27 Pay Periods in CY 2004
GTA/GRA Health Insurance Employer Cost
GTA/GRA Health Insurance - Summer 2003 Session
Retirement Recognition Gift Policy
Classified Employee Vacation Leave Overage for FY 2003

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27 Pay Periods in CY 2004
In calendar year 2004 there will be 27 pay dates, instead of the usual 26. This will have some effects on your employees as follows:

• Employees are being paid for 365 days each year, it’s just how the pay dates fall. We still compute annual salaries based on 26 pay periods or academic salaries based on 20 pay periods. Contracts are based on fiscal year.
• The actual taxable compensation received during 2004 likely will be greater than the employee’s regular annual rate of pay.
• There will be 3 months with 3 paychecks (Jan, Jul, and Dec).
• There will be 7 summer pay periods (05/09/04 to 08/14/04).
• 9-month employees will have 1 more pay period they are not being paid…. 7 unpaid summer pay periods (unless they have a summer school or other summer appointment.) These employees may want to begin early planning for this situation.
• This may have some effect on the payment of summer sponsored projects.
• Nine-month employees who have double deductions in the spring for summer benefits will still have deductions for only 6 pay periods since payments are made twice-monthly.
• The academic pay periods for 9-month employees will be August 15, 2004 through May 21, 2005, with the first check paid on September 10, 2004.
• Employees who normally max out on OASDI will not pay OASDI on one additional pay check in late 2004.
• HRIS will calculate federal and state taxes based on 27 pay calendars. Since we annualize taxes, this should not be an issue.
• The Annual Benefits Base Rate used for Imputed Income and determination of benefit program will continue to be based on annual rate of pay.
• W-2s will be created and distributed closer to the January 31^st deadline.

If you have questions or comments, please contact Patsy Havenstein in our office at patsy@ksu.edu or call her at (785) 532-1883.

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GTA/GRA Health Insurance Employer Cost
On April 4, 2003, the State of Kansas Health Care Commission approved an increase in the employer premium contribution for GTA/GRA health insurance from 50% to 75%, effective with the next contract year (August 1, 2003). This provides GTA/GRA students the same level of contribution that is provided other part time benefits eligible employees of the state.

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GTA/GRA Health Insurance - Summer 2003 Session
As you hire or reappoint graduate teaching assistants and/or graduate research assistants for the Summer 2003 session please advise each student about the available GTA/GRA health insurance plan. Persons appointed at least .5 FTE for the summer as a graduate teaching assistant or graduate research assistant are eligible to participate in the health insurance plan. The coverage period will be June 1, 2003 to July 31, 2003. The open enrollment period will be May 15 to May 30, 2003.

Graduate teaching assistant or graduate research assistants who receive a "renewal premium notice" from Student Resources are to return it, with the semester premium payment, directly to the Division of Human Resources by May 30, 2003.

A brochure describing the plan provisions and an enrollment form (including premium rates) are available at the following web site: www.studentresources.net or from the Division of Human Resources.

NOTE: Please remind anyone enrolling for the GTA/GRA health insurance that there will be a slight delay in transmitting the enrollment forms and payment premiums to Student Resources inasmuch as the Division of Human Resources is required to verify their appointment and participation eligibility prior to sending in the documents.

Questions concerning this plan should be directed to Student Resources at 1-800-767-0700.

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Retirement Recognition Gift Policy
It is the practice of Kansas State University to recognize employees at the time of their retirement for their performance of duties and length of service. The University often awards various gifts and honoraria to its employees. Please review KSU Policy and Procedures Manual, Chapter 4812 concerning the established policy and taxing guidance.

Questions should be addressed to the Division of Human Resources at (785) 532-6277.

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Classified Employee Vacation Leave Overage for FY 2003
Classified employees have until June 7, 2003, to use any vacation leave hours over their maximum allowed accumulation. For the pay period May 25, 2003 to June 7, 2003, any vacation leave hours used will be subtracted from the vacation leave balance before the leave balance is reduced to the maximum allowed accumulation. The amount accrued for the pay period ending June 7, 2003, will then be added to the vacation leave balance. This means the employee does not lose the vacation leave hours accrued for that pay period. Vacation leave overages are listed on the employee Statement of Earnings as "AO." If an employee has vacation leave overage on June 7, 2003, up to 20 hours of any excess accrued vacation leave will automatically convert to sick leave. After this conversion, all remaining vacation leave over the maximum allowed accumulation of hours will be forfeited.

Questions regarding vacation leave overages and maximum accumulations should be addressed to your HR Payroll and Employee Data liaison at (785) 532-6277.

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"A professional is someone who can do their best work when they don't feel like it." -- Alistair Cooke

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Kansas State University
Division of Human Resources
103 Edwards Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-4801
Phone (785) 532-6277 Fax (785) 532-6095
Visit us on the web at http://www.ksu.edu/hr/

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Kansas State University
April 11, 2003