USAC Major Accomplishments
Over the years, USAC has initiated and supported many of the University's initiatives and activities. These have create a positive change for staff at the University. Some of these initiatives and activities include:
Communication
Staff have indicated they want more timely
information and the ability to pose questions directly to the University
administration. To further open the lines of communication:
- USAC hosts quarterly Town Meetings to allow staff to voice concerns and have an interactive dialog with the President and other University administration officials;
- the University communicates the Provost's "Compensation Guidelines Memo" to all University employees;
- the University has created multiple methods of providing information to staff through OSU Today, onCampus, ReSources, among others; and
- the University personnel policies are available on-line at the OHR website.
Staff Recognition
Staff want to be recognized as a vital
part of the University. The University has made great strides in recognizing
staff.
- The University has created a Distinguished Staff Award to recognize staff, along with distinguished faculty in various campus communications and on the field during a home football game as well as receiving an increase in base pay;
- Staff Appreciation Week was created for offices across campus to recognize staff efforts in addition to the central administration-planned activities;
- the USAC Chair is invited to speak on behalf of staff at the President's investiture; and
- the USAC Chair represents staff on the platform during commencement.
Work-Life Issues
Balancing work and life is difficult. OSU
works hard to help all employees balance these and create optimal working
conditions.
Child Care
- Costs were reduced by implementing post-tax payroll deductions.
- Wait List Notification procedures were improved.
- Teacher salaries at the Child Care Center were improved to attract quality care givers.
- The degree-seeking requirement was eliminated.
- Allowable credit hours for reimbursement was increased from seven to ten.
- Salary limits for participants were eliminated.
- Dependents of retirees may use fee authorizations as long as the application is made within five years of retirement.
- Two weeks of sick leave may be used for the adoption process.
- Sick leave may be used to care for a domestic partner.
- An established separation process for use by departments and individuals affected by reduction in force decisions has been developed.
- A severance program schedule for staff has been devised.
- Retirement planning workshops are offered.
- Investment and specialized financial planning workshops are offered.
- Credit Union services are available on campus.
Benefits
Benefit packages are vital in attacking
and retaining high-quality professional staff. Staff want continued quality
benefits at a reasonable cost and work closely with OSU to achieve this,
thus attacking and retaining high-quality staff and keeping OSU as an employer
of choice.
- An appeals committee has been created (info included with written benefits materials).
- Supplementary life insurance is an option.
- Short-term disability insurance is available.
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits are immediately available to new hires.
Salary
Staff continue to want competitive wages.
University administration has been working diligently to increase staff
salaries with benchmark institutions.
- Benchmarking of jobs is being performed and salaries are being adjusted to be more competitive.
- Yearly increases are being based on performance.
- Guidelines for promotional salary increases are market driven.
- OSU offers cash incentive awards as part of staff recognition programs.