Employee Benefits

These weekly messages have chronicled the significant endeavors we have undertaken as we change the way we do business at Northwood. Everything we are doing has one overarching goal – to provide a quality education for our students. Change can be welcomed, change can be scary, but change is inevitable. Sustainability and growth require constant adaptation.

While we have asked all members of the Northwood family to analyze what we do and how we can do it better, we also have been looking at how the University can continue to be the employer of choice. Category Number 4 of AQIP, Valuing People, is a charge we take very seriously.

To that end, we have made changes in our Human Resources department, both in how it is staffed and the benefits we provide. Pamela Christie has been promoted to Director of Human Resources and will provide leadership and direction. She will analyze the department as it relates to providing service to the University community, making sure Northwood's HR department provides best practices at every level. Lori Weckesser continues to oversee our health/welfare/retirement programs as our Benefits Specialist; Lisa Murawski, the newest invaluable support staff member of HR, and two student employees, Juana Combs and Jillian Risnes, complete the HR team.

A thorough review and update of the organizational structure was finalized and changes are incorporated in a new organizational chart, available on Blackboard (Bb). Additional initiatives will generate identifiable measures to track the performance of the department over time in relation to the institution's strategic goals, focusing on orientation, culture, strategic planning, staffing (labor changes, demographics, economics etc.), compensation and benefits (trends, internal and external comparisons, etc.), training and development, performance management, and leadership.

Employee benefits have been enhanced. We are pleased to announce an opportunity for employee dependents to participate in two new tuition exchange programs, The Tuition Exchange and the Council of Independent Colleges. We are an active member in The Tuition Exchange program and membership is pending in the Council of Independent College's tuition exchange program. These programs will allow dependents of Northwood employees to attend universities within the programs, tuition free. The Tuition Exchange Program policy details can be found on the Bb system under the My Files tab under Central Administration/HR.

One of the University's primary benefits is health care. For the past several years, Human Resources has presented an annual employee benefits fair at all three residential campuses. The benefits fair has provided employees an opportunity in a casual environment to ask questions of benefits/financial vendors, HR and payroll pertaining to the employee's specific benefits package and personal needs. Various topics/information are provided by the vendors which help solicit comments, questions, and suggestions by the employees. Also, the employee can choose to participate in health assessments performed by a community healthcare provider (i.e. blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol checks, flu shots). Overall, the fairs have better employee attendance compared to benefits meetings as well as positive and appreciative employee response. These types of events provide an additional method of learning about healthy lifestyles and health plan coverage so employees can best manage their health and financial stability. Look for announcements of benefits fair dates soon.

Since 1992, employees have received an annual health care rebate. This has been a prized benefit, unique in any industry. The March or April paycheck that includes the rebate is eagerly anticipated by eligible employees. The rebate is always dependent upon the cost of claims in the previous year. Claims in 2007 have been abnormally high, and the University is looking at many options to curtail costs.

Northwood has a rich tradition of providing benefits to employees. A Midwest, regional magazine recently noted us as an exceptional employer, primarily due to benefits our employees receive. Our goal of quality extends to all who are touched by Northwood University – students, alumni, supports, faculty, and staff. We seek continuous improvement in all we do. Valuing people is something we take to heart and will remain on the short list of those endeavors in which we engage. We encourage you to participate in the Benefits Fair.

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)