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GVSU Health & Wellness

This November, we are thankful for all of the support of our faculty and staff! Due to your efforts in embracing good health and well-being, GVSU has been recognized for the second year in a row by the American Heart Association as a Fit Friendly Company. The honor was awarded to 230 companies in the Midwest Affiliate region for 2011. Here's to your health!

Open Enrollment!

The 2012 annual benefits open enrollment is your opportunity to take a closer look at your benefit options. Please take the time to follow these five easy steps:

1. Visit www.gvsu.edu/healthwellness and click on “2012 Open Enrollment.”
2. Review detailed information.
3. Learn about new plan options and select the right one for your unique situation.
4. Complete the online enrollment October 25–November 9.
5. Print your detailed confirmation statement.

Click here for a complete list of information sessions.

For more information or to requested printed copies please contact us at 331.2220 or healthandwellness@gvsu.edu.

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Supplemental Retirement Accounts Contribution Limits For 2012

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that the supplemental retirement account contribution limit for 2012 has increased by $500. There was no change in the catch-up contribution limit. The 2012 Grand Valley State University 403(b) and 457(b) supplemental contribution limits are:

                                                                             403(b)     457(b)

Contribution Limit                                              $17,000  $17,000

Catch-up Contribution (age 50 and older)          $5,500    $5,500


Roth post-tax Option
A Roth post-tax 403(b) supplemental contribution option is available for the GVSU 403(b) Retirement Plan. 
 
If you are interested in changing your current contribution amount  go to www.gvsu.edu/healthwellness and click on “Benefit Services” then “Forms”, complete the appropriate salary reduction agreement and forward to HR at 140 LMH. If you have specific questions about any of the retirement programs at GVSU please contact Human Resources at X12220 or e-mail us at healthandwellness@gvsu.edu

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Success Story: Department of Education

Clay Pelon, Shawn Evans, Annuka Thelen, Tom Owens, Mickie Shannon Wildt, Amy Tomkins, Bonnie Bowen, and Michael Posthumus are only a few names of many in the College of Education who know what it takes to develop an environment that promotes health and well-being. So what's the secret?

“It’s the Norm Around Here”
In the College of Education, students, faculty and staff are all involved when it comes to good health. Participation in healthy pracitces range across the board including First Step Fitness classes, pick up soccer games, health challenges and stress management.  There is a sense of accountability and the motivation to make healthy lifestyle choices throughout the college.  Mike Postumus, immediately noticed the college's focus on health when he started at GVSU only a short time ago. “It was clear to me that wellness is just something everyone does around here. It's part of the culture."

How They Make it Work
Supervisors and staff in the group can follow through with commitments to better their health because they make it work in their busy schedules. To ensure the phones are covered and appointments met, there is communication with each other to arrange schedules accordingly. This way, it works both for the university and their own health.

Experience it For Yourself
After participating in a variety of classes, workshops and Know Your Numbers, Pia Thelen reports gaining confidence in her ability to go to the gym on their own. Bonnie Bowen is able to manage stress better and Tom Owens is  having important conversations with his doctor that may not have happened otherwise. They all have seen benefits and know that others at the university can too! Tom's advice? "I don't think people realize all that is available to them. I talk to friends outside the university and they are jealous of everything that is offered! Make sure you are aware of all that is available.That's the first step! "

Do you know a GVSU faculty, staff member  or department who serves as a role model for others living a healthy lifestyle? Nominate your coworker for our next newsletter!

 

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Embrace Your Relationships

TWO SEMINARS ON RELATIONSHIPS COMING IN NOVEMBER

EMBRACING MYSELF IN A RELATIONSHIP
Discovering and embracing yourself are the first steps to a new and more fulfilling life. The effects of undergoing a bad relationship or being single can have its toll. However, there's no need to work through those problems alone. By gaining the confidence to confide in another person will help open a new door in your life.  Join Paige Ritchie, Life Coach, as she provides insight to letting go of what holds you back, discovering your inner voice, acting on that voice and remaining connected with yourself while in relationships with others. 
Webinar:  Tuesday, November 8th, 12-1:00. 
To register, send an email to
hpaige.ritchie@gmail.com

NAVIGATING THE SINGLE LIFE
If you have lost a significant relationship in your life through divorce, death, break up or just have never experienced a long term relationship, then please join us as Kimberly Kanoza, Executive Director of Matchmaker Michigan with its combined 25 years of experience in the field, talks about moving forward, changing our personal thinking about being single and the choice to heal the feeling of being shattered or broken after the end of a relationship, so that opportunities and choices can be presented to open a new door and the possibility of an ending to an unfinished story.  Move forward and change your personal thinking about being single at this seminar on Tuesday, November 15th, 12-1:00 pm in KC2663
To register please visit www.gvsu.edu/seminar.

 

 

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Free Guided Meditation!

Wish you could wipe away your stress? Studies have shown that meditation can restore your calm and decrease your stress levels. Meditation is also considered a type of mind-body complementary medicine that can benefit your emotional and overall health. There are many negative side effects to stress, but you can erase all those effect by practicing meditation. For further reading on this click here

Wellness Wednesdays:
FREE  guided meditation for faculty and staff! Every Wednesday November 2-December 14.  Visit our website for more information.

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Stay Connected

 

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