Benefits
Contribution Limits
Changes to the payroll system earlier this year now allow closer IRS mandated monitoring of tax deferred 403(b) plan contributions. As a result, contributions automatically stop when the maximum annual contribution is reached. This amount will vary for each individual, but cannot exceed $9,500 (there are some exceptions for employees with more than 15 years of full-time service). For many participants limited to $9,500, this occurred with October paychecks.
For those whose contributions were stopped at $9,500: Your contributions will resume automatically Jan. 1, 1996, at the monthly rate prior to being stopped.
For those whose contributions were stopped at $9,500, but met the requirements to contribute up to $12,500: If you submitted a UPAY 801 (salary reduction agreement) form to have your contributions resume at a higher amount to make up for missed deductions, you will need to submit a UPAY 801 form to change your monthly contribution amount for 1996.
All UPAY 801 forms must be submitted to the Payroll Office, 171 University Hall, by Dec. 15 for changes to be effective on the Jan. 1 paycheck.
For further information regarding contribution limits, call Susan Gutierrez in the Benefits Unit at 643-7549, or email susang@ uclink.
Social Security
Wage Base Change
The Social Security Administration has announced the 1996 taxable wage base for the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) component of Social Security taxes. The OASDI wage base will increase from $61,200 in 1995 to $62,700 in 1996. The tax rate on wages up to the wage base will remain at 6.2 percent.
All wages are subject to the Medicare hospital insurance component of Social Security taxes and will continue to be taxed at a rate of 1.45 percent.
Money Movement
And Holiday Schedules
This year UC Benefits will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 for winter holiday, Dec. 29 and Jan. 1 for New Year's and Jan.15 for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Because of the holidays, the December processing deadline for distribution requests and fund transfers is Friday, Dec. 22 (rather than the 25th). Requests received after Dec. 22 will not be processed until February.
Note: UC Benefits also was closed Nov. 23 and 24 for Thanksgiving. Requests received after Nov. 22 will not be processed until January 1996.
Entertainment '96
Entertainment '96 books for Alameda and Contra Costa counties are now available for purchase at the Cashier's Office, 140 University Hall. Cost is $40 per book. Special orders, with advance payment, can be placed for books for other areas.
Awards
Bill Dietrich, professor of geology and geological sciences, received the 1995 Horton Award from the Hydrology Section of the American Geophysical Union. He was cited "for significant contributions and expertise in the sedimentology of rivers and the evolution of headwater drainage basins."
Andrea di Sessa, professor of education, is a newly elected member of the National Academy of Education. Membership is limited to 125 people whose accomplishments in education are judged outstanding. Di Sessa is known internationally for his research on intuitive knowledge, particularly physics, and principles for designing computer systems for learning. He is the principal investigator in the Boxer Computer Environment Project, which involves pioneering easily understood software for elementary classroom support. Di Sessa's computer work originated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he helped develop the computer language "Logo," mainly for elementary students. Other recent work includes using the Boxer software to develop and teach a physics course to sixth graders.
Douglas Fuerstenau, P. Malozemoff Professor Emeritus of Mineral Engineering, has received the first International Mineral Processing Lifetime Achievement Award. The high honor recognizes his contributions to education and research in mineral processing. Fuerstenau has supervised almost 60 PhD students (some 20 are now professors) and has published extensively on a wide range of subjects: mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, applied surface and colloid chemistry, and particle science and technology.
Pat Kirch, Class of 1954 Endowed Professor of Anthropology, was selected as the Distinguished Lecturer for the Archaeology Division of the American Anthropological Association. He presented his lecture, "Microcosmic Histories: Island Perspectives on Global Change," at the association's meeting in Washington, D.C., Nov. 17.
Kirch also has been elected chair of the anthropology section of the National Academy of Science.
Andrea Kramer, coordinator of financial aid for the Haas School of Business, has been honored with the Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' Presidential Award. The award recognizes a committee, organization or individual who has provided significant service or contribution to the organization, usually with little fanfare. Kramer, who joined the Haas school in August, formerly was assistant director of financial aid at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass. She served as the chair of the association's newsletter committee during the 1994-95 academic year and was editor of the monthly professional journal. She began a second term in this capacity and worked long distance from her new home in California during the transition.
"Resource: A Reference Guide for New Berkeley Students" was selected as the "Outstanding Orientation Handbook"--for the second time in three years-- by the National Orientation Directors' Association. Produced annually by the Office of New Student Programs, "Resource" is designed and edited by Jenne Mowry.
John Rowe, emeritus professor of anthropology, has been elected a corresponding member of the German Archaeological Institute, one of the most prestigious archaeological institutions in Europe.
Martin Takimoto, director of New Student Programs, was elected to the board of directors of the National Orientation Directors Association at the association's national conference in Minneapolis earlier this month.
Staff Enrichment
Development and Training
For more information, for copies of the 1995-96 Employee Development and Training catalog, or for information on how to enroll in classes, call 642-8134.
Managing and Mediating
Conflict in the Workplace
(For Managers and Supervisors)
Jan. 17, 8:30 am-4:30 pm.
Learn skills to effectively manage conflict among individuals, within work groups or entire departments.
Facilitation Techniques
Jan. 19 and 26, 8:30 am-4:30 pm.
Through group discussion, lecture and skills practice, participants will learn how to increase participant involvement and learning. Topics will include the role of an effective facilitator, how to create an environment that will be challenging and supportive for the adult learner, and how to prepare for facilitating a group.
Dealing With Difficult Behavior
In the Workplace
Jan. 23, 8:30 am-12:30 pm.
Participants will learn to analyze problematic situations, select appropriate strategies for dealing with them and to effectively communicate.
Absenteeism/Tardiness
Jan. 24, 8:30 am-noon.
Supervisors frustrated by employees whose absences and tardiness have fallen into a regular pattern will learn the reasons for this behavior and strategies for coping.
Tutors Needed
The CALS Project needs volunteers interested in working one-to-one with employees who want to improve their writing, speaking and reading.
The next tutor training begins Jan. 25. Tutoring times and locations are scheduled according to the availability of tutors and learners. A commitment of two hours per week for six months is requested.
For more information on becoming a tutor or learner, contact CALS Project Coordinator Jane Griswold at 3-5280 or e-mail jgris@uclink.