Homecoming 2011: Griffon Pride

Western Changes Medical Insurance Carriers

Missouri Western has selected Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City to provide medical insurance for employees beginning in 2012. Other insurance benefits, including dental, life, long-term disability and vision, will remain with current providers.

“The switch to Blue Cross will save the university and its employees about $246,000 next year compared to our current insurer’s quote,” said Mel Klinkner, vice president for financial planning and administration. “In addition, Blue Cross has offered to cap any rate increase for 2013 at 13 percent excluding insurer fee tax, giving us time to review our plans for cost-saving options, prepare for changes in federal law coming in 2014 with Health Care Reform, and explore and implement wellness initiatives to improve our claims experience.”

Western anticipated a significant premium increase this year because of a large increase in medical claims, Klinkner said. The university’s current insurance carrier, Aetna, proposed a rate increase of 22.7 percent with no rate cap for 2013. Blue Cross and Blue Shield proposed an increase of 15.69 percent for 2012, and the rate cap of 13 percent excluding insurer fee tax for 2013. Blue Cross was Western’s insurance provider until this year, when Aetna was awarded the contract.

Klinkner emphasized the change is strictly a financial decision.

“We have been extremely satisfied with the service from Aetna,” Klinkner said. “They worked hard to ensure that the transition to their services was as seamless as possible for employees and dependents, and have been responsive to our requests. But with our budget situation the way it is, and with employees doing without raises for three years, the switch makes good business sense.”

The open enrollment period for university-provided benefits will be Nov. 1-18. Open Enrollment General Informational Meetings will be conducted on Nov. 2 and 3 by the university’s consultant, Power Group Companies, along with Blue Cross, Aetna, Boston Mutual and the human resources department. During the meetings employees will be given the 2012 Benefits Guide, which will include all benefit options with 2012 rates.

The meetings are scheduled in the Enright Community Room, Spratt 214-216, on Wednesday, Nov. 2 and Thursday, Nov. 3:

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

10 – 11 a.m.

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

3 – 4 p.m.

4:30 – 5 p.m. (HSA-High Deductible Plan ONLY)

In addition, on Wednesday, Nov.2, there will be a session at 5:30 p.m. that retirees are encouraged to attend, and a session for Physical Plant night employees from 8 – 9 p.m.

If you have any questions or comments, contact Misty Miller, benefits coordinator, at mmiller42@missouriwestern.edu, or 271-4259, or the human resources department at 271-4587.

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Eggs and Issues

 Swafford Leaving PR Department, Remaining as a Business Faculty Member

Roger Swafford, director of public relations and marketing, will step down from that role at the end of the year and continue as a faculty member in the Steven L. Craig School of Business.

“It’s been a wonderful experience being part of the university advancement team during this period of phenomenal growth and accomplishment, but teaching has always been my dream,” said Swafford. “I’m pleased that I have the opportunity to pursue that dream at my alma mater. I am extremely proud of Western’s achievements and I look forward to seeing continued excellence in all that it does.”

Swafford earned an associate of science degree from Western, a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a master’s degree in business administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.

“Roger is a loyal Western alumnus who has served the university with dedication as director of public relations and marketing, for which we are appreciative,” said Dan Nicoson, vice president for university advancement. “Roger has enjoyed teaching part-time in addition to his duties in university advancement. I know that he looks forward to focusing on teaching next semester and I am pleased that he has that opportunity.”

The search for Swafford’s successor will begin after the first of the year. Nicoson will directly oversee the public relations and marketing department until the position is filled.

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  CAS Recertified for 5 Years

The Center for Academic Support has been notified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) that the tutoring program at MWSU has been re-certified for another five years (7/1/2011 – 7/31/2016).

Since March 1989, community college, college, and university tutorial programs in the United States and Canada have received tutor training certification through CRLA's International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC). Only 800 programs are currently certified through ITTPC in the U.S. and eight other countries. The purpose of the ITTPC program is twofold. First, it provides recognition and positive reinforcement for tutors' successful work from an international organization, CRLA. Second, CRLA's tutor certification process sets an internationally accepted standard of skills and training for a program to certify their tutors. 

The re-certification application required detailed documentation of the tutor training sessions and the topics and materials the CAS utilizes.  The CAS was certified on three levels:  Certified Tutor, Certified Advanced Tutor, and Certified Master Tutor. 

Certified Tutors have completed all of the CRLA requirements for Level One Certification which include:  tutoring 25 hours, attending 10 hours of training, and completing a Level One project. Advanced Tutors have completed all of the CRLA requirements for Level Two Certification which include: tutoring an additional 25 hours, attending designated training sessions (minimum of four formal trainings along with meetings with supervisor), and completing a Level Two project.   Master Tutors are by invitation only and have the following requirements:  tutor an additional 25 hours; review Level One and Two materials and write a synopsis; keep a journal; meet with a supervisor throughout the semester; attend three different one-hour training sessions with a supervisor or graduate assistant; and prepare and deliver a one-hour training session for other tutors who are pursuing Level Two certification.   

The CRLA review board described Western’s tutoring program as a “very solid program. Interesting idea to make Level III certification by invitation only. This method stresses, as stated in the application, that only those individuals that are truly interested will move to this level because of the amount of work necessary to complete the requirements.”

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