- When logging into the new People First system for the first time, only use the first 8 characters of the password used in the previous People First system. You may have had a longer password in the old People First system; however, only the first 8 characters of the password were stored.
- The preferred method to reset your password is on-line. If you forget your password, or lock your account on the People First Log In page, click the “Forgot Your Password?” link to reset the password. Once on this screen, you will be asked a few questions to validate your identity, such as the last five digits of your Social Security Number.
- To enter a new password, your new password must:
- Contain 8-30 characters
- Begin with a letter
- Contain at least one upper case letter, one lower case letter, and one number
- Not contain any spaces
- Not use the following special characters: ^ = " { }
- Differ from your old password by at least one character
- Be different from the last ten passwords you used
- Have three different characters in the first three character spaces
For additional information on password requirements in the improved People First system, please review the People First Password Frequently Asked Questions document, by clicking on the “Questions?” link in the State Employees and Retirees section on the People First Log In page.
Save the dates:
Open Enrollment and the Benefits Fair are just around the corner
This year’s Open Enrollment is scheduled to run September 27 through
October 22. The Benefits Fair, which hosts various insurance and retirement vendors, will be held October 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Touchdown Terrace in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Watch for details about these and other events in upcoming editions of the InfoGator. Questions? Please contact University Benefits at (352) 392-2HRS or benefits@ufl.edu.
USPS personal holiday awarded for 2010-11
Each year, in addition to paid holidays, USPS employees receive one paid “personal holiday” (pro-rated based on FTE). This personal holiday is credited to the employee at the beginning of each fiscal year and must be taken (as a whole day) by June 30 of that year.
USPS employees’ 2010-11 personal holidays have now been added to their leave balances and must be used by the end of the fiscal year in June 2011. For questions, please contact Leave Administration at (352) 392-2477 or email central-leave@ufl.edu.
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FRS topicsThe Division of Retirement (DOR) has created a series of short video presentations highlighting topics of interest about FRS Pension Plans. Click on a topic below to view the corresponding “FRS Quick Clip” and learn more about your retirement plan.
- DROP Retirement
Explains eligibility criteria and application process for DROP - Regular Retirement
Discusses eligibility and application process for retiring without DROP participation - Benefit Payment Options
Explains the four benefit payment options - Reemployment After Retirement
Explains Division of Retirement’s termination requirement, reemployment limitations, and renewed membership issues
UF Equal Employment Opportunity is now Institutional Equity and Diversity
The Office of Equal Employment Opportunity’s name is now the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity. This name change captures the comprehensive responsibilities of the area and its role in the campus community and reflects a more current approach to the area’s function—working with departments to promote fairness, respect, and excellence through diversity. The office’s goal of providing quality services to the entire campus community continues to be its top priority.
Faculty and staff can renew drivers’ licenses and more on campus
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will have a mobile unit on Museum Road in the Gator 1 Card office hallway area of the UF Bookstore and Welcome Center later this month. The unit will be located on the ground floor of the UF Bookstore & Welcome Center on Museum Road (next to the Gator 1 Central office) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. from Monday, August 16, through Friday, September 3.
Services available include:
- Drivers’ licenses – original, renewal, duplicate, address and name change, reinstatement of suspension
- Identification cards – original ID cards, renewal, duplicate, address and name change
- Tag renewals
- Handicapped placards
- Emergency contact information – Emergency contact information is entered into a secure database accessible only to law enforcement providing vital information during an emergency.
Click here for additional information, or contact Leila Cantara.
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UF’s Veterinary Hospitals join GatorPerks employee discount program
The University of Florida Veterinary Hospitals are pleased to announce a new program offering 10 percent discounts to all UF faculty, staff, and students. The discount includes 10 percent off veterinary services including exams, vaccinations, diagnostic tests, therapies, and surgeries. Please make appointments through the Large Animal Hospital by calling (352) 392-2229 and Small Animal Hospital by calling (352) 392-2235. UF’s Veterinary Hospitals provide 24/7 emergency care. You must present a valid Gator1 Card at the time of the appointment.
UF offers free smoking cessation program to faculty, staff, and spouses
Now that UF is officially a Tobacco-Free Campus, the university’s Employee Assistance Program, in partnership with the Area Health Education Centers, is continuing to offer its FREE smoking cessation program to UF employees. The program consists of weekly sessions that include education, group support, and medical oversight with pharmaceutical smoking cessation medications. Participants will receive generous discounts for medication and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy; i.e., patches, gum. The program involves attendance at once-a-week groups for six consecutive weeks. Because success is more likely when partners quit together, spouses and partners are invited to participate at no cost also.
For more information, including session starting dates and times, or to schedule the required free medical screening, please contact the EAP at (352) 392-5787 or visit http://shcc.ufl.edu/occmed/esc.shtml
Join the Parking Hearing Authority and review parking citation appeals
Transportation and Parking Services is seeking faculty and staff members to volunteer two hours every two weeks to review appeals filed by faculty, staff, and visitors. Employees with a desire to contribute to the university community are welcomed.
To volunteer, contact Scott Fox, Director of Transportation and Parking Services, at sefox@ufl.edu or (352) 392-8048.
FRS Investment Plan statements now available
Second-quarter statements for 2010 were recently sent to FRS Investment Plan members along with the latest Investment Plan Quarterly Newsletter. Click here to view the newsletter which lists new legislative changes affecting the Florida Retirement System.
Gator Growl 2010 held on October 15— tickets available 
now!
Gator Growl 2010 will be held on October 15, with a celebration focusing on the qualities of the Gator Nation that make UF a flagship academic institution and athletic powerhouse. Growl 2010 will be a grand show highlighting what it means to be a student, faculty or staff member, or active alumnus/a at the University of Florida.
Gator Growl is held the night before the Homecoming football game and is in its 87th year at University of Florida. Hosted by Florida Blue Key, Gator Growl is produced by more than 500 student volunteers and is the largest-student run pep rally in the world.
Tickets are $25 and may be purchased by following the ticketing links at gatorgrowl.org. If you have questions or need additional information, contact Bryan Griffin.
Sesame Street Live is back at the O’Connell Center!
Tickets start at $9 through a special UF group discount rate.
For more information, please click here to view the show flyer, visit the O’Connell Center website or call (352) 392-5500.
Gainesville Regional Airport adds a third air carrier
American Eagle Airlines joins Delta Airlines and US Airways as a major air carrier providing service for the Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV). American Eagle’s service begins October 1, 2010, with daily non-stop service to Miami, FL. The addition of a third major air carrier and destination hub has already positively impacted airfare to worldwide destinations.
The additional service is expected to be a significant benefit for UF faculty and staff. Minutes away from the University of Florida, the Gainesville Regional Airport provides a convenient, competitively priced gateway to domestic and international destinations. For more information about the Gainesville Regional Airport, visit the website at http://www.gra-gnv.com/.
Financial planning assistance available to employees:
Investment company representatives are available to meet with you on a regular basis. Please call for an appointment.
TIAA-CREF
On-site in HRS Building
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
(877) 267-4510, ext 5151
Fidelity
(888) 788-7500
A representative will be available for appointments August 18 and 19
VALIC
On-site in HRS Building
Monday mornings
(800) 892-5558, ext 87260
ING
On-site in HRS Building
Thursday mornings
(352) 372-1802
MetLife
On-site in HRS Building
Thursday afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m.
(352) 371-7638 or (352) 219-0835
BENCOR
On-site in HRS Building
Monday afternoons
(386) 365-4448 or (386) 344-3788
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Retirement and Financial Planning Workshops:
Registration for these information sessions, as well as other training workshops sponsored by UF Training and Organizational Development, is currently open through myUFL.
- Habits of Highly Successful Investors (GET124): Tuesday, August 31, 9 to 11 a.m.
- FRS/DROP Workshop (GET573): Tuesday, August 31, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Using DROP to Retire With Confidence & Putting Balance in Your Favor (GET127): Monday, August 30, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
- Budget and Debt Reduction Seminar, August 30 (GET131): Monday, August 30, 9 to 11 a.m.
Time and Labor class is now required for payroll processors
The PST110 Time and Labor class is now required before receiving the security role UF_TL PAYROLL PROCESSOR. This newly-revised course is now available in both online e-learning and classroom formats. For more information, please visit the myUFL page in the Training & Organizational Development catalog.
Purchase a Gator Gold Card for admission to regular-season home volleyball, women’s basketball, and gymnastics events
For $60, you can support the Gators all season long. With the Gator Gold Card – regularly a $150 value – you receive tickets to all regular-season home volleyball, women’s basketball, and gymnastics events during the 2010-11 season. Visit GatorZone.com/tickets or call (800) 34-GATOR to purchase your Gator Gold Card.
Employee discount offered this fall for plastic surgery and skin rejuvenation procedures
UF Plastic Surgery and the Fresh Faces skin care program are offering discounts for UF and Shands employees between August 15 and December 30. A 20 percent discount on the following nonsurgical procedures will be offered: laser hair removal, acne, glycolic facial peel, spider veins, and microdermabrasion. A 20 percent discount on surgeons’ fees will be offered on select cosmetic surgery procedures.
To learn more, or make an appointment, please call (352) 265-8402. Visit the website to learn more about the services.
©2010 University of Florida Office of Human Resource Services
The InfoGator is a monthly e-publication produced by the University of Florida’s Office of Human Resource Services. It is distributed electronically to UF faculty and staff and is available online. Please direct questions or comments to its editor, Angela Gould; Human Resource Services; P.O. Box 115006; (352) 392-4626; TDD 800-955-8771. The InfoGator is available in an alternative format upon request.
