News / Hot Topics

• MANAGING STRESS SEMINAR – NOVEMBER 14, 2018
• 23rd ANNUAL AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DENIM DAY
• FLU SHOT CLINIC – OCTOBER 17, 2018
• CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF WORKING DAYS AND PAY PERIODS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 (FY19)
• SHBP  DENTAL PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS FOR 10-MONTH EMPLOYEES
• TAX INFORMATION
• MINORS ON CAMPUS
• THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTATIVE CARE
• DEFENSIVE DRIVING/SAFETY TRAINING – CLASSROOM COURSE
• CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS FOR 2018
• LIFE INSURANCE WAIVER

MANAGING STRESS SEMINAR – NOVEMBER 14, 2018

The Human Resources Department will be hosting a presentation on “Managing Stress” on November 14, 2018 from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. in ASB-230 (Bring your lunch).  The presentation will be presented by Sandi Jeanette, Wellness Coordinator for the Good Samaritan Hospital. Spaces are limited with only 24 seats available. The first 6 employees to register and attend will receive a special prize.

Please register for “Managing Stress” at https://www.ramapo.edu/hr/hr-benefits- employee-events/

If you have any questions, please contact the Benefits Office at extension 7230 or 7502.

23rd ANNUAL AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DENIM DAY

Friday, October 12, 2018

Please join the quest to find a cure for breast cancer by participating in the 23rd annual American Cancer Society Denim Day on Friday, October 12th.  Please reach out to one of the coordinators listed below to support the cause with a $5 donation toward breast cancer research.  You will receive a 2018 pink ribbon pin, and should wear denim to work that Friday.

The following individuals on campus have agreed to serve as event coordinators:

 

Ginny Bonnett             TAS             x7797                  ASB-422

Linda Falk                     ASB            x7380                 ASB-333F

Irene Grskovic              CA              x7365                  BC-237

Susan Hanna                AF               x7621                  M-214

Lori Radassao              FAC            x7333                  P-FAC

Joan Schofield             ATH            x7087                  Q-232

Madel Tisi                     LIB              x7510                 LIB-202B

Nancy Toher                 ADM          x7300                  McBride

 

Campus Coordinator:     Elaine Himmelberg   HR   x7498         eharm@ramapo.edu

 On Denim Day all participants will assemble by the Arch at 12:00 noon on October 12, 2018 so we may have our picture taken.

 

FLU SHOT CLINIC – OCTOBER 17, 2018

The HR Benefits Office will host an on-site Flu Shot Clinic in conjunction with Acme Pharmacy on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Friends Hall (SC 219). There is no cost for subscribers enrolled in either the Horizon BCBS or the Aetna State Health Benefits Program. For employees not enrolled in a health plan through the College, the cost will be $33.  Please contact Valerie Hunter at X 7502 or vhunter@ramapo.edu with any questions.

Please note this clinic is not open to students.  Students should contact the Health Service Department, if they are interested in obtaining a flu shot.

Please complete the consent form below and submit to Valerie Hunter  along with a copy of your current insurance card.

Consent Forms

• Informed Consent for Immunization 2018
• Vaccine Information Statement for 2018

To schedule an appointment to receive a Flu Shot, please register at the following link  https://www.ramapo.edu/hr/flu-shot-clinic/

 

 

CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF WORKING DAYS AND PAY PERIODS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 (FY19)

The number of working days for 12-month employees remains unchanged at 260 for Fiscal Year 2019. The number of working days for 10-month employees for Fiscal Year 2019 will be 215. Therefore, 12-month employees will have 26 pay periods and 10-month employees will have 21.5 pay periods in FY19. The first pay period in Fiscal Year 2019 will be the pay dated July 13, 2017 (RB14).

SHBP  DENTAL PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS FOR 10-MONTH EMPLOYEES

In order for employees in 10-month positions (working from September 1^st to June 30^th) to maintain State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) coverage during the summer months extra deductions will commence in the June 1, 2018 pay. Visit the 10-month deduction schedule for details.

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.

TAX INFORMATION

If you are currently claiming an exemption from federal or state tax withholding and wish to do so again in calendar year 2018, you must complete new W4 Employee’s Withholding Allowance forms for both federal and state.  Please submit them to the Payroll Office no later than January 31, 2018.  If a form is not submitted, the Payroll Office will automatically withhold at the single/0 exemption rate beginning with the pay date of February 9, 2018 for faculty/staff and February 16, 2018 for students.

If a recent marriage, divorce, separation or dependent change has occurred, you may need to consider a revision to your tax withholding allowances.  W4 forms are available at www.ramapo.edu/payroll/forms or in the Payroll Office.

CAUTION:  Please carefully review your tax liability before claiming exempt from state or federal withholding.

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.

CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR TAX-DEFERRED RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS FOR 2018

Effective January 1, 2018 the annual contribution limit for both 403(b) tax-sheltered annuities and 457(b) deferred compensation plans (pretax and Roth contributions) is  $18,500.  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, 2018 may defer up to $37,000 in 2018 between the plans.  Employees age 50 or older before December 31, 2018 may defer up to $49,000 in 2018 between the plans.

If you wish to increase your current contribution level for year 2018 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.