University Newsletter, Home Page

Beginning on Sept. 22, a VALIC counselor will be on campus the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Sullivan Room, MLK Jr. Union. Hours for these visits are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; appointments will have priority. To make an appointment, please call Jennifer O'Laughlin at 217-493-9097.

VALIC is an EIU-approved tax-sheltered annuity provider who can assist employees with financial and retirement planning.

The state of Illinois has issued the following statement in regards to the difficult funding situation which has significantly impacted the State Employees’ Group Insurance Program through the delay of claim payments under the Quality Care Dental Plan and the Quality Care Health Plan (CIGNA). A brief explanation of the cause of the delay of claim payment for the Quality Care Health Plan and Quality Care Dental Plan can be found here.

If you are enrolled in the DENTAL insurance, you (or your provider) will experience this delayed payment. If you are enrolled in an HMO or the Open Access Plan, your medical claims have NOT been affected.

The Benefits Office has been notified by Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital that doctors formerly affiliated with HealthLink’s Tier II network are now Tier I providers. The change was effective as of July 15, 2009. Please see PAGE 9 at this link for a summary of Tier I benefits. If you have questions or would like further explanation, please call our office at 581-5825.

Please remember to sign up for the option to print your own W-2 online. The new year is fast approaching and once again it's time to start thinking about taxes. Employees of EIU will again have the option of receiving their W-2 forms online. By completing an online consent, employees will have online access to their W-2s 24 hours a day (with a few exceptions), and will no longer have to be dependent on the mail.

An electronic consent to receive your W-2 online must be done through PAWS (Panther Access to Web Services). PAWS can be accessed by going to EIU's home page and following the links, or going directly to the PAWS sign-on page. Once in PAWS, click the "Employee" tab at the top of the page, click on "Tax Forms," and finally click on "Electronic W-2 Consent" in the Tax Forms menu. Read the explanation of electronic consent and then check the box under "My Choice." Electronic consents will remain in effect unless revoked. Employees who provided consent last year for electronic W-2s are already set up.

Remember, the quickest and easiest way to receive your 2009 W-2 is to access it online. Employees who do not have a sign-on for PAWS can contact the Information Technology Help Desk at 581-HELP to get set up. Contact the Payroll Office at 581-2214 or 581-5510 for questions concerning electronic W-2s.

Many questions have arisen as to whether or not a second Benefit Choice period will be offered this year. As to the current knowledge of the Benefits Office, no, this will not be presented as an option. Benefit selections will remain in effect until the Benefits Choice period of May 2010, with changes during this time taking effect July 1, 2010.

Spring registration is in full gear. With that said, please remember to submit your tuition waiver(s) to the Benefits Office in a timely manner! Timely submission ensures quick turn-around time and credit of any tuition waivers on your student account.

The assignment of a proxy for timesheet approval is an important aspect of an approver’s role in managing the review and approval of employee timesheets. With the flu season in full swing and the upcoming holidays just around the corner, setting up proxies allows others to act on the behalf of the approver to process department time entry. Put simply, designating one or more proxies becomes a back-up plan for timesheet approval. For step-by-step instructions on how to set up a proxy, visit this site.

The final pay day for tax year 2009 for all monthly paid employees (faculty, civil service exempt, graduate assistants and A&P) will be on Monday, Nov. 30. If you still wish to make changes to your tax status or a final 403b contribution for the tax year, please submit that information to the Benefits and/or Payroll offices no later than Friday, Nov. 13. Monthly employees will receive their December 2009 pay on Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.

Students and grad assistants report address changes to the Records Office, located on the first floor of Old Main. Faculty and staff report address changes to the Employment Office, located on the second floor of Old Main. Keeping your address updated will assure that you receive all of your important mail, including your W-2, at the correct address. You may also give Employment your campus address and phone number so the online directory will be correct.

Human Resources