6.0 Fringe Benefits

Table of Contents

  1. Fringe Benefits

    1. Statutory

      1. Workers' Compensation

        The University provides workers' compensation coverage for employees in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri. For details concerning coverage and benefits, contact the business office.

        Employees are required to report any job-related illnesses or injuries to their supervisor immediately and fill out an accident-injury report as soon as is feasible after an accident or injury occurs.

      2. Unemployment Compensation

        The University provides unemployment insurance coverage for employees in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri. For detailed information concerning coverage and benefits, contact the business office.

      3. Social Security

        The University provides social security insurance in accordance with the laws of the United States. For details concerning coverage and benefits, contact the local office of the Social Security Administration or the business office of the University.

      4. Pursuant to and in conjunction with the State Legal Expense Fund, Section 105.711, R.S.Mo., et seq., it is the policy of the University to provide legal defense of any claim covered by Sections 105.711 to 105.726, regarding conduct of any officer or employee of the University arising out of and performed in connection with his or her official duties on behalf of the University. When questions arise as to whether or not the conduct in question would be covered by Sections 105.711 to 105.726, the University may consult and obtain the advice of the Attorney General of the State of Missouri. The University may also proceed with a defense under a reservation of rights, under which the officer or employee may subsequently become liable and responsible for the expense of such defense upon a finding that the conduct was not or would not have been covered by Sections 105.711 to 105.726.

    2. University Sponsored Fringe Benefits

      The following benefits are provided to full-time members of the ranked faculty. Unrankeded faculty members appointed for a full academic year are also covered by benefits described in this section. Benefits are not available to unranked faculty members appointed for less than a full academic year (i.e., one-semester appointments). In addition, the University provides access to a number of voluntary benefits programs such as the Missouri Cafeteria plan. Some benefits may be extended to spouses, domestic partners and dependents. The descriptive statement provided for each benefit is a summary statement. Details of coverage and benefits may be obtained from the office of human resources of the University. The University reserves the right in compliance with law to change carriers and benefit plan provisions during an academic year, provided all available coverage is maintained.

      Some benefits may be applied to dependents (in some cases requiring that the faculty member pay the monthly premium through payroll deductions). For the purpose of benefits:

      • An eligible dependent shall be defined as provided in Section 152 of the United States Internal Revenue Code. In addition, a child(ren) of divorced or separated parents is treated as a dependent of both parents where (1) the parents are divorced, legally separated or separated under a written separation agreement; (2) the child(ren) receives over half of his/her support from his/her parents; and (3) the child(ren) is in the legal custody of one or both parents for more than half the calendar year.
      • A domestic partner is defined as a person who meets all of the following criteria: (1) be at least 18 years old and mentally competent to consent to contracts; (2) have shared the same permanent residence and the common necessities of life with the employee for at least the previous 12 months; (3) not be legally married to anyone else in any state; (4) not be related by blood or a degree of closeness to the employee that would prohibit legal marriage in the State of Missouri; (5) have a single dedicated relationship with the employee of at least 12 months; (6) and not be a renter, boarder or tenant of the employee.

      1. Employee Group Insurance Plan

        The University provides for the faculty member medical, dental and life insurance and long-term disability coverage, with the premiums paid by the University. Optional supplemental life and dependent coverage is available at the covered faculty member's option and expense. See the summary plan description or contact the University's office of human resources.

      2. Cafeteria Plan

        The University participates in the Missouri State Employees' Cafeteria Plan which allows full- time regular employees to contribute to certain benefit plans on a before-tax basis. The plan allows employee contributions for optional insurance coverage and flexible spending accounts for reimbursable health care expenses and child/ dependent care expenses to be taken from each paycheck before taxes are calculated. Information regarding the Cafeteria Plan is available in the office of human resources. Refer also to http://www.mocafe.com.

      3. Pension

        The terms of retirement plans are established by Missouri statute. All new faculty on full-time, regular appointment, hired on or after July 1, 2002, who have never been enrolled in the Missouri State Employee's Retirement System (MOSERS) will be enrolled in the College and University Retirement Plan (CURP). All faculty on full-time, regular appointment hired prior to July 1, 2002, are members of MOSERS. CURP is a non-contributory 401(a) defined contribution retirement plan which uses TIAA-CREF as its third party administrator. CURP offers interstate portability, immediate vesting and no minimum service requirement. Contributions made by the University are self-directed by participants into their selected individual accounts. After participating in CURP for six years, a faculty member may elect to become a member of MOSERS. Faculty members hired prior to July 1, 2002 are members of MOSERS.

      4. Annuities

        Faculty members may elect to participate in a tax-sheltered annuity program at their expense. The University's business office will, upon request, provide a list of approved companies from which the faculty member may seek additional information. Refer to Human Resources. The details of each annuity program are subject to control by the offering company and not by the University. Coverage, benefits and other details are subject to the agreement between the faculty member and the company and the University is not responsible for such matters. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, maintenance of this benefit is subject to the continuing availability of companies willing and able to provide qualified annuity products.

      5. Educational Assistance

        1. Credit Course Fees

          Faculty members may enroll for up to fifteen (15) credit hours in University coursework in an academic year (12-month period beginning with fall semester) and have their required tuition and student fees paid by the University. Faculty members must pay the required tuition and student fees for all courses over fifteen credit hours per academic year. This benefit is not applicable to out-of-state fees, noncredit courses, book costs or any special fee pertaining to a specific class or private instruction.

          Eligible faculty members may assign part or all of the 15-credit-hour benefit to a spouse, domestic partner or dependent. An eligible dependent shall be defined as provided in section 152 of the United States Internal Revenue Code. In addition, a child(ren) of divorced or separated parents is treated as a dependent of both parents where (1) the parents are divorced, legally separated or separated under a written separation agreement; (2) the child(ren) receives over half of his/her support from his/her parents; and (3) the child(ren) is in the legal custody of one or both parents for more than half the calendar year. The individual receiving the enrollment benefit must file an application for admission or readmission with the office of admissions and meet all admissions and academic requirements stipulated in the Missouri State University-West Plains catalog.

          The University will comply with Internal Revenue Code regulations in regard to reporting benefits that are taxable income. To determine tax liability with regard to this benefit, consult a tax advisor.

          Faculty members applying for this benefit must submit to the office of human resources at least five working days prior to registering, a completed Personnel Form (PD-010) Request for University Course Enrollment Employee Benefit Voucher. The office of human resources will check the request for eligibility and the number of credit hours requested, then return the approved request to the employee. The office of human resources will monitor by computer to see when the employee (or spouse or dependent) registers for class. When the student is registered, the office of human resources will pay the educational benefit fees directly to the University. If the educational benefits are only partial payment, the student would need to apply the outstanding balances according to the fee payment deadlines published in the Class Schedule. The employee must request educational benefits prior to fee payment; cash refunds will not be made.

        2. Noncredit Course Fees

          Faculty members may receive assistance with course fees to enroll for noncredit courses offered by the University through the office of public affairs and the extended campus, the Management Development Institute in the Center for Business and Economic Development, the Small Business Development Center in the Center for Business and Economic Development, Campus Recreation Fitness and Wellness Program and Academic Development Center sponsored courses and seminars. The University will pay up to one-half of the course fees, but no more than $150 per employee, per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). The partial fee benefit will be for course fees only and will not be applicable to special book fees, lab fees or other special fees in addition to the course fees. The fee assistance is for the faculty member only. It cannot be assigned to a dependent.

          To receive the enrollment benefit, the eligible faculty member must register for the class through the office of academic affairs. Faculty members applying for this benefit must submit to the Missouri State University-West Plains business office, a completed Request for Educational Benefits form. Upon approval, the request will be returned to the employee with a fee voucher to be presented at fee payment time. The voucher must be obtained prior to paying fees; a cash refund will not be made.

      6. University Facilities and Services

        Faculty members have access to the following facilities and activities at no charge or at reduced rates in accordance with policies prescribing access to each service or facility: Grizzly athletic competitions, Drago College Store, campus publications, Putnam student center, West Plains Civic Center swimming pool and fitness center (during Missouri State University days), Southwest Teachers Credit Union.

        Further information regarding these services may be obtained in the business office.

      7. Notary Public

        Notary services are provided free of charge. Contact the office of student services (417) 255-7225.