October 9, 2018 Minutes

Meeting took place at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 9 in Benson University Center.  Approximately 75 staff members in attendance in addition to SAC Members.

Executive Committee Members Present: Sarah Wojcik-Gross, Jen Abbinett, Sarah Smith, Buffi Vestal, Lauren Trethaway, Sophia Bredice

Guest Speaker: Shannon Araya
Benefit Plan Updates

  • Transitioning the benefit plan year from a fiscal year to a calendar year (January – December)
  • Calendar Benefit Plan Year: January 1-December 31, 2019
  • Will remain with BCBS Blue Value network for Medical Plan and OptumRx for Pharmacy Plan.
  • Medical Plans: 5% premium increase with no plan design changes.
  • MetLife will be the new Dental carrier:
    • Benefits remain the same, broader network, and improved discounts on services.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts: May elect the full IRS annual limit. (Health Care: $2,650, Dependent Care: $5,000)

Annual Enrollment (October 22-31)

An email announcement will be sent to all of campus. All benefits will be completed in Workday.

  • Go to your Workday inbox.
  • Click on the Open Enrollment Change task.
  • Complete each section of the task, by clicking Continue.
  • Click the box I Agree, then click Submit.
    • Must complete the Open Enrollment Change task if you:
      • Plan to update your elections and/or covered dependents.
      • Have a spouse on the medical plan for surcharge purposes.
      • Want to enroll or re-enroll in a Flexible Spending Account.
  • To view benefit elections in Workday at any time:
    • Go to your Benefits worklet
    • In the View section, click Benefit Elections as of Date
    • View as of Date: Select January 1, 2019
    • Click OK

Note: If you are adding dependent child(ren) for the first time to the medical and/or dental plans, you will be required to upload dependent verification documentation in Workday by October 31.

Enrollment Support

Enrollment Assistance:

  • October 22:
    • Reynolda House: 2-3 p.m.
  • October 24 (Spanish-Speaking Assistance Available):
    • FACS: HS Moore Building Room 121, 9-11 a.m.
    • Graylyn: Bernard Cottage Conference Room, 12-3 p.m.
  • October 26:
    • Benson: Room 410, 10:00 a.m.-noon
    • Reynolda Hall: Room 301, 1-3 p.m.
  • October 29:
    • UCC: Room 1018, 10:00 a.m.-noon
  • October 30:
    • Benson: Room 401A, 10:00 a.m.-noon

 Benefits Fairs:

  • Reynolda Campus: Sutton Center, October 23, 12-4 p.m.
  • Charlotte Center: Room 107, October 25, 12-2 p.m.

TIP: pick up a clear WFU bag, approved for WFU sports facilities, at the benefits fair!

   Resources:

Questions from SAC

  • Have dental rates changed?
    • No.  
  • Long-term care will no longer be deducted from my paycheck?
    • This is now handled through direct billing.
  • Will we get new benefit cards?
    • Not at this time; if this changes it will be posted on the benefits page.
  • How has the provider network changed?
    • This is up for review every year by BCBS. In the next month or so, the current list of providers effective January 1 will be posted.
  • We would like new cards because the customer service number isn’t on the current one.
    • We will post this on the benefits page if we get new cards.

Staff Advisory Council Committee Report-Outs/Goals

Communications – Sarah Smith

  • Create a more seamless email template and distribution for all-staff communications
  • Increase use of social media platforms as a communications tool
  • Support the goals and priorities of the full council by raising awareness of events, initiatives, and priorities among all staff
  • Have fun and develop relationships with peers across campus

Events – Lauren Trethaway

  • Encourage attendance at all SAC events with various communication methods.
  • Collaborate with Pro Humanitate Committee on Service Projects and Events
  • Plan and execute the All-Staff Event making it the best one yet!

Fringe Benefits – Buffi Vestal

  • Continuation of collaboration with Faculty Senate Fringe Benefit Committee
  • Explore New Options for Volunteer Opportunities
  • Highlight Under utilized Benefits in Monthly E-newsletter

Membership – Steve Allen

  • Track attendance at meetings & notify members when 3+ meetings have been missed
  • Identify areas of low representation
  • Define ways to communicate SAC discussions and decisions with departments that members represent

Pro Humanitate – Sophia Bredice

  • Represent staff interests with respect to organizing philanthropic opportunities
  • Solicit staff input regarding service opportunities
  • 2018-19 will focus on local partners organizations have have special place at WFU
  • Let’s hear from YOU! Plug into your passion.

Capital Projects – Leigh Myers

  • Salem Hall – updates are complete and now 25% more energy efficient
  • Wake Downtown – Two engineering spaces complete
  • ZSR Library – feasibility study taking place to determine how to centralize service points to main level. Access to collections in off-site storage is available within one day.
  • Davis Hall – renovations resulted in 20% more efficiency; 40% in water savings.
  • Every tree on campus has a hotlink on the sustainability website.
  • Taylor / Efird – renovations Phase I complete; University Bookstore open.
  • Residence Hall Renovation Work – 10 year projection now complete in 5 years.
  • New North Chiller Plant – with Duke Power rebates and energy efficiency, the new building will pay for itself in two years.
  • ACC Network Control Room is now complete; goes live fall 2019
  • Baseball player development center will be open in October.
  • Space utilization study taking place to look at underutilized academic/classroom spaces to make that more efficient and more modern.
  • Sustainability site also hosts an accessibility study.

Faculty Senate – Jason Lowe

  • The group is considering the creation of several new committees:
    • Creation of ad-hoc committee on gifts and conflicts of interest
    • Creation of new ad-hoc committee on evaluation of administrators
    • D&I policy on campus and Greek organizations.

Parking & Transportation – Wesley Todd

  • Wesley reported that the group’s first meeting was focused on reviewing 29 appeals. These are now submitted online. Question: how can staff without computers access this? Answer: there is a kiosk in the parking management office.
  • Reminder: Business 40 is about to be closed; Wesley suggested reviewing the plans to ensure that you know the alternate routes to access campus.

Tree Advisory – Bill Kennard

  • This group hasn’t yet met.

Council on Inclusion and Diversity – Jen Abbinett

  • This group hasn’t yet met.

Campus Rec Advisory Board – Barbara Meredith

  • Campus Rec promoting new rec groups:
    • Climbing club
    • Running club
    • Noon-time basketball
    • Fitness classes $60/semester
    • Pickleball – Tuesdays 12 and 12:30
    • Volleyball – Thursdays at 12
    • Color Burst 5k, October 25; free for WFU students/fac/staff

General Announcements

Sarah Wojcik-Gross noted appreciation for SAC members ideas expressed at the September speak-out, and that we are moving forward on some of the ideas. She will keep the full group updated.

She shared reminders about how to get involved, these opportunities are included in the SAC Agenda shared in advance of the October meeting.

Amy Willard shared that she recently met with Greg Scott to discuss accessibility in the Office of Personal and Career Development. As a result, the OPCD will soon have a push-button door open. This activity is covered under ADA regulations and funds are set aside to address these accessibility issues. Staff members should contact Michael Shuman with similar concerns.

November Meeting Guest Speakers:

  • Pat Ivey from NC-DOT re: Business 40 closure
  • Rev. Time Auman re: Chaplain’s Emergency Fund

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