CSUN Human Resources December 2015 Newsletter
Human Resources Newsletter
Welcome to the March 2016 issue of HR News! We hope that you are enjoying a successful and enriching semester. This month, Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 13th at 2:00 A.M. We’d like to kindly remind you to set your watches and clocks ahead by one hour.

HR News, published on a monthly basis, is just one of the ways benefit, payroll, programming information and deadlines are made available to you. We also invite you to regularly visit the Human Resources web-page http://www.csun.edu/hr/  If we can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Pay Period – March 2016

The pay period for March 2016 begins on March 2nd and ends on March 31st. The Campus will be closed on March 31st in observance of César Chávez Day. Payday for faculty and staff will be on March 30th; direct deposit will be posted on April 1st.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Tax Implication Information

Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the State of California is required to file annual reports with the Internal Revenue Service and provide statements to full-time employees regarding health coverage, if it was offered, using IRS Form 1095-C.

Employees eligible for, or enrolled in CalPERS employee-sponsored health coverage will receive information statements from their health care providers between January and March 2016 with Form 1095-B.

Fee Waiver Fall 2016 Application Period

The CSU Fee Waiver Module is currently available for Fall 2016 registration. In order to ensure timely processing, please submit your application no later than April 22, 2016.
(read more)

E-Benefits Self-Service

CSU is implementing new steps to enable you to more easily enroll or make changes to your benefits elections. Look for information and action required on your part in your in-box later this month.

Your Benefits and the Faculty Early Retirement Program (FERP)

If you will be participating in the Faculty Early Retirement Program beginning 2016-2017 or are already enrolled, valuable information is available on-line about your benefits and pay while in the program. Please view the FERP (Faculty Early Retirement Program) and Your Benefitswebsite.

Conflict of Interest Filing Deadline

California State University Conflict of Interest Code requires employees in Designated Positions (defined as those who are most likely to be involved in University decision-making where potential conflicts of interest may be present) to file a Statement of Economic Interest Form 700 on an annual basis. Employees in Designated Positions have been notified of this requirement. This is a reminder to those individuals in Designated Positions that the deadline to file Form 700 is April 1, 2016.

Spring Break & Student Assistants

This year, Spring Break takes place from Sunday, March 20th through Saturday, March 26th.

Student Assistants may work up to no more than 40 hours in the Spring Break work week (Sunday through Saturday). The State Controller’s Office cannot pay overtime (hours in excess of 40 per work week) for Student Assistants. Please contact the Classification and Compensation Manager at x 2101, or your payroll technician, if you have questions.

Using the Most Current Forms

Please keep in mind that on-line forms are often updated to keep pace with changes in policies or in processing guidelines. Regularly go to the department’s page and use the form directly from that site. Refrain from saving forms to your computer. Note: Outdated versions of the Volunteer Identification Form may no longer be submitted.

November Sessions and Workshops

March Sessions & Workshops

The following sessions and workshops are available in March as part of the Professional & Personal Development Program.

Focus on Faculty


Focus on Employee Success


February Program Highlight

Understanding Your TSA Plan & Your Plan Options

3/3/16 ‐ Noon - 2:00 p.m.
3/3/16 ‐ 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
3/11/16 ‐ 10:00 – Noon
3/11/16 ‐ 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Effective April 1, 2016, the CSU is making important changes to the Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) Program. This workshop will help participants learn more about the new investment structure and the choices that are available going forward.

Register through your Portal in the "Employee Learning & Training" link in the "Training/Professional Dev" pagelet.

Focus on Sustainability


Focus on Safety


Focus on You


Campus Updates

Recognition of Excellence Awards

Nominations are being accepted now for the Recognition of Excellence Awards to recognize both staff members and teams for outstanding efforts made over the course of the calendar year. Selected recipients will be recognized at the Annual Staff Service and Recognition of Excellence Awards Event. The awards are the:
  • Presidential Award
  • Award of Merit
  • Alumni Award
  • Jolene Koester Team Award, and the
  • Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award
Descriptions and eligibility criteria as well as links to the nomination forms, are currently available on the Staff Service Awards web-page.

Nominations must be submitted by April 15, 2016.

50th Annual Staff Service Awards

A list of staff scheduled to be honored for their years of service, at the 50th Annual Staff Service and Recognition of Excellence Awards Event on May 26th, is posted to Employee Enrichment's Staff Service Awards web-page. If you believe that your name should be on the list, but it is not, or, your name is on the list and you believe it should not be, please contact us by March 15, 2016.

Events

03/03/162nd Valley Transportation Summit Participants in the Summit will be able to discuss transportation-related issues in the valley.
03/08/16 - “Race and Opportunity in America” TV News Journalist Soledad O’Brien will be presenting her compelling talk on this critically important topic facing our country and its impact on our future.
03/16/1613th Annual Take Back the Night Rally and March Join the Women’s Research and Resource Center as we publicly confront violence against women by taking back the night!

Lifematters Wellness Webinar

Each month, LifeMatters, our Employee Assistance Program provider, offers webinars free to you and your family/household members.
March offers the following webinar:

Summer Planning for your Children
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Two options: 9 a.m. Pacific and Noon Pacific
The summer may seem far off, but now is the time to start thinking about creating a rich and rewarding summer experience for your child. This webinar is designed to help you assess your child’s needs, interests, and developmental stage, while you define and explore different summer options.

Register for the live webinars at Noon Eastern or 3 p.m. Eastern or please check our WorkLife Balance Webinar archives the month after this live webinar is complete.

Access LifeMatters Webinars