OH, BY THE WAY...
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, FLEXIBLE SPENDING TO LAST THROUGH OCT. 31.
Between Oct. 1 and 31, all K-State employees must go online to declare your tobacco status, make any needed changes to your health plan, enroll in a KanElect flexible spending account, if desired, or sign up for HealthyKids, if eligible.
To log on for open enrollment, go to the State's Web site: http://www.da.ks.gov/ps/subject/ssc/ and sign in. Your ID number is your unique employee ID number that is used for payroll purposes and begins with a capitalized alpha character followed by ten numbers.
If you have never enrolled online, you will need to set up an account. For the first time password, enter the first two letters of your last name in lower case followed by the last six digits of your Social Security number. Prompts will direct you from there.
If you remember your password from last year, use it. However, be sure you remember it correctly or you will be locked out and have to call the help desk. If you do not remember your password, enter your Employee ID number and then choose "Forgot Your Password." Prompts will direct you from there to setup a new password.
2010 open enrollment booklets are on their way to your campus address. Informational meetings also will be offered at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, in the K-State Student Union's Forum Hall.
Problems logging into the Web site should be directed to the state's KHPA help desk 1-866-999-3001. Questions may also be directed to your departmental specialist or K-State's office of human resources at 785-532-6277.
This process applies to coverage effective Friday, Jan. 1, 2010.
REMINDER: BENEFITS EXPO OCT. 8
K-State's annual Benefits EXPO is Thursday, Oct. 8, in the K-State Student Union Ballroom.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., representatives from Board of Regents voluntary and mandatory retirement providers; Kansas Public Employees Retirement System, or KPERS; health insurance providers; life insurance companies associated with K-State; and many other agencies will be available in the ballroom of the K-State Student Union.
Identical open enrollment health insurance informational meetings will be held at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the K-State Student Union's Forum Hall. This is an opportunity for employees to learn about any changes, review a new plan provider and get updated information for 2010.
At 12:30 p.m. in Forum Hall KPERS members may also take part in a special session presented by Alan Schuler, KPERS field representative for the state of Kansas. Those in KPERS retirement plans who want information on the plan's calculations, time in service and retirement dates should attend this session. Employees within five years of their anticipated retirement will benefit most, but all are welcome to attend.
Information about additional events may be found at http://www.k-state.edu/hr/news/newsletter.html#news1
NOMINATIONS UNDERWAY FOR COMMERCE BANK PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS CONCERNING DIVERSITY
Nominations are being accepted for the Commerce Bank Presidential Faculty/Staff Award for Distinguished Services to Historically Under-represented Students and the Commerce Bank Presidential Student Award for Distinguished Service in Enhancing Multiculturalism.
The Commerce Bank Presidential Faculty/Staff Award for Distinguished Services to Historically Under-represented Students was established in 1978 to recognize outstanding individual contributions to the development of quality education for students of color at K-State. More information, including a nomination form, can be found at http://www.k-state.edu/ddcd/CommerceBankFacultyAward.pdf
The Commerce Bank Presidential Student Award for Distinguished Service in Enhancing Multiculturalism at K-State was established in the spring of 1997 to recognize outstanding individual contributions to diversity enhancement within the student sector. More information is available at http://www.k-state.edu/ddcd/CommerceBankStudentAward.pdf
The nomination deadline is Friday, Oct. 23.
K-STATE'S CANCER CENTER HOSTING 'THINK PINK' QUILT EXHIBITION FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
K-State's Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research is host to the "Think Pink" quilt exhibition in observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October.
The exhibition, now on display, consists of quilts and other handmade items from the Konza Prairie Quilters Guild of Manhattan. The exhibition runs throughout October and can be viewed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays in 1 Chalmers Hall. The center also will have an open house from 1:30-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14.
The exhibition was spearheaded by guild members Michaeline Chance-Reay, assistant professor in women's studies and secondary education at K-State, and Charlotte and Chuck Herr.
The mission of the Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research is to further the understanding of cancers by funding basic cancer research and supporting higher education, training and public outreach. All of its programs are made possible by private donations.
More information about the center is available at http://www.cancer.k-state.edu or by calling 785-532-6705.