September 2016 Newsletter

Employee Appreciation Day

Staff Senate wants to thank all the employees who came by to visit us at Employee Appreciation Day! We had a record number of folks stop by, with several hundred entering for the giveaway drawing. We gave away over 60 prizes this year, and we were delighted by the number of people who participated.

Staff Senate also offered a photo booth this year where employees could take fun photos with their friends and colleagues. To view our photo album, visit our Flickr page.

Last but not least, the Staff Senate was able to collect several giant boxes of food (as well as $30 in cash donations) for the Community Table. Amy Grimes, director of the Community Table, wanted to pass along this message: "Thank you so much to our friends at WCU for the recent food drive to help fill our pantry shelves. We rely on community partners like you to help sustain The Table through food drives, donations, fundraising events, and volunteering. So far this year, you've helped us serve 16,627 meals and distribute 9,085 boxes of groceries to 4,113 people. We are thankful for the support we get through WCU, and we hope you'll learn more about how to help feed our neighbors in need by visiting our website at www.communitytable.org and our Facebook page. Thanks for ALL you do!"

2017 Open Enrollment
Oct 1 - Oct 31, 2016

Now is the time to begin considering your benefit needs for the upcoming calendar year. Open Enrollment for health insurance and NC Flex benefits begins on October 1 and runs through October 31, 2016. All new benefit elections will be effective January 1, 2017.

*Important note: This year will be an active enrollment, meaning ALL covered employees will be defaulted to the 70/30 plan. To change plans, one must take action to select the 80/20 or 85/15 CDHP plans. 

For the first time, the 70/30 plan will have a premium credit associated with tobacco use. The other two plans continue to offer three premium credits: tobacco attestation, naming a primary care physician, and completing a health assessment. Anyone wishing to complete the health assessment early may do so by visiting www.myactivehealth.com. Additional communication will be shared with campus in the upcoming weeks as well as assistance provided with the enrollment process. Please direct questions to Matt Brown, Office of Human Resources and Payroll, mbrown@wcu.edu, 227-3139.

Staff Senate Open Forum
Oct 11, 3:30-5:00pm

Mark your calendars! The Staff Senate is hosting an Open Forum with representatives from Human Resources and Payroll on Tuesday, October 11, from 3:30-5:00pm in the HFR 101 auditorium. Cory Causby and Matt Brown will be there to discuss topics such as Open Enrollment and the plan for distribution of one-time legislative increases, including the one-time merit-based bonus. This is a Q&A session so please bring along any questions you have for Human Resources.

WCU Works

WCU Works is a new professional certification program providing high-quality development in skills and competencies vital to organizational and professional success. Designed with WCU's 2020 Plan and UNC's Institutional Goals in mind, WCU Works enhances the effectiveness and confidence of employees in life and work. This program will offer certification in: 

Job and Personal Effectiveness
Supervision
Leadership

Watch for more information coming soon from HR.

Mountain Heritage Day

Staff Senate will be selling the newly designed WCU Christmas ornament and collecting donations during the 42nd annual Mountain Heritage Day on September 24. Stop by Booth 108 and meet the Senators. While you are there, pick up a Christmas ornament or make a donation. All sale proceeds and donations will benefit the Staff Senate Scholarship Fund and will directly impact the life of a future WCU student. We will see you there!

UNC Staff Assembly

The UNC Staff Assembly will be holding their October meeting at WCU and will be on campus October 17-18 in the Health and Human Sciences Building. There will be a public viewing area set up in HHSB 209. Look for more information to be sent out via email in the coming weeks.

Staff Senate Scholarship

Attention Staff! Do you have a family member who plans to enroll at WCU? Please consider the Staff Senate Scholarship to help with the cost of tuition. Although preference will be given to children, this scholarship is open to grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of WCU staff. In order to be considered for the Staff Senate Scholarship, please apply at scholarcat.wcu.edu by February 1, 2017.

The Staff Senate Scholarship relies on donations from YOU! Your contribution - no matter the size - can make a big difference in the lives of deserving students. You can make a secure, online contribution to the Staff Senate Scholarship fund here. To donate via payroll deduction, fill out the payroll deduction form and return it to the Office of Development, 201 HFR Building. We hope you consider giving!

WCU Staff Senate 2016-2017