Holidays

Vacation Leave

Professional staff accrue 16 hours of vacation leave per month (4.8 weeks per year) beginning with the first day of employment.

• Bargaining Unit Agreements A,B,E (See Article 22)
• Bargaining Unit Agreement D (See Article 18)
• Bargaining Unit Agreement PTE (See Article 16)

Sick Leave

Professional staff accrue 8 hours of sick leave per month beginning with the first day of employment.

• Bargaining Unit Agreements A,B,E (See Article 24)
• Bargaining Unit Agreement D (See Article 19)
• Bargaining Unit Agreement PTE (See Article 17)

Personal Holidays

♦  One personal holiday per year that must be used anytime during that
   calendar year, and

♦  One winter holiday that much be used during the academic winter break

Shared Leave Program

Benefits

To insure the position in which you are interested is eligible for Benefits, please contact the Benefits department at benefits@wwu.edu, or call 360-650-7763.

Insurance

♦  WWU offers comprehensive medical plans from which you can
   choose.  There are standard, and value managed care plans, and a
   preferred provider organization (PPO).

♦  WWU provides dental benefits to you and your eligible dependents at no
   cost to you.  You have the option to select from two managed care plans
   and one Preferred Provider Organization (PPO).

♦  Routine vision care is included as part of the medical plan benefit;
   coverage levels vary between each plan.  There is no additional premium
   for vision coverage.

♦  Basic life insurance ($25,000) and accidental death and dismemberment
   insurance ($5,000) is offered to all eligible employees through ING
   company at no additional cost.  Other additional plans are available.  The
   cost of coverage for these plans is determined by your age, the amount of
   insurance you choose, and whether or not you or your spouse (if he/she is
   covered under Supplemental Spouse insurance) smokes. Additionally,
   voluntary accidental death and dismemberment insurance is offered in
   order to provide assistance when you or a dependent dies or is
   dismembered from a covered accident.

♦  The State of Washington provides a basic long-term disability (LTD)
   policy at no cost to you.  After 90 days of total disability, or after the
   period of accumulated sick leave (whichever period is longer), the
   Standard Insurance Company will pay 60% of the first $400 (to a
   maximum of $240/month).  Premiums rates vary according to the waiting
   period selected, retirement plan, and gross monthly salary.

♦  Western offers a voluntary group long-term care insurance plan through
   John Hancock Group for all eligible actively-at-work employees and their
   eligible spouse/qualified partners, parents, and parents-in-law.  The plan
   covers expenses such as conventional nursing homes, in-home nursing
   care, qualified adult day care facilities, and alternate care facilities.  Your
   age and pan election determine your monthly premium.  If you terminate
   employment, you will be able to continue your coverage at the same group
   rate.

♦  Liberty Mutual offers group discounts on auto, home, and renters
   insurance to State employees with the convenience of payroll deduction.

Retirement

• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Western Washington University Retirement Plan (WWURP)
• Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Retirement System (LEOFF)

♦  Additionally, employees may voluntarily contribute through payroll
   deduction to a tax-deferred 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Account
   (SRA) and/or The State of Washington Deferred Compensation Plan
   457(g).  These plans allow you to save additional dollars for retirement on
   a pre-tax basis and you may contribute to one or both of these plans,
   effectively doubling your retirement savings potential.

For more specific retirement information, go to the Benefits webpage, or contact Jeff Ritter at 360-650-7314.

Medical Flexible Spending Account

♦  The Medical Flexible Spending Account is an IRS-approved, tax-free
   account that saves you money on eligible medical expenses.  You
   authorize per-pay period deposits to your FSA from your before-tax
   salary (deposits are not subject to Federal, Social Security or Medicare
   taxes).  Then, as you incur eligible expenses, you request tax-free
   withdrawals from your account to reimburse yourself.  Your FSA may be
   used to cover expenses incurred by yourself, your spouse, qualifying
   children, and relatives.  You may contribute up to $2,400 each plan year. 
   You must re-enroll in the FSA program each year during open enrollment
   to be effective the following January 1.

Dependent Care Assistance Program

♦  The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) allows you to pay for
   changes that you incur for the care of your depends so that you or, if
   married, you and your spouse/qualified domestic partner may work.  This
   includes expenses for eligible dependent children (up to age 13) and may
   apply to a spouse or dependent who resides with you and is physically or
   mentally incapable of self care.  Care for eligible dependents may be
   provided inside your home or at a day care center or family day care. 
   Upon enrollment, you elect an amount to be withheld from your paycheck
   before federal and Social Security taxes are withheld.  That amount is
   deducted from your pay in equal installments throughout the upcoming
   calendar year.  The amounts set aside are then used to reimburse your
   dependent care expenses.

Voluntary Employee's Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

♦  The VEBA Medical Expense plan allows you to pay for eligible medical
   expenses on a pre-tax basis after retirement.  If you are eligible to
   participate in VEBA, WWU will deposit your cash-out of compensable
   unused sick leave at retirement, tax free to a VEBA trust account.  The
   opportunity for you to participate in VEBA at retirement is dependent
   upon your employee classification.

Employee Recreation and Wellness Programs

Wade King Fitness Center

♦  The Wade King Recreation Center offers many activities for students,
   faculty and staff including a rock climbing wall, three weight and cardio
   areas, three court gym, pool and whirlpool, wellness room and more! 
   Take advantage of their personal trainers and fitness classes that range
   from aerobics to Pilates to Muay Thai kickboxing.

Outdoor Center

♦  The Outdoor Center provides instructional tips; books, maps, magazines,
   and videos; rental equipment, including kayaks, rafts, backpacking, and
   cross-country ski packages; a do-it-yourself (with help from the staff)
   bicycle repair and retail facility; and excursions from the channels and bays
   of the San Juan Islands to the slopes of Mt. Baker and beyond.  The
   Center is open Monday through Friday when school is in session.

Lakewood Watersport Facility

♦  Lakewood is located on Lake Whatcom.  It is a 4,000 square-foot
   facility with a boat house, meeting lounge, and locker rooms.  The
   beachfront site has a sand volleyball court, picnic tables and BBQ's, hiking
   trails, and a Ropes Challenge Course.  Equipment for sailing, kayaking
   and canoeing is available for rent by students, faculty, and staff.

Viqueen Lodge at Sinclair Island

♦  Viqueen Lodge is a 800-square-foot old-growth fir lodge and is located
   on 12.2 acres on Sinclair Island at the gateway to the San Juan Island. 
   The rustic atmosphere, with no electricity, is softened by propane lights,
   stove, and fridge, as well as an air-tight wood stove for heating.  The
   lodge is available year-round and can be used by students, faculty, and
   staff of WWU.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

♦  The Health Promotion Network Employee Assistance Program of St.
   Joseph's Hospital offers free, confidential, professional assistance to help
   employees and families resolve problems that affect their personal lives
   and job performance.  The EAP provides all types of services ranging
   from individual counseling to referrals for financial and legal issues.

Employee Health and Wellness

♦  WWU employees are considered a valuable asset for the University and
   therefore, employee health is very important.  The University's
   Environmental Health and Safety department provides information to
   assist employee's in beginning and/or continuing the pursuit of healthy
   lifestyle choices that can contribute to better enjoyment of their lives.

Center for Healthy Living

♦  The Center for Healthy Living was formed in 2002 to bring together a
   group of faculty and staff who were independently interested and working
   on health and wellness issues in the community and on the campus of
   Western Washington University.

Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic

♦  The University's Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic serves Whatcom
   County and the University community in providing diagnosis and treatment
   of speech, language or hearing disorders in both children and adults.  Staff
   employees and their families can utilize the services of this clinic for a
   reduced fee.

Skills and Professional Development

• Technology Training
• Environmental Health and Safety Training

Other Perks

Tuition Exemption

♦  As a permanent, halftime or more employee, you may enroll in most of
   Western's academic programs, tuition-free, for the purpose of career
   enhancement on a space-available basis.

Credit Union Membership

♦  All employees are eligible for membership at Whatcom Educational
   Credit Union (WECU).  WECU offers a Summer Savings plan which is
   open to all Faculty and Cyclic staff.  You can set up a savings account at
   WECU and elect a percentage of gross income to be deposited for use
   during your cyclic leave.

Bookstore

♦  Western's Associated Students Bookstore provides employees a 10%
   discount on eligible purchases.  (Items not included in the discount are
   textbooks, computer hardware, software and peripherals, calculators an
   diploma frames.)

Faculty Club

♦  Faculty Club is open to all Faculty and Professional Staff and is a great
   opportunity to meet employees from other departments and colleges on
   campus at a weekly gathering at the Canada House from 4 - 6pm on
   Fridays during the fall, winter, and spring quarters.

A Campus of Excellence

First Among Top Master's Granting Universities

♦ For the 11th consecutive year, Western Washington University is ranked
   first among top public master's -granting universities in the Pacific
   Northwest and second in the West, according to the 2008 U.S. News &
   World Report college rankings.  Only two public schools are ranked in
   the top 20 among master's-granting universities in the West, a region
   stretching from Texas to the Pacific.

MBA Program Ranked in Top 100

♦  Western Washington University's MBA Program has been ranked in the
   top 100 programs worldwide by Aspen Institute.  WWU's program
   finished 87th out of approximately 600 business schools invited to
   participate in the survey.

Distinguished Lecture Series

♦  The President's distinguished lectures are designed to enhance
   understanding and vision, to challenge prevailing modes of thought, and to
   expand our range of interests.  Past presenter's include playwright Edward
   Albee, author Maya Angelou, civil rights leader Coretta Scott King,
   anthropologist Jane Goodall, futurist Freeman Dyson, super-string theorist
   Brian Green, and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

WWU Goes Green

Office of Sustainability

♦  Western Washington University strives to be a national leader in campus
   sustainability.  From our commitment to green energy and waste reduction
   to WWU's sustainability committee and sustainability-minded courses,
   WWU incorporates sustainability into many areas of campus operations
   and academics.  The Office of Sustainability is dedicated to furthering
   Western's strategic goal of campus sustainability.

Environmental Center

♦  The Environmental Center provides various types of resources to
  students and other community members about local, national and
   international environmental issues.  Speakers are brought to campus and
   present fun and educational programs throughout the year, including the
   annual Earth Day Fair in the spring.  The center provides volunteer
   opportunities and facilitates student involvement in local environmental
   conferences and campaigns.

Recycle Center

♦  In 1971, Western Washington University became one of the first
   universities in the United States to have a campus recycling program.  The
   A.S. Recycle Center continues to be unique among it's kind: it's student
   run!  Everyday the center collects 3,800 pounds of recyclables from
   Western's campus, continuing our commitment to reducing waste stream
   and lightening our burden on the environment.