University of the Southwest
Summary of Benefits
All full time employees are eligible for benefits. Benefit eligible new employees have the opportunity to enroll in insurance plans within the first fifteen days of employment.
Medical Insurance ~ Medical insurance is available at the time of hire for all eligible employees. The effective date of coverage is the first of the month following the date of hire. Coverage is available for employees and their dependents. We contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield. as our provider. If coverage is not taken at the time of hire it may not be added except during the annual open enrollment period or within 30 days of a valid family status change.
Dental Insurance ~ Dental insurance is available to eligible employees at the time of hire with an effective date of coverage on the first of the month following the date of hire. Coverage is available for employees and their dependents through BC & BS. Dental insurance may be added during the annual open enrollment period or within 30 days of a valid family status change. A vision discount card is available with this dental plan.
Vision Insurance ~ additional vision insurance is available to eligible employees at the time of hire with an effective date of coverage on the first of the month following the date of hire. Coverage is available for employees and their dependents through VSP vision. Vision insurance may be added during the annual open enrollment period or within 30 days of a valid family status change.
Life Insurance ~ All benefit eligible employees will receive a $50,000 Term Life Policy and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company at the time of hire, courtesy of University of the Southwest.
Long Term Disability Insurance ~ University of the Southwest provides Long Term Disability Insurance to all eligible employees.
Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account ~ The option of assigning specific salary amounts under Section 125 of the IRS code which will not be taxed by federal, state or FICA taxes is available.
Retirement Plan ~ All eligible employees are able to participate in the University 403(b) retirement plan with GuideStone. All eligible employees are able to make voluntary employee contributions upon employment. The University’s contribution will begin after the employee meets the eligibility requirements. Highly compensated employees and adjunct faculty members are not eligible for the University’s contribution.
Tuition Reimbursement ~ The University supports the ongoing professional and personal development of its employees; therefore, full time employees are eligible for 100% tuition waiver of undergraduate tuition upon the first day of service. The waiver shall apply to tuition only. The tuition waiver benefit is also available to the spouses and dependents of full time employees.
Council for Independent Colleges ~ USW is a member of the CIC tuition exchange program. This network of colleges and universities is willing to accept a limited number of tuition free children from families of full time employees of other CIC institutions. For further information go to www.cic.edu
Leave Benefits
Paid Holidays ~ A list of officially recognized paid holidays is observed by staff, as well as, the week including Thanksgiving Day, the week of Christmas Day and Spring Break. Please see the Holiday Schedule.
Vacation ~ Leave will be earned at the rate of 6.667 hours for each month of service for full time staff employees. Staff members employed for ten consecutive years will earn vacation leave at the rate of 10 hours for each month of service. After twenty consecutive years of full time service, employees will earn vacation leave at the rate of 13.333 hours for each month of service. Employees must use accrued vacation within one year following the fiscal year in which it is accrued.
Sick Leave ~ Full time staff shall earn leave at the rate of four hours for each month of service.
Personal Leave ~ One day per fiscal year is available for personal business affairs upon completion of six months employment.
Bereavement Leave ~ Employees will be granted up to five days paid leave in the event of the death of a spouse, children, children-in-law, parent, parent-in-law or grandchild and three days paid leave in the event of the death of a grandparent, brother, sister or brother/sister in-law in order to attend the funeral and/or take care of final arrangements.
Court Leave ~ Eligible full time employees will be granted leave with pay to attend court as a juror or witness duty. A copy of the subpoena is required.
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) ~ Employees may be eligible for up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons, including the employee’s own serious health condition. Please apply in writing through the Personnel Office.
All employee benefits are subject to change at the discretion of the University. For the most current information, please call the Director of Personnel Services.
Veronica Torrez
575-492-2146
vtorrez@USW.edu