MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES (OHR)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS OF REGULAR EMPLOYEES

FACULTY

1. WHEN AND HOW MUCH WILL I BE PAID?

   You will be paid bi-weekly on Wednesdays. The first paycheck for the academic year will be paid on the first pay date in September. You have the option of receiving your contracted salary in either 21 pays (September through June) or in 26 pays (September through August). The bi-weekly rate depends on the pay option elected and the contract amount.
   On occasion, new faculty will not receive their first paycheck when it is due. Experience indicates two reasons for such a delay. One is that some faculty are hired shortly before the beginning of the contract period. As such, there is simply insufficient time to place them on the payroll. The second reason is the faculty does not return the necessary forms in a timely manner. In either instance, you do receive your full contractual amount.

2. DOES THE UNIVERSITY HAVE A GROUP HEALTH PLAN?

   Yes. You may join one of several group health plans offered by the State of Maryland through the University. Your choices include two Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO's), POS's, and several HMO's. Additionally, a vision plan, prescription plan, dental plans and a long-term care plan are available. The premium cost varies, depending on the plan selected. In general, the University pays 85% of the premium cost, although, this percentage may vary slightly from plan to plan. You have the option of joining a health plan within sixty (60) days of your employment date. Otherwise, you may not join a group health plan until the open enrollment period that is held in the fall of each year. (See also: Regular Employee Benefits)

3. IS THERE A UNIVERSITY RETIREMENT PLAN?

   State law mandates that you become a member of a retirement system. In this regard, you have the option of joining one of two systems. You may join either one of the four Optional Retirement Plans (ORP) or the Maryland State Teacher's Pension System (TPS). The University contributes 7.25% to the ORP's. (See also: Regular Employee Benefits)

4. HOW IS SALARY FOR SUMMER SCHOOL TEACHING PAID?

   Summer school salaries are not paid on a bi-weekly basis. You receive one lump sum payment for the courses taught. Your summer school salary is subject to state and federal taxes and social security taxes. You do not receive retirement credit for summer school teaching.

5. CAN ANY OF MY SALARY BE TAX DEFERRED?

   There are several tax-deferred plans offered through the University's payroll system. The University offers supplemental retirement annuity plans (SRA's) with TIAA/CREF, AETNA, VALIC, AMERICAN CENTURY INVESTMENTS. These plans provide the opportunity to contribute additional dollars for retirement purposes. The taxes on such contributions are then deferred until the money is withdrawn. Members of both the optional retirement plans and the Maryland State Teachers Pension System may participate in the SRA plan. Another tax-deferred option is the PEBSCO plan, offered to all employees of the State of Maryland government.
   Finally, you are able to contribute to a Health Care Spending Account or Dependent Care Spending Account on a tax-free basis. These accounts allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for medical expenses and dependent care expenses that you incur during the current year, but are not covered by your insurance. Information is available in the Office of Human Resources.

6. WHAT KIND OF VOLUNTARY DEDUCTIONS CAN BE TAKEN FROM MY PAY CHECK?

   You may purchase U.S. Savings Bonds, contribute to United Way, make deposits to the credit union, pay death insurance premiums, join an employee union, make contributions to the MSU Foundation and participate in a tax-deferred savings plan through automatic deductions from your pay.

7. DOES THE UNIVERSITY HAVE A TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM?

   Yes. As a full-time University faculty member, you may take up to eight (8) credits per semester free of tuition charge. Fees are the responsibility of the student. Spouses and dependent children may take a full course load free of tuition charge for undergraduate courses. There is a maximum of eight (8) credits waived for the graduate programs. This benefit is extended to the University System of Maryland institutions, St. Mary's College and BCCC, under certain circumstances. There are no enrollment date restrictions for attending Morgan State University. Permanent part-time employees are eligible for this benefit on a pro-rata basis. Individuals should refer to the appropriate tuition waiver policy for up to date information and the procedures to be followed.

8. ARE FACULTY COVERED BY SOCIAL SECURITY?

   Yes. You pay Social Security taxes, which is at a rate of 7.65%. The University matches the contribution.

9. DOES THE UNIVERSITY HAVE ITS OWN CREDIT UNION?

   As a permanent full-time faculty member, you are eligible to join the State Employee's Credit Union. Automatic deposits from your paycheck to your account can be made, if you so choose. The headquarters is located at 8503 LaSalle Road in Towson, which is less than a 15-minute drive from the University. The credit union offers all the conveniences of local banks, including checking accounts, IRA's, various loans, money market certificates, traveler's checks, no fee VISA cards and an ATM card useable at any MOST station. Applications and brochures are available in the Human Resources Office.

10. DO FACULTY MEMBERS EARN LEAVE?

    Full-time ten (10) month faculty members earn 12.5 days of sick leave during the academic year and 9-½ month faculty earn 11.87 sick leave days. Sick leave balances are maintained in the Human Resources Office. However, you must submit a bi-weekly faculty timesheet that indicates your attendance and use of sick leave. Absence reports must be submitted to earn sick leave credit. The use of three (3) or more consecutive days of sick leave requires medical documentation.
    Faculty members are not eligible to receive annual, personal or compensatory leave. (See also: Regular Employee Benefits)

11. ARE FACULTY MEMBERS PAID FOR UNUSED SICK LEAVE?

    No. Unused sick leave is forfeited at the end of employment at the University, unless you transfer to another Maryland State government agency, in which case the sick leave balance transfers.
    If you belong to the Maryland State Teachers Retirement System or the Maryland State Teacher's Pension System and retire under one of these systems immediately upon leaving State service, unused sick leave is credited toward retirement; which in turn increases the individual's retirement benefit. Unused sick leave, however, cannot be utilized to retire early.

12. IS LIFE INSURANCE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY?

    Members of the Maryland State Retirement and Pension Systems have a death benefit after one year of service that entitles a beneficiary to one year of the employee's salary if the employee dies while in active service. The State offers two additional life insurance programs, Metropolitan Group Life and the Home Assurance Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan. (See also: Regular Employee Benefits)

13. CAN I HAVE MY PAYCHECK DEPOSITED?

    Yes. Direct deposit is available to any bank.

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ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

1. WHEN AND HOW MUCH WILL I BE PAID?

   You will be paid bi-weekly on Wednesdays. To determine your bi-weekly gross amount, multiply your annual salary by 14 and divide that amount by 365. (Note: Dividing your annual salary by 26 will not give you the bi-weekly gross amount.) All checks and pay stubs are mailed to the employee's home address.

2. CAN I HAVE MY PAY CHECK DEPOSITED?

   Direct deposit is available for any permanent employee at any bank. Certain voluntary deductions and deposits can be made through payroll deductions to the Credit Union.

3. WHAT KIND OF VOLUNTARY DEDUCTIONS CAN BE TAKEN FROM MY PAY CHECK?

   You may purchase U.S. Bonds Savings, contribute to the United Way, make deposits to the credit union, pay health insurance premiums, and participate in a tax-deferred savings plan through automatic deductions from your pay check.

4. ARE ADMINSTRATORS COVERED BY SOCIAL SECURITY?

   You pay Social Security taxes, and the University matches the contribution up to the FICA wage base. The FICA wage is subject to change on an annual basis.

5. DOES THE UNIVERSITY HAVE ITS OWN CREDIT UNION?

   As a full-time or part-time administrative employee, you are eligible to join the State Employees Credit Union. Automatic deposits from your paycheck to the account can be made. Membership applications and brochures are available in the Human Resources Office.

6. DOES THE UNIVERSITY HAVE A GROUP HEALTH PLAN?

   Yes, you may join one of several group health plans offered by the State of Maryland through the University. Your choices include Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Preferred Provider Organization, POS's and HMO's. Additionally, vision services, a prescription plan, dental plans and a long term care plan are available. The premium cost varies, depending on the plan selected. In general, the University pays 85% of the premium cost, although this percentage varies from plan to plan. You have the option of joining any of the benefit plans within sixty (60) days of your employment date. Otherwise, you may not join any plan until the annual Open Enrollment Period. Open enrollment is held in the fall of each year and selections become effective in January.

7. IS LIFE INSURANCE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY?

   Members of the Maryland State Retirement System and the Maryland State Pension System have a death benefit after one year of service which entitles a beneficiary to a lump sum payment of annual salary, if the employee dies while in active service. The State offers two additional life insurance programs. They are Metropolitan Group Life and Home Assurance Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan. These life insurance plans allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay part of the premium. The maximum amount of coverage is $300,000.00. The Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Plan provides benefits to employees for the loss of sight, hearing, limbs or accidental death.

8. DOES THE UNIVERSITY OFFER A RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLAN?

   State law mandates that new employees become a member of the retirement system. The Optional Retirement Plans and The Maryland State Teacher's and Employee's Pension are the two plans offered. The University contributes 7.25% to the four optional retirement plans: AETNA, TIAA/CREF, VALIC and American Century Investments. The Employee's/ Teacher's plan requires a 2% employee contribution. For further information contact the Human Resources Office.

9. CAN ANY OF MY SALARY BE TAX-DEFERRED?

   The University offers five tax-deferred plans, they are TIAA/CREF, VALIC, AETNA, and American Century Investments (SRA's), and the Public Employee's Benefit Services Corporation (PEBSCO). Each plan allows employees to contribute and defer taxes until the money is withdrawn. All employees, regardless of their retirement system, are eligible to contribute to either one of these plans. Finally, you are able to contribute to a Health Care Spending Account or Dependent Care Spending Account on a tax-free basis. These accounts allow you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for medical expenses and dependent care expenses that you will incur during the current year, but that your insurance will not cover. Contact the Human Resources Office for further information.

10. HOW MANY HOURS ARE IN THE NORMAL WORK DAY?

    Administrative personnel are required to work 8 hours each day. A 60 minute meal break is permitted; this time is considered non-work time and is in addition to the 8 hour workday. Employees who exceed the 40 hours in a week may earn compensatory leave. Compensatory leave is valid for one year after earning it. Your supervisor's approval is required; otherwise the time is forfeited.

11. WHAT VACATION AND SICK LEAVE BENEFITS DO I EARN?

    Administrative personnel earn 22 days of annual leave that they accumulate bi-weekly, at the rate of 6.77 hours. Days may be taken to the extent earned, with the advance approval of your supervisor. Annual leave may be taken in whole days or parts thereof. You may carry over up to 50 unused annual leave days from one calendar year to the next. You also earn 15 sick leave days in a calendar year, at the rate of 4.62 hours each pay period. You may take sick leave to the extent earned. Sick leave may be used for time missed from work due to your own or your spouse's or your children's health related problems. It may also be used for bereavement purposes, in the event of the death of certain family members. Unused sick leave may be accumulated and carried over from one calendar year to the next. There is no limit on the number of sick leave days you may accrue.

12. DO I EARN OTHER TYPES OF LEAVE?

    Yes. Three (3) days of personal leave are granted each year. Unused personal leave days are forfeited at the end of the calendar year. You also earn 11 State holidays (12 in those years with a general election). The University observes the remaining holidays and use three (3) administrative leave days during the Christmas holiday, when the University is closed.

13. CAN I BE PAID FOR UNUSED LEAVE ACCUMULATED IF I LEAVE THE UNIVERSITY?

    Yes. Administrative personnel who leave the University are paid for all unused annual leave and holidays. Personal leave must be taken prior to resigning. Employees are also paid for up to two days of unused compensatory leave. The remaining compensatory time, as well as, unused personal leave days and sick leave, is forfeited. Sick leave can be reinstated within 2 years. Most employees transferring to another State agency transfer their annual and sick leave balances instead of receiving payment. Unused holidays, however, are not transferable.

14. DOES THE UNIVERSITY HAVE A TUITION REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM?

    Yes. The University has a tuition waiver program. Full-time employees may take up to eight (8) credits per semester free of tuition charge. Spouses and dependent children may take a full load of undergraduate courses free of tuition charge. Those participating in a graduate program may take up to eight (8) credits per semester free of tuition charge. All University fees, undergraduate or graduate, are the responsibility of the student. Students enrolled in any of the following institutions, Morgan State University, the University System of Maryland institutions, or State Mary's College as of January 1990, are extended the full tuition waiver benefit. Part-time employees and their spouses and dependent children may qualify for the tuition waiver program on a pro-rata basis. Individuals should refer to the appropriate tuition waiver policy for up to date information and the procedures to be followed.

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