From: University Wide NoticesTo: University Wide NoticesSubject: University-Wide Notices for 12/4/17Date: Monday, December 4, 2017 4:31:21 PMAttachments: image003.png

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University Wide NoticesHere is a list of today’s notices: Ø Clerical and Faculty Dependent children verificationØ Notice - Death of a Current StudentØ Congratulations Graduates!Ø Did You Know? ASC Offers Online Tutoring for Math 126Ø Learning Insights - ASSESSMENT, ACCREDITATION, and FACULTY CREDENTIALSØ Retirement Celebration for Mindy Britton

To view our University Wide Notice (UWN) Procedures, please click here.

Clerical and Faculty Dependent children verification

REMINDER!!!!! 

Annual verification process for dependents age 25 and over starting Nov. 1, 2017

MESSA has mailed letters with instructions on how to verify the eligibility of dependents age 25 and over to our memberswho currently cover these dependents. Members must verify their child’s eligibility with MESSA Group Services betweenNov. 1 and Dec. 31 to continue coverage in 2018. MESSA will terminate coverage effective Dec. 31 for any dependent age25 or older whose eligibility is not verified by that date. MESSA coverage for unmarried, dependent children continues through the end of the calendar year in which they turn 25but may be extended beyond age 25 under certain circumstances. Please notify your employees of the school district’soverage dependent policy if it differs from MESSA’s. MESSA members must have an account on the MESSA member portal in order to verify their child’s continuedeligibility. Please encourage your employees to set up an account before Nov. 1 by going to www.messa.org and clickingon ‘Register Now’ in the Login section. MESSA members who miss the Dec. 31 deadline will be directed to their schoolbusiness office to obtain the Dependent Child Eligibility Verification form. Beginning Nov. 1, members will be able to verify their dependent’s eligibility as follows: Full-time student dependents:  Members will be instructed to log into the MESSA member portal and complete theDependent Child Eligibility Verification form. The name and phone number of the college or university the dependentattends is required. The completed form can be submitted electronically to MESSA with no signature required or it may beprinted from the member and/or school business office portal, completed, signed and faxed or mailed to MESSA. Physically/intellectually impaired dependents:  The form that both the member and the dependent’s physician needs tocomplete is available on both the MESSA member and school business office portals all year. The forms and medicaldocumentation must still be submitted to MESSA for review and approval by our Medical Director.

mailto:universitywidenotices@ferris.edumailto:universitywidenotices@ferris.eduhttp://www.ferris.edu/it/tts/policyap-uwng.htmhttps://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.messa.org&data=02%7C01%7CLaurieNoell%40ferris.edu%7C814091d82ca34e773cbc08d51fac8d68%7C64b0362e85c04e95a4ce5651d96cb739%7C1%7C0%7C636449748344512907&sdata=xcdAOagbC0pDbgygi1hK74YvovMgTDv6NG1UOWLfIR0%3D&reserved=0

Affordable Care Act (ACA) adult children:  MESSA will automatically switch adult children turning 25 in 2017, with currentmedical coverage, to ACA-qualified medical-only coverage if they are no longer eligible under any other dependent criteria.Members do not need to complete a dependent verification form to change these dependent(s) status to ACA. Dental andvision coverage will end Dec. 31, 2017. Affordable Care Act (ACA) dependent adult children age 26 may continue medical-only coverage if they are a full-timestudent:  Members will be instructed to log into the MESSA member portal and complete the Dependent Child EligibilityVerification form. The name and phone number of the college or university the dependent attends is required. Thecompleted form can be submitted electronically to MESSA with no signature required or it may be printed from themember and/or school business office portal, completed, signed and faxed or mailed to MESSA. MESSA will post a report on the school business office (SBO) portal on Nov. 1 that lists all of the employees that were sent aletter. The report and other pertinent documents can be found under “Dependent Child Eligibility Information and Forms”on the portal homepage. For questions, SBOs should contact MESSA Group Services at 888.888.4167; employees should contact MESSA’s MemberService Center at 800.336.0013.

 Eligibility criteria for adult children age 19 and older

Adult children must meet one of the following criteria to be considered eligible for continued medical coverage until theend of the next calendar year: Dependent adult child, age 19-25A dependent adult child age 19-25 is eligible for medical, dental and vision coverage until the end of the calendar year inwhich they turn 25. However:

· You must provide the majority of the child’s financial support.· He or she cannot be married.

 Non-dependent adult child, age 19-26Under the Affordable Care Act, adult, non-dependent children 19-26 are eligible to continue only medical coverage until theend of the month or calendar year in which they turn 26.

· The child does not need to be dependent on you for support.· The child does not need to live with you.· The child can be married.· The child does not need to be a full-time student.

Contact your employer to verify if coverage is cancelled at the end of the month the adult child turns 26, or at the end ofthe calendar year. Dependent adult child, age 25 and olderA dependent adult child age 25 or older is eligible to continue medical, dental and vision coverage beyond the end of thecalendar year in which they turn 25 and continuously thereafter if they meet one of these two criteria:

· The child must be a full-time student (carrying 12 undergraduate credits or six graduate credits. In addition, youmust provide the majority of the child’s financial support, and he or she must be unmarried.

· Or, the child must have a severe physical or intellectual impairment which makes them incapable of self-sustainingemployment. Note: Mental illness is not considered a cause of incapacity and therefore is not a basis for continuedcoverage.

Oct. 27, 2017

            ACTION REQUIREDMary Sample MemberSample Member AddressSample Member City State Zip Our records indicate that your dependent(s) listed below are age 25 or older and currently receive medical, dental and/orvision coverage through MESSA.

Robert Sample III (10/12/1992) Sally Ann Sample (10/12/1992) You MUST confirm the eligibility status of each dependent listed above between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31. Any dependent(s)whose eligibility status is not confirmed before Dec. 31 could lose their MESSA coverage effective Dec. 31, 2017. MESSA coverage for unmarried dependent children typically continues through the end of the calendar year in which theyturn 25. Some coverage can be extended beyond age 25 if your dependent is a full-time student or has a physical orintellectual impairment. Children turning 26 may be eligible for medical-only coverage (not dental or vision) through the endof the month or year in which they turn 26. Please verify with your employer their eligibility guidelines for children over age25. Beginning Nov. 1, you may verify your dependent(s)’ eligibility using the steps below:

Step 1: Log in to the MESSA member portal. If you do not have an account, you need to set one up atwww.messa.org - click “Register now” in the Login section. Step 2: Click the “Dependent Child Eligibility Verification form” link at the top of the member portal homepage toview a Dependent Verification form. You need to review the eligibility status of each dependent listed above. Thislink will not be available after Dec. 31. Step 3: Click “Submit” at the bottom of the page for electronic submission to MESSA Group Services. You willreceive a message if your form was successfully submitted and you will also be emailed a copy of the completedform for your records. Alternately, you can print and complete a form by hand, and mail it to: MESSA GroupServices, 1475 Kendale Blvd., P.O. Box 2560, East Lansing, MI 48826-2560.

If you do not take action before Dec. 31, the current dental and/or vision coverage for your dependent(s) turning 25 in 2017will be cancelled effective Dec. 31, 2017. Their current medical coverage will be continued until the end of the year in whichthey turn 26 or at the end of the month in which they turn 26, depending on your employer’s policy.Contact your employer for information about purchasing coverage under COBRA for any dependent(s) no longer eligible forMESSA coverage. If you have questions, please contact MESSA’s Member Service Center at 800.336.0013.

Laurie A. NoellBenefits SpecialistFerris State University420 Oak StreetBig Rapids, MI 49307231-591-3877 PH231-591-2978 Fx

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Notice - Death of a Current Student The Office of the President has been informed of the death of a current student, Amika Sharp, on November 29, 2017.Amika was a student enrolled in our Criminal Justice program on the Grand Rapids campus.

The Ferris flag will be lowered to half-staff in her memory on Tuesday, December 5th, 2017.

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Congratulations Graduates!

Congratulations to our Graduates!Academic Support Center, Structured LearningAssistance and Writing Center  

o Brittany Carylo Alyssa Cummingso April Kingo Victoria Masono Felicia Rohno Karl Schmidto Jaden Shirkeyo Dylan Yore

____________________________________________________________Karen D. Royster-James, M.S.Ed.Supervisor, Academic Support Center and Structured Learning AssistanceFerris State University820 Campus Drive, ASC 1017EBig Rapids, MI 49307Office: 231-591-3771Fax: 231-591-3060http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/university/ASC/

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Did You Know? ASC Offers Online Tutoring for Math 126

THE ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER

IS OFFERING ONLINE TUTORINGFOR  MATH 126

HOURS:MONDAY:         7-8 PMTUESDAY:         5-6 PMWEDNESDAY: 6-8 PMTHURDAY:        5-6 PMACCESS THE SESSIONS DURING THE AVAILABLE TIMES AT: https://us.bbcollab.com/collab/ui/session/guest/e4e70e1e8a3a46a1b1e544a0aa76535a __________________________________________

http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/university/ASC/https://us.bbcollab.com/collab/ui/session/guest/e4e70e1e8a3a46a1b1e544a0aa76535a

Karen D. Royster-James, M.S.Ed.Supervisor, Academic Support Center and Structured Learning AssistanceFerris State University820 Campus Drive, ASC 1017EBig Rapids, MI 49307Office: 231-591-3771Fax: 231-591-3060http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/university/ASC/

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Learning Insights - ASSESSMENT, ACCREDITATION, and FACULTY CREDENTIALS

December 4, 2017Issue 28

Author Linda ButlerAssociate Professor

Marketing Department The InsightThe HLC sets forth clear guidelines for determining faculty credentials to teach in a discipline. It is up to us to ensure thatwe apply these guidelines and document how each faculty member teaching a course is qualified to do so in accordance withthose standards. ImplicationsA careful examination of faculty credentials and evidence of adhering to HLC requirements will help support theuniversity’s bid for re-accreditation in 2020.

Now is a good time to ensure that our processes support this goal and that documentation is available for HLC review.

“Completion of a degree in a specific field enhances an instructor’s depth of subject matterknowledge and is easily identifiable.”

ASSESSMENT, ACCREDITATION, and FACULTY CREDENTIALS One of the uses of assessment is to demonstrate to external accrediting bodies that the university and its various programsare graduating students who have actually learned what they are expected to learn. Educational institutions have a variety of means at their disposal to ensure that learning is truly taking place - the purpose ofassessment. One essential element is faculty qualifications to teach. With the university facing its Higher LearningCommission (HLC) re-accreditation in the next year or so, this is a good time for us to ensure that faculty credentials are notonly documented but properly applied. Per the HLC, “faculty in higher education should have completed a program of study in the discipline.” And that “completionof a degree in a specific field enhances an instructor’s depth of subject matter knowledge and is easily identifiable.” Theexpectation is that faculty possess 18 graduate credit hours of study in the discipline in which he or she teaches, or theinstitution must explain and justify why that individual is teaching those classes. In the case where equivalent experience is used in lieu of academic credits, the university must determine a minimum levelof experience required and determine how that experience is evaluated as part of the faculty appointment process. Thispractice ensures consistency in determining faculty preparedness for teaching in a discipline and supports the quality of thatinstruction – and student learning.

http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/colleges/university/ASC/

With reaccreditation looming, now is the time to ensure that faculty credentials are clearly identified and documented, andthat there is a demonstrable process in place to ensure that quality faculty are appointed to instruct our students. A copy of the HLC guidelines for faculty qualifications can be obtained from:http://download.hlcommission.org/FacultyGuidelines_2016_OPB.pdf

Angie Hollister |Administrative Assistant to Associate ProvostFerris State University | Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs1201 S. State Street - CSS 310H | Big Rapids, MI 49307(231) 591-3537 office · (231) 591-3592 fax · AngieHollister@ferris.edu

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Retirement Celebration for Mindy Britton

Retirement Celebration for Mindy Britton

Please join us for aRetirement Celebration

Honoring

Mindy BrittonCompliance Auditor/Board Liaison

Charter Schools Office 

After 36 years of service to Ferris State University, with the last 10 yearsin the Charter Schools Office, Mindy Britton is retiring shortly after theNew Year. We want to thank Mindy for her work and commitment to

Ferris State University and the Charter Schools Office.

Monday, December 11, 2017

http://download.hlcommission.org/FacultyGuidelines_2016_OPB.pdfmailto:AngieHollister@ferris.edu

2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.Program beginning at 3:00 p.m.

University Center 202A

Hors D’oeuvres, Cake, Coffee and Punch will be served

Anyone with a disability that needs special accommodations to attend this event shouldcontact Sue Lewis at (231) 591-5802 or e-mail susanlewis@ferris.edu at least 72 hours in

advance.

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mailto:susanlewis@ferris.edu