Benefits Overview
Health Insurance
The University currently offers three options for health insurance coverage, all provided by Anthem BlueCross and BlueShield of Virginia. Each option offers a different range of benefits with a corresponding range of monthly employee cost-share premiums. Employee premiums are paid by payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis. A dental plan, prescription drug plan, vision plan, and employee assistance program are included with each option.
Benefit eligibility for full-time faculty and staff begins on the first of the month following the start of employment. If the start date is the first of the month, eligibility begins that same day. Open enrollment is held annually, usually during the first two weeks of November for a January 1’st effective date.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) — Anthem’s EAP provides quick and easy access to work/life support, confidential counseling, and referral services to help you deal with daily work and life challenges. It’s employer-sponsored, so it’s available at no cost to you, your dependents, or household members. Talkspace is also available through the EAP, providing confidential counseling by text, audio, or video.
Anthem Summary of Benefits and Coverage
Health Advocate & Wellness
Batten University offers a wellness program through the Virginia Private Colleges Benefits Consortium at no extra cost to benefits-eligible employees. Health Advocate provides assistance with denied claims, coordinated care between medical providers, and review of treatment options for specific diagnoses.
Once registered, you can log activity, food, and classes to collect points. Earning 400 points over the course of the year earns a $15 discount off your medical deduction each month for the following year. Eligible spouses can also earn 400 points for an additional $15 discount.
Flexible Benefits Program
The flexible benefits program allows participating employees to take advantage of an IRS-approved program for reimbursement of eligible health care and/or dependent care expenses on a tax-free basis. All full-time employees are eligible at the start of the month following commencement of employment. Open enrollment is held annually, usually during the first two weeks of November for a January 1’st effective date.
Life Insurance
Group life insurance is available to all full-time University employees, with premiums paid by the University. This benefit is available to administrative and faculty personnel on the first of the month following employment, and to staff and hourly personnel on the first of the month following employment.
Coverage is provided at the rate of one times annual base salary, rounded up to the nearest thousand. It is payable to the beneficiary designated by the employee upon death. Upon termination of employment, all covered employees may convert to an individual policy at the policyholder’s expense.
Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
Group long-term disability insurance is available to all full-time University employees, with premiums paid by the University. When approved, LTD income begins on the 91st day following continuous disability and can continue to age 65. The monthly income benefit equals 60% of base monthly salary, not to exceed $7,000 per month, less any Social Security benefits. Partial disability LTD income is also available under certain conditions.
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance
The University offers a self-funded short-term disability plan to all full-time employees with no monthly premium. The length of STD income eligibility is based on total years of full-time employment:
- Less than 1 year — not eligible
- 1–2 years — 30 calendar days
- 2–3 years — 60 calendar days
- 3 or more years — 90 calendar days
After 90 days the University’s long-term disability policy may apply. For faculty, STD leave may be extended at the University’s discretion for a period not to exceed one semester. Medical documentation is required to support each request.
Retirement Program
The University’s retirement program is administered through TIAA-CREF. Batten University makes a monthly contribution of 6.75% to the employee’s retirement account when the employee contributes a minimum of 5% of their gross monthly salary. The employee may elect a combination of pre-tax or Roth (post-tax) contributions to earn the University match. Eligibility begins on the first of the month following twelve months of employment. Prior service of at least one year at other higher education institutions fulfills the eligibility requirement for employees hired after January 1, 2024.
Leave Benefits
Batten University uses an Annual Paid Leave (APL) system where all events requiring time off from the job — excluding recognized University holidays and jury duty — are charged to one’s leave bank. All regularly scheduled full-time and part-time twelve-month exempt and non-exempt employees are eligible for APL accrual. Faculty members do not accrue APL.
Although all eligible employees begin to accrue vacation hours on their date of hire, non-exempt employees may use these hours only after three months of employment. The APL accrual rate is based on employee status (exempt or non-exempt) as well as length of employment. See Policy and Procedure #20 for full details.
Tuition Remission
A full tuition waiver is granted to dependent children and the spouse of any full-time Batten University employee, provided certain standards and criteria are met. Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in classes on the basis of available space with full tuition waiver dependent upon successful course completion. In addition, Batten University participates in Tuition Exchange Programs for dependent children of faculty and administrative staff.
Other Benefits
In addition to the benefits available to full-time employees, Batten University offers a variety of benefits to its entire staff including full use of the Batten Library, a 20% discount on non-sale University Store items, and free admission to University sporting events and theater presentations. Staff and faculty can access the Jane P. Batten Student Center amenities — including the pool and fitness center — with their employee ID, and may register immediate family members for $10 per year. The Wellness Program sponsors two yoga classes per week in the Dance Studio, Wednesdays and Thursdays 4:45–5:30 p.m., free to all employees with no registration required.
CICV Plan Documents & Required Notices
The following documents are provided by the Virginia Private Colleges Benefits Consortium (VPCBC) and are required under ERISA, HIPAA, and other federal regulations. Keep copies of any notices relevant to your coverage.
This Summary of Benefits is intended as a brief overview of benefits offered to employees of Batten University. A complete description of individual benefits is available in the Department of Human Resources. All benefits are subject to change at the University’s discretion. This outline is not intended to be, nor should it be considered, a contract of employment.
