Notices and Announcements

The 2024 Open Enrollment period ends this week! Changes can be made through Thursday, Nov. 30, at midnight via Workday.

Remember, this is the one time each year you can:

• Make changes to your medical and dental coverage
• Enroll in the FSA and DCAP benefits for 2024
• Add or waive eligible family members from your coverage
• Re-attest to the spousal surcharge questionnaire, if required

Visit the HRS Open Enrollment website or Percipio for additional information. If you are still trying to determine if you want to make a change, and what plan you may want to change to, watch one of the Open Enrollment recorded presentations found on the above sites.

Questions can be directed to WSU Human Resource Services at 509-335-4521 or hrs.benefits@wsu.edu.

Rob W. Losh of Auxiliary Facilities Services has been approved for shared leave. Those interested in donating can do so by following the instructions below.

From your Workday homepage:

• Click on the Absence applet.
• Click Request Absence.
• Click on today’s date only on the calendar (even if donating for a range of dates).
• Click blue Request Absence button on the page bottom left side.
• Select Absence Type, then Donate Leave, then choose type of leave you wish to donate and then click next.
• On the Request Absence screen, click the grey Edit Quantity per Day option.
• Enter the amount of hours you would like to donate in the Update All Quantities box, then in the comments leave the name of the recipient.
• Click Done.
• Choose Reason for Donation, then submit.
• When submitting donated leave, please list only one recipient per transaction.

Thank you.

Read Pukkila-Worley, MD, FIDSA — Associate Professor in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, UMass Chan Medical School — will be visiting WSU Spokane. His seminar entitled, “Bacterial Patterns of Pathogenesis in Intestinal Immunity” will be in person in the Spokane Center for Clinical Research and Simulation room 250 and through Zoom on Tuesday, Dec. 12, noon–1 p.m.

Dr. Read Pukkila-Worley Read is an infectious diseases physician and PI of the lab. He received his MD from UNC-Chapel Hill and completed his clinical training at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Read was a postdoc with Fred Ausubel, PhD at MGH before joining the UMass faculty in 2015. The major goal of the Pukkila-Worley laboratory is to characterize mechanisms of immune homeostasis in intestinal epithelial cells. We aim to use these discoveries to identify innate immune pathways that can be exploited to develop new therapies, which can modulate host immune activity.

We look forward to you joining us in person (SCCRS 205) or through Zoom!

Questions/Zoom link? Contact Michelle Sanchez at michelle.r.sanchez@wsu.edu.

The Common Reading Program is screening the documentary “Gather” at 4:30–5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 28, in CUE 203 on the Pullman campus. The 2020 film follows the stories of Indigenous people on the frontlines of a growing movement to reconnect with spiritual and cultural identities that were devastated by genocide. Each of the three stories highlighted in the film illustrate how the reclaiming and recovery of ancient food ways contributes to the health and vitality of native communities. In doing so, the film complements well the themes raised by Robin Wall Kimmerer in “Braiding Sweetgrass,” this year’s WSU Common Reading text.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2023–24 President’s Employee Excellence Awards. The award is presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions by WSU administrative professionals and classified employees. Staff at all WSU locations are eligible to be nominated for this award. Award criteria include outstanding contributions made by the employee regarding the productivity of the university; innovative problem-solving; positive working relations, and university and community service. Award recipients each receive $2,500 and will be recognized at the annual Showcase event to be held in the spring of 2024.

The nomination form can be found at hrs.wsu.edu/employee-excellence-award/.

Nominations will be accepted through Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m.

Open Mic for poetry and other short, original literary works

Thursday, Nov. 30, 6–7:30 p.m.
Brused Books, 235 E. Main Street, Pullman

Free and open to the public. Refreshments provided

Space is limited and attendance is capped at 20 people.

Contact: lrusso@wsu.edu

On Saturday, Dec. 2, from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., myWSU will not be accessible for up to three hours as Information Technology Services (ITS) completes a vendor-driven update.

Additional details on this upcoming ITS maintenance process are listed below:

Date: Saturday, Dec. 2
Start Time: 5 a.m.
End Time: 8 a.m.

The following work is being completed: ITS’ support vendor will be applying Critical Patch Updates (CPU) to myWSU and the support system. During this maintenance period, myWSU will not be accessible.

All affected groups: myWSU users
All affected processes: myWSU access
Duration of impact: Up to three hours

Necessary follow‑up steps: None

Please contact Crimson Service Desk via email at crimsonservicedesk@wsu.edu or phone at 509‑335‑4357 with any questions regarding this scheduled outage.

Is retirement around the corner? The Department of Retirement System offers live Nearing Retirement Seminars. The next virtual seminar is Saturday, Dec. 2.

These seminars are designed for those who plan to retire within the next few years. Basic retirement plan information will not be provided at these seminars, but it’s important to understand the basics of your plan prior to attending. To brush up, review your online Plan Guide or select your retirement plan to watch a prerecorded webinar video:

• PERS Plan 1
• LEOFF Plan 2
• Plan 2: PERS
• Plan 3: PERS, TRS
• Plan 3 withdrawals
• DCP withdrawals

Select Nearing Retirement Seminars for more information including seminar materials to review. If you’re unable to attend a live event, select Seminar Videos for recorded seminar videos you can watch at a time that’s more convenient.

Questions can be directed to DRS at 1-800-547-6657.

The Nutrition & Gut Microbiome Lab of Dr. Franck Carbonero in WSU Spokane and Pullman is recruiting volunteers to participate in our exciting research on the effects of cranberry juice on UTIs, the gut microbiome, and their metabolites.

Participant eligibility conditions:

• Postmenopausal women
• Drink cranberry/placebo juice
• Provide urine and stool samples as well as vaginal swabs

Volunteers cannot participate if there is a history of:

• UTIs
• Celiac disease/Non-Celiac gluten intolerance
• IBS, diverticulitis
• Suspected or known strictures
• Fistulas or physiological/mechanical GI obstruction, chronic diarrhea
• Bariatric surgery
• Type 2 diabetes
• Coronary heart disease
• Peripheral artery disease
• Stroke, certain cancers
• Have BMI > 35
• Habitual use of nicotine containing products of any kind in the last 6 months

Participants will be compensated with $100 in gift cards for completing two dietary periods (15 days each) with a washout period (15 days) in between.

For more information, please email NEPGutMicrobiome@wsu.edu or call 509-358-7612.

WSU HRPP/IRB Participant Information: IRB #19957, irb@wsu.edu

Complete our Qualtrics survey for participation.

The annual Washington State University School of Music silent auction is now online! This year’s auction includes sports tickets, opportunities to conduct the Cougar Marching Band, gym memberships, golf packages, donations from local businesses including Merry Cellars, Dovetail Joint Restaurant, Lodgepole North American Kitchen, Lulu Craft Bar and Kitchen, B&L Bicycles, and more! In the spirit of the season, all proceeds go towards music student scholarships. The silent auction will remain open until the day of the Holiday Celebration Concert on Saturday, Dec. 2.

View the silent auction website.

Please join us in the Lewis Alumni Centre on Dec. 4 for a celebratory evening honoring Vice Chancellor Ellen Taylor and her incredible impact on Washington State University. The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with a program starting at 5:15 p.m. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided.

University executive administrators and the Board of Regents have approved the following revision to the Board of Regents Policy Manual.

• Board of Regents Policy on Delegation of Authority BORM2

For a summary of the changes and link to the updated policy, see the BOR Policy Manual Revision #14.

Do you have a computer science project but can’t find people to work on your project? Submit your project idea to the Spring 2024 WSU CS Capstone Program!

In this program, students bid on a pool of project abstracts. Any project with an adequate amount of interest will be assigned a student or a team of students, depending upon the project scope and needs. Project ideas will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis until the slots in the abstract pool are filled. Contact Subu at the earliest if you have a project idea!

For submitting project ideas to the program, contact Subu at b.kandaswamy@wsu.edu or at 509-296-9180.

Behavioral health refers to the full range of mental and emotional wellbeing — from day-to-day challenges to chronic and emergency mental health disorders, substance use, and problem gambling disorders. The PEBB program, who provides medical insurance to public employees in Washington, offers a variety of services to support you in your unique behavioral health needs.

The PEBB Program’s Behavioral health services by plan web page provides information about each medical plans vendor’s access to resources and treatment, finding providers, frequently asked questions, and how to contact the plans to get care.

You can also get detailed information about the PEBB medical plan offerings, including plan service areas and benefits and coverage by plan, from the PEBB Medical plans and benefits web page.

If you have questions about benefit details, or for assistance finding a provider, visit the PEBB Contact the plans web page.

The Open Enrollment period for 2024 benefit elections is currently underway. If you plan to participate in a Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) or Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) for 2024, your enrollment must be completed by Thursday, Nov. 30. Current FSA/DCAP participants are not automatically re-enrolled in the program; you must enroll for each year you wish to continue to participate.

Enrollment is completed through Workday. Visit the HRS Open Enrollment website for additional information about these benefits, including a recorded presentation covering the Medical and Limited FSA benefits.

Questions can be directed to HRS Benefit Services at 509-335-4521 or hrs.benefits@wsu.edu.

Beth Doyle of Transportation Services has been approved for shared leave. Those interested in donating can do so by following these instructions:

From your Workday home page:

1. Click on the Absence applet.
2. Click Request Absence.
3. Click on today’s date only on the calendar (even if donating for a range of dates).
4. Click blue Request Absence button on the page bottom left side.
5. Select Absence Type, then Donate Leave, then choose type of leave you wish to donate and then click next.
6. On the Request Absence screen, click the grey Edit Quantity per Day option.
7. Enter the amount of hours you would like to donate in the Update All Quantities box, then in the comments leave the name of the recipient. Click Done.
8. Choose Reason for Donation, then submit.

When submitting donated leave, please list only one recipient per transaction.

Thank you.

During the Open Enrollment (OE) period, Nov. 1–30, you can make certain changes to your benefit elections.

Please note: While it is recommended all eligible employees review and submit the Open Enrollment event in Workday, if you do not take action you will keep your same medical/dental plans and dependent coverage for 2024. You do need to take action if you wish to make changes to your 2024 medical/dental coverage, enroll in a FSA/DCAP account for 2024, or if you are required to re-attest to the spousal surcharge.

How do I make changes?

All changes will be made through Workday. An OE benefits event arrived in your Workday inbox on Nov. 1; all changes must be submitted by Nov. 30 at midnight.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make changes can be found at the Workday Knowledge Base. Videos demonstrating how to make changes can be found at the HRS Open Enrollment website.

Please review the info sources provided before reaching out with questions. Contact HRS Benefits at 509-335-4589 or hrs.benefits@wsu.edu for assistance.

CDHPs have lower monthly premiums, offset by a higher deductible and out-of-pocket max. These plans are paired with a HSA, which WSU contributes $58.34/employee or $116.67/family monthly. You may also make HSA contributions pre-tax thru payroll deduction.

• The HSA max contribution limit for 2024 is $4,150/employee only or $8,300/families. This includes both your and WSU contributions, as well as the $125 SmartHealth Incentive if earned. Those age 55+ may contribute an additional $1000/yr.
• HSA funds can be used on qualified medical expenses, and carry forward year-to-year. Funds remain yours even if you disenroll from a CDHP or leave WSU.
• Contributions made through payroll deduction lower your federal and FICA taxable income. The earnings are tax-free, and the funds remain tax-free if utilized for eligible health expenses.
• CDHP enrollees must meet IRS eligibility requirements. If near or over age 65, speak with a tax advisor; Medicare A and/or B enrollees may not have contributions to a HSA, and if they do there are tax implications.
• During OE, CDHP/HSA enrollees may also enroll in a Limited FSA to cover vision and dental expenses in 2024.

Visit HSA info or HRS Open Enrollment for more information. On the OE website, you will also find a recorded presentation on the CDHP and associated Health Savings Accounts, as well as a schedule of a Zoom presentation on Nov. 15.

Contact HRS Benefits at 509-335-4521 or hrs.benefits@wsu.edu with questions.

Did you know that students can complete an entire WSU course in as little as three weeks? There are more than 35 courses from which to choose!

• 6-week classes start on Nov. 27
• 3-week courses start on Dec. 16

Winter session is a great way to accelerate academic progress, taking advantage of the break between fall and spring semesters.

Courses will fill up fast, so encourage students to enroll soon!

To see this year’s courses and learn more, visit winter.wsu.edu.

The Washington State University President’s Employee Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding contributions to the university by administrative professionals and classified employees across the state.

Nominations will be accepted now through Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.