The CSU has secured agreements with the respective Unions to extend an additional one-percent (1.0%) general salary increase (GSI) to employees in Bargaining Units 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. This salary augmentation impacts employees represented by Unit Academic Professionals of California (APC), CSU Employees' Union (CSUEU) and the State Employees Trades Council (SETC-United). As a result, employees in these units will be receiving an across the board GSI of one-percent (1.0%), retroactive to January 1, 2007. The minimum and maximum salary ranges of all classifications, and the applicable service maximums, will also be increased by one-percent (1.0%).

The CSU Chancellors Office Human Resources staff is working with the State Controllers Office to process these adjustments during the month of May.

The HR/SOLAR upgrade is drawing near, and there are important dates to know for the June 2007 pay period.

The upgraded version of Time and Labor will be available June 28th; the new Absence Management will be available July 19th.

System downtime will commence June 21st at 5p.m., and the upgraded system should be available June 28th.

All absences for salaried employees for the June 2007 pay period should be reported in Time and Labor by June 15th, projecting any time that will be used through the pay period (5/31 - 6/30).

All hours to be reported for time worked (regular hours, overtime, shift differential) for the June 2007 pay period should NOT be entered until the system comes back up, June 28th. Do not enter leave time for pay periods beyond June 2007 until Absence Management becomes available on July 19th.

The Timekeeper entry deadline is July 2nd and Approver deadline is July 3rd, for the June 2007 pay period.

All hours to be reported for hourly employee absences should be submitted via Prior Pay Period Adjustment form for Payroll to process.

More detailed information will be sent on Absence Management and the transition period. Training will be available covering the changes to Time and Labor, and separate training for Absence Management; dates of material availability and training to be announced.

On-line Member Registration with VSP

Just a reminder that on January 1, 2007, Vision Service Plan (VSP) became our new vision plan carrier.

Creating a log-on allows you to view your benefits, find a doctor in the network, and view your previous visits and savings. If you do not wish to create a log-on you can still view a list of doctors by answering "no" to the following question that appears on the "Find a VSP Doctor" screen: "Are you a VSP member?"

How to register on-line with VSP

1. Begin at http://www.vsp.com/
2. Click on Members & Consumers
3. Click on register now
4. The next screen will ask you for your personal information. Your member/employee ID is your full social security number
5. Continue the sign-in process
   

Long-Term Care Program

The CalPERS Long-Term Care Program offers a comprehensive selection of long-term care benefits. Visit the CalPERS website for plan updates and rates.

The next application period runs from April 1st through June 30, 2007. If you would like to be added to the mailing list to receive a 2007 application kit please contact CalPERS at (800) 871-7114 or visit the CalPERS website at http://www.calpers.ca.gov/.

Good News! CalPERS Investments Gain 15.4 Percent in 2006

The pension fund earned a 15.4 percent return on investments for the 2006 calendar year, before investment management fees. The Fund grew by $29.4 billion during the year to nearly double the assumed rate of return of 7.75 percent - an annual target necessary to pay future member pension benefits. It marks the fourth straight year CalPERS earned double-digit returns. The average annual investment return over the last 10 years was 10.0 percent. For additional information please visit http://www.calpers.ca.gov/.

Health Care Reimbursement Account (HRCA) and Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA)

Do you still have claims to file for 2006? Don't miss out. You may file claims for expenses incurred during 2006 until June 30, 2007. Any remaining balance in your account will be forfeited after June 30, 2007.

Monthly Retirement Meetings Offered

Benefits Administration is now offering monthly group retirement meetings to assist you with your CalPERS retirement preparation. Take this opportunity to learn and share information with your colleagues. If you are interested in attending a monthly meeting please contact Mary Snipes at x2728 or mary.snipes@csun.edu.

We are happy to announce the upcoming implementation of a new Action Request Form. This form has been developed to incorporate 3 current forms (Recruitment Requisition form, Change in Status form, and the Emergency/Limited Term Appointment form) into one (1). You will be able to request to post a position, hire an emergency employee, reassign an employee and much more all on one form. The new Action Request Form will be available on the HR website starting July 1, 2007.

We want to thank the cross-functional pilot group that assisted us in developing and testing this new form.

Your compensation package includes more than just your base salary. With the newly released Total Compensation Calculator from the Chancellor's office you can calculate the total value of the CSU compensation package. The tool allows you to enter your salary and benefits information and the tool will calculate the total California State University (CSU) compensation package for you.

The link to this tool may be found at http://www.calstate.edu/Benefits/Compensation/Compensation_Calculator.aspx.

The feature in SOLAR Self Service allows you to enter and update your Emergency Contact information. This is information that will be important in an emergency and will assist in the University's Emergency Planning efforts. Please take the time to update your information by signing into SOLAR Self Service and clicking the "Emergency Contacts" link under the Personal Information Folder.

The Employee Service and Excellence Recognition Program will be held on June 5, 2007. Annually, CSUN recognizes non-faculty employees with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 or more years of dedicated service to the University. Employees are presented with a service award by the President and appropriate Vice President in recognition of their long-term employment with the University. This year Sally Brennenman, University Library, will celebrate 40 years of service.

Winners of the Merit, Team and Presidential Awards will also be announced. This will be our 3rd annual event in which we also recognize the outstanding contributions of our staff. To learn more about how you can nominate a co-worker for one of these outstanding awards for next year by visiting http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/compemp/awards/index.htm.

All employees should receive formal feedback through a performance evaluation at least once every 12 months. Additionally, 1-year probationary employees should receive written performance feedback at 3, 6, and 11 months of service; and 2-year probationary employees should receive written performance feedback at 6, 12, 18, and 22 months of service. It is coming up on that time of year to begin your annual reviews. Forms can be found at http://www-admn.csun.edu/ohrs/relations/performance.htm.

As a result of the implementation of YRO (year round operations), Human Resources has received a number of inquiries regarding the number of hours a student may work during the summer sessions. The following are guidelines to assist you in the upcoming YRO summer sessions:

1. Students who have graduated and who are not admitted/enrolled for the following semester are NOT eligible for Student Assistant appointments
2. Summer session appointments may be made if the student has been admitted for fall and spring semester, respectively, and is planning on attending.
3. If a student is enrolled in at least 6 or more units during the Summer session, the student may be appointed as a Student Assistant and work up to, but normally not in excess of, 20 hours per week total in all positions. The Internal Revenue Service guidelines for student assistants limits their normal working hours to 20 per week during academic semesters.
4. However, if the student is not nerolled or is enrolled in less than 6 units for a summer session, they may work up to a maximum of 40 hours per week, but may not be scheduled to work overtime. Overtime is defined as more than 40 hours per week. A schedule may exceed 8 hours a day provided the total for the week does not exceed 40 hours. The Controller's Office will not issue payments to Student Assistants in excess of 168 hours for a 21-day pay period, nor in excess of 176 hours for a 22-day pay period.

During the summer months HR often receives questions as to hiring summer employees under the age of 18. Below is the CSU policy on the employment of minors.

Consistent with state and federal law, the California State University's Employment of Minors policy addresses provisions related to the employment of minors (under age 18).

Work Permits
Minors must obtain certificates of age or permits to work for the California State University (CSU). CSU campuses employing minors are required to keep work permits on file while the minor is employed. Minors may obtain work permits through their school district or superintendent's office. The permit should be completed and on file prior to the minor's appointment date.

16 and 17 year-old Minors

• May work a maximum of 4 hours on a day they are required to attend school for four hours or more.
• May work a maximum of 8 hours on a school day that precedes a non-school day (e.g., Friday).
• May work 8 hours on a day they are not required to attend school.

If minor is 17 and has graduated from High School then this policy does not apply to their employment.

CSUN will observe the Memorial Day holiday this year on Monday, May 28. Employees who are not scheduled to work on this date, but who are eligible for holidays should be afforded equivalent time off as close to the holiday date as is practical.

Memorial Day - Monday, May 28, 2007
Independence Day - Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Labor Day - Monday, September 3, 2007
Veterns' Day Observed - Monday, November 12, 2007
Thanksgiving Day - Thursday, November 22, 2007
Admission Day Observed - Friday, November 23, 2007
Christmas Day Observed - Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Lincoln's Birthday Observed - Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Washington's Birthday Observed - Thursday, December 27, 2007
Columbus Day Observed - Friday, December 28, 2007
* Monday, December 31, 2007
New Year's Day - Tuesday January 1, 2008
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Monday, January 21, 2008
Cesar Chavez Day - Monday, March 31, 2008
Memorial Day Observed - Monday, May 26, 2008
Independence Day - Friday July 4, 2008

* No holiday available to cover closure on Monday, December 31, 2007. For more information, view HR memo at http://www.csun.edu/facultyaffairs/calendar/academic/Campus Closure by Unit Dec 31, 2007.doc.

Your feedback is always welcome. Please send any questions or comments about this communication to marianne.hudz@csun.edu.