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FISCAL YEAR 2020 – OVERNIGHT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

For budget year FY2020, a hold is being placed on overnight travel. This includes travel to seminars, conferences, workshops and events with the benefit of professional development, industry best practices, and trends. To ensure all travel meets the below criteria, the required travel pre-approval remains mandatory. Employee failure to secure pre-approval will result in non-reimbursement for travel costs.

Effective July 1, in order to be approved for overnight travel, the request must meet the following criteria:

  • Attendance required by a regulatory body for College compliance (i.e. Accreditations, NCAA)- employee must provide proof of regulatory requirement and how attending the event/conference will meet that requirement.
  • Professional licensing, certifications, and other contractual professional requirements– employee must provide proof of educational requirement and how the conference meets that requirement. This requirement must be necessary for the employee’s current position.
  • Recruitment– Trips for the purpose of student recruitment (including Athletic recruitment). The trip must be approved by the Director of Admissions and respective VP as a valid College recruitment trip.
  • Athletics- The employee is required and essential for team travel (i.e. Coach and assistant coach).
  • Fully funded grant travel (internal or external)– Partially grant funded trips where the College is to pay the balance will not be approved, unless it meets one of the other categories mentioned within this policy.
  • Chaperone– Employee is identified as the chaperone on a student trip
  • Faculty Presenters– If presenting at a conference in a scholarly capacity and travel expenses are included as part of the presentation
  • Faculty Scholarly Achievements – Defined as scholarly growth and achievements, research, artistic activities and academic accomplishments. At the discretion of the Provost based on the overall benefit to the College and its students.

To compensate and stay abreast of industry best practices and continue professional development, employees are encouraged to attend online webinars and seminars as well as local events/conferences. In addition, the College’s resources within the Learning and Development Office of Human Resources and the Instructional Design Center should be used to enhance campus-wide development.

RAMAPO COLLEGE HIRING FREEZE GUIDELINES

Effective July 1, 2019, and until further notice, all vacant non-faculty positions are subject to a hiring freeze at the College.  Positions that have already been approved and are currently being searched are not affected by this action.

Hiring Freeze

The hiring freeze applies to all non-faculty positions, including temporary and part-time positions.  Provisional positions fully funded by a granting agency are excluded from the hiring freeze, but are subject to standard Position Review Committee process.  Student workers and work study students are not subject to this action.

Exceptions under the Hiring Freeze

If a position is determined by the division to be critical to the operations of the College, a Hiring Freeze Exception Request Form must be completed and submitted to Human Resources (HR).  The Form will be reviewed by HR for accuracy and then submitted to the Hiring Freeze Committee, which consists of the College President or his designee, Vice President /Legal Counsel and the Director of Internal Audit.  This Hiring Freeze Committee will review all requests, supporting documentation, and approve or deny the request.  The determination will be shared with the division’s Vice President and Human Resources.

Human Resources will take no action without the completion and documentation of this process.

SHBP DENTAL PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS FOR 10-MONTH EMPLOYEES

In order for employees in 10-month positions (working from September 1st to June 30th) to maintain State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) coverage during the summer months, extra dental deductions will be withheld in the June 14, 2019 pay period and June 28, 2019 pay period. Extra medical deductions are not required to maintain medical coverage during the months of July and August.

10-month employees who do not return to eligible employment on September 1st will continue coverage through August 31, 2018 and will receive COBRA notification and enrollment information for the option to elect COBRA coverage.

 

MEDICAL PLANS FOR EMPLOYEES REPRESENTED BY THE CWA

As a result of a recent labor agreement, new medical plans are being offered to employees represented by the CWA Union (including CWA confidential employees and Agency members). The Health Plan changes made during the special CWA Open Enrollment will become effective July 1, 2019.

The SHBP is offering two new Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) medical Plans:

  • CWA Unity DIRECT (administered by Horizon)
  • CWA Unity Freedom (administered by Aetna)

The current Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Tiered Network and High Deductible Plans will continued to be offered.

CWA Employees in the plans listed below will be automatically transferred to the new medical plan listed below:

  • CWA employees enrolled in NJ Direct 15, NJ Direct 1525, NJ Direct 2030 or NJ Direct 2035 will be automatically transferred to the CWA Unity Direct Plan.
  • CWA employees enrolled in Aetna Freedom 15, Aetna Freedom 1525, Aetna Freedom 2030, or Aetna Freedom 2035 will be automatically transferred to the CWA Unity Freedom Plan.
  • CWA employees enrolled in a Tiered Network plan, HMO or High Deductible plan will remain in the plan in which they are currently enrolled.

Members will not be permitted to add dependents to coverage, change coverage levels, or make changes to dental or prescription drug plans.

 Please click on the links below for additional information:

CWA Open Enrollment Medical Plan Design Chart

CWA Unity/Freedom Member Contribution Rates

CWA Tiered Network Plan Rates

HMO and HDHP Member Contribution Rates

CWA Health Benefits Contribution Calculator  Select “Bi-weekly” for Step 2

PLAN DESIGN CHANGES

CWA Unity DIRECT and CWA Unity Freedom

For the new plans, the out-of-network reimbursement rate will be 175 percent of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reimbursement amounts with the following exclusions:

Obstetrical care – for employees receiving obstetrical care as of July 1, 2019, the reimbursement rate will be 195 percent of the CMS amount for the duration of their care.

Mental Health – for employees receiving mental health services, the reimbursement rate will be 175 percent of the CMS amount up to the employee reaching the out-of-pocket maximums of $2,000 (individual) or $5,000 (family). The reimbursement will then be made at 195 percent of the CMS amount for the remainder of that plan year. This exclusion will remain in effect through June 30, 2021.

Out-of-network routine laboratory services will be added to the out-of-network routine care exclusion list with the following exceptions:

Genetics lab testing;

  • The first out-of-network lab expense will be forgiven all enrollees will receive advance notification of the change to lab services prior to July 1, 2019.
  • Any enrollee who utilized out-of-network lab services in 2018 or 2019 will also receive direct communication advising them this service will be out of network.
  • Direct Primary Care Medical Home (DPCMH) lab services will be covered in network.

Emergency room copayments are:

  • $150 for adults
  • $50 for adults directed to the emergency room by their primary care physician
  • $50 for pediatric (through age 19)
  • These copayments will be waived if admitted to the hospital.

Members and spouses who participate in NJWELL and complete their necessary health screenings and activities can earn a financial reward of $350 each.

An enrollment application should only be submitted, if you want to enroll in an HMO Plan, Tiered Plan or High Deductible plans.

CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF WORKING DAYS AND PAY PERIODS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020 (FY20)

The number of working days for 12-month employees is 262 for Fiscal Year 2020. The number of working days for 10-month employees for Fiscal Year 2020 is 217. Therefore, 12-month employees will have 26.2 pay periods and 10-month employees will have 21.7 pay periods in FY20. The first pay period in Fiscal Year 2020 will be the pay dated July 12, 2019 (RB14). 

The divisor (working days) may change your hourly rate.  However, your Annual Salary remains unchanged.

MINORS ON CAMPUS

Preventing child abuse and promoting the safety and welfare of students and minors on our campus is the responsibility of every member of the community. As an institution, we review our existing policies and procedures periodically to ensure that effective controls are in place at Ramapo College. This includes having reporting mechanisms in place should any person have reason to believe that a child participating in any of our programs, or visiting our campus, may be a victim of child abuse or other related inappropriate conduct.

Any employee or person having reasonable cause to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or acts of abuse should immediately report this information to the State Central Registry (SCR) at 1-877 NJ ABUSE (1-877-652-2873).  If the child is in immediate danger call 911 or Ramapo Public Safety at extension 6666, and then the Registry. A concerned caller does not need proof to report an allegation of child abuse and can make the report anonymously.  Useful information from the NJ Department of Children and Families is provided at this link:
http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/news/publications/HotlinesHelplines2012.pdf

If you have any questions about your duty to report child abuse, please contact the Department of Public Safety at (201) 684-6666.

For more information please visit the Department of Children and Families web site at:
http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/reporting/how/index.html

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTATIVE CARE

Routine checkups and screenings can help you avoid serious health problems, allowing you and your doctor to work as a team to manage your overall health, and help you reach your personal health and wellness goals.

What is Preventive Care?

Preventive care focuses on maintaining your health, and establishing your baseline health status. This may include immunizations, vaccines, physical evaluations, lab work, x-rays and medically appropriate health screenings. During your preventive visit, your doctor will determine what tests or screenings are appropriate for you based on many factors such as your age, gender, overall health status, personal health history and your current symptoms or chronic health concerns.

Click the link to access the Preventive Health Guidelines for both Children and Adults. Preventive_Health_Guidelines

DEFENSIVE DRIVING/SAFETY TRAINING – CLASSROOM COURSE

The recently adopted Motor Vehicle Policy requires individuals that drive College vehicles/golf carts complete a defensive driving course every three years.  This is in addition to the requirement of obtaining an annual driver’s abstract for each employee who drives College vehicles/golf carts.  The Department of Human Resources and Environmental Health/Safety Department are offering on-campus defensive driving courses and will launch an online version shortly.  Either the online or classroom training is required – you do not need to complete both courses.    The Human Resources Department must have run and received a satisfactory driver’s abstract before an employee can be eligible for defensive driving training.  Please contact Human Resources with any questions at x7506 or email driving@ramapo.edu.

ON-CAMPUS TRAINING (A 6-hour classroom session)

New Jersey residents attending the on-campus course have the option to pay a $10 fee to receive a 2 point reduction from their motor vehicle record and/or request an insurance discount (this fee cannot be expensed to the College).  Individuals should contact the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles (609-292-7500) prior to the training if you have questions about points on your license, as well as your insurance company to verify eligibility for an insurance discount.   Please note that prior supervisor approval is required as this training program is a 6-hour course.

Course Dates/Times:

November 13, 2018 – Laurel Hall 04 – 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Register at:  link

ONLINE TRAINING 

Online Defensive Driver training is also available.  Arrangements must be made through the Department of Human Resources at ext. 7498.

Supervisory approval is required for participation in either training program.

 

VISION CLAIMS/REIMBURSEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES REPRESENTED BY IFPTE  AND AFT

Vision Claims/Reimbursement are suspended for IFPTE and AFT members effective July1, 2019, until further notice. Vision Claims/Reimbursement is in affect for CWA members.

The Vision Care Reimbursement Plan is a separate plan from the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP). Therefore, the Vision benefits covered by the SHBP are not affected by the suspension of the Vision Claim Reimbursement plan. Employees may still submit Vision Care Reimbursement claims to the HR Benefits office.  The claims will be pended for employees represented by IFPTE and AFT until the Union contract(s) are settled and claim processing may resume.

Vision Care Reimbursement Plan Claim Form

CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS FOR 2019

Effective January 1, 2019 the annual contribution limit for both 403(b) tax-sheltered annuities and 457(b) deferred compensation plans (pretax and Roth contributions) is  $19,000.  In addition, employees who are age 50 and over may contribute an additional $6,000 annually per plan.  For those eligible employees who are within 3 years of retirement age as stated in the plan there may be the potential take advantage of the enhanced catch-up provision.

Employees under age 50 before December 31, 2019 may defer up to $38,000 in 2019 between the plans.  Employees age 50 or older before December 31, 2019 may defer up to $50,000 in 2019 between the plans.

If you wish to increase your current contribution level for year 2019 or you would like to review your current withholding percentage please contact Valerie Hunter (ext. 7502) or Johnie Burton (ext. 7230) to schedule an appointment.  We highly recommend that you review your pay stubs on an ongoing basis to track your year- to- date deferrals which may vary with any salary fluctuations. We also recommend that you meet with your plan representative on an annual basis to review your account status.  A schedule of meeting dates is available on the Benefits webpage at the following link under “Save the Date” tab:  link

LIFE INSURANCE WAIVER

Members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) and the Alternate Benefit Program (ABP) may waive their non-contributory group life insurance over $50,000 to avoid federal and state tax liability.  Any member who waives the non-contributory life insurance must waive the total amount of coverage in excess of $50,000. Waiver forms are available at:

http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epbam/exhibits/pdf/rm0674.pdf

The Division of Pensions and Benefits must receive waivers on or before December 31 to be effective January 1 of the next calendar year.  A copy of the waiver should also be sent to the Benefits Office.

 

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