Phone: 814-227-2420 www.apscuf.org March 2018 Executive Committee: President – Ray Feroz; Vice President – Joyce Overly; Secretary – Christopher McCarrick; Treasurer – Linda Lillard; Delegates –Ray Feroz, Barry Sweet; Jonathan Touster, Annette Rosati, Lorie Taylor; Alternate Delegates – Ellen Foster, Jennifer May, Cristin Ketley, Karl Sprenger, Jacqueline Knaust; Coaches President - Sean Esterhuizen; Coaches Vice President – Al Modrzejewski; Coaches’ Grievance Chair – Eric Laughlin; Venango Campus – Renee Bloom; CAP – Joseph Croskey; DRC – Amy Love-Conner/Mary Buchanan; Grievance – Mary Buchanan/Mark Kilwein; Health & Welfare – Marilyn Howe; Legislative – Jonathan Touster; Membership – Paul Klenowski; Negotiations – Ray Feroz; Nominations & Elections – YooJin Ha; Social Justice – Amy Conner-Love; Public Affairs/Relations – Christopher McCarrick; Student Liaison – Naomi Bell O’Neil; Rules & Bylaws – Carey Childers; Mobilization Co-Chairs – Lorie Taylor & Jacqueline Knaust; State Temporary Faculty Committee – Michael Hissam; State APSCUF Executive Council – Joyce Overly The President’s Message… Dear Colleagues, Where does the time go? Next week is winter break. The semester is flowing toward the waterfall. I hope you have had the time to hear the presidential candidates in the last couple of weeks. All three have different strengths and weaknesses. Please send in your feedback, which will be carefully reviewed by the search committee. The decision of who to hire as a permanent president is substantial and critical. We will not just settle for someone. All input is important and welcome. Clarion University’s future is at stake. March is busy for APSCUF. Sara Miller from APSCUF Labor Relations is at the APSCUF office on Friday March 9 from 11:30 am -1:30 pm and anyone can meet with her – just drop by the APSCUF office in the Rhea Building during that time. APSCUF President Ken Mash will join us for a membership meeting in Gemmell on March 27 at 3:30 pm and provide “state of the union” remarks. We will also begin that meeting with “Meet the Candidates” for the upcoming election. Thanks to all who have agreed to run for the various offices and committees, they are important and operationalize shared governance. Together we are strong. Thanks for making a positive difference to our colleagues and students! In solidarity, Ray WORKING PEOPLE’S DAY OF ACTION @ CU Monday, February 19, 2018 Members of Clarion’s APSCUF, APSCURF and AFSCME reached out to students with information about Janus vs AFSCME. This case challenges the right of public-sector unions to collect fair-share fees, and it alleges a violation of the First Amendment. This is a threat to unions nationwide and to the middle class. APSCUF Members Jackie Knaust and Andy Lingwall March 2018 Thank you to those who volunteered! www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion AFSCME Rep Cindy King, APSCUF Members Jamie Phillips and Natasha Dias 1 SPRING 2018 MEETINGS (Please mark your calendars!) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EC) (Rhea Conf. Room @ 3:30 pm) Tuesday, March 20 Tuesday, April 3 Tuesday, April 17 (Spring Elections) Tuesday, May 1 SPRING 2018 MEET & DISCUSS Friday, March 9 – Pre-Meet & Discuss Friday, March 23 – Meet & Discuss Friday, April 6 – Pre-Meet & Discuss Friday, April 20 – Meet & Discuss DEPARTMENTAL REP COUNCIL (DRC) (Rhea Conf. Room @ 3:30 PM) Tuesday, April 10 NOTE: The Clarion APSCUF Office will be closed from March 12-16 and will reopen on March 19 @ 8 am. GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING/ SPRING ELECTION’S “MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM” Tuesday, March 27 – 250/252 Gemmell LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY (LA) April 12-14, 2018 (Toftrees, State College) 20/26 ANNUAL PAY OPTION WINDOW Nine-month pay faculty who are interested in changing their pay options from 20 to 26 pays or vice versa may do so during a window period from April 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019. The change will be effective for the first paycheck of the Fall 2018 semester which is September 14, 2018. (See insert letter from State APSCUF President Ken Mash.) If you so choose to change your option, please complete the 20/26 Pay Option form and return it to our Human Resources office in Carrier. Please note that this is the only opportunity to make this change during this academic year. The 20/26 Annual Pay Option form is inserted in this newsletter or is available in our Human Resources office. THE CAP REBATE CAMPAIGN REMINDER: Want to help promote and protect quality public higher education in Pennsylvania? One way to promote and protect all that APSCUF provides is by simply completing your CAP (Committee for Action through Politics) Rebate card today. (Cards were sent out to non-CAP members the second week in February.) When you contribute to APSCUF/CAP, you become involved in the political process. Your CAP contributions support candidates for state office who will advocate for APSCUF's goals and priorities. APSCUF/CAP members have the opportunity to:      Attend fundraising events Build relationships with policymakers Make important endorsement decisions Assist candidates who support APSCUF goals Now more important ever, please designate your dues rebate to CAP and become a CAP member today! CAP Chair Joseph Croskey PLEASE NOTE: CAP Cards must be returned to the LOCAL APSCUF OFFICE BY APRIL 1ST. Please DO NOT SEND to the State APSCUF office. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE A CHANGE, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO RETURN YOUR CARD. CLARION CAP MEMBERS: If you have already donated your past rebates to CAP, “thank you”. You need not sign another card. There is yet another way for you to support the important political work of APSCUF’s Committee for Action through Politics by voluntarily contributing to CAP thru payroll deduction. If you wish to direct a voluntary contribution to CAP thru payroll deduction or increase your current contribution, please complete a Voluntary Payroll Deduction Authorization card today. Any questions on CAP, please feel free to contact me at ext. 1980 or at jcroskey@clarion.edu. March 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 2 REMINDERS & ANNOUNCEMENTS  GENERAL APSCUF & BARGAINING UNIT MEETING & “Meet the Candidate Forum” is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27th @ 3:30 pm in 250/252 Gemmell Student Center. Included in this meeting will be “Meet the Candidates” forum for the 2018 Spring General Elections. Please “pencil in” this meeting on your meeting calendar.  ATTENTION APSCUF MEMBERS – CAMPUS VISIT: In conjunction and immediately after the General APSCUF and Bargaining Unit Meeting and “Meet the Candidate Forum”, there will be a campus visit by State APSCUF President Ken Mash on Tuesday, March 27 at 3:30 pm in 250/252 Gemmell Student Center. Come and meet Ken as he speaks about current issues. Please make an effort to attend this meeting. Let’s give Ken a BIG CLARION WELCOME to our campus!!  LABOR RELATIONS DEPARTMENT CAMPUS VISIT: APSCUF Members – There will be a campus visit by Sara Miller of State APSCUF’s Labor Relations Department on Friday, March 9, 2018. Please feel free to stop by the APSCUF office, Rhea Building, between 11:30 am - 1:30 pm to meet Sara. She will be available to answer any general contract questions. Note that we will not be taking appointments. Just stop in!  Spring 2018 General Elections will be held on Tuesday, April 17th from 9 am till 4 pm. This is in conjunction with Faculty Senate Elections.  REMINDER TO YOUR STUDENTS– CLARION APSCUF 2018 FALL SCHOLARSHIPS: Please remind your students that applications for the Clarion APSCUF Fall 2018 Scholarship to be awarded to six (6) Clarion University currently enrolled students deadline is Friday, March 23rd by noon. Instructions and Applications can be downloaded from the Clarion APSCUF webpage at www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion.  CLARION APSCUF OFFICE CLOSING: The Clarion APSCUF Office will be closed from March 10th through March 17th for Jan will be on vacation. The office will reopen on Monday, March 19th at 8 am. Also March 30 and April 2 the APSCUF office will be closed in observance of Good Friday and Easter Weekend.  SPRING FACULTY & COACHES RETIREMENT RECEPTION will be held on Wednesday, May 2 at 4 pm in Moore Hall. Please mark your calendars!  Attention PASSHE Highmark PPO Blue Members - The participation deadline of the Healthy U wellness program is Thursday, May 31, 2018. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your participation requirements! When completed, be sure to print up your “HOORAY” page for your files. If a problem arises, this is proof of participation. ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT RETIRING? Check out APSCUF’s “Pre-Retirement Checklist” inserted in this newsletter! Please Note: This checklist should only be used as a guideline. All faculty contemplating retirement should consult with their retiree handbook from either SERS or PSERS. Those enrolled in TIAA-CREF should have their portfolios in order. In addition, faculty should have a copy of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between APSCUF and the State System of Higher Education. EMERITUS STATUS PROCEDURES: Nominations for Emeritus Status should be initiated by member(s) of the appropriate department/unit and announced at a department/unit meeting, normally within one year following retirement. The nominating member(s) of the department/unit shall forward a one-page summary of the significant accomplishments made by the nominee to the Dean and appropriate Vice President. The Office of the Provost and Academic Vice President will be responsible for the implementation of this policy and its procedures. The above procedures for departments to follow to request emeritus status for retiring faculty in departments are taken from the Clarion University of Pennsylvania Policy on Emeritus Status. A copy of the entire policy is available from the APSCUF office. If you have faculty who are retiring at the end of the fall or spring semester in your department, please follow the procedures in this policy to request emeritus. March 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 3 SPRING 2018 GENERAL ELECTIONS TIMELINE  MEET THE CANDIDATES FORUM will be held on Tuesday, March 27th @ 3:30 pm in Room 250/252 Gemmell Student Center – Introduction of Candidates; Comments and Questions.  Monday, April 2: Distribution of ballots by interdepartmental mail/US Postal Service  Monday, April 16th: Absentee Ballots are due by Noon in the APSCUF Office, Rhea Building  SPRING 2018 GENERAL ELECTIONS will be held on Tuesday, April 17th from 9 am till 4 pm in the Carlson Library and on the Venango Campus - location t/b/d. SPRING 2018 ELECTIONS CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED APSCUF OFFICES Secretary: (1 one-year term) Christopher McCarrick Alternate Delegate to Legislative Assembly: (2 two-year term) Ellen Foster Mark Lepore Jennifer May Jonathan Touster Treasurer: (1 one-year term) Linda Lillard Delegate to Legislative Assembly: (2 two-year term) Jackie Knaust Jennifer May Barry Sweet Venango Campus Representative: (1 one-year term) Renee Bloom Nominations & Elections Committee: (3 two-year term) Doug Knepp Chunfei Li Amanda Lockwood Naomi “Bell” O’Neil Briana Steele Jane Walsh CONTRACTUAL COMMITTEES Promotion Committee: (3 three-year term) Stephen Gendler Helen Hampikian Linda Lillard Sabbatical Leave Committee: (2 three-year term) Leah Chambers Helen Hampikian David Lott Tenure Committee: (2 three-year term) Vasudeva Rao Aravind Paul Klenowski Mark Lepore Chunfei Li Naomi “Bell” O’Neil CCPS: (2 three-year term) Daniel Shifflet Karl Sprenger Please come join us for the “Meet the Candidates” forum on Tuesday, March 27th at 3:30 pm in 250/252 Gemmell Student Center. Light refreshments will be served. March 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 4 March 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 5 March 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 6 APSCUF’s Pre-retirement checklist Getting ready to retire? Check out this checklist to get prepared! Select an anticipated date of retirement and begin to contemplate pension options.  Check beneficiary information.  Contact your retirement counselor and/or investment counselor o SERS members need only to contact 1-800-633-5461 (toll-free) to be connected with their local counseling center. The SERS website is www.sers.state.pa.us. o TIAA-CREF members can call 215-587-8530. TIAA-CREF’s website address is www.tiaa-cref.org. o PSERS members need to contact 1-888-773-7748 (toll-free). PSERS’ website address is www.psers.state.pa.us.  Visit APSCURF's web page, www.apscuf.org/members/apscurf, for direct links to a variety of different sites including the Social Security Administration's website which provides answers to quite a number of questions. Visit the APSCURF page for an abundance of information on retiring and retirement!  Contact your human resources office.  Confirm “credited” years of service.  Certify any outstanding qualified service time while in active status. No payment is required to purchase the value of this service during active service. The amount owed can be subtracted from the pension.  CBA health retirement requirements to retain lifelong health benefit coverage include one of the following: o 25 years of “credited” service at any age o 10 years of “credited” service at superannuation age (60 years of age) (applies to those hired prior to the fall semester of 1997) o 15 years of “credited” service at superannuation age (60 years of age) (applies to those hired for the fall semester of 1997 through June 30, 2004) o In addition, “credited” service for those faculty members hired for the fall semester of 1997 and after will only include Commonwealth and/or State System service. o Those hired on or after July 1, 2004, "20 years of “credited” service at superannuation age. o Please Note: Your spouse and/or eligible dependents are only entitled to your State System health benefit package as long as you are alive. The Surviving Spouse Act provides the right to purchase your package from the State System for your spouse only.  ALL annuitants must draw a pension check (annuitize) from their retirement plan in order to receive the health benefit coverage. Those retiring on or after October 20, 2005, are permitted to waive enrollment under the retirement health package IF THEY ARE COVERED UNDER ANY OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE. If the health package is waived at retirement, retirees may enroll during an open enrollment period or upon loss of their current coverage.  ALL annuitants must draw a pension check (annuitize) from their retirement plan as one of the criteria to be eligible to obtain sick leave buy-out benefits. In addition, the member must be retiring at 60 years of age or more with five years of Commonwealth/State System service or under 60 years or age with at least 25 years of Commonwealth/State System service (may include periods in other positions other than a faculty/coach position).  PA Faculty Health and Welfare Fund benefits will terminate on the last day of the next month in which you retire. Schedule any services for which you are eligible prior to the termination date (Dental, Vision, Hearing, etc.). Those retiring on or after November 1, 2005, may qualify for COBRA coverage. March 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 7  Coaches dental and vision plans will terminate per the Management Supplemental policy. Check with the local Human Resource office about COBRA rights.  All eligible APSCUF members joining APSCURF has the option to enroll in APSCURF’s dental and vision plans. Visit APSCURF's page for more information.  Employer purchased life insurance will terminate upon your retirement. If desired, you may want to check into your conversion rights under this policy with the local human resources office.  Basic health plan coverage. Until you reach Medicare eligibility, coverage will be the PPO plan. All health plans carry the same Medco RX drug plan. On the first day of the month in which you become Medicare eligible, Medicare Part A and B become your primary insurance carrier. The CBA provides you with supplemental coverage under Highmark Blue Shield's Medicare Complement Plan, an your RX coverage will be under the Major Medical plan where you purchase your prescription and manually submit them to Highmark for reimbursement. Those who retired on or after July 1, 2005, will have an employee health contribution assessed on their health plan premium in retirement based on the date of retirement per the collective bargaining agreement provisions in place at that time. Please note that if you are Medicare eligible or will be at retirement, you will need to enroll in Medicare 3 months prior to your retirement month so that Medicare is in place when your annuitant health plan begins. Check with your local HR office to determine the date where your active coverage will transfer to the annuitant Medicare Complement coverage. o The PASSHE decided not to include the health care reform mandates under the annuitant health plan so the benefits vary somewhat when you are transferred to the annuitant PPO plan. The main change is that if you have dependents between the ages of 19 and 25 who are not enrolled as a full time student, the dependent(s) will lose their eligibility under the annuitant health plan.  Contemplate purchasing a long-term nursing care policy. The benefit package provided to you does not cover custodial, intermediate or assisted-living services. APSCURF has a recommended plan and check with your insurance agency for comparisons. Visit APSCURF's page for more details about the retired association benefits and other useful links.  Annuitants can only return to Commonwealth service for a period of 95 days under the Emergency Hire guidelines. This checklist should only be used as a guideline. All faculty members contemplating retirement should consult with their retiree handbook from either SERS or PSERS. Those enrolled in TIAA-CREF should have their portfolios in order. In addition, faculty should have a copy of the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between APSCUF and the State System of Higher Education and the current State System Employees Benefit Booklet to consult as a reference in making this decision. March 2018 www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion 8