CSUN HUMAN RESOURCES COMMUNICATION NEWSLETTER "INFORMATION THAT IMPACES PEOPLE"
October 31, 2005
PHONE: 818-677-2101
MAIL DROP: 8229
UNIVERSITY HALL 165
LINE
LEFT ARROW Campus Closure
 HR QUICKLINKS:
HR Communication Archive
http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/newsletters/
http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/benefits/
http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/comp/
http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/payroll/
http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/relations/
http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/training/

Campus officials closed the campus on September 29, 2005 from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the next morning as a result of the Topanga wildfire. The campus was closed due to a drop in air quality and was reopened after conditions improved overnight. Employees are encouraged to judge for themselves the level of safety when coming to work during such conditions or any emergency situation. The Chancellor's Office issued guidelines for the accounting of time during the campus closure to assure consistency in the treatment of faculty and staff. Detailed communications when the campus is closed due to an emergency or another unforeseen circumstance can be viewed at http://www.csun.edu/~ecsdean/docs/campus_closure.doc.

The Public Relations Department is responsible for delivering University messages during campus closure via the following methods:

  • On- and off-campus news media
  • CSUN website (http//www.csun.edu/pubrels/update.html)
  • Toll-free information lines
    • Faculty and Staff (800) 926–4826
    • Students and community members (877) 671–2786
      • Information placed on Campus Infoscreen TV monitors
      • Campus radio station KCSN-FM
LEFT ARROW Special Note to Faculty
Faculty with Medical and/or Dental benefits or FlexCash who fall below 6 units should notify Benefits Administration to cancel coverage. COBRA coverage is available due to loss of coverage.
LEFT ARROW CalPERS Annual Member Statement
The 2005 California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) Annual Member Statement will be mailed to your home addresses during the month of November. These statements will include your total CalPERS account balances for contributions and service credit as of June 30, 2005. The statement will be mailed on a staged schedule based on your home zip code. If you have not received your Annual Member Statement by mid December, you should contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377. You may register and view your annual statement on-line by visiting http://www.calpers.ca.gov/.
LEFT ARROW Are you too busy to attend a live Financial Workshop?
TIAA-CREF offers Financial Education web seminars for those who cannot or do not want to attend a live seminar. Take advantage of these interactive seminars. The seminars are available to anyone by accessing http://www.tiaa-cref.org/ the subject matters are listed on the right hand column starting with "Just Starting Out"
LEFT ARROW Are you looking for convenience?
TIAA-CREF has a web center just for CSU faculty and staff. You may enroll and download the CSU Salary Reduction Agreement. For detailed information and instructions please visit http://www.tiaa-cref.org/csu/.
LEFT ARROW Tax-Sheltered Annuities
The end of the year is fast approaching. Make sure you review and consult with your tax advisor to make sure you are within your maximum limitations for 2005. For changes to your 403(b), visit Benefit Administration immediately. For adjustments to your 401(k) or 457 plan, contact The Savings Plus Program at (916) 322–5070 or (866) 566–4777.
LEFT ARROW Benefits Fair

Over 20 vendors attended the Benefits Fair on September 28, 2005. Faculty and staff took the opportunity to meet with company representatives and gather information to assist them in making informed benefit choices. Refreshments were served as well as free giveaways and drawings provided by vendors. Thank you to the Student Health Center for providing free neck messages, blood pressure testing and body fat testing. We welcome any constructive feedback regarding the event. Email you comments to laurie.gold-brubaker@csun.edu.

The Chancellor's office has published guidelines on how to compensate employees with regards to paid time off related to a weather emergency or natural disaster. This letter clarifies the CSU pay practice so you can focus your attention on your family's needs during a weather emergency or natural disaster. You may review the letter at http://www.calstate.edu/HRAdm/pdf2005/HR2005-44.pdf.

LEFT ARROW Confidential Reporting of Wrongdoing
Employee who witness illegal acts or waste, fraud, misuse of time or state property, can report such activities confidentially through the Bureau of State Audits Hotline at (800) 952-5655. The campus representative who receives this type of confidential reporting is Robert Foldesi, Assistant Vice President for Human Resources. Mr. Foldesi can be reached at (818) 677-2118 or by email at rfoldesi@csun.edu.
LEFT ARROW Fee Waiver and Reduction Program
Fee Waiver and Reduction Program is offered for Summer 2006. To participate in the summer session submit appropriate paperwork by February 22, 2006. Refer to the Professional Development Programs (PDP) website at http://www-admn.csun.edu/hrs/training/index.html for complete guidelines and required forms. All questions should be emailed to feewaiver@csun.edu. You will receive a response within 24 hours of your email request.

The process for participating in this benefit program has been made easier for the employee to attend courses by combining the application and proposed course approval forms into one concise form. Refer to the above PDP website to access the new form. The dependent portion and forms of the program has not changed.
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