Employee Benefits Summary *

Group Health Insurance

Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance is provided. Portions of the premiums are the responsibility of the employee through payroll deduction, the amount of which is determined by employment status, plans chosen, and number of dependents.

Flexible Spending Account for Health and/or Dependent Care

In accordance with provisions of Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Flexible Spending Account allows employees to set aside a specific portion of their pre-tax pay, through payroll deduction, to reimburse certain health and dependent care expenses (i.e, medical co-pays, pharmaceutical products, daycare, etc.) with pretax dollars.

Flex Dollars

The University provides a Flex Dollar allowance per month for each employee, the amount of which depends on employment status. Flex Dollars must be applied toward pre-tax benefits, such as the University’s medical and dental plans, Flexible Spending Accounts, Personal Cancer Indemnity, or Personal Accident Indemnity .

Waiver Dollars

Employees who elect to waive the University’s medical and/or dental benefits will receive an amount equal to one-half of the University’s benefit contribution as additional Flex Dollars. To be eligible for Waiver Dollars, employees must show proof of other medical coverage.

403(b) Retirement

The University’s retirement plan is offered through TIAA-CREF (the Teachers Insurance Annuity Association – College Retirement Equities Fund). Employees who have completed one year of service, or who begin Dominican University of California employment 100% vested in a retirement plan through their immediate preceding employer, are eligible for University contribution. The University contributes an amount equal to three percent of the salary into a TIAA-CREF account in the employee’s name. Additionally, the University will match up to another five percent of the employee’s contribution, for a total University contribution of up to eight percent.

Additionally, employees are eligible to contribute their own funds prior to eligibility for University contribution, or to contribute more than the matched five percent, through TIAA-CREF’s Supplemental Retirement Annuity (GSRA) plan.

Employee voluntary contributions are deducted from salary on a tax-deferred basis. All contributions are vested immediately. Upon termination of employment or retirement, individuals must contact TIAA-CREF regarding their withdrawal options. Participation in the University's TIAA-CREF Retirement Plan is dependent upon continued University employment.

Group Life Insurance / Accidental Death and Dismemberment

The University provides both a $25,000 term life insurance policy and an additional $25,000 for accidental death and dismemberment. The premiums for these benefits are paid entirely by the University.

Long-Term Disability

The premium for this benefit is paid entirely by the University. 

Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance

Additional voluntary life insurance is available as coverage for employee or family members. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction.

Voluntary Personal Cancer Indemnity

Voluntary additional insurance is available for cancer occurrence. Family coverage is available. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction.

Voluntary Personal Accident Indemnity

Voluntary additional insurance available for emergency treatment on and off the job due to an accident, hospitalization and hospital confinement due to an accident, and other benefits. Family coverage is available. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction.

Voluntary Personal Short-Term Disability

Voluntary income protection insurance, works in conjunction with California State Short-Term Disability. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction.

Voluntary Pre-Paid Legal Services

Employees and their spouse/domestic partner have access to a program that provides legal consultation services. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction.

Voluntary Identity Theft Shield

Employees and their spouse/domestic partner have access to a program that provides continuous credit monitoring and a personal detective to restore identity in the event of becoming a victim. Premiums are paid through payroll deduction.

Employee Assistance Program

Employees have access, at no charge, to confidential online and phone-in counseling assistance for issues such as divorce, mental illness, addictions, and stress management, as well as everyday situations.

Will Preparation Services

Employees have access, at no charge, to documents and kits for preparation of personal wills, living wills, healthcare power of attorney, and financial power of attorney, as well as Identity Theft Victim Action and Prevention kits.

Tuition Waiver

Employees, spouse/domestic partner, and dependents are eligible for tuition waiver for Dominican University courses after six months of service. 

Tuition Exchange Program

Employees are eligible to participate in the Tuition Exchange program, a reciprocal scholarship program for children and other family members of faculty and staff employed at nearly 600 participating institutions.

Holidays

The following are paid holidays. All University offices are closed on these days.

• Martin Luther King Day ………. January
• Presidents’ Day ………. February
• Spring Break Day ………. March
• Cesar Chavez Day ………. March
• Good Friday ………. March/April
• Memorial Day ………. May
• 2 days: Independence Day ………. July
• 3 Summer Half-Days ………. June-July-August
• Labor Day ………. September
• 2 days: Thanksgiving ………. November
• Approx. 8 days: Christmas/New Year’s Break ………. December/January

Vacation

Vacation with pay is granted after six months of service for staff and 12-month faculty; the amount of paid vacation is determined by pay grade, employment status (full or part-time), and employment longevity. Vacation begins accruing immediately upon beginning active employment.

Sick Leave

Time off with pay is granted after six months of service for staff and 12-month faculty when unable to work due to personal illness or injury, or the illness or injury of a child, parent, or spouse/domestic partner. The amount of paid sick leave is determined by employment status (full or part-time). Sick leave begins accruing immediately upon beginning active employment.

Optional Sick Days

Employees accrue three days a year to use as “personal days,” with prior supervisor approval. Optional Sick Days begin accruing immediately upon beginning active employment. Days not used during the calendar year convert to regular sick days.

Library Privileges

University employees are entitled to the same library privileges as those extended to the students of the University and are subject to the same rules and regulations that govern the students.

Campus Recreational Facilities

Regular full-time and part-time staff, and full-time faculty and their families may use the athletic facilities at the Conlan Recreation Center at no charge. A fee may apply for certain organized recreational events and classes.

Campus Discounts

• The University Bookstore offers employees a 10% discount on many items, including clothing, gifts, cards, and office supplies. 
• Caleruega Dining Hall offers discounted meals.
• Employees are eligible to receive discounts for University athletic events. 
• Employees are eligible to rent University facilities at a discounted rate. 
• Employees are eligible for discounts on summer camps for kids.

Bereavement Leave

Both full-time and part-time employees may take up to four regularly scheduled workdays of time off with pay when a death occurs in the immediate family or domestic partner.

Personal Need Leave

A leave of absence without pay may be granted to an employee after at least one year of employment. Such a leave is normally limited to four months duration.

Leaves Required by Law

Family and Medical Leave

Under the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) and the California Family Rights Act (as amended in October 1993), employees who have 12 months of total service with the University and have worked at least 1250 hours during the previous 12 months, have the right to take time off for the birth or adoption of the employee's child; for the placement of a foster child with the employee; for the serious health condition of a child, parent, or spouse; or for the employee's own serious health condition.

Pregnancy Disability Leave

A pregnant employee may take up to four months of leave or transfer to another position while she is disabled by her pregnancy. An employee may take PDL at any time that she is, in the opinion of her health care provider, disabled by pregnancy or a condition related to pregnancy. She may take leave at any time she is disabled during or after the pregnancy, and does not need to take all her leave at once.

Jury or Witness Duty Leave

An employee who is called to serve on a jury or appear as a witness must show proof of service. If selected to serve on a jury, the employee will receive full salary from the University for up to one calendar month.

Voting Leave

Employees who do not have sufficient time outside of their regular working hours to vote in a statewide election may request time off to vote, up to a total of two hours.

Volunteer Civil Service Leave

An employee who is a volunteer firefighter, a reserve peace officer, or is a member of emergency rescue personnel is allowed to take time off to perform emergency rescue duty.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Leave

The University will provide time off to an employee who has been the victim of domestic violence or whose child has been a victim of domestic violence to help ensure the health, safety, or welfare of the domestic violence victim.

School Issues and Activities Leave

An employee may take time off from work if necessary to appear at a school conference involving possible suspension of his/her child. Additionally, employees will be granted time off without pay for up to 40 hours per calendar year, but no more than eight hours in any calendar month, to participate in the activities of schools or licensed child daycare facilities attended by their children.

Crime Victim’s Leave

An employee who is the victim of a crime, or who has an immediate family member that is the victim of a crime, can take time off to attend judicial proceedings.

Military Service Leave

Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), an employee who takes a military leave from the University to enter active duty in the U.S. armed forces, voluntarily or involuntarily, may be entitled to return to his/her position at the University after discharge or release from active duty.

Military Spouse Leave

An employee whose spouse is on leave from being deployed during a military conflict in certain combat zones is eligible for up to 10 days of unpaid time off.

* This document serves only as a summation of benefits offered. Refer to the plan documents, Staff Handbook or Faculty Handbook for further details regarding the University’s benefits.

Rev. 2/08