NUSAC in Action -- What's on your Mind?
The Northwestern University Staff Advisory Council helps you find the answer.

Do you have a University-related question that you'd like the answer to?

E-mail NUSAC at nusac@northwestern.edu; we'll try to find the answer for you and might even feature it in a future "NUSAC in Action."

July 2009 -- Fitness Opportunities

Jennifer from Chicago wants to know what fitness opportunities and discounts are available for staff who want to be proactive about their health.

NUSAC replies: There are many benefits and resources obtainable through some of the health care plans available at NU.

   * If you have a Blue Cross PPO or HMO, you can go to www.bcbsil.com and sign up for the Personal Health Manager which has links to programs to help you quit smoking, lose weight, get prenatal care, get life coaching, and more.  You get double rewards for using these services because not only do you improve your health, but you earn Blue Points, which can be used for reward items through their program.

   * With Unicare you can sign up for the Full Circle Health programs at www.unicare.com which include lifestyle management programs, interactive health assessment tools, and discounts to various outside resources including gyms, massage and acupuncture services, and weight loss programs.

There are more services for both which can be accessed once a member has joined the respective programs.

Another good place to look for fitness opportunities at Northwestern is on the http://www.fitrec.northwestern.edu/ site, which contains links to available recreation facilities on the Evanston campus and membership costs, classes and schedules, and various sports clubs and groups.  On the Chicago campus, staff can get membership to Holmes Place Health Club through University Services: http://www.univsvcs.northwestern.edu/fitness/

Discounts to other fitness businesses in both Evanston and Chicago such as Athletico, Chicago Kayak, Evanston South Curves for Women, Evanston Athletic Club (EAC), McGaw YMCA, and several yoga studios are also available through the Wildcard Advantage program: http://www.univsvcs.northwestern.edu/WildCARDAdv/index.htm

One specific popular program is the Million Step Activity Challenge, which you do not have to be a member of a Sports Center to take part in.  This is a fitness activity that you can do as an individual or organize groups in your department to encourage each other.

MILLION STEP ACTIVITY CHALLENGE

PROGRAM DATES
September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009
Individuals can begin at anytime during the year!
PROGRAM FEE
First time member:          $59
Veteran member:             $39
MILLION STEP CHALLENGE COMPONENTS
·        Digi-walker pedometer with safety clasp
·        Move to Improve log book
·        campus walking maps
·        walking information, tips and motivational e-mails
·        incentive prizes awarded through participation

For more information visit  http://www.fitrec.northwestern.edu/msc.html To register for the MILLION STEP ACTIVITY CHALLENGE, contact the Membership/Registration Office at (847) 491-4303.

With all of these opportunities for good health and fitness available, there is no reason not to take action and have fun!

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Environmental Tip of the Day:

Keep a microwave safe coffee cup and/ or water bottle in your office for your use throughout the day.

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June 2009 -- Passport Photo Services

D.C. from the Evanston campus writes: “I’m planning a trip to Europe, and need to update my passport.  Is there anywhere on campus that can help me with the process?”

NUSAC replies: In January 2008, University Services launched a program through the WildCard office which will take and process your passport or VISA photos.  Your photos can then be used to process your application at the post office (http://www.usps.com/passport/welcome.htm). Remember, you need a passport even to travel to Canada and Mexico.

The WildCard office is available from 8:30am – 5pm, Monday – Friday to take passport and VISA photos.  The photos come in “2 x 2” pairs and are cut to official size for U.S. Passports and VISAS. Your photos can be processed in 3 – 5 minutes depending on the traffic in the office that day.  The photos will also come in a protective sleeve which can be presented with your passport application.

The cost is $12 for the first set, and $3 for each additional set.  Both costs include sales tax. 

The WildCard offices are located in the following buildings:

Evanston Campus – Norris University Center, Underground Level, Phone 7-6843
Chicago Campus – Abbott Hall, Room 100, Phone 3-0548

If you want information on passport or VISA photos, please visit the University Services website at http://www.northwestern.edu/uservices/passportsvending/passportphotoservices/index.html or email uservices@northwestern.edu to request the necessary information of interest.  The WildCard website is at http://www.univsvcs.northwestern.edu/WildCard/ 

May 2009 -- Retirement Plan

Tom from Chicago asked if he can change his retirement plan contributions at any time.

NUSAC replies: Yes, you can enroll or change your retirement plan contributions at any time during the year.

You may do so by submitting a Retirement Enrollment and Change form to the Benefits Office.  Deduction changes will begin the month after they receive the form.  Example for a non-exempt employee:  If the Benefits Office receives the form May 22, then the change is effective June 1 and would appear in the June 19 paycheck.

Below is the link for the retirement enrollment and change form. You may fax the form to 847-491-2288, mail it or hand deliver the form to the Benefits Office.

http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/forms/retirement-change.pdf

If you have any questions you may contact the Benefits Office at 847-491-7513 or check out their web site.

http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/

If you have questions about individual TIAA-CREF or Fidelity investments, you can schedule a complimentary 30 minute appointment with them to discuss plan benefits in detail.

·  For Fidelity - to schedule an appointment for help enrolling, increasing your contributions or making investment changes, call 1-800-642-7131 Monday through Friday 7:30am to 11:00pm or visit

www.fidelity.com/atwork/reservations

·  For TIAA-CREF - to schedule an appointment for help enrolling, increasing your contribution or making investment changes, call 1-800-842-2005 Monday through Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm or visit

https://ais2.tiaa-cref.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects.exe/ARS

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Environmental Tip of the Day:

Be sure to turn off your lights and log off and shut down your computer when you leave.  Besides saving energy, you are practicing good data security habits!

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April 2009 -- Religious Life

Barbara from the Chicago Campus asked: “In our office we have a diverse staff and recently had a discussion about spring weddings and the religious holidays of different faiths; we wondered what resources are available at Northwestern?”

NUSAC replies: Northwestern has a section on the home page titled “Religious Life” under the main topic of Diversity. There are links to Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, and Interdenominational fellowship groups as well as specific religious centers and their spiritual directors.  If you go to the page for “Religious Groups on Campus” http://www.northwestern.edu/chaplain/other.html, you can find links to these resources.  Many of them are student groups, but they would be a good place to start if you are looking for contact information.

In addition, there is a site with the various religious holidays listed for the current year: http://www.northwestern.edu/chaplain/holidays.html

For weddings, the Alice Millar Chapel and Jeanne Vail Chapel (located at 1870 Sheridan Road in Evanston) are available for reservation by those affiliated with Northwestern: students, faculty, administrators or staff, graduates, or immediate family of faculty, administrators and staff.  The webpage at http://www.northwestern.edu/chaplain/weddings.html has details. You can also contact chaplain@northwestern.edu  of call 847-491-7256 to speak to a Chapel Assistant directly.

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Environmental Tip of the Day:

Print Less!
·         Check the Print Preview feature to see exactly how your pages will look; don’t print unnecessary pages.
·         Use the Print Selection feature to print only the area of interest.
·         Print 2 or more pages per sheet by using the Printing Preference feature under Properties.

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January 2009 -- The Intercampus Shuttle

Chase from the Chicago Campus writes: “Can my children travel with me on the intercampus shuttle?”

NUSAC replies: At this time the university policy is that only riders who can present a valid WildCard may travel on the intercampus shuttle. Per the WildCard office, only an employee’s spouse or partner can receive a WildCard.

Northwestern contracts with a third party shuttle service and the NU policy is that its drivers are instructed that no one without a valid WildCard may ride the shuttle.  All drivers are instructed to check each card for its validity and not to allow anyone on board without one.  So, if you need to have your children traveling with you, plan to use public transportation or make other travel arrangements.

Presently, the WildCard Office is working to try to extend limited WildCard privileges to dependents.  Any changes to the current policy will be appropriately communicated.

Please feel free to send us suggestions for future “NUSAC in Action” topics.  Contact us at nusac@northwestern.edu.

NUSAC – celebrating 35 years of staff advocacy and pursuing excellence