INFORMATION FOR RETIREES AND PROSPECTIVE RETIREES

Updated annually by the University Senate Committee on Retiree Rights and Benefits

Last Update: 4/4/07 by the Office of the Provost in collaboration with University Governance

and Human Resources and Equal Opportunity

Note: This information is subject to change at any time.

Upon retirement a member of the faculty, unclassified staff, or University support staff moves from active (a person with an active payroll appointment) to affiliate status (a person without a payroll appointment eligible for access to University services) and remains on the Human Resources and Equal Opportunity database.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:

Retirees are urged to inform the Department of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity of any changes in addresses and e-mails. Call this information to 785-864-4946, e-mail to hrdept@ku.edu or send via Federal mail to The University of Kansas, Department of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity, Carruth-O’Leary Hall, 1246 West Campus Road, Room 103, Lawrence, KS 66045-7505.

RETIREE ID:

A retiree photo ID is available for no charge at KU Card Center on the 4^th floor of the Kansas Union. The card can be used at the library and as a debit card, e.g., for use in the library copying machines. Replacement of a lost card is $15. Card Center hours: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. M-F; phone: 864-5845.

HEALTH INSURANCE:

Upon retirement the State of Kansas no longer contributes toward the health insurance premium. The State’s health care coverage ends the last day of the month of active employment. Retirees may continue in the State health plan by paying the full premiums and enroll in Medicare when eligible. Medicare then becomes the primary insurer and the State of Kansas plan becomes the secondary insurer.

Various plans are sponsored, but not paid for, by the State. Additional information about the State of Kansas retiree health plans is available at http://www.khpa.ks.gov/HCC/DBHome.htm.

Details of all the plans are available each year during the Open Enrollment period (generally the month of November for changes to be effective the following January), and information is mailed to participants from the Kansas Health Policy Authority. Retirees are considered “Direct Bill” participants and premiums are deducted monthly from the retiree’s bank account. Detailed information about the direct bill process is available at http://www.khpa.ks.gov/HCC/DBHome.htm. The Health Care Commission distributes to direct-bill retirees a quarterly newsletter, DIRECT BILL NEWS, containing information about various plans, general health-related information, and contacts. Meetings of the Commission are open to the public and the KU Endacott Society normally sends an observer to these meetings.

For questions about health plan issues contact Benefits Staff, Attn: Deb Dumas, Kansas Health Policy Authority, 900 SW Jackson, Room 900-N, Topeka, KS 66612, call toll-free at 1-866-541-7100, or e-mail deb.dumas@khpa.ks.gov.

PARKING PERMIT:

As of the 2006-2007 academic year, retiree parking permits are available, with retiree ID, at the Parking and Transit Office, 1501 Irving Hill Road; phone 864-7275, as follows: $75 for the year, $45 for one semester only, $30 for summer only. For the initial retiree’s permit, the retiree should go directly to Parking and Transit. Parking permits expire on July 31 and retirees should contact Parking and Transit if a mail notice or renewal is not received prior to that deadline. Spouses of deceased retirees are eligible for permits.

LIED CENTER EVENTS:

Retirees, widows and widowers of retirees receive one complimentary ticket for each event in the Concert, Chamber Music, and New Directions series. They may also purchase a companion ticket at faculty and staff rates. Retiree order forms must be completed annually by the qualified person and submitted to the Lied Center Ticket Office. To be added to the Lied Center’s retiree mailing list or for more information, call the Lied Center Ticket Office at 864-2787.

UNIVERSITY THEATRE:

Retirees are eligible for two complimentary tickets for main stage event. To be included on the retirees’ mailing list, call the Box Office, 864-3982, early in the summer after retirement.

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES:

Robinson Center: On presentation of KU ID, retirees have free access to the facilities of Robinson Center. A pass for spouse or significant other is available at $50 per year and can be purchased in Room 124 Robinson Center. Lockers rent for $12 per year. For the schedule call the Robinson Center Information Line, 864-3385 or 864-0795. If you have questions, call Dr. Bernie Kish at 864-0703.

Student Recreation Fitness Center: Upon presentation of the KU ID, the center offers retiree memberships at the following rates: monthly, $20.83, annual, $250. KU retirees are eligible for a one-time, one-week trial at no charge. For further information call 864-1370. Information about SRFC hours is available at http://www2.ku.edu/~recserv/ or by calling 864-3546.

LIBRARY PRIVILEGES:

Retirees have full library privileges, including Interlibrary Loan, with retiree KU ID. The retiree may be asked to self-identify before services can be provided due to periodic updates of patrons’ list by the library.

COMPUTER SERVICES:

E-mail and dial-in terminal server accounts are available, the latter at $70.00 a year ($35.00 per semester).

LETTERHEAD/ENVELOPES:

Retired members of the faculty and staff may use departmental letterhead and envelopes when engaged in professional activities related to their current or former University responsibilities.

RESEARCH SUPPORT:

Several units of the University provide research support to retired faculty.

The Hall Center for the Humanities encourages retired faculty to participate fully in research and development programming as well as in events designed for a public audience. Hall Center travel and research grants and fellowship competitions, however, are not open to retirees. Information about programs and events is available at http://www.hallcenter.ku.edu/ or by calling (864-4798) or emailing hallcenter@ku.edu.

The KU Center for Research, Inc. supports retired faculty members who are active researchers in their pursuit of grants. This can include the funding of travel to sponsors. For information call 864-3441.

Other support, including lab space, office space, endowment funds for travel and research, and secretarial support is provided to retirees at the discretion of the departments.

AUDITING COURSES:

In accordance with Kansas Board of Regents policy tuition is waived for Kansas residents 60 years of age or older who enroll as visitors. Auditing is available on a space-available basis with the permission of the instructor. No grades are given.

KANSAS UNION BOOK STORE:

With KU ID, retirees receive the same discounts as active faculty and staff. Retirees are invited to “Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night”; the evening discounts are available to retirees the entire day.

DINING HALLS:

Retirees may purchase meals at University dining halls upon presentation of a valid KU ID.

KANSAS ATHLETICS:

Men’s Basketball: Retirees who currently hold season tickets to men’s basketball games are eligible to renew them annually at the faculty/staff discount rate. Seating in the faculty/staff sections will be based on “years of service” to the University at the time of retirement. (“Years of service” do not accrue after retirement.)

If a retiree was not a holder of season tickets, he/she may purchase half-season tickets after season ticket holders have reordered. Seating for non-season ticket holders is random and not based on years of service. Contact the Office of University Governance (864-5169) for additional information regarding faculty/staff basketball tickets.

Other Sports: Please contact the Athletics office for information: 864-3141.

KU ON WHEELS:

Retirees may ride for $1 per ride (no passes available). For further information call 785-864-4644.

PARK AND RIDE EXPRESS:

The KU Parking and Transit Department operates an express shuttle service between the Park and Ride lot on West Campus and several main and West Campus stops. Although a special permit must be purchased to utilize the Park and Ride lot, anyone may ride the Park and Ride express shuttle at no charge.

UNIVERSITY RELATIONS:

Retirees may get a free subscription to the OREAD by calling the editor at 785-864-8660.or e-mailing: oread@ku.edu. The OREAD is available online: www.oread.ku.edu.

University Relations press releases are available by e-mailing listproc@listproc.cc.ku.edu with “subscribe KUNEWS1-L” in the body of the message.

Emeritus retirees are automatically included in the University Directory, unless requested otherwise, if they live in Kansas and the KC metropolitan area; other retirees are included upon request. Listing includes title, e.g., Professor Emerita, e-mail address if available, departmental affiliation and local address and phone number. Campus directories are available annually at the Adams Center through the Endacott Society.

University calendars are available annually at the Adams Center through the Endacott Society. Availability of the directories and calendars is published on the Endacott Society list-serve.

SPRAGUE APARTMENTS:

Retiree apartments are available for lease to retired faculty and unclassified administrators and their surviving spouses. Management of the apartments is administered by Midwest Property Management. For inquiries about availability and rates call 785-841-4935.

PIONEER CEMETERY:

Cremation burials in Pioneer Cemetery are available to retired faculty and unclassified administrators and their spouses at no cost. Eligibility typically requires fifteen years or more of service. For information call Daryl Beene at KUEA at 785-832-7435

STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES, WATKINS MEMORIAL HEALTH CENTER

Retirees of the University of Kansas are entitled to use the pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, physical therapy, and allergy and immunization/travel clinic with written order from an outside physician.

WATKINS PHARMACY:

Retirees only (not spouses or family members) may fill drug prescriptions provided the drug plan is accepted by the pharmacy; the pharmacy must see the drug card to determine whether it will accept the plan. However, Student Health Services, including the pharmacy, is not a Medicare provider. Flu shots are available but not covered by Medicare. For further information call 785-864-9512.

CREDIT UNION:

Current accounts of retirees continue to be active. New accounts are not accepted.

ENDACOTT SOCIETY:

Housed in the Adams Alumni Center, the Endacott Society provides a variety of educational, cultural, and social activities for retired faculty, professional staff, and University support staff and spouses. Annual dues are$25 for a single retiree or $30 for a joint membership in the Alumni Association. To view the Endacott Society Home Page with a calendar of activities go to http://groups.ku.edu/~endacottsociety/ or Google “Endacott Society.” If you do not have computer access and want membership information call one of the membership chairs: Nancy Hambleton at 785-843-2508 or Maxine Patterson at 785-843-7905. To sign up for the Endacott Society list-serve send the message SUBSCRIBE EMERIT-L your name to listproc@listproc.cc.ku.edu.

VOTING PRIVILEGES:

University Senate and Faculty Senate (formerly called “University Council” and “Faculty Council”): Meetings are open; only members may vote. Any member of Senate may move to permit a non-member of Senate to speak for a specified time on the issue under consideration, with a two-thirds majority of those present and voting required for approval.

Meetings of the Unclassified Senate (formerly Unclassified Professional Staff Assn) are open to all, but voting privileges are reserved for active employees.

Meetings of the University Support Staff (formerly Classified) Senate meeting are open to all, but voting privileges are reserved for active employees.

In the College and the Schools:

CLAS:

Emeritus retirees living in Lawrence and the surrounding area may vote in the College Assembly. These retirees are contacted annually by the Secretary of the Assembly and asked if they wish to be voting members for that year (Article I of the Bylaws of the College Assembly). Retirees may also receive the College newsletter, the COLLEGIAN, by calling the CLAS Office at 785-864-3661.

School of Architecture and Urban Design:

Emeritus retirees are invited to school assemblies and are eligible to vote on governance issues.

School of Business:

Retired faculty have no voting privileges in the School’s Assembly.

School of Education:

Emeritus faculty may attend and participate, with voting privileges, in meetings of the School’s Assembly if they have notified the Secretary of the Assembly of their intent to do so by October 1 of each year.

School of Engineering:

Emeritus faculty can vote in the Engineering Senate and are considered members of the school’s Faculty Senate. They do not sit on any of the School’s Senate committees.

School of Fine Arts:

Emeritus faculty are not included among the voting membership of the School.

School of Journalism:

Retirees are welcome at School meetings; there exists no specific policy on voting rights.

School of Law:

Retirees may attend meetings of the student-faculty senate but do not have voting privileges.

School of Pharmacy:

No provision exists for participation of retirees to vote on governance issues.

School of Social Welfare:

Business is conducted through faculty meetings which have student representation, but no official retiree representation.

Academic departments and programs:

Voting privileges in academic departments and programs are determined by the faculty in those units.

Libraries:

The Library Faculty Association Code states that “an emeritus or emerita member of the library faculty who indicates in writing to the LFA chairperson his or her desire to remain a member” is included in the LFA membership. An emeritus or emerita librarian who has remained a member “may vote for candidates for positions on the Executive Committee.”

GENERAL INFORMATION

Faculty and staff who have retirement-related questions are encouraged to contact the Benefits office of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity at benefits@ku.edu, 864-4946, or Room 150 Carruth-O’Leary.