The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

The student media organization of California State University Northridge

Daily Sundial

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Healthcare, retirement plans showcased to faculty and staff at annual fair

Many CSUN faculty members and staff gathered at University Student Union (USU) Grand Salon for the ‘Faculty and Staff Benefits Fair’ on Sept. 12 to see what options are available to them.

All of CSUN faculty and staff had the opportunity to see and choose their benefits’ plans and ask questions at the fair.

The fair is held once a year in September because every fall, the California State University system allows faculty and staff to change their medical and dental insurance coverage.

‘I’m thinking to change my health insurance. I got lots of information and learned about the health center,’ said Janet Oh, a first-time visitor and faculty of the psychology department. ‘(This benefits fair is) definitely helpful.’

According to Monica Escontrias, the benefits coordinator of the Office of Human Resources, there are about 4,000 faculty and staff at CSUN. Over 300 people were expected to come to the fair this year.

For employees of CSUN, the CSU system has a comprehensive program of benefits for them and also to their families including their children, eligible spouses or domestic partners.

To receive health care benefits, faculty have to be appointed at least half-time or for more than six months which is equivalent to seven-and-a-half teaching units, or are in the positions of lecturer or coach with at least six teaching units for at least one semester or more.

During the event, the employees could see what medical plans, dental plans, optical plans and retirement plans weres available for them.

Information on services from the Klotz Students Health Center such as nutrition counseling, chiropractic care, wellness coaching, and flu shots were also provided.

There were about 20 vendors, including Blue Shield, Kaiser Permanente, American Cancer Society, Delta Dental and Facey Medical Group that offered information on their services. Facey Medical Group provided bone density tests and the Klotz Student Health Center also provided neck massages for visitors.

‘We are pretty busy and this is a nice beginning turnout,’ said Sharon Aronoff, health educator of the Klotz Student Health Center.

Other vendors also gave information about health insurance, auto and home insurance, fitness programs and physical activity programs. American Cancer Society promoted their 10-week physical activity program, Active for Life, which promotes health awareness and physical fitness within teams by setting a personal goal for regular physical activity.

Staff from the Office of Human Resources has prepared for the coming open enrollment for medical, dental, and flexible spending accounts from Sept. 15 to Oct. 10 for the faculty and staff who need to make changes to their coverage.

‘I just joined CSUN last year and always get insurance from CSUN. Actually I have a list of questions about my coverage,’ said Sushmita Saha, a second-time visitor and staff from information technology.

‘I got pretty good information, mainly for the coverage of different insurances and different options. Staff answered my questions and it was helpful,’ said Saha.

‘I highly recommend coming to this fair to more CSUN faculty and staff to see the different options for them,’ Escontrias said.

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