Benefits

Employee Benefits

Retirement:

he General Assembly approved changes to the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) for Higher Education. As you may know, the ORP for Higher Education refers to the plan you chose for retirement where CNU makes contributions on your behalf. The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) now has the responsibility to govern the selection and monitor the ORP investment options. This change was made to ensure that the most competitive products and services are being offered to plan participants.

To implement this oversight responsibility, the VRS Board of Trustees formed the ORP Advisory Committee (ORPAC). Following their thorough review of the current ORP providers, ORPAC has made changes to the number of providers and the investment choices available to you. These changes do not effect the contributions you make to your tax sheltered annuities (403b) or the Cash Match program.

Details of the ORP changes, options, implementation and deadlines have recently been provided to us by the VRS. Although we are awaiting provider enrollment kits, we want to help you learn about these changes and your choices well ahead of needed deadlines. This email is longer than I prefer, but the overview is important.

Brief Overview of Provider Changes and Instructions for Each Provider - Forms are on the HR web site and General Instructions are Below

TIAA-CREF www.tiaa-cref.org (currently 167 out of 211 CNU employees with an ORP have this provider) will remain as a provider; however a few fund choices have changed.

If you currently have TIAA-CREF as your provider and want to stay with TIAA-CREF, please complete a Provider Designation Form. Please look at your investment choices to determine if you have any investments in CREF Social Choice Account or CREF Growth. If you do, you will have to change those allocations by June 10, 2004, as they are not offering those investment options after that time. They are offering two new options, Vanguard Asset Allocation Funds and DFA International Small Company Portfolio. If you do not change your options, the Commonwealth will default your investments to Vanguard Asset Allocation Funds.

If you do not currently have TIAA-CREF but want TIAA-CREF, please complete a Provider Designation Form. Please get a TIAA-CREF ORP application from the Office of Human Resources. Please select the investments you would like. Please send the designation form and application to the Office of Human Resources for processing.

Fidelity www.fidelity.com/atwork (currently 30 out of 211 CNU employees with an ORP have this provider) will remain as a provider, but substantial changes have been made to available funds.

If you currently have Fidelity as your provider and want to stay with Fidelity, please complete a Provider Designation Form. Please look at your investment choices to determine if you have any investments other than Fidelity Retirement Government Money Market Portfolio or Fidelity U. S. Bond Index Fund. If you do, you will have to change those allocations by June 10, 2004, as they are not offering those investment options after that time. If you do not change your options, the Commonwealth will default your investments to Fidelity Freedom Funds.

If you do not currently have Fidelity but want Fidelity, please complete a Provider Designation Form. Please get a Fidelity ORP application from the Office of Human Resources. Please select the investments you would like. Please send the designation form and application to the Office of Human Resources for processing.

Great West, Metlife, T. Rowe Price and VALIC (currently 14 out of 211 CNU employees with an ORP have these providers) will no longer be providers under the Optional Retirement Plan of the Commonwealth of Virginia and no CNU contributions will be made as of June 10, 2004, effective July 1, 2004, pay date.

You must choose either TIAA-CREF or Fidelity. Please get a TIAA-CREF or Fidelity ORP application from the Office of Human Resources. Please select the investments you would like. Please send the designation form and application to the Office of Human Resources for processing.

Very Important: This decision must be made and a Provider Designation Form completed and received in HR anytime from April 1, 2004, through May 14, 2004. If you do not select a provider and funds by the deadline, or have contributions going to funds no longer available, the Commonwealth will make default selections for you to avoid a lapse in contributions. Please know that HR will work with you to make this a smooth transition.

Next Steps

1. Visit the CNU HR web site www.cnu.edu/hr, click on the “Benefits” button on the left and review the following word files: Transition Notice, Frequently Asked Questions and the ORP Provider Designation Form.

2. If you wish to learn more about why and how ORPs have changed and the transition process. Please call HR at 4-7145 and set up an appointment with Lori Westphal (lwestpha
@cnu.edu).

3. However, if after reading the information on our web site, you only need ORP fund information to make your decision, HR has arranged for TIAA-CREF and Fidelity to come to CNU and provide fund information sessions, including a question and answer period.

Please call HR at 4-7145 and reserve your space for the following date and times:

All information sessions on April 27, 2004, are in the Alumni Room, Student Center 150. Times are as follows:

9 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.

We will be available other times as needed to answer any questions you may have about this process.

In addition to Social Security, contributions will be made for you by Christopher Newport University to a retirement plan. Faculty may choose one of two plans. Classified employees are automatically enrolled in the Virginia Retirement System.

Optional Retirement Program (ORP) For ADMINISTRATIVE OR INSTRUCTIONAL FACULTY ONLY

This is a defined contribution plan administered by the Virginia Retirement System, VRS ORP information, open to administrative professional and instructional faculty only. In addition to your salary, Christopher Newport University contributes an amount equivalent to 10.4% of your salary per pay period to the plan of your choice. You may elect one of two available companies within the ORP. As a member, you determine the allocation of contributions to the investment funds available within your chosen company. Vesting is immediate with the ORP. The benefits received at retirement will depend on the level of contributions, the duration of participation, investment gains and losses, the actual age at retirement, and the retirement income option selected. The ORP companies available are as follows: Fidelity Investments and TIAA-CREF. You must select your retirement within 60 days of hire. Web sites and/or e-mail/telephone number and address: web site for Fidelity – www.fidelity.com/atwork, 1-800-343-0860;web site for TIAA-CREF - www.tiaa-cref.org 1-800-842-2776, TIAA-CREF, 730 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017.

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) CHOICE FOR FACULTY, AUTOMATIC ENROLLMENT FOR CLASSIFIED

This is a defined (or fixed) benefit retirement plan. Members must have at least ten years of service and have attained age 50 or at least 5 years of service and have attained age 55 to retire early with reduced benefits. To receive full benefits, the member must be age 50 with 30 years of service or age 65 with at least five years of service. The benefits received at retirement are determined by salary, length of service, age at retirement, and the retirement income option selected. If you have prior public service for Virginia or another state, military service, civil service, etc. (see listing), you may be eligible to purchase that service for credit in the Virginia Retirement System. You must select your retirement within 60 days of hire. Web site - http://www.varetire.org/

SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS:

Tax Sheltered Annuity Program (403b)

The University is associated with several companies that offer 403b plans. If you desire a supplemental retirement plan, you may contribute a total of $13,000 of your annual salary (if you are at least 50 years old, you may contribute $16,000) to one or more of these 403b plans. The portion of your salary that you elect to contribute is not taxed (federal and state) until withdrawals are made. Please review our provider listing.

Tax Sheltered Annuity Provider Listing

Salary Reduction Agreement for Tax Sheltered Annuity

State Deferred Compensation Program (457)

The Commonwealth of Virginia also offers the opportunity to invest in a supplemental retirement plan. This Deferred Compensation Plan offers you the opportunity to contribute a total of $13,000 of your annual salary (if you are at least 50 years old, you may contribute $16,000) to this plan. The contributions are made on a pre-tax basis. You may contribute to both the Deferred Compensation Plan and the 403b plan. Web site - https://www.vadcp.com/vadcp/

State Cash Match Program (401a)

If you contribute to either a tax-sheltered annuity or the deferred compensation plan, the Commonwealth of Virginia will match 50% of your contribution up to a maximum of $20 per pay period to the provider you have chosen from the cash match list of provider or the State Deferred Compensation Program. Here is the link for cash match, although it only references the deferred compensation plan, cash match is also offered for tax sheltered annuities. Web site - http://www.varetire.org/members/benefitplans/cashmatch.html

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Health Insurance (Medical and Dental): Open enrollment is from April 14, 2004, through May 14, 2004, effective July 1, 2004. For more information please visit: http://www.dhrm.state.va.us/hbenefits/openenroll04/openenroll2004.html

Premiums for health care are deducted with "pre-tax" dollars. The pre-tax premiums are deducted before taxes are calculated which reduces the amount of Federal, State, and Social Security withholding. An employee must enroll within 31 days of hire or during open enrollment unless there is a qualifying mid-year event. This election is made on the health benefits enrollment form. Strict IRS guidelines apply. Web site http://www.dhrm.state.va.us/hbenefits/covacare.html

CHOICES FOR HEALTH CARE :

Basic COVA Care
Basic COVA Care plus out of network coverage
Basic COVA Care with Expanded dental
Basic COVA Care with Vision, Hearing and Expanded Dental
Basic COVA Care with Expanded Dental and out of network coverage
Basic COVA Care with Vision, Hearing and Expanded Dental and out of network coverage

COVA Care Information

For additional Medical, Vision and Hearing information go to the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield web site: www.anthem.com.

Here is the health care enrollment form (effective July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005) used for the open enrollment period:
http://www.dhrm.state.va.us/statefrm/health/enrollment04.pdf

Traveling outside Virginia

If you are traveling outside Virginia, remember to access the BlueCard PPO network or BlueCard Worldwide and receive the highest level of benefits. To locate a BlueCard PPO provider in the U.S. or for assistance locating a provider outside the U.S. call 1-800-810-2583 or visit the web site, www.bcbs.com and select "BlueCard Doctor and Hospital Finder" to locate a provider in the U.S., or select "HealthCare Anywhere" for information before you travel outside the U.S.

Dental Benefits

Beginning July 1, 2004, Delta Dental will provide dental services to all Commonwealth of Virginia employees. To select a dentist, visit their web site: www.deltadental.va.com , click on the "Searching for a Dentist" link, select the Delta Premier program and follow the prompts. You may also call the toll free member services number at 1-888-335-8296.

Prescription Drug Program

Beginning July 1, 2004, Medco Health will provide prescription drug coverage to all Commonwealth of Virginia employees directly. Previously, they were the third party administrator and administered their benefits through Anthem. Any drug prior authorizations already approved will continue until they expire. Visit their web site at www.medcohealth.com. Once you register, you may search for a local participating pharmacy and access all of your prescription drug information, including information about drug tiers and copayments. You may also call 1-800-355-8279 for assistance.

Health Benefits Monthly Premiums

For the monthly premium of the State Health Benefits Program (effective July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005), please visit this web site: http://www.dhrm.state.va.us/hbenefits/openenroll04/premiums2004.html

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Life Insurance:

Group Life Insurance

As an employee of Christopher Newport University, you are entitled to group life insurance that is administered through the Virginia Retirement System and paid for by Christopher Newport University. The amount of your group life insurance equals your salary rounded up to the nearest thousand multiplied by two: example, an employee currently making $25,400 would be entitled to $52,000 worth of group life insurance ($26,000 x 2 = $52,000). Minnesota Life currently holds the State contract for the life insurance benefit. There are additional benefits associated with your group life policy. (Please see Group Life Insurance brochure.) Web site - http://www.varetire.org/Members/BenefitPlans/LifeInsure.html

Optional Group Life Insurance (OGL)

You may want to purchase additional life insurance on yourself; yourself and your spouse; or yourself, your spouse and your children through payroll deduction. You may elect coverage of one, two, three or four times your salary. If you elect coverage in excess of one times your salary and would like coverage on your spouse, your spouse must complete an evidence of insurability form and be approved for coverage through Minnesota Life. While the coverage is being approved, their cost and coverage will be based on .5 times your salary. As you can see below, the cost of the additional life insurance is based on your age and your salary. You must enroll in the OGL plan within 31 days of hire in order to not have to complete an evidence of insurability form. Web site - http://www.varetire.org/Members/BenefitPlans/OptLife.html

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Sickness & Disability:

Virginia Sickness and Disability Plan (VSDP)

You may elect this benefit only if you choose VRS retirement. This plan is paid for by Christopher Newport University and gives you short and long term disability insurance based on your number of years of state service. If you choose VRS as your retirement plan, you make a choice between VSDP and Colonial Life's Unum Long Term Disability plan. Web site - http://www.unumprovident.com/

Unum – Colonial Life

Christopher Newport University also offers UNUM long term disability plan through Colonial Life Insurance Company. The premium is based on the amount of coverage, your salary and your age. This is an employee paid premium. You should consider this coverage very carefully if you choose an Optional Retirement Plan as ORP’s do not have disability provisions.

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Workers Compensation:

All full-time and part-time employees are covered under Worker's Compensation. Claims are handled by Managed Care Innovations. If you are injured on the job, please let your supervisor know immediately. You will also need to contact the Office of Human Resources, Return-to-Work Coordinator (Jane Street) at 4-8782. She will assist you in completing the forms necessary for reporting a claim under Worker's Compensation.

Department of Human Resource Management Workers Compensation Policy

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Flexible Benefits: Open enrollment is from April 14, 2004, through May 14, 2004, effective July 1, 2004. For more information please visit: http://www.dhrm.state.va.us/hbenefits/openenroll04/openenroll2004.html

Dependent Care Reimbursement Account

This pre-tax deduction is for use in paying eligible dependent care expenses. The reimbursements are not subject to Federal, State, and Social Security taxes. An employee is eligible to participate as of the first day of the month following the date of hire. Due to the tax advantages offered by this program, the IRS has strict guidelines for its use. Participation is optional. Web site http://www.dhrm.state.va.us/genlbenefits/flex/dependentcare.html

Medical Care Reimbursement Account

This pre-tax deduction is designed for use in paying eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses, which are not covered by health insurance. The reimbursements received are not subject to Federal, State, and Social Security taxes. An employee is eligible to participate in this plan as of the first day of the month following six months of employment. Due to the tax advantages offered by this program, the IRS has strict guidelines for its use. Participation is optional. Web site http://www.dhrm.state.va.us/genlbenefits/flex/medicalreimbursement.html

Please click on the following web site if you would like an enrollment form: http://www.dhrm.state.va.us/statefrm/flex/fraelectionform.pdf

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Training & Development:

To help make CNU a great place to work and learn, the CNU Office of Human Resources supports and encourages continuous learning for the professional development and personal growth of our employees. Employees may participate in a wide variety of seminars to learn new skills and refresh current skills. Topics covered include computers, stress management, health and wellness, customer service, management skills, supervisory skills, compensation reform, classification, payroll, retirement, and personal interest.

Stay tuned to our web site for announcements of the training and development offerings for the spring 2004 semester.

If you have any questions, comments, or ideas, contact:
Lisa Wingfield
Coordinator, Recruitment, Training and Development
(757) 594-7738 or lwing@cnu.edu

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Tuition Waiver:

Consistent with Christopher Newport University's commitment to the continued professional and personal development of its faculty and staff, a policy to permit employees to pursue on-campus courses of instruction (degree and non degree credit) is offered by the University without the payment of tuition and fees. The tuition waiver is offered for one (1) course, four credit hours or less, during each semester, and one (1) course, four credit hours or less, during the entire summer.

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Leave:

Full Time Classified Staff:

Department of Human Resource Management Policies:

Instructional Faculty:

2003-2004 University Handbook --See pages 73-77 (pdf.. format)

Administrative/Professional Faculty:

If you have chosen the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and the Virginia Sickness & Disability Plan (VSDP), click here for information on your sick and family leave information and short and long term disability.

2003-2004 University Handbook --See pages 44-45 (pdf. format)

Leave Forms:

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Behavioral Health and Employee Assistance Program (EAP):

The (EPA) Employee Assistance Program is a confidential assessment, referral and short term problem solving service available to employees and covered family members. Enrollment is automatic as part of your heath plan coverage and is administered by Magellan Behavior of Health. Web site-

www.magellanassist.com

Beginning July 1, 2004, Value Options will provide behavioral health and employee assistance program benefits to all Commonwealth of Virginia employees. For the most current list of providers, visit the ValueOptions Web site at www.achievesolutions.net/covacare or call member services at 1-866-725-0602.

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Miscellaneous Benefits:

Direct Deposit

Legal Resources

This program allows employees to pay $16.00 per month for legal services with an initial fee of $10. There are no deductibles, claim forms, waiting periods or fee schedules, but you must sign a one year contract. Legal services include traffic violations, automobile sales and repair problems, landlord/tenant disputes, defense in civil suits, divorce problems, preparation of wills (including a living will), real estate purchase, product warranty disputes, and advice and consultation. E-mail -hsmith@legalresources.va.com

Savings Bonds

If you desire, you may purchase U.S. series EE or I savings bonds through payroll deductions. You may elect to purchase four series EE bonds and two I bonds at one time. The EE bonds may be purchased for the face value of $100, $200, $500 and $1,000. The I bonds may be purchased for the face value of $50; $75; $100; $200; Web site - www.publicdebt.treas.gov/sav/sav.htm

Virginia Credit Union (VACU)

You may choose to become a member of the Virginia Credit Union. Automatic deposit and payroll deductions are available to you. Web site – http://www.vacu.org/

Virginia Educator's Credit Union

You may choose to become a member of the Virginia Educator's Credit Union located at 12626 Nettles Drive, approximately 2 miles from Christopher Newport University. Automatic deposit and payroll deductions are available to you. There is also an ATM machine located in the Student Center and one soon to be added to the Freeman Center. Web site - http://www.vecu.org/

Virginia Prepaid Education Program

You may choose to have payroll deductions for your children's public education through the Virginia Prepaid Education Program. Web site - www.vpep.state.va.us

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