University of Alaska employees may now use their Employee Education Benefit (ie, “tuition waiver”) for non-credit courses. A revision to University Regulation 4.06.010 will enhance training and development opportunities for UA’s regular benefits-eligible employees, which in turn is a benefit to the university. Please note this revision does not change the use of the UA Education Benefit for credit courses.�

Fees for up to six non-credit courses from a “UA-approved List” may be waived for benefits-eligible employees per academic year.� Placement on the “UA-approved List” is based on factors that include whether the course will improve job-related skills for a broad number of university employees or will strengthen supervisory skills. �Unlike the "tuition waiver" benefit that applies to credit courses, the waiver of course fees for UA approved non-credit courses does not apply to dependents, spouses or financially interdependent partner. Employees who are not benefits-eligible also do not have access to this benefit.

If courses not on the “UA-approved List” are considered relevant to a particular employee’s training needs, departments may pay for the employee’s attendance out of the departmental training budget, provided the supervisor authorizes the payment in advance.� Such course payments are not covered by or reimbursed as a part of the employee education benefit.� �

Human Resources created a new form that covers both the waiver of tuition for credit courses and fees for UA approved non-credit courses.� The form has been standardized for use at all UA campuses at http://www.alaska.edu/hr/forms/forms/tuition_waiver_req.pdf.�

The “UA-approved List” is posted on the Statewide HR website at http://www.alaska.edu/hr/forms/docs/courses_fall_2008.pdf.�Also included as UA-approved are Certified Public Manager courses at� http://www.alaska.edu/hr/forms/docs/cpm_courses.pdf

Statewide employees who have questions about this benefit should contact Erika Van Flein at 450-8227 or erika.vanflein@alaska.edu.

Fidelity Investments on campus
Lynne Farrington from Fidelity will visit the Anchorage and Fairbanks campuses this month to talk to employees about the University ORP, Pension and Tax Deferred Savings Plans.

University of Alaska Anchorage

• October 29^th, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Rasmuson Hall Room 112, and from 1:00 to 5:00 PM in the Engineering Bldg Room 342.

University of Alaska Fairbanks

• October 30^th, in the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Room 203G.
• October 31^st, in the Wood Center from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM in Room A (lower level).

To schedule an appointment call Fidelity at 800-642-7131 M-F 4:00 AM – 8:00 PM Alaska time or online at www.fidelity.com/atwork/reservations .

The Joint Health Care Committee (JHCC) is in the process of examining the structure of the University's Wellness Program. With your input, we will continue developing a program that provides wellness opportunities that will motivate you to make wise, informed health care decisions.

The ultimate aim of a wellness program is to provide incentives and tools to help control chronic conditions and redirect unhealthy life choices. To facilitate this process, the JHCC needs your participation in this quick survey to determine your interests and ideas about wellness. We are also interested in the types of incentives that would best motivate you to start and maintain a healthy life style.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=DGb_2fqKBkm5Al83AOusw_2fPA_3d_3d