Benefits Eligibility

All regular (non-student), staff and faculty employees that are employed by the university at least .50 FTE (half-time) for a definite period of 4 1/2 months or a full semester of more than 4 months.

Group Insurance

Basic health, life, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) are paid by the state for full-time benefits eligible employees, and a portion is paid for part-time benefits eligible employees. Medical, life, dental, and AD&D are available to the employees' dependents. In accordance with TX legislation on September 1, 2003, a 90 day health coverage waiting period applies to all employees; however, the University has elected to cover the 90 day insurance waiting period for all full-time faculty and staff hired on or after September 1, 2004.

Additional optional coverages include: Optional Term Life Insurance, Voluntary AD&D, Long and Short Term Disability, State Kids Insurance Program (when applicable), Dependent and Health Care Reimbursement Accounts, and Long-Term Care Insurance. Detailed information regarding the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) is available on the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) website.

New Employee Guide to Benefits (includes current premium information)

IMPORTANT SUMMER INSURANCE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT
Employees appointed for less than 12 months are only eligible to continue in the group insurance as an active member and receive the applicable portion of state premium sharing contribution over the summer when all of the following apply:

• enrolled in the GBP in an active duty status during the semester immediately preceding the summer
• have not resigned, graduated (if graduate student), or been permanently terminated by Sam Houston State University
• expect to continue employment in the Fall 

Employees should confer with their Department Head regarding official separation dates.

Summer insurance premiums (for June, July, and August) will be deducted in prepaid deposits.
Full-time faculty and staff appointed for the entire academic year are able to select between two different summer prepaid insurance deposit options. Pool faculty, graduate students, employees with single semester appointments, and part-time 9-month staff will have prepaid insurance deductions begin with their first paycheck (after health insurance eligibility begins).

Social Security/ FICA and Medicare

Social Security/FICA - 6.2% by employee & 6.2% by employer on the first $94,200 of wages. Medicare - 1.45% by employee & 1.45% by Employer (no ceiling)

Retirement Contribution

The employee contribution is tax sheltered. Rates are not guaranteed and subject to change by the legislature.
Teacher Retirement System -- 6.4% by employee; 6.58% by State of Texas
Optional Retirement Program -- 6.65% by employee; 6.58% by State of Texas
Supplemental Retirement Program -- Voluntary and available through tax sheltered payroll deduction

Vacation Leave with Pay (for Staff Employees)

Entitlement shall be earned in accordance with the following schedule based on full-time employment (proportionate to FTE): Total State Employment Hours Accrued Monthly Max Hours Carried to Next Fiscal Year

Vacation with pay may not be taken until the employee has been continuously employed with the state for six months, although credit will be accrued during that period.

Sick Leave with Pay

Employees accrue 8 hours per month or proportionate to the FTE with unlimited accrual. A sick leave pool for catastrophic illness is provided subject to eligibility and limitations.

Paid Holidays

For staff employees, proportionate to FTE. Refer to the Holiday Schedule for approved days. Faculty follow the academic calendar.

Longevity Pay- Full Time Staff Only

Calculated at the rate of $20 per month for each two years of lifetime service credit, up to a maximum of 42 years of service

Hazardous Duty Pay (Law-Enforcement Personnel only)

Ten dollars ( $10 ) per month for each 12 month period of hazardous duty lifetime service credit.

Automatic Check Deposit

Automatic paycheck deposit is currently available for faculty/staff. An enrollment form is required for this service. Paycheck stubs showing deductions and net pay are sent to the employees' departments on payday.

Athletic Activities & Employee Wellness Facilities and Program

Recreational sports (weight room, aerobics, racquetball, track, volleyball, etc.) and all home sports games are available at no charge for SHSU students, and benefit eligible faculty and staff with a valid SHSU I.D.

Employee Wellness Program is a voluntary opportunity for regular full-time employees to utilize educational and recreational facilities made available to them on the Sam Houston State University campus (employee release time available with proper approval).

President's Employee Scholarship Program

This scholarship is for full-time (1.0 FTE) benefits eligible staff and faculty, through the rank of Assistant Professor, who desire to take one class or one class and a lab at SHSU (4 semester credit hours maximum).   The following selection criteria has been established:

1. Applicants must have a minimum of one year full-time continuous employment at SHSU and have earned at least 3 semester hours at SHSU with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
2. Undergraduate students with a 2.5 GPA or greater will be given 1st priority.
3. Graduate students with a 3.5 GPA or greater will be given 2nd priority.
4. Employee's GPA, length of employment, and student classification level are primary consideration factors.

In addition to the President's Employee Scholarship Program, benefits eligible employees participating in the retirement program receive a waiver of fees (excluding tuition, designated tuition, course fees, and lab fees).

Workers' Compensation & a Return-to-work Program

ID Cards
The Bearkat OneCard is the official ID card for all faculty, staff, and students at Sam Houston State University. An active Bearkat OneCard is required for parking permits, Health and Kinesiology Center and sporting event access, and library usage just to name a few. Since the official Bearkat OneCard is mailed to Sam Houston patrons, temporary ID cards that are good for on-campus use are available for faculty members who have not yet received their official university ID card. All faculty members should contact the Bearkat OneCard office at 294-CARD or by e-mail at bearkatone@shsu.edu with questions regarding the card and how one can be obtained. All new faculty members should bring an official government-issued form of ID and their Human Resources ID Card Request Form with them to obtain their ID card. Contact : Kristy Vienne (4-2274, klv002@shsu.edu )

Human Resources Main Page | Employment Listings | Sam Houston State University

Have Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? E-mail brd002@shsu.edu