Furman University

Benefit Summary

Furman University strives to provide you with benefit options that meet the needs of yourself and your family. This document is an overview of the benefits for full-time employees. Details of each benefit option are available in the Office of Human Resources.

VACATION

Furman University provides paid vacation for full-time employees as follows:

Years of Service	Vacation Days	Maximum Accrual
0 - 5	10	27.0 days
5 - 10	12	32.4
10 - 15	15	40.5
15 - 20	17	45.9
20 +	20	54.0

Some departments may require their employees to take vacation at a specific time. Vacations for these employees will be scheduled when students are not on campus or as designated by the Department Head. Rules for taking vacation are covered in the Policies and Procedures manual.

SICK LEAVE

Full-time employees will be paid for time lost through specified illness-related absences during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) and will accrue at the rate of (1) day for each month of service, up to ten (10) working days per fiscal year. The Policies and Procedures manual defines the rules for taking sick leave.

HOLIDAYS

The following days will be recognized as paid holidays by the University:

New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
Friday before Easter
Memorial Day
Independence Day (July 4)
Labor Day
Thanksgiving
Day after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Day after Christmas
New Year's Eve

Some departments must operate during holidays scheduled by the University. Holidays for these departments are covered in the Policies and Procedures manual.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

You have the option of choosing between two different plans under Cigna Health Care. Furman and the employee share the cost of these plans. A summary of the CORE and BASIC coverage plans are available in the Office of Human Resources for your review.

DENTAL INSURANCE

Dental insurance, through Delta Dental, covering preventative care, basic and major dental treatment and orthodontia is available as an option to employees. Dental insurance is funded by the employee.

VISION INSURANCE

Employees may enroll in a VSP Vision Care plan.  You will get great savings on your eye exam and eyewear, and discounts on laser vision correction.  Vision insurance is funded by the employee. 

GROUP LIFE INSURANCE

Term life insurance equal to one and one-half times annual earnings rounded to the nearest $1000 is available for all employees (maximum $150,000; minimum $5,000) through Sun Life. This term life includes Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance coverage. Dependent life insurance of $2500 is available for the spouse of an employee and up to $2500 for each dependent child, depending on the child's age. Furman and the employee share the cost of this policy.

TERM LIFE INSURANCE

Optional term life insurance is available through Sun Life. This is a 5 year renewable plan for employees, spouses, and dependent children. The premium is based on the amount of coverage selected and the age of the insured. Term Life Insurance is funded by the employee.

CANCER INSURANCE

Cancer insurance which covers medical costs associated with cancer treatment and pays directly to the employee is available as an option to employees. This insurance pays in addition to the group medical insurance coverage. Cancer insurance is funded by the employee.

ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT (AD&D)

AD&D provides coverage in the event of an accident resulting in dismemberment or death of an employee or their dependent(s). The amount of coverage varies, depending on the AD&D plan you choose. Employees who want additional AD&D coverage may choose this option which is funded by the employee.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA) PLANS

Furman employees have the option of participating in a Flexible Spending Plan for Medical Reimbursement and/or Dependent Care Deductions.  Payroll deductions set up in the FSA plan are subtracted from your gross income before taxes are calculated, therefore, reducing the tax amount on your paycheck.  Enrollment in this plan takes place once a year (during November) so employees can define their payroll deductions for the next calendar year.

SHORT-TERM DISABILITY

Short-term disability insurance is available to full-time staff.  The plan will help provide financial security in the event of disability caused by injury, sickness or pregnancy.  The plan will provide coverage after seven consecutive days of approved absences with a doctor's certification and will provide weekly payments for up to 13 weeks of disability.  The plan provides a weekly income benefit equal to 60% of your base salary, up to a maximum weekly benefit of $1000.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY

A total disability benefit program is available to full-time employees. The Monthly Income Benefit, including any income benefits payable from Social Security for the employee or dependents, Worker's Compensation, and any disability benefits payable under any insurance or retirement plan sponsored by the University, is equal to 60 percent of the Covered Monthly Salary as of the date the disability began (maximum $7000 monthly). Monthly benefit payments begin after 90 calender days of continuous Total Disability. Premiums are paid by the employee.

RETIREMENT

Employees who are eligible for the retirement plan will be eligible to receive contributions from the University on the first day of the month after two (2) continuous years of service at the University and after attaining age 21.

Contributions by the University are applied to individual annuities or accounts by TIAA-CREF and Fidelity Investments. The University's contributions to this retirement plan will be made every pay period during the years of participation, except for times in which no salary is paid, in accordance with the following schedule:


If an employee has prior service at another eligible employer or has tenure at Furman University, these time frames may differ.

In addition to the percentage paid by the University, the employee may make tax deferred contributions to the retirement program on a voluntary basis beginning anytime after his/her employment date.

Upon retirement or termination, the participant may elect to receive a lump sum, monthly or other periodic income under the terms of his or her account or annuity contracts.

TUITION SCHOLARSHIPS

The University makes tuition benefits available after two years of service to full-time employees and their eligible dependents in three major categories.  Only one of the three options is available at a time. See Tuition Benefit Policy for details.

1. The University makes available Furman tuition scholarships to full-time faculty or staff and their dependents who meet the admissions requirements for the undergraduate or graduate programs at Furman and are enrolled to complete a degree.  

2. The University participates in the tuition exchange programs for dependent children of full-time faculty and staff with other private colleges of the Associated Colleges of the South (www.colleges.org) and with colleges in the Tuition Exchange, Inc. (www.tuitionexchange.org).  Dependents are eligible to apply for a Tuition Exchange award but are not guaranteed a scholarship.

3. The University provides a cash tuition scholarship to dependent children of full-time faculty or staff who are full-time students pursuing a degree at an accredited undergraduate two-year or four-year college or university.

In addition, the University provides a Job Related Tuition Reimbursement Benefit to all full-time staff who attend accredited colleges or universities and take job-related courses. The University will reimburse the employee up to $250 per semester and up to a maximum of $500 per year for courses that have been pre-approved by the department manager and a Human Resources representative. A grade of "C" or better must be obtained to receive reimbursement.

WORKER'S COMPENSATION

Worker's Compensation insurance is provided for on-the-job injuries. Worker's Compensation insurance will pay the employee's medical bills and will pay 100% of the salary as long as the employee's disability continues. The entire premium is paid by the University.

DIRECT DEPOSIT

New employees will have their pay deposited directly to their bank accounts. Forms for initiating Direct Deposit will be completed during the sign-up period. Forms are available on the Human Resources website at http://www2.furman.edu/sites/HR/Pages/EmployeeForms.aspx for current employees who wish to sign-up or make changes to their direct deposit.

BANK/ATMS

Automatic tellers for Bank of America and Wells Fargo are located in the lower level of the Trone Student Center across from the Post Office. A BB&T automatic teller is located in the breezeway entrance of the Administration Building between Furman Hall and the Administration Building (24 hour access).

WELLNESS PROGRAM

Furman University sponsors programs throughout the year to promote a healthy lifestyle among its employees. Programs include physical fitness, nutrition, health screenings, flu shots, etc. and are either free or available at a nominal cost to employees. Wellness programs are announced through newsletters distributed on campus and on the university calendar.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES CENTER

The Herman W. Lay Physical Activities Center (PAC) is available for employees and their families. Identification cards for family members may be obtained from the PAC office. The PAC has an Olympic-size swimming pool, exercise equipment, two gymnasiums, a dance studio, human performance labs, weight rooms, racquetball courts and many other physical fitness facilities. The Fitness Center Assistants are available to assist you with the PAC's equipment in the design of a personalized exercise program. To schedule an appointment for a consultation, call 294-3581.

SPORTSMEDICINE CENTER

The Sportsmedicine Center is an outpatient rehab facility owned and operated by the University.  The Center is available to employees and their families, as well as the public.  The Sportmedicine Center utilizes professionals in the fields of sports medicine and physical therapy to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to patient care.  Patients are seen on a physician referral basis.  Fees can be filed with your insurance carrier.  The Center is recognized as a provider with the employee health plan.  To schedule an appointment call 294-2130.

CHARLES E. DANIEL DINING HALL

The Dining Hall, which serves cafeteria style meals three times daily, has a faculty/staff dining room which is available to employees and their families. You may also dine in the main dining hall for a reasonable price and join the students in the "food court" selections.

PALA-DEN FOOD COURT/TOWER CAFE

The short order snack bar, located in the University Center, serves sandwiches, pizza, ice cream, soft drinks, etc., and is available to employees and their families.

BOOKSTORE - Barnes & Noble

Located in the University Center, the Bookstore offers a 10% discount to employees on gifts, insignia merchandise (clothing, etc.) and trade books.  A 30% discount is offered on purchases of gifts and insignia merchandise during the month of the employee’s birthday.  Furman ID must be shown to receive these discounts.

JAMES B. DUKE LIBRARY

Employees of Furman and their families may use the Furman Library for checking out books, studying, or leisurely reading. For more information, call the library at 294-2190.

CAREER SERVICES

The Career Services Office is available to staff members who are interested in promotion or transfer by assisting with writing resumes and discussing job search strategies. Career Services professionals are trained to administer the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator for staff members who would like to take these vocational assessment inventories. For a small fee, the Myers-Briggs can be administered to departments for staff development. For more information, call Career Services at 294-2106.

BUSINESS & EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

The University participates in the Business & Education Partnership Program sponsored by the Greenville County School District. This community-oriented program offers employees volunteer opportunities in the areas of tutoring and 7th grade shadowing. The participating schools are Northwest Crescent Child and Family Services Center, Heritage Elementary School, Lakeview Middle School and Parker Middle School.

CONTINUING EDUCATION - Learning for You

Faculty, staff, and their dependents are eligible for discounts to many of the courses offered in the Learning for You Program.  Courses range from sports lessons to money management to children’s programs.  Interested employees can call the Continuing Education office at 294-3134 for information on discounts.

CHAPLAIN'S OFFICE

The Chaplain's Office offers pastoral care and counseling to Furman employees and their family members. The Chaplains assist with individual and family concerns, hospital visitations and perform services for funerals and weddings. The Chaplain's Office also counsels and consults with ministers and social service agencies in the larger community and can assist with referrals. For more information, call 294-2138.

COUNSELING OFFICE

The Counseling Office has two full-time counselors who work primarily with students. However, the counselors will be available to consult with employees and then refer them to an outside resource or agency. Call 294-3031 for more information.

FURMAN SPORTING EVENTS

All Furman employees and their immediate family may attend by showing their ID card on game days (be sure to stop by Human Resources prior to game day for a sticker on the ID card).  Discounted season tickets are also available to full-time employees for football and basketball games. 

THEATER AND MUSICAL PRODUCTIONS

Furman employees receive discounts for theater productions and musical concerts presented periodically throughout the year. During the summer months, the Lakeside Concert Band performs by the lake one night a week at no cost.

FURMAN GOLF COURSE

Furman University has an 18 hole golf course which is available to employees at nominal charges.

FURMAN LAKE

The Furman lake is available to employees and their families for picnicking.

The Annual Security Report, which provides statistics describing the safety of our campus environment, is available on-line at www.furman.edu.

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