Benefits Overview
The Department of Residential Life at the University of Vermont offers a progressive benefits package. Benefits include, health (medical, vision and dental) and life insurance plans, retirement savings plan, liberal sick and vacation time, full tuition remission, professional development/conference allowances, fully furnished on campus accommodations, domestic partnership live-in options and a full meal plan.
University Benefits
The University of Vermont offers a comprehensive, competitive and generous benefits package designed to meet the varying needs of each staff member of each staff member including health, dental, retirement, liberal sick and vacation time, full tuition remission. Staff members choose from two options of health coverage providers including plans offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield, MVP Health Plan and a third option to waive medical coverage. The University offers two dental insurance plans both of which are provided by Northeast Delta Dental: a Base Plan and a High Option Plan. The cost of coverage is prorated between you and UVM with UVM’s contribution corresponding to your FTE. If you select the High Option Plan you pay the cost difference between the Base and High Option Plan. The coverage is year round, so your term of employment does not affect the proportion you pay at any time.
Vacation and Time Away
Full-time staff members accrue vacation at 1.42 days per month, equaling 17 days per year. Accrual values increase after completing four years of employment with the institution. Vacation time may be used during the same year it is accumulated and may be carried over into the following year, as long as the total amount to be carried over is not more than twice your annual allocation. UVM observes 12 holidays each year. In recognition of the increasingly diverse nature of the UVM community, the University allows individuals to celebrate days of particular religious, cultural or personal importance which vary from those during which the University is closed. You may annually designate one such holiday of your choice.
Retirement Savings Plans
The University of Vermont helps you plan for a secure retirement by offering a program to save and invest through the 403(b) retirement savings plan. You may begin your retirement savings plan immediately upon employment by contributing the minimum amount required by the plan and by choosing the kind of investment you would like to make. You must be employed at 75% FTE or greater for three years before UVM begins to contribute 10% of your base salary to your retirement savings plan and you must contribute at least 2% for staff and 3% for faculty of your base UVM salary to the plan at that time. Human Resources will send a reminder to you after three years of employment. University contributions will begin after three years as long as you enroll and contribute at least your minimum contribution of your base UVM salary to the plan. Your taxes will be deferred on your contributions. As soon as you begin making your contributions to the retirement plan, they are immediately vested. You own them and you have a non-forfeitable right to their current value, even if you decide to leave UVM before retirement. The three-year waiting period will be waived if you have an active TIAA-CREF account or a vested interest in the retirement plan of your immediate past employer and that employer is a nonprofit or governmental employer.
Tuition Remission
All Residential Life staff members may be granted tuition remission for courses taken for credit or audit at The University of Vermont. Employees may take up to 15 credits of course work or thesis research per year beginning September 1 and ending August 31, tuition free.
Partner Benefits
UVM offers partner benefits, including health insurance and life insurance, to all regular employees with half-time appointments or more who are either married or have a civil union. Currently Vermont’s civil union law applies specifically to same sex couples, and marriage laws in the U.S, with the exception of Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, apply only to opposite sex couples. If you are in a situation that makes the criteria of marriage or civil union difficult to meet, UVM will on a case-by-case basis waive the need for either and use the standard of domestic partnership to determine eligibility for partner benefits. Because civil unions and domestic partnerships are not legally recognized by the federal government, any partner benefits you receive through a civil union will be considered federal taxable income. Additionally, all live-in/on staff members in Residential Life have the opportunity to live with a domestic partner in University-assigned housing.
Professional Development
Just some of the books one RD purchased with professional development funds
The Department of Residential Life is committed to the development and growth of all staff members. The daily position responsibilities are balanced by a wide range of opportunities, including campus events, lectures and workshops; support of regional and national level participation in professional organizations; course instruction (Resident Advisor Selection Course); development and implementation of conference style presentations as a part of the Residential Education Professional Development Series; and participation in the Residential Life Professional Education and Training Series. All staff members are offered financial support to attend one national and regional conference annually and are eligible for funding to attend other professional development opportunities that contribute to the Department.
Housing
Professional and graduate residence hall staff members are housed in apartments in the residence halls. As is the case with our residence halls, all apartments vary in size and style and come equipped with living room, bedroom and kitchen furnishings. View Campus Apartments here
All residence hall apartments are wired for access to the internet and UVM’s campus cable television system. Internet (wired and wifi) are at no cost to staff members. Each building has laundry facilities where staff members can do their laundry without charge.
Meal Plan
Professional and graduate residence hall staff members are supplied with a meal plan to support student interaction. Residence Directors are afforded a full meal plan while graduate staff members are provided a partial meal plan. Dining services on campus provides staff members with a choice of meal options that offer the value of all-you-care-to-eat dining or the convenience of a la carte dining. Conveniently, dining facilities can be found in three of our residential facilities and within walking distance of all others.
Residential Fitness Centers
The Wright Fitness Center (WFC) is located on UVM’s Redstone Campus in the Christie/Wright/Patterson Complex and the McAuley Fitness Center (MFC) is located on UVMs North Campus in McAuley Hall. All Residential Life staff members are able to take advantage of the intimate atmosphere, personable staff and extended operation hours to help customize individual fitness needs. Residential Life staff members have the added luxury of using the facility outside of normal facility operation hours, during academic breaks and holidays at no cost.
Captain
PETS
Professional staff members who live in residence hall apartments will be permitted to own and have live in their apartment, an aquarium (maximum of 25 gallons). In addition, there is a limit of two (2) caged birds OR one (1) cat OR one (1) dog. All pets are subject to approval by the Residential Life leadership.
For complete information on benefits at UVM, click: Human Resources Services
(online access required)