Advocacy · Communication · Education
Professional Development · Representation
PSO News: January 2012
BROWN BAG EVENT: Earthquake Preparedness. Thu Jan 26, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. UW Tower Auditorium. Siri-Elizabeth McLean, Plans and Training Manager with UW Emergency Management, will speak on disaster and personal preparedness. McLean prepares the responders who work with Emergency Management and she's studying to become a certified trainer with FEMA. For more information, visit Earthquake Preparedness.
Campus News
Proposed changes to Retirement Plan. For members that participate in either the UW Retirement Plan (UWRP) or Voluntary Investment Program (VIP), Human Resources will be conducting informational meetings on proposed changes to these plans. To dispel any misconception, the PSO has not taken a position on, neither for nor against, these proposed changes.
Two sessions will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2012:
Session 1: Tacoma. 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, UW Tacoma, Cherry Parkes, Room 324
Session 2: Seattle. 4:30 - 6:00 pm, UW Seattle, Kane Hall, Room 210 . Note: This session will be webcast via UWTV.
Three sessions will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2012:
Session 3: Bothell. 8:00 - 9:30 am, UW Bothell, UW-1, Rose Room 280
Session 4: Health Sciences. Noon - 1:30 pm, Health Sciences, Hogness Auditorium, Room A-420
Session 5: Harborview. 3:30 - 4:50 pm, Harborview Medical Center, Research & Training Building, Room 117 & 121
For more information on the proposed changes, visit Proposed changes UWRP & VIP or read an exerpt from an email announcement below.
From email sent on January 24, 2012
Subject: UWRP/VIP Open Sessions to Review Proposed Changes
After more than two years of review and work with an investment consultant, the UW Retirement Fund Review Committee has finalized recommendations to simplify the investment approach for the UW Retirement Plan (UWRP) and the Voluntary Investment Program (VIP). The recommendations will allow for an improved customer experience, lower participant fees, and provide the University more administrative oversight of the plans as required by the IRS and the Department of Labor. Other proposed improvements include:
-Selecting a master recordkeeper,
-A simplified plan structure and investment approach,
-Simplified online investment transactions,
-More opportunities for education and individual consultation,
-A brokerage window option with access to thousands of mutual funds,
-And a new Roth 403(b) after-tax feature for the VIP.
With the proposed changes having received early review and input from key faculty and staff stakeholder committees, we are excited to share the proposed improvements with all faculty and staff who currently participate in the UWRP and/or VIP at several open information sessions. Come learn why UW peer institutions are making these same changes and how you can benefit. Sessions will include time to ask questions and give input on these proposed improvements. Registration is not required.
The Professional Staff Organization (PSO), established in 1990, represents the issues and concerns of professional staff to the university administration, the campus, and our local community. All UW professional staff are members of PSO.
Over the years PSO has provided information to legislators, represented professional staff on faculty councils and committees ranging from academics to facilities, and worked to improve communication and build camaraderie among the professional staff throughout the university system. The PSO also collaborates with the UW administration on other issues relevant to professional staff.
To stay in touch with our members, we host meetings for staff in autumn and spring quarters, often with professional staff as speakers, to talk candidly and collegially about issues at the university. We also publish a biannual newsletter and award scholarships to help our members pursue professional development opportunities.
Professional Staff Organization
ContactE-mail psoboard@u.washington.edu
Web depts.washington.edu/psoweb
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