Online Edition | Washington State University | Pullman, Washington | Friday, January 11, 2002

News
Briefs

Call for Employee Excellence nominations
February 8 is the deadline for nominations to this award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the university by WSU classified staff and administrative professional employees. Anyone at WSU may nominate someone, including previous nominees. Nominations (500 words or less) should focus on the employee’s productivity, innovative problem solving, community service, and working relationship with students, the public and co-workers.

Submit the nomination form to the Office of the Associate Vice Provost for Human Relations and Diversity, 134 French Administration Building, Pullman, WA, 99164-1013. Direct questions about the program to Ken Spitzer, 335-9141. Direct questions about employee eligibility to Texas Ann Robinson, 335-8888.

Emergency response plan forum Jan. 29
The Emergency Response Steering Committee will present its second university-wide forum on the emergency response plan at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, in the CUB Senior Ballroom. This important forum, geared for department representatives, should last about two hours. Discussion will include the need for area and department-level plans, with examples and assistance available.

Contact fadness@wsu.edu to RSVP or to send notice that your department has no representative for the forum.

PERS Plan 3 transfer reminder
Active PERS Plan 2 members must decide before Aug. 31 if they want to change their retirement plan. The first date to begin PERS Plan 3 participation is March 1.

Two-hour, transfer education seminars (Pullman and statewide), are already underway to assist participants. Seminars include financial modeling software that can calculate an individual’s retirement benefit projections.

Those choosing Plan 3 will benefit from early participation. For a complete list of seminars available through WSU, see www.wsu.edu/benpay/benefits/training/pers3seminars.htm. To register for a seminar, go to www.icmarc.org/pers/transfer/seminars.html, or to access the financial modeling software go to www.icmarc.org/pers/transfer/index.html. Phone support is available toll free at 888-711-8773, and e-mail assistance at pershelp@icmarc.org.

These resources, offered by the Department of Retirement Services, are the only authorized sources of transfer decision information. WSU Benefits and Payroll Services cannot advise you on your options. Additional seminars on investing begin March 1.

Faculty women slate pregame meeting
The Association of Faculty Women invites women faculty and administrative professionals to its first meeting of the year on Thursday, Jan. 17, prior to the WSU women’s basketball game against Stanford. The evening begins at the Beasley Coliseum Cougar Lounge, with a social at 5 p.m. and dinner at 5:30. The guest speakers, scheduled 6:15 – 7 p.m., are women’s basketball head coach, Genevieve Przekwas, and members of the athletic medicine staff. The game begins at 7 p.m.

Cost is $10 and includes pizza, beverages and admission to the game. RSVP by Monday, Jan. 14, to Vicki Croft, croft@wsu.edu or send campus mail to Croft at zip 6512.

For further information, contact Croft or see we AFW Web site at www.wsu.edu/afw.

TIAA-CREF personal finance advice available
TIAA-CREF representative Adrian Vroegindewey is coming to Pullman to discuss retirement planning and personal finances. Make your appointment for Jan. 15-17 by visiting www.tiaa-cref.org/moc.

If you have questions, contact Sherre Pruden by e-mail at spruden@tiaa-cref.org, or call Sherre or Leon Roberts at 877-209-3142.

TIAA-CREF representatives will travel to branch campuses that have not had a recent visit, early in 2002.

Use new form for accident, injury reports
All accident, injury or occupational illness reports for incidents occurring after Jan. 1 require the use of a new 2002 Incident Report form, which meets federally mandated changes.

You can access the new forms at the Procedures & Forms Web site at www.wsu.edu/~forms and going to the Safety Policies and Procedures Manual section on Accident Reporting and Follow-up (S25). The form can either be completed online and printed or printed and completed by hand. Copy and route completed forms per the instructions at the bottom of the form.

If you have questions, please contact Ed Havey at 335-5311 or havey@wsu.edu.

FedEx courier pickup still okay without fee
Contrary to previous information, the university’s contract with Federal Express exempts WSU departments from the courier pickup charge that went into effect Jan. 7, 2002. Please disregard any notice from Federal Express saying the exemption was being eliminated. If you have further questions, contact Federal Express at 800-463-3339.

WSU Presents not airing Sunday nights
Washington State University’s television show, "WSU Presents," can no longer be seen on Sunday evenings, according to Robert A. Curry, producer/director of KWSU/KTNW Public Television.