Things to Know for New Members

Below is information written with new members in mind. Please note that the current contract is due to expire July 31, 2009 and is therefore subject to change.

How are initial salaries determined?
Your salary and compensation should be explained in your letter of offer and must be consistent with contracted requirements. Your unit administrator determines initial salaries with approval from the Dean/Director and Provost’s office. While the union contract provides the minimum which can be offered, many Faculty and Academic Staff negotiate their initial salary above this minimum requirement. This of course is influenced by market forces, department budgets, and prevailing wages within the hiring unit. The Provost’s Office website posts templates for letters of offer.

What types of pay increases are available?
Article XII of the contract covers compensation including pay minimums and adjustments. Pay increases are provided for via across-the-board increases, selective salary (AKA “merit”) increases and increases due to promotion. These increases take effect the beginning of the fall semester.

The contract also allows for increases which “reflect competitive changes in the academic market, reward outstanding professional contributions, and to effect the corrections of inequities.” The contract does not bar any individual from receiving increases in pay beyond that provided from across-the-board, selective salary, and promotional increases.

How often are we paid?
Paychecks are disbursed on Wednesdays, every 2-weeks. Each year there are two “no-deduction” pay periods, one in December and another in April where only retirement contributions, union dues and court orders are deducted.

Are there arrangements for spreading 9-month salaries over 12-months?
The University only provides 9-month employees with payments over the 9-month academic year. If you are interested in setting up a payment plan to “spread-the-pay” over 12 months you can do so through banking with Michigan First Credit Union.

            Michigan First Campus Branches:
            5057 Woodward Ave.
            Detroit, MI 48202
            Mon – Thur 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Fri 8:30 a.m. to             6:00 p.m.

            Student Center Branch
            5221 Gullen Mall
            Detroit, MI 48202
            Mon– Fri 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

What types of health insurance benefits are provided?
The Union contract provides an array of benefit options including medical insurance, dental, vision, and more for Faculty and Academic Staff working at least 50% time.

To access Human Resources/Total Compensation and Wellness Benefits Website click here.

30-Day Deadline for Medical Insurance Applications

New employees must enroll in the medical plans within 30 days of their hire date in order to have those benefits take effect the 1st day of the following month and to have co-pays on premiums withdrawn on a pre-tax basis. If the 30 day deadline is missed a new employee can still enroll in the traditional Blue Cross / Blue Shield and HAP but the benefits will only kick in 90 days after the application is submitted and premium co-pays will be withdrawn on a post-tax basis. An employee can also enroll or change plans during the “enrollment period” in October of each year.

What types of leaves or time-off is available?
A variety of leaves and other options for time off from work are available. For detailed descriptions of leaves available click here.

Is there a Pension Plan available?
The Union contract provides for a 403B where employees can contribute a minimum of 5% of their regular salary (and a maximum as provided by IRS rules) towards the purchase of retirement annuities with TIAA-CREF or Fidelity Investments. After two year of service, the University matches with a 10% contribution. Retirement contributions are based on regular contractual salary and wages for supplemental teaching assignments.

For Tax Advantages:
Retirement Savings and Flex Spending Plans

Employees who enroll in the Retirement Savings Fund and/or Flexible Spending Accounts can have deductions taken on a pre-tax basis reducing taxable income. Although the University does not match your retirement savings fund contribution until you have been employed for 2 years, any contribution you make is tax deferred. Retirement fund participants must be 26 or older. Minimum contributions are 5%. The University match is 10%. Flexible spending account contributions for medical and childcare expenses are also deducted on a pretax basis.

What provisions are there for family leave?
The contract provides a number of ways to take time off for family leave including maternity/parental leave, paid time-off to care for a seriously ill family member, and modified or reduced work duties during pregnancy or the adoption process. For further information click here.

Stopping the Tenure or ESS Clock

Tenure or Employment Security System (ESS) interruption is available for a parent with primary responsibility for an infant or young child where up to one year can be excluded from the tenure or ESS clock. (See Article XIII.D.5)

For information on licensed child care in the Detroit/Wayne County area contact the Child Care Coordinating Council (800) 722-6345.

Does the university provide child care financial assistance?
No, but the University provides Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts where pre-tax deductions are made from your paycheck that can be used to cover child care expenses. For further information on the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts click here.

Is assistance available for purchasing a new home?
Reduced cost mortgages are available through AFT’s Member Plus program to full AAUP-AFT members. For further information on this program click here.

Does the union provide additional benefits and services to union members?
AAUP-AFT members are eligible to receive discounts on a wide variety of products and services. For more information on member only benefits click here.

Are there rules to how term contracts are issued by the university?
Article XX of the collective bargaining agreement stipulates how and when term contracts are made with Faculty and Academic Staff. For Faculty on the tenure track, Academic Staff on the Economic Security Status (ESS) track or tenure track, and Lecturers the initial term contract can be for one or two years. Subsequent term contracts generally must be multiyear.

Faculty and Academic Staff whose income does not come from the general fund and are subsidized through grants or other income can receive a one-year renewal provided their subsidy continues.

Should I be notified that my contract will not be renewed?
The contract also stipulates that the administration notify Faculty and Academic Staff of non-renewal. Notice requirements range from one to twelve months depending on the circumstances. Financial penalties can be assessed if notification requirements are violated.

For further information on term contract lengths, limitations and notifications click here.

What is ESS and how does one obtain it?
ESS stands for Economic Security Status. It is like tenure in that term contracts cease and it provides strong job security rights for Academic Staff (not Faculty) who obtain ESS. Unlike tenure it does not require achievements in research or publication. Those hired on the ESS track must obtain ESS within five years.

How does the tenure process work at WSU?
The tenure process is covered in Article XXII of the collective bargaining agreement. Generally tenure must be obtained within the first seven years of employment. For further information on the tenure process click here.

Things to know about tenure

Up to three years of external prior service at another accredited university can be counted toward the tenure clock provided approval from the Dean/Vice President. A request for consideration must be made within your first year of employment at WSU.
The tenure clock can be stopped for up to one year of approved parental leave.

City of Detroit - A website for residents, businesses and vistors, contains information about transportation, public works, taxes, education, health and human services, city events, and more.

University Cultural Center Association - The UCCA has over 60 members representing the area’s cultural, academic, medical and service institutions, corporations, businesses and community organizations. Their website contains information about Midtown housing, development, and cultural events.

A5 – After 5 Detroit - After 5 Detroit connects young professionals to social events in metro Detroit. The web-site is updated regularly to highlight an eclectic variety of events, destinations and fun information that will make living, working and playing in Detroit even more enjoyable.

Synergy Detroit - Synergy's mission is to generate positive perceptions and opinions about Detroit by bringing together a diverse community and building upon the City's strengths and resources to realize a common vision for a greater Detroit.

Model D - Model D is a weekly e-zine and web site that highlights Detroit's development, creative people and businesses, vibrant neighborhoods and cool places to live, eat, shop, work and play.

Detroit Metro Times - Metro Times is a free alternative weekly for Detroit area news, arts, culture, music, film, food, fashion and more.

Detroit Institute of Arts - The DIA’s collection is one of the largest, most significant in the United States. It is also the site of the historic Detroit Film Theatre, which hosts a wide variety of film, lectures and live performances.

Academic Assistance
Academic Success Center: Provides assistance to students through tutoring, supplemental instruction, study skills counseling, and customized workshops.

The Writing Center: A resource for students who want to become better writers.

Instructor Resources
Office for Teaching and Learning: Provides support and development opportunities for teaching at WSU through training and consulting, instructional design support, classroom feedback, print and other resources, and referrals to other on-campus services.

Media Services: Provides technical assistance, advice, and customer service in the areas of faculty research-related support, multimedia/audiovisual equipment support, audio and video taping services, teleconference scheduling, and digital support for instruction.

C&IT Help Desk: Provides support for Access IDs and a broad range of desktop computing software, services, and resources.

The information provided here and in any linked website is provided solely as a service. The AAUP-AFT hereby disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy of such information and shall have no liability of any kind for any use made of such information by any person or organization.