Summary of Benefits

(For detailed information about the HSU benefits package, review the HSU Benefits Link)

Follow this link to review changes in Calendar Year 2006 Benefits

GROUP MEDICAL INSURANCE Hardin-Simmons University provides a self-insured medical insurance program administered through the BlueCross BlueShield Blue Choice Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) of Texas, Inc. 
 

Out of Network Providers: Employees may use non-Blue Choice PPO providers but the costs are normally significantly higher.

Enrollment:  This plan does not provide for annual open enrollments.  Therefore, employees who do not enroll during their first 30 days of employment or drop the insurance may not enroll (or reenroll) later unless they have a qualifying event, i.e., marriage, birth of a child, etc.  Preexisting medical conditions need to be explained.

RETIREMENT PLANS IRS Code 403(b) HSU places a tax deferred amount equal to 6.5% of pay into one of four retirement carriers. Employees may also make tax deferred contributions to their plan (within legal limitations). Employees are immediately 100% vested in their retirement plan. Early withdrawals from retirement plans (i.e., upon resignation) are subject to penalties and taxes. However, there are loan provisions. The Hardin-Simmons tax sheltered annuity providers are: TIAA-CREF , Guidestone Financial Resources (formerly called Annuity Board), Lincoln Financial Group, and The Equitable .

CAFETERIA PLAN/FLEX PLAN is offered for voluntary participation. This plan enables HSU employees to designate money (tax/social security free) for certain medical/child care expenses. Employees enroll in November of each year for the following calendar year.  New employees may enroll within their first 30 days of employment. Explanation of the plan:  HSU FSA handout.doc.

TUITION HSU undergraduate tuition is $455 per hour, and graduate tuition is $465 per hour. Employees/eligible immediate family members (i.e., dependent children, spouse) may attend HSU by paying only 15% of the tuition and 100% of all other expenses/fees. (Staff employees and their immediate family members are eligible for this benefit after completing a 120-day waiting period.   There is no waiting period for faculty.)  Employees may take two courses per fall and spring semester, one course each summer session, and none during the May term. (Employment which includes a full tuition grant and/or the opportunity for full-time enrollment as part of the compensation for that position is not subject to these limitations.) An HSU financial aid application must be completed. Employee schedules must be approved by the departmental vice-president. (For income tax purposes concerning this benefit, consult your tax advisor.) The tuition program does not apply to courses taken at the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing, International Study, or the HSU Physical Therapy program.

TERM LIFE INSURANCE provided by HSU in an amount equal to an employee's annual pay.  The term life insurance coverage also includes accidental death and dismemberment protection.

LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE provided by HSU. After a 90-day waiting period from the date a doctor certifies disability, a disabled employee receives an amount equal to 50% of monthly pay.  The benefits of this plan are reduced if the employee receives Social Security and some other benefits, i.e., workers compensation.

TEXAS WORKERS COMPENSATION coverage is provided to employees who incur work-related injuries.

FIRST CHOICE enrollment at Hendrick Medical Center is provided at no cost to employees.  This benefit provides employees with pre-registration, annual Health Risk Assessments, and various other discounts and services at Hendrick Medical Center.  For further information, visit the First Choice web site.

GROUP LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE (optional) HSU has established a Group Long Term Care insurance program for employees and spouses through CNA Insurance. The plan, with reasonable group premiums, has a guaranteed issue provision available to all employees at least once. Enrollment after the guaranteed issue period is available by passing medical underwriting. There is an employee enrollment period in November of each year which coincides with the guaranteed issue period for new employees. In addition to covering employees and spouses, the group plan is available for parents, parents in-law, grandparents, and grandparents in-law. For these individuals to qualify for the group premiums/plan, medical underwriting is required.

OTHER OPTIONAL INSURANCE/BENEFITS  HSU offers optional guaranteed issue life insurance to new employees.  Up to one and one-half times the amount of the initial annual pay may be purchased at group rates without evidence of insurability during the first 30 days of employment.  Higher coverage is also available by showing insurability.  Coverage is also available for spouse/eligible children.  Other optional insurance available for purchase: (1) Group Dental plans:  Brochures and further information are at: Preferred Smile Kit.doc and Schedule Smile Kit.doc, (2) AFLAC Cancer Insurance (3) AFLAC Hospital Confinement Insurance (4) AFLAC Personal Hospital Intensive Care Insurance (5)AFLAC Personal Accident Indemnity Insurance  (6) AFLAC Personal Recovery, Specified Health Events (7) AFLAC Vision Insurance (8) UNUM Short Term Disability Insurance for staff employees.  The University also has a pre-paid legal service available for all employees.

SICK LEAVE Staff employees earn one day (8 hours) per month; 65 days may be accumulated.

VACATION LEAVE New staff employees earn 6.67 hours of vacation leave monthly/10 days annually.   Leave accruals begin immediately.

HOLIDAYS Staff employees generally receive time off at Thanksgiving (3 days), Christmas (two weeks), Martin Luther King Day, Spring Break (2 days), Memorial Day, Good Friday, and Independence Day. An October fall holiday is announced annually.  Faculty employees follow the student schedule. (Holiday Schedule)

CABINS IN NEW MEXICO.  The university owns three cabins in Ruidoso, New Mexico which are available for faculty and staff employees at very inexpensive rates.  For reservations and further information, contact the Human Resources Office. (Pictures of Ruidoso/HSU Cabins)

RESORT AT LAKE TRAVIS  University employees have access to cabins at Lake Travis, Texas through a rental arrangement with RCI Management.  Additionally, employees have access to other facilities in the United States and in some overseas locations at reduced rates.  Various reservation restrictions apply.  For reservations and further information, contact the Human Resources Office.

ADMISSION TO CAMPUS EVENTS University employees receive free admission to many campus activities throughout the year.  For example, passes are provided for regular season football, men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, men's soccer, women's soccer, volleyball, softball, music and theatre performances, art exhibits, etc.

ABILENE TEACHERS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION University employees are eligible for membership.

DIRECT DEPOSIT of employee paychecks to a bank/credit union is encouraged.

BOOKSTORE DISCOUNTS Faculty and staff receive a 10% discount on items purchased at the HSU Bookstore.

SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT HSU offers a smoke-free environment for faculty, staff, and students.

SUMMER/FRIDAY RELAXED DRESS CODE  The University offers a Business Casual dress code on most Fridays and most of the days during the summer months.   

FREE PARKING HSU faculty and staff park free in designated reserved spaces.
Site updated :    01/05/2007
 

Faculty Employment

HSU Benefits Link

Staff Employment