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Phone: (814) 227-2420
www.apscuf.org
February 2019
Executive Committee: President – Ray Feroz; Vice President – Joyce Overly; Secretary – Christopher McCarrick; Treasurer – Linda Lillard; Delegates –
Ray Feroz, Jennifer May, Annette Rosati, Barry Sweet, Lorie Taylor; Alternate Delegates – Ellen Foster, Cristin Ketley, Jacqueline Knaust, Karl Sprenger,
Jonathan Touster; Coaches President - Sean Esterhuizen; Coaches Vice President – Al Modrzejewski; Coaches’ Grievance Chair – Eric Laughlin; Venango
Campus Rep – Renee Bloom; CAP – Joseph Croskey; DRC – Mary Buchanan; Grievance – Mark Kilwein; Health & Welfare – Amy Shannonhouse;
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 CoChairs – Jackie Knaust & Andy Lingwall; State Temporary Faculty Committee – Robb Lawrence; State APSCUF Executive Council – Joyce Overly; Meet &
Discuss Team: Ray Feroz; Barry Sweet; Joyce Overly; Adam Roberts; Mark Kilwein; Jennifer May; Mary Buchanan
The President’s Message…
Dear Colleagues,
This is our first APSCUF Newsletter since the holiday break, and I hope you had
great time off. We are now beginning the 4th week of the semester (!).
We congratulate Dr. Pam Gent on her appointment as Provost and VP for Academic Affairs. Pam can
relate to what faculty do and she has done an extraordinary job in communication. We will not
always agree on every issue, but we have a provost who we can work with. Progress!
As we begin a new year, it is time for a stony-eyed look at where we stand. Clarion University has
continued to lose enrollment; we are down around 30% from our high water mark. In fact, the entire
state system is down around 20%. This is characterized by all as “unsustainable.”
This reality is not unrelated to the Chancellor’s efforts toward system revision. He envisions us
moving toward a shared system of financially interdependent SSHE universities which benefits more
students and improves efficiency. Locally, Dr. Dale has her True North Initiative work group in
process, whose aim is to identify by April 1st 5 or 6 strategic priorities in critical Clarion University
operations.
This all sounds good but the devil will be in the details. At President Ken Mash’s invitation, Chancellor
Greenstein will address the APSCUF Legislative Assembly in Gettysburg on February 9 th where he will
provide an update on the System Redesign, answer delegate questions, and listen to concerns.
Important on the horizon is the expiration date of our CBA on June 30, 2019. Negotiations will soon
begin in earnest. In future messages, I will report on progress.
In solidarity,
Ray
February 2019
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion
1
SPRING 2019 MEETINGS
(Please mark your calendars!)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EC)
(Rhea Conf. Room @ 3:30 pm)
Tuesday, February 19
Tuesday, March 19
Tuesday, April 2
Tuesday, April 16 (APSCUF Spring Elections)
DEPARTMENTAL REP COUNCIL
(Rhea Conf. Room @ 3:30 PM)
Tuesday, February 12
Tuesday, March 12
Tuesday, April 9
SPRING 2019 MEET & DISCUSS @ 2:30 pm
Wednesday, February 13 – Pre-Meet & Discuss (APSCUF Office)
Friday, February 15 – Meet & Discuss (Carrier)
Friday, March 15 – Pre-Meet & Discuss (APSCUF Office)
Friday, March 22 – Meet & Discuss (Rhea)
Tuesday, April 9 – Pre-Meet & Discuss (APSCUF Office)
Friday, April 12 – Meet & Discuss (Carrier)
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING (NOTE DATE CHANGE!)
Thursday, March 28 @ 3:30 pm @ 250/252 Gemmell
*includes “Meet the Candidates” Forum
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLIES
February 7-9, 2019 (Wyndham, Gettysburg)
April 25-27, 2019 (Williamsport)
May 17, 2019 – Leadership Day (Slippery Rock)
UPDATE: GENERAL APSCUF & BARGAINING UNIT MEETING date has been changed to THURSDAY,
MARCH 28, 2019, @ 3:30 pm at 250/252 Gemmell Student Center. This will also include the “Meet
the Candidates” forum for the 2019 Spring Elections. Also, there will be a campus visit by State
APSCUF President Ken Mash. Please “pencil in” this meeting on your meeting calendar.
NOTE: Spring Elections will be held on Monday & Tuesday, April 15th & 16th through Survey Monkey.
CAMPUS VISIT: There will be a campus visit by Sara Miller of State APSCUF’s Labor Relations Department on
Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Please feel free to stop by the APSCUF office located in the Rhea Building between
1:00 - 3:00 pm to meet Sara. She will be available to answer any general contract questions.
NOTE: If you need to speak to Sara privately, please contact Jan in the APSCUF office to set up a 15 minute
appointment for you.
SPRING PAY INCREASE FOR FACULTY: You can find the Spring 2019 pay scale in the “pink cover”
Collective Bargaining Agreement on page 10. The 2.5% General Pay Increase will be effective in the
following pay periods. 20 pays – February 1st (11th pay); 26 pays – March 15th (14th pay)
WELCOME NEW & RETURNING APSCUF MEMBERS!!
Alawya Alawmai – Computer Information Science
Michael Boston – Communication Sciences & Disorders
James Chambers - Finance
Coach Charles Eger - Athletics
Karen Ervin – Library Science
Jill Godlewski - Libraries
Glenna Kanish – Human Services, Rehab, Health & Sport Sciences
Amanda Machesky - Nursing
FACULTY AND COACHES ORIENTATION INTERNSHIP - APSCUF’s faculty and coaches orientation
internship is for APSCUF members who have some local APSCUF responsibility and are interested in
expanding a working knowledge of the union. Interns spend a week in the summer in the Harrisburg
office to observe the entire spectrum of union administration. They interact with staff members who
serve in various capacities. The program aims to prepare APSCUF members for increased local and/or
state responsibilities. Click here to download an application and more information about hotels, travel,
and meals. Questions? Email Andrea Mahoney at amahoney@apscuf.org at State APSCUF. The
application with details is pm page 5 & 6 in this newsletter or you can download the application at
https://www.apscuf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/facultyinternship2016newform.pdf
February 2019
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion
2
A REMINDER to all new Fall 2018 Part-time Temporary Faculty: If you were a new part-time temp
for the fall 2018 semester and are returning to Clarion University for the spring 2019 semester, please
contact Jan Walters in the APSCUF office for a PA Faculty Health & Welfare Fund enrollment card. YES,
you do qualify for partial vision and dental coverage for you have fulfilled the obligation of serving one semester of
the previous three semesters.
NOTE: THIS IS NO COST TO YOU WHATSOEVER. Just one of the benefits from APSCUF’s collective bargaining.
For detailed coverage for part-time temporary faculty, go to http://www.pafac.com/ptbenefits.htm.
PA FACULTY HEALTH & WELFARE FUND – Members should have received your new
ID cards for United Concordia Dental and National Vision Administration. If not,
please contact the APSCUF office.
Healthy U is back online with Sharecare. On Feb. 1, 2019, Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education
released information about its revamped Healthy U Wellness Program. Employees and their enrolled
spouses/domestic partners who create a Sharecare account and complete the RealAge Test
(wellness profile) before the May 31, 2019, deadline qualify for lower healthcare premiums beginning
in July 2019. The current Healthy U program runs Jan. 1, 2019, through May 31, 2019. To get
started, check out the Healthy U Information Guide.
TEMPORARY FACULTY: Please note that if you are a temporary faculty member enrolled with Highmark for major medical,
you should participate in this program for it affects your premium contributions too for the upcoming 2019-20 AY.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
CLARION APSCUF 2019 FALL SCHOLARSHIPS: Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2019
Clarion APSCUF Scholarship to be awarded to six (6) Clarion University students. Any student wishing to
apply must be currently enrolled at Clarion University with a minimum of 3.2 QPA following completion of
the Fall 2018 semester. Eligibility, instructions and application can now be downloaded at
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion . Deadline for submission is Friday, March 22, 2019 @ 12:00 pm.
Please feel free to share the direct link to the application:
https://www.apscuf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Application-for-APSCUF-Scholarship-for-Fall-2019.pdf
We are asking once again for you to announce this scholarship to your students in your classes along with
posting the above link in each of your D2L course sites. Also we are asking to please display the enclosed
announcement flyer in your department where students can see it.
In advance, thank you for your assistance.
The Clarion APSCUF Scholarship Committee:
Simon Aristeguieta (Chair), Todd Lavin & Jeffrey Diamond
2019 STATE APSCUF SCHOLARSHIP: For Family Members of APSCUF/APSCURF Members Only:
State APSCUF is now accepting applications for their annual scholarship program. The scholarship award of
$3,000 will only be presented to one (1) eligible applicant in his/her higher education career in August
2019. An eligible applicant must be a “family member” of an APSCUF/APSCURF member in good standing or
an APSCUF staff member and must be enrolled at one of the fourteen (14) state-owned universities. Deadline
for application is March 1, 2019. For more information on eligibility and to download the complete
application, go to:
https://www.apscuf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/APSCUFStateScholarshipProgram2019final.pdf
February 2019
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion
3
ATTENTION APSCUF & APSCURF MEMBERS: The New Scenic Rivers YMCA is now open in
Clarion. Present your membership card OR your Member Verification Certificate from the Clarion
APSCUF/APSCURF office to the YMCA Member Service Desk and receive a special discount on your
membership. Know that your membership is for both the Oil City YMCA and the Clarion County
YMCA!
SPECIAL ELECTIONS RESULTS: Congratulations to Lacey Fulton (Communications)
who was recently elected to serve on the CCPS Committee for the spring 2019
semester only.
Nominating Petitions packets have been sent out through campus mail or via Email to off-campus faculty on February
4th. All Nominating Petitions must be returned by NOON, FRIDAY, MARCH 15 to YooJin Ha, N & E Chair, c/o APSCUF
Office, Rhea Building. Additional nominating petition forms may be obtained from the APSCUF office.
GENERAL SPRING 2019 ELECTION CALENDAR
Thursday, January 31: Nominating petitions sent to faculty and coaches and also available in the
APSCUF office
Friday, March 15: Nominating petitions due by Noon to YooJin Ha, Chair, Nominations and Elections Committee,
c/o APSCUF Office, Rhea Building
Wednesday, March 20: Candidate Statements due from candidates to be published in the Clarion APSCUF March
Newsletter (e-mail to jwalters@clarion.edu )
Thursday, March 21: Slate of candidates and statements distributed with Clarion APSCUF March newsletter
Thursday, March 28: “Meet the Candidates” Forum @ 3:30 pm in 250/252 Gemmell Student Center - Candidates
introduced; comments and questions
Tuesday, April 9: E-mail reminder of the Spring 2019 Election to be held through Survey Monkey. Included will be
the slate of candidates and their statements.
*Monday, April 15: Ballots sent for voting through Survey Monkey @ 6:00 am to campus e-mail addresses
*Tuesday, April 16: Voting continues through Survey Monkey. Deadline for voting at 2:00 pm
Tuesday, April 16: Announcement of Winners
*Note that the General Spring 2019 Elections will be held in conjunction with the Faculty Senate Elections on Monday and
Tuesday, April 15 and 16, 2019. The Faculty Senate Elections will be held through Survey Monkey, but will be a separate email ballot.
*Chapter President: 1 two-year term
*Vice President: 1 two-year term
*Secretary: 1 one-year term
*Treasurer: 1 one-year term
*Delegate to Legislative Assembly: 2 two-year term
*Alternate Delegate to Leg. Assembly: 3 two-year
term
February 2019
*Nominations and Elections Committee: 2 two-year
term
*Venango Campus Representative: 1 one-year term
*Promotion Committee: 2 three-year term
*Sabbatical Leave Committee – 2 three-year term
*Tenure Committee: 3 three-year term
*CCPS: 2 three-year term
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion
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February 2019
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February 2019
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February 2019
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February 2019
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Dear APSCUF member:
You may have received communications regarding changes to the Pennsylvania
retirement system, and we wanted to share some further information and
perspective about those changes.
Act 5 of 2017 went into effect Jan. 1, 2019, and it could have major implications
to your pension benefits, depending on whether you choose to stay with your
current plan or opt for a new option.
All employees in the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) hired before
Jan. 1, 2019, have four options, and option 1 is to keep your current plan. If
you are currently enrolled in SERS, no action is needed if you want keep your
retirement benefits as they currently are.
Should you choose to switch out of your current plan, that decision is final and
binding. All new hires after Jan. 1, 2019, will no longer be able to opt for the
current defined-benefit plan, but they can choose to enroll in an alternative
retirement plan (ARP), usually TIAA, or they can enroll in the new SERS system.
It is estimated that new hires who choose one of the new SERS options will see
their benefits fall by 6% percent, compared with the current SERS benefit.
In a recent article about the changes, Joe Torta, the SERS director of member
services, predicted that it was doubtful that many people would switch to the
new retirement plan. He said, “I’m not anticipating a lot of shifting into hybrid
because the current benefit structure [the old plan] is higher.”
To be perfectly clear, those who have objectively examined the plans agree that
the current plan is more beneficial to employees than the new plans will be.
These are the options for those currently enrolled in SERS:
1. Keep your current defined-benefit plan. This is the current benefit plan that
uses the following formula:
February 2019
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion
9
For more information on your current plan, please click here.
2. Defined-Contribution Plan: This plan is available to employees hired after Jan.
1, 2019. This plan allows employees to choose their own investments and
assume the risk, much like a 401k.
For more information on this plan, please click here.
3. Hybrid plan: A portion of your benefit will come from SERS defined benefit,
and a portion will come from SERS investment plan.
For more information on this plan, please click here.
4. Deferred compensation plan: This is a voluntary supplemental plan with taxdeferred benefits.
For more information on this plan, please click here.
If you are currently enrolled in an ARP (TIAA), no action is necessary.
Summary: Any change chosen by a current employee will result in a reduction of
retirement benefits. Furthermore, any new employee choosing the new plans
will receive less than they would if they were to enroll in TIAA, given that the
current employer contribution to ARPs is higher than the new state plans.
If you are currently in the SERS system and are thinking about switching to one of
the new options, you must do so by March 31, 2019. All changes to your pension
plan would take effect July 1, 2019.
For more information or for any questions you may have, please contact Bim
Arthun, our membership-services specialist, at barthun@apscuf.org.
February 2019
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion
10
www.apscuf.org
February 2019
Executive Committee: President – Ray Feroz; Vice President – Joyce Overly; Secretary – Christopher McCarrick; Treasurer – Linda Lillard; Delegates –
Ray Feroz, Jennifer May, Annette Rosati, Barry Sweet, Lorie Taylor; Alternate Delegates – Ellen Foster, Cristin Ketley, Jacqueline Knaust, Karl Sprenger,
Jonathan Touster; Coaches President - Sean Esterhuizen; Coaches Vice President – Al Modrzejewski; Coaches’ Grievance Chair – Eric Laughlin; Venango
Campus Rep – Renee Bloom; CAP – Joseph Croskey; DRC – Mary Buchanan; Grievance – Mark Kilwein; Health & Welfare – Amy Shannonhouse;
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 CoChairs – Jackie Knaust & Andy Lingwall; State Temporary Faculty Committee – Robb Lawrence; State APSCUF Executive Council – Joyce Overly; Meet &
Discuss Team: Ray Feroz; Barry Sweet; Joyce Overly; Adam Roberts; Mark Kilwein; Jennifer May; Mary Buchanan
The President’s Message…
Dear Colleagues,
This is our first APSCUF Newsletter since the holiday break, and I hope you had
great time off. We are now beginning the 4th week of the semester (!).
We congratulate Dr. Pam Gent on her appointment as Provost and VP for Academic Affairs. Pam can
relate to what faculty do and she has done an extraordinary job in communication. We will not
always agree on every issue, but we have a provost who we can work with. Progress!
As we begin a new year, it is time for a stony-eyed look at where we stand. Clarion University has
continued to lose enrollment; we are down around 30% from our high water mark. In fact, the entire
state system is down around 20%. This is characterized by all as “unsustainable.”
This reality is not unrelated to the Chancellor’s efforts toward system revision. He envisions us
moving toward a shared system of financially interdependent SSHE universities which benefits more
students and improves efficiency. Locally, Dr. Dale has her True North Initiative work group in
process, whose aim is to identify by April 1st 5 or 6 strategic priorities in critical Clarion University
operations.
This all sounds good but the devil will be in the details. At President Ken Mash’s invitation, Chancellor
Greenstein will address the APSCUF Legislative Assembly in Gettysburg on February 9 th where he will
provide an update on the System Redesign, answer delegate questions, and listen to concerns.
Important on the horizon is the expiration date of our CBA on June 30, 2019. Negotiations will soon
begin in earnest. In future messages, I will report on progress.
In solidarity,
Ray
February 2019
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion
1
SPRING 2019 MEETINGS
(Please mark your calendars!)
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (EC)
(Rhea Conf. Room @ 3:30 pm)
Tuesday, February 19
Tuesday, March 19
Tuesday, April 2
Tuesday, April 16 (APSCUF Spring Elections)
DEPARTMENTAL REP COUNCIL
(Rhea Conf. Room @ 3:30 PM)
Tuesday, February 12
Tuesday, March 12
Tuesday, April 9
SPRING 2019 MEET & DISCUSS @ 2:30 pm
Wednesday, February 13 – Pre-Meet & Discuss (APSCUF Office)
Friday, February 15 – Meet & Discuss (Carrier)
Friday, March 15 – Pre-Meet & Discuss (APSCUF Office)
Friday, March 22 – Meet & Discuss (Rhea)
Tuesday, April 9 – Pre-Meet & Discuss (APSCUF Office)
Friday, April 12 – Meet & Discuss (Carrier)
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING (NOTE DATE CHANGE!)
Thursday, March 28 @ 3:30 pm @ 250/252 Gemmell
*includes “Meet the Candidates” Forum
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLIES
February 7-9, 2019 (Wyndham, Gettysburg)
April 25-27, 2019 (Williamsport)
May 17, 2019 – Leadership Day (Slippery Rock)
UPDATE: GENERAL APSCUF & BARGAINING UNIT MEETING date has been changed to THURSDAY,
MARCH 28, 2019, @ 3:30 pm at 250/252 Gemmell Student Center. This will also include the “Meet
the Candidates” forum for the 2019 Spring Elections. Also, there will be a campus visit by State
APSCUF President Ken Mash. Please “pencil in” this meeting on your meeting calendar.
NOTE: Spring Elections will be held on Monday & Tuesday, April 15th & 16th through Survey Monkey.
CAMPUS VISIT: There will be a campus visit by Sara Miller of State APSCUF’s Labor Relations Department on
Tuesday, March 19, 2019. Please feel free to stop by the APSCUF office located in the Rhea Building between
1:00 - 3:00 pm to meet Sara. She will be available to answer any general contract questions.
NOTE: If you need to speak to Sara privately, please contact Jan in the APSCUF office to set up a 15 minute
appointment for you.
SPRING PAY INCREASE FOR FACULTY: You can find the Spring 2019 pay scale in the “pink cover”
Collective Bargaining Agreement on page 10. The 2.5% General Pay Increase will be effective in the
following pay periods. 20 pays – February 1st (11th pay); 26 pays – March 15th (14th pay)
WELCOME NEW & RETURNING APSCUF MEMBERS!!
Alawya Alawmai – Computer Information Science
Michael Boston – Communication Sciences & Disorders
James Chambers - Finance
Coach Charles Eger - Athletics
Karen Ervin – Library Science
Jill Godlewski - Libraries
Glenna Kanish – Human Services, Rehab, Health & Sport Sciences
Amanda Machesky - Nursing
FACULTY AND COACHES ORIENTATION INTERNSHIP - APSCUF’s faculty and coaches orientation
internship is for APSCUF members who have some local APSCUF responsibility and are interested in
expanding a working knowledge of the union. Interns spend a week in the summer in the Harrisburg
office to observe the entire spectrum of union administration. They interact with staff members who
serve in various capacities. The program aims to prepare APSCUF members for increased local and/or
state responsibilities. Click here to download an application and more information about hotels, travel,
and meals. Questions? Email Andrea Mahoney at amahoney@apscuf.org at State APSCUF. The
application with details is pm page 5 & 6 in this newsletter or you can download the application at
https://www.apscuf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/facultyinternship2016newform.pdf
February 2019
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion
2
A REMINDER to all new Fall 2018 Part-time Temporary Faculty: If you were a new part-time temp
for the fall 2018 semester and are returning to Clarion University for the spring 2019 semester, please
contact Jan Walters in the APSCUF office for a PA Faculty Health & Welfare Fund enrollment card. YES,
you do qualify for partial vision and dental coverage for you have fulfilled the obligation of serving one semester of
the previous three semesters.
NOTE: THIS IS NO COST TO YOU WHATSOEVER. Just one of the benefits from APSCUF’s collective bargaining.
For detailed coverage for part-time temporary faculty, go to http://www.pafac.com/ptbenefits.htm.
PA FACULTY HEALTH & WELFARE FUND – Members should have received your new
ID cards for United Concordia Dental and National Vision Administration. If not,
please contact the APSCUF office.
Healthy U is back online with Sharecare. On Feb. 1, 2019, Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education
released information about its revamped Healthy U Wellness Program. Employees and their enrolled
spouses/domestic partners who create a Sharecare account and complete the RealAge Test
(wellness profile) before the May 31, 2019, deadline qualify for lower healthcare premiums beginning
in July 2019. The current Healthy U program runs Jan. 1, 2019, through May 31, 2019. To get
started, check out the Healthy U Information Guide.
TEMPORARY FACULTY: Please note that if you are a temporary faculty member enrolled with Highmark for major medical,
you should participate in this program for it affects your premium contributions too for the upcoming 2019-20 AY.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
CLARION APSCUF 2019 FALL SCHOLARSHIPS: Applications are now being accepted for the Fall 2019
Clarion APSCUF Scholarship to be awarded to six (6) Clarion University students. Any student wishing to
apply must be currently enrolled at Clarion University with a minimum of 3.2 QPA following completion of
the Fall 2018 semester. Eligibility, instructions and application can now be downloaded at
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion . Deadline for submission is Friday, March 22, 2019 @ 12:00 pm.
Please feel free to share the direct link to the application:
https://www.apscuf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Application-for-APSCUF-Scholarship-for-Fall-2019.pdf
We are asking once again for you to announce this scholarship to your students in your classes along with
posting the above link in each of your D2L course sites. Also we are asking to please display the enclosed
announcement flyer in your department where students can see it.
In advance, thank you for your assistance.
The Clarion APSCUF Scholarship Committee:
Simon Aristeguieta (Chair), Todd Lavin & Jeffrey Diamond
2019 STATE APSCUF SCHOLARSHIP: For Family Members of APSCUF/APSCURF Members Only:
State APSCUF is now accepting applications for their annual scholarship program. The scholarship award of
$3,000 will only be presented to one (1) eligible applicant in his/her higher education career in August
2019. An eligible applicant must be a “family member” of an APSCUF/APSCURF member in good standing or
an APSCUF staff member and must be enrolled at one of the fourteen (14) state-owned universities. Deadline
for application is March 1, 2019. For more information on eligibility and to download the complete
application, go to:
https://www.apscuf.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/APSCUFStateScholarshipProgram2019final.pdf
February 2019
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion
3
ATTENTION APSCUF & APSCURF MEMBERS: The New Scenic Rivers YMCA is now open in
Clarion. Present your membership card OR your Member Verification Certificate from the Clarion
APSCUF/APSCURF office to the YMCA Member Service Desk and receive a special discount on your
membership. Know that your membership is for both the Oil City YMCA and the Clarion County
YMCA!
SPECIAL ELECTIONS RESULTS: Congratulations to Lacey Fulton (Communications)
who was recently elected to serve on the CCPS Committee for the spring 2019
semester only.
Nominating Petitions packets have been sent out through campus mail or via Email to off-campus faculty on February
4th. All Nominating Petitions must be returned by NOON, FRIDAY, MARCH 15 to YooJin Ha, N & E Chair, c/o APSCUF
Office, Rhea Building. Additional nominating petition forms may be obtained from the APSCUF office.
GENERAL SPRING 2019 ELECTION CALENDAR
Thursday, January 31: Nominating petitions sent to faculty and coaches and also available in the
APSCUF office
Friday, March 15: Nominating petitions due by Noon to YooJin Ha, Chair, Nominations and Elections Committee,
c/o APSCUF Office, Rhea Building
Wednesday, March 20: Candidate Statements due from candidates to be published in the Clarion APSCUF March
Newsletter (e-mail to jwalters@clarion.edu )
Thursday, March 21: Slate of candidates and statements distributed with Clarion APSCUF March newsletter
Thursday, March 28: “Meet the Candidates” Forum @ 3:30 pm in 250/252 Gemmell Student Center - Candidates
introduced; comments and questions
Tuesday, April 9: E-mail reminder of the Spring 2019 Election to be held through Survey Monkey. Included will be
the slate of candidates and their statements.
*Monday, April 15: Ballots sent for voting through Survey Monkey @ 6:00 am to campus e-mail addresses
*Tuesday, April 16: Voting continues through Survey Monkey. Deadline for voting at 2:00 pm
Tuesday, April 16: Announcement of Winners
*Note that the General Spring 2019 Elections will be held in conjunction with the Faculty Senate Elections on Monday and
Tuesday, April 15 and 16, 2019. The Faculty Senate Elections will be held through Survey Monkey, but will be a separate email ballot.
*Chapter President: 1 two-year term
*Vice President: 1 two-year term
*Secretary: 1 one-year term
*Treasurer: 1 one-year term
*Delegate to Legislative Assembly: 2 two-year term
*Alternate Delegate to Leg. Assembly: 3 two-year
term
February 2019
*Nominations and Elections Committee: 2 two-year
term
*Venango Campus Representative: 1 one-year term
*Promotion Committee: 2 three-year term
*Sabbatical Leave Committee – 2 three-year term
*Tenure Committee: 3 three-year term
*CCPS: 2 three-year term
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion
4
February 2019
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5
February 2019
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February 2019
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7
February 2019
www.apscuf.org/universities/clarion
8
Dear APSCUF member:
You may have received communications regarding changes to the Pennsylvania
retirement system, and we wanted to share some further information and
perspective about those changes.
Act 5 of 2017 went into effect Jan. 1, 2019, and it could have major implications
to your pension benefits, depending on whether you choose to stay with your
current plan or opt for a new option.
All employees in the State Employees Retirement System (SERS) hired before
Jan. 1, 2019, have four options, and option 1 is to keep your current plan. If
you are currently enrolled in SERS, no action is needed if you want keep your
retirement benefits as they currently are.
Should you choose to switch out of your current plan, that decision is final and
binding. All new hires after Jan. 1, 2019, will no longer be able to opt for the
current defined-benefit plan, but they can choose to enroll in an alternative
retirement plan (ARP), usually TIAA, or they can enroll in the new SERS system.
It is estimated that new hires who choose one of the new SERS options will see
their benefits fall by 6% percent, compared with the current SERS benefit.
In a recent article about the changes, Joe Torta, the SERS director of member
services, predicted that it was doubtful that many people would switch to the
new retirement plan. He said, “I’m not anticipating a lot of shifting into hybrid
because the current benefit structure [the old plan] is higher.”
To be perfectly clear, those who have objectively examined the plans agree that
the current plan is more beneficial to employees than the new plans will be.
These are the options for those currently enrolled in SERS:
1. Keep your current defined-benefit plan. This is the current benefit plan that
uses the following formula:
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For more information on your current plan, please click here.
2. Defined-Contribution Plan: This plan is available to employees hired after Jan.
1, 2019. This plan allows employees to choose their own investments and
assume the risk, much like a 401k.
For more information on this plan, please click here.
3. Hybrid plan: A portion of your benefit will come from SERS defined benefit,
and a portion will come from SERS investment plan.
For more information on this plan, please click here.
4. Deferred compensation plan: This is a voluntary supplemental plan with taxdeferred benefits.
For more information on this plan, please click here.
If you are currently enrolled in an ARP (TIAA), no action is necessary.
Summary: Any change chosen by a current employee will result in a reduction of
retirement benefits. Furthermore, any new employee choosing the new plans
will receive less than they would if they were to enroll in TIAA, given that the
current employer contribution to ARPs is higher than the new state plans.
If you are currently in the SERS system and are thinking about switching to one of
the new options, you must do so by March 31, 2019. All changes to your pension
plan would take effect July 1, 2019.
For more information or for any questions you may have, please contact Bim
Arthun, our membership-services specialist, at barthun@apscuf.org.
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