Oct 11, 2024  
ARCHIVED 2014-15 SA&S Crete Campus Catalog 
    
ARCHIVED 2014-15 SA&S Crete Campus Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

V. Employee Benefit Plans



The College strives to offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to employees. The benefits are for employees working on a continuous basis and are not available to temporary employees. Eligibility for benefits for part-time employees is described on a benefit by benefit basis below.

The terms of the benefit plans offered are summarized below. These summaries highlight the benefits under the various programs, but applicable law requires that the plans be operated in accordance with the plan documents. Accordingly, in the event of a conflict between the following summaries and the plan documents, the plan documents will control. The plan documents are available in the Payroll Office.

Health and Dental Insurance- PPO

Health and Dental insurance is available to full-time (40 hours per week) and part-time (at least half-time) employees. Employee, Employee/Spouse, Employee/Child(ren) and Family coverage is available. The premium cost is shared between the employee and the College for these benefits.

New employees desiring enrollment in this plan should do so within 15 days after their first day of employment and normally prepay the first month’s premium. Employees experiencing qualified life changing events may also qualify for enrollment in the plan or for plan changes. These events include: loss of employee/dependent coverage, birth or adoption of a child, marriage, divorce, death of a spouse, dependent child reaching age 26. If you suspect you may encounter one of the above listed events, contact the Payroll Office as soon as possible, special enrollments must occur within 30 days of the qualified event.

Long Term Disability

At the College’s expense, a long-term disability program for employees who work 32 hours or more per week and are expected to work at least six months is provided. It pays up to sixty percent of your salary if you become unable to perform your duties. Benefits begin after six months disability and generally continue during total disability until age 65. This plan contains a coordination of benefit clause providing for reduction of payments for any Social Security and certain other benefits.

Term Life Insurance

All employees who work 32 hours or more per week and are expected to work at least six months are covered by a term life insurance policy equal to $30,000. The College pays for this policy which becomes effective the first of the month following the date of your employment. You must complete an enrollment form to become eligible for this benefit.

Retirement Plan

To provide for your retirement, anyone who works more than 1,000 hours per year for the College may participate in the College TIAA/CREF and/or Fidelity Investments Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, with the exception of Adjunct, Faculty, Temporary/Seasonal Employees and Part-Time Coaches.

Participation in these retirement plans may begin upon attainment of age 21 and after the first day of the first month following the completion of one year of continuous service at the College or another institution of higher education. Continuous service must be immediately preceding employment at the College. Employees who own fully-vested, fully-funded, TIAA/CREF or Fidelity individual retirement annuity contracts issued under the terms of an institutional retirement plan of a previous employer may begin participation in the College retirement plan, through the regular TIAA-CREF or Fidelity annuities used under this plan, on the first day of the first month following employment at the College. Participation is not effective until one month after necessary enrollment forms are completed and submitted to the Payroll Office.

Participants in the retirement plan will be required to contribute 3-5 percent of their regular monthly base salary to be eligible for the employer contribution (overtime hours do not count.) The College will contribute a matching amount plus 1%. Thus, an employee can save up to a maximum of 11% of their regular monthly salary base if the employee contributes the maximum 5% that will be matched by a contribution of 6% by the College. Contributions by participants will be deducted from salary payments or, if the participant desires, will be made on a tax-deferred basis under an agreement for salary reduction executed in accordance with Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code.

A summary document outlining the full program is available from the Payroll Office or on the Doane College web site at. http://www.doane.edu/sites/default/files/crawled/HRDocs/31621.pdf

The College also makes available tax-deferred annuities for people who want to set aside extra retirement savings. These annuities are offered through the College’s supplementary tax-deferred annuity plan. You arrange for a portion of your salary to be contributed to these plans on a before-tax basis by signing a salary reduction agreement. Contributions and any earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis until your benefits begin. Only one agreement can be signed each calendar year.

In an effort to help you make well-informed decisions about investing for your retirement, the College provides you with information regarding your retirement. Federal regulations require us to provide specific plan and investment information to new employees and on an annual basis that includes detailed information about your investment options and expenses associated with those investments. The plan-related disclosures and investment-related disclosures are available in the Payroll Office or on the Doane College web site at:

http://www.doane.edu/sites/default/files/crawled/HRDocs/46987.pdf
http://www.doane.edu/sites/default/files/crawled/HRDocs/46988.pdf
http://www.doane.edu/sites/default/files/crawled/HRDocs/46986.pdf

Supplemental Retirement Account (SRA)

Employees who would like to make contributions into an SRA may begin to do so immediately. This allows employees to begin saving for retirement without having to meet the Retirement Plan eligibility requirements. A summary document outlining the full program is available in the Payroll Office and on the Doane College website at: http://www.doane.edu/sites/default/files/crawled/HRDocs/31622.pdf

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

The College’s Flexible Spending Account plan allows employees to pay for certain unreimbursed medical expenses and dependent care expenses before taxes. This is a “cafeteria plan” under Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. Up to $5,000 per year is allowed for dependent care FSA account. Up to $2,500 per year is allowed for the unreimbursed medical expenses FSA account, with a carryover of up to $500 of unused medial FSA funds.

Employees must enroll on an annual basis to participate in the FSA.

A separate booklet describing the FSA Plan is available in the Payroll Office.

Health Insurance Continuation Provisions Under COBRA

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), as amended, requires that the college offer you and your dependents the opportunity for a temporary extension of medical and dental insurance coverage at group rates in certain circumstances when coverage under these plans would otherwise end. You are responsible for the cost of the continued insurance coverage.

Employees may continue coverage for 18 months under the following circumstances:

  1. Reduction in the number of hours you work.
  2. Termination of your employment for reasons other than misconduct.

Your spouse or dependent child covered under the college’s group medical and/or dental insurance plans may continue coverage for 36 months under the following circumstances:

  1. Death of you, the employee.
  2. Your divorce or legal separation.
  3. You, the employee, accept Medicare coverage.
  4. Your dependent child ceases to meet the definition of a “dependent” child.

Under the law, the employee or a family member has the responsibility to inform the Payroll office within 60 days of a divorce, legal separation, or a child losing dependent status under one of the group health plans. The college will then provide you or your family members notice of your rights to continuation coverage under the law. The college will automatically provide notice to those involved in the case of an employee’s death, termination of employment or reduction in hours, or Medicare eligibility.

Under the law you have 60 days from the later of: (a) receipt of the notice or (b) the date on which Plan coverage terminates because of the qualifying event, in which to elect to continue coverage under the Plan.

If you do not choose continuation coverage, your group health insurance coverage will end.

Tuition Benefits for Employees and Their Dependents

Definitions:

Tuition: The amount charged for instruction at the College. This does not include the costs of books, fees or room & board.

Fees: An amount charged in addition to tuition for a variety of services. Fees vary from campus to campus and can also be associated with a particular course.

Books: Books or related materials and/or supplies required or suggested for specific courses.

Room & Board: The amount charged to live in residence halls, single housing and for meal plans.

Benefit: For this policy, the benefit applies to tuition only. No other costs or charges are eligible for remission under this policy.

Mandatory Fees: The amount charged on the Crete campus for library services, travel opportunities, academic and student computing, student publications, Student Congress, Student Center activities, admission to college activities such as athletics, music and drama events, health program, intramurals, and other programs and activities as the college deems advisable.

Eligible Dependents: Dependents are defined as the legal spouse of the employee (as allowed by the IRS) and/or children of the employee who are natural, adopted or step-children or legal dependents (where the employee has legal guardianship over the child). Foreign exchange students and foster children do not qualify. In order for children to qualify, at least 2 out of 3 of the following requirements must be met:

  1. The child must be a dependent on the employee’s federal tax return;
  2. The child must be living in the employee’s home;
  3. The employee or the employee’s spouse must be providing more than 50% of the financial support for the child, as determined in accordance with the student FASFA form.

A. Rules Applicable to Both Employees and their Eligible Dependents

Tuition benefits are available for both employees and their eligible dependents, subject to the terms and conditions described below.

Benefits are available at all Doane College campuses regardless of where the employee works. Registration is tentative until the first day of classes.

To qualify for the benefit, all applicants (both employees and their eligible dependents) must satisfy the following prerequisites and the amount of the benefit is determined as follows:

  1. Undergraduate benefits are available to all full-time and part-time members of the faculty or staff and to their eligible dependents beginning the academic term following the employees’ one year anniversary date. Benefits are based on their prorated share of full-time employment if the employee works at least 1/2 time. Employees and/or dependents of employees employed less than 1/2 time are not eligible. Temporary employees and adjunct faculty and/or their dependents are not eligible.
  2. Eligibility for the benefit is determined based on employment status at the beginning of the term. Benefits are provided only so long as an employee remains in service to the college. If an employee terminates employment during an academic term, benefits are available only if the employee is employed through 3/4 of that term.
  3. Degree seeking applicants for benefits are required to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form during the initial year of application to demonstrate eligibility for federal or state entitlement aid. A degree-seeking applicant who qualified or potentially qualifies for federal or state entitlement aid is required to apply for such aid on an annual basis. Failure to apply for entitlement will disqualify the applicant for the tuition benefit
  4. For students living on campus, the amount of the tuition benefit shall be the balance of the amount owed for tuition for the term after consideration of other institutional aid for which the applicant is eligible. Federal or state entitlement aid and other governmental aid may be applied to reduce the amount owed for general fees, room and board.
  5. For students living off campus, the amount of the tuition benefit shall be the balance of the amount owed for tuition for the term after consideration of federal or state entitlement aid and other governmental or institutional aid for which the applicant is eligible. Total aid from these sources cannot exceed tuition charges.
  6. All applicants may apply outside scholarships to other costs of education such as room and board, books, fees, etc. unless the donor of the outside scholarship requires the benefit to be applied only to tuition.
  7. A recipient of tuition benefits shall be disqualified from the benefit upon failure to meet the academic or social/disciplinary standards of the college.
  8. Tuition benefits may be applied to portfolio credits.
  9. Tuition benefits are not available for any study abroad program. With the exception of the study abroad semester trip in Africa. For this reason all students are first awarded institutional aid before applying this policy. As such, the student may be able to retain some aid for study abroad programs. See the Financial Aid office for more details on aid offered for study abroad programs.
  10. A federal or state drug conviction will result in the loss of federal student aid eligibility and the loss of all Doane College institutional funding for one year from the date of conviction.

B. Specific Details of the Tuition Benefit for Employees Only

Eligible employees do not have to be degree-seeking to qualify for employee tuition benefits. If an employee already has earned a bachelor’s degree, they are not required to complete the FASFA form, as stated in Section A3. An employee may not take more than one full course (3-4 credit hours) per semester/term during normal work hours. The supervisor must approve the time off. The college does not pay wages for the time away from the job to attend classes. Time missed to attend classes must be made up the same business week or vacation time must be taken in order for the employee to retain employment status for benefits

Doane College provides employees the opportunity to take graduate level courses in its masters programs. The qualifying amount of the benefit is two-thirds of the cost of tuition. Employees may be subject to taxable income if the benefit exceeds a prescribed IRS limit; currently this limit is $5,250 annually.

Employees enrolled in classes on the Crete Campus will have all “mandatory” fees waived. Specific course fees will still apply.

C. Details of the Tuition Benefit for Eligible Dependents

All eligible dependent applicants must be admitted pursuant to the regular admission process and must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree-seeking program at Doane College

The tuition benefit covers tuition only, and does not cover fees charged by the college, or any special tuition such as portfolio credits. Tuition benefits are available for a maximum of eight (8) semesters on the Crete campus. For eligibility on other Doane College campuses visit with the Financial Aid Office. With respect to transfer students, their eligibility for tuition benefits shall be limited to the number of semesters under a full credit-hour load until graduation as determined by the Financial Aid Office.

A dependent who has already earned a four-year undergraduate or equivalent degree is not eligible for the benefit. Dependent students eligible to receive employee reimbursement from their employer are expected to utilize those benefits before they are eligible to receive tuition benefits from Doane College. It is important to notify the college of their utilization of such employee tuition benefits offered. Enrollment is subject to admission standards in place at the time of matriculation. Graduate tuition benefits are not available to dependents.

Dependent students who are currently enrolled on the Crete campus may take summer classes on the Lincoln or Grand Island campuses with tuition waived. Crete campus students wanting to take classes in Lincoln or Grand Island during any other term must have permission from the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Tuition Exchange Program

Doane College has membership in two tuition exchange organizations, The “Council of Independent College’s Tuition Exchange Program” and “The Tuition Exchange Program”. Dependent students could be eligible to attend any of the other member institutions tuition free. For the lists of member institutions, go to www.tuitionexchange.org or www.cic.edu.

There are limits to the number of these scholarships that Doane College can use each year. Doane College has an institutional policy for awarding these scholarships. See the Financial Aid office for additional information.

Admission to Activities

All employees are admitted to most College activities such as athletic events, plays and music events free of charge with your ID card. Spouses and children are admitted at student rates. If you carry your ID card, you may be able to take advantage of reduced rates on other campuses as well.

Facilities

Haddix Center and Campus Recreational Facility Policies

The Haddix Center and Doane College Recreational Facilities are available to the following authorized users:

  1. Current Doane Students holding a valid Doane student I.D.;
  2. Doane College employees and their dependents that are at least 16 years of age. For purposes of this policy, the term “dependents” means a spouse or partner of the employee or a child of the employee living in the employee’s home. Employees and their dependents must present their valid Doane I.D.;
  3. Community Pass Members who have paid the annual community pass member fee outlined in this policy. Community Pass Members must present their valid Community Pass I.D.;
  4. Daily Pass Members who have paid the $5 daily pass fee; and
  5. Special Guest Pass Members who are sponsored by the President or a member of the President’s Cabinet.

Haddix Center and Recreational Facilities Covered by Policy

The following facilities are available to authorized users:

Haddix Center: The Haddix Center offers a state of the art strength and conditioning area on floor one of the facility. This area focuses on free weights and functional training equipment designed to enhance athletic performance. Level two of the Haddix Center offers various types of cardio equipment and circuit weight training equipment designed for those interested in maintaining lifetime fitness. Associated locker space is available to authorized users who should bring their own locks and secure all valuables. Locker space will be closed during volleyball and basketball contests as these spaces also serve as locker rooms for our visiting teams. The Haddix Center Competition Gym is primarily for intercollegiate sports competition and practice. It may also serve as a venue for large public events, such as commencement. Any authorized use of the Haddix Center Gymnasium and other recreational facilities on campus must be coordinated through the Athletic Director and the Doane College Business Office. Recreational space for court sports is available in Fuhrer Fieldhouse. Dutcher Weightroom and the Butler Fitness areas will be closed upon opening of the Haddix Center.

Haddix Center Tennis Complex: Authorized users may use the tennis courts so long as such use does not interfere with intercollegiate tennis practice or competition.

Fuhrer Fieldhouse: Fuhrer Fieldhouse offers an indoor track as well as basketball courts. The indoor track is available to walkers and joggers during open hours except when the Fieldhouse is being used for intercollegiate sport practice. The basketball facilities are available for community use at noon during weekdays and to authorized users during specified hours during the academic year for recreational purposes. These times vary due to practice schedules for various sports.

Lauritsen Track: Lauritsen Track located at Al Papik Field is available to walkers and joggers during open hours.

Butler Gym: Butler Gym provides recreational space for students only.

Facility Hours and Holidays

Holidays: Recreational facilities are closed during all official Doane College Holidays as well as for the period when the college is closed over the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays. Special Hours will be posted for periods during the academic year when class is not in regular session.

Facility Hours:

During the Academic year, the hours for recreational facilities are:

Haddix Center:

Monday through Thursday: 6:00 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday: 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Haddix Center Tennis Complex:

Sunrise to Sunset, Monday through Sunday.

Fuhrer Fieldhouse:

Monday through Friday: 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., closed weekends.
In addition, Doane students have access until 10 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Lauritsen Track:

Monday through Sunday: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., weather permitting.

Butler Gym:

Access for Students only, Monday through Sunday 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

During the Summer Months, the hours for recreational facilities are:

Haddix Center:

Monday through Friday: 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sunday: closed

Haddix Center Tennis Complex:

Monday through Sunday: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,

Lauritsen Track:

Monday through Sunday: 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Fuhrer Fieldhouse:

Monday through Friday: 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed weekends

Doane College reserves the right to close fitness facilities to accommodate various activities held in these venues.

Facility Access:

Student Access:

Current Doane students access fitness facilities during the hours the facilities are open by using their Doane Student I.D.

Employee facility access:

Employees may access the fitness facilities during the hours the facilities are open by using their Employee I.D. card.

Dependent facility access:

Employees must complete the Fitness Facility Release Form available in the Human Resources or Safety Offices and return it to the Safety Office. Dependants must be at least 16 years of age to use the facilities.

Dependents must obtain a Doane I.D. and carry the I.D. to access facilities. The college will charge a fee of $10 to cover the cost of issuing the I.D.

Community pass facility access:

Community members must complete the community member application, obtain a community member I.D., and pay the applicable fee to access recreational facilities. The application is available at the service counter in the Haddix Center. The fee is payable to Doane College and should be paid in the business office. The I.D. is issued by the business office or the safety office during normal business hours. Cost per year is $180 for individuals and $300 per year for families. A family membership covers the community member, his or her spouse or partner, and dependents living in the member’s home that are at least 16 years of age. Dependants must be at least 16 years of age to use the facilities. During the first year of membership only, the fee is prorated based on the number of months remaining in the calendar year. After the first year of membership, the fee is payable in January of each year and the fee will not be prorated in the event that the fee is not paid in a timely manner in January.

Daily Pass and Guest Pass Members:

Daily Pass and Guest Pass Members may access the facility by obtaining the appropriate paper pass in the Business Office and presenting the same at the control desk in the Haddix Center. Daily Pass and Guest Pass Members will present the paper pass and surrender their driver’s license or other I.D. to Haddix control desk personnel and a temporary pass card will be issued. The driver’s license or other I.D. will be returned to the Member upon return of the temporary pass card.

Loss of Privileges:

Violations of the posted rules in the fitness centers may result in loss of fitness facility access. Any person permitting another person to use their ID may lose fitness facility access.

Organizational Usage:

All organized usage of fitness facilities must be coordinated through the athletic director and the Doane College Business Office. Authorized users may not utilize personal access to open facilities for personal guests or groups. Doane College has an agreement with Crete Public Schools to share fitness facilities for their mutual benefit. The athletic director at Doane College and the activities director at the high school will continue to work together in scheduling these events which at times may require a change in the normal hours of operation for fitness facilities to accommodate Crete Public School events and activities.

Facility Reservations:

Users interested in reserving campus buildings, rooms, gyms, or other facilities beyond those described in this policy should contact Dawn Parks at 826-8226 during regular business hours. Those with reservations will receive first priority for facility access. Fees may apply.

Terms of Use of Recreational Facilities:

General policies for use of the Haddix Center and other recreational facilities are attached in a separate document.

Library Usage:

You and your family are invited to use the College Perkins Library without charge. It is understood that in your use of the library you will abide by the same rules and regulations as students.

Tiger Bucks - Dining Discounts

Employees may enjoy dining at the College dining hall, Tiger Inn and Common Grounds Coffee House at discounted rates. To read more about this benefit click on the following link: www.doane.edu/About_Doane/Offices/human-resources/benefits/

Computer Loan Program

Doane College offers a computer loan program. To read about this benefit click on the following link: www.doane.edu/About_Doane/Offices/human-resources/benefits/

Additional Benefits

Additional benefits offered to employees are listed on the Human Resources web site. To read more about these benefits click on the following link: www.doane.edu/About_Doane/Offices/human-resources/benefits/