This summary provides a brief overview of current benefits as of February 2004. All benefit programs are subject to change. Please refer to the Part-time Faculty Association’s Collective Bargaining Contract for further details.

Part-time faculty members must teach 3 TUs over at least two semesters of one academic year to be eligible to purchase medical, dental and disability insurance benefits and to be eligible for direct deposit of their monthly salary into their checking or savings account at a local bank.

Note: This summary is meant as an outline. The Part-time Faculty Association contract provides the actual details and restrictions of the programs.

Medical Insurance | Dental Insurance | COBRA | GSRA | Long-term Disability | Pay Schedule | Museum Membership + RISD Bookstore Discounts | RISD Library | Dining Facilities | Parking Facilities | RISD Fitness Center | Brown University Athletic Facilities | Personal Insurance Group Discounts

Medical Insurance [return to top]
Coverage begins the first of the month following date of enrollment (i.e., if enrolled in September, coverage becomes effective October 1). RISD offers two medical plans: Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthmate Coast to Coast and Blue Cross Blue Shield Classic. Blue Cross Blue Shield Classic requires an annual deductible. Individual memberships have a $100 deductible per calendar year; family memberships have a $200 deductible per calendar year.

Medical insurance may be purchased at the premium rate. The premium will be 100% paid by the faculty member. For faculty who have completed five (5) years as part of the bargaining unit (not necessarily consecutively), RISD RISD will contribute the value of one-third (1/3) of the premium for individual coverage by Healthmate Coast to Coast. Twelve months’ of premiums will be paid in eight (8) monthly payments through payroll deductions, beginning with the October 20 pay date. Plese refer to Article XI, pages 14-15, of the Collective Bargaining contract for more details.

Dental Insurance [return to top]
Coverage with Delta Dental of Rhode Island begins the first of the month following date of hire (i.e., if hired in September, coverage becomes effective October 1).

Dental coverage is provided by Delta Dental of Rhode Island and may be purchased at the premium rate. The premium will be 100% paid by faculty member. Twelve months’ of premiums will be paid in eight (8) monthly payments through payroll deductions, beginning with the October 20 pay date.

The dental plan pays a maximum of $1,200 in benefits per person per calendar year. Individual memberships are subject to a $50 deductible per calendar year; family memberships are subject to a $150 deductible per calendar year.

Orthodontic services up to a lifetime maximum of $1,000 and subject to a $100 lifetime deductible per participant, are provided for unmarried, dependent children who remain covered by the family membership until the first of the year following their 19th birthday.

Unmarried, dependent children remain covered by the family membership until the first of the year following their 19th birthday. Unmarried, dependent, full-time students in a recognized course of study or training remain covered by the family membership until the first of the year following their 25th birthday.

COBRA [return to top]
During the plan year, if an employee terminates employment, a dependent or employee is no longer eligible for medical/dental coverage, RISD will offer employees and any qualified beneficiaries the opportunity to continue their medical/dental coverage for a limited period in compliance with the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). The employee or qualified beneficiary is responsible for the full group premium rate plus a 2% surcharge.

GSRA [return to top]
RISD offers a Group Supplemental Retirement Annuity (GSRA) with Teachers Insurance & Annuity Association and College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF). This is a voluntary, tax-deferred annuity plan, and employee may start participation in this plan at any time.

Long-term Disability [return to top]
Coverage begins the first of the month following date of hire. This insurance provides continuation of 60% of gross salary in the form of a monthly income benefit, to a maximum of $5,000 per month, in the event of a long-term disability (6 months or more). During the 6-month waiting period, the employee may apply for State of Rhode Island Temporary Disability Insurance. The cost of long-term disability will be 100% paid by faculty member. Twelve months of premiums will be paid in eight (8) monthly payments through payroll deductions.

Pay Schedule [return to top]
You will be paid on the 20th of each month. You can have your salary directly deposited into a checking or savings account if you work the fall and spring semesters in the same academic year. There will be a total of eight monthly payments that start in October.

Museum Membership + RISD Bookstore Discounts [return to top]
RISD employees are members of the Museum of Art which entitles them to invitations to museum events and free admission for themselves and family members. A 10% discount is also available on many items in the RISD Bookstore.

RISD Library [return to top]
RISD employees may use the RISD Library and charge out books upon presentation of a RISD identification card. Use and charge out of books and materials is subject to the Library’s rules and regulations.

Dining Facilities [return to top]
RISD employees are welcome to use both the snack bars and the refectory for meals and snacks. Prices and hours vary for each facility; employees pay full price unless specified otherwise for special promotions.

Parking Facilities [return to top]
RISD provides several parking lots on campus, and spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is an annual fee for a parking sticker that is deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis. The total price you will pay will depend on your annual salary or wages and is subject to change:

You may obtain a parking sticker at the Public Safety Office.

RISD Fitness Center [return to top]
Staff and faculty are able to use the Fitness Center at the Catanzaro Student Center for free. The facility includes a Cardio/Weight Room, which can be used after signing a Faculty/Staff waiver form at the Office of Student Life.

Brown University Athletic Facility [return to top]
RISD currently has an institutional membership with Brown University for employee use of its athletic facilities. Presentation of your RISD identification card will gain you free admission to specified facilities and programs during the academic year, and eligible dependents may obtain membership, subject to Brown’s fees. RISD’s membership with Brown is subject to renewal on an annual basis, and RISD employees and their dependents using the facilities are subject to all applicable rules, regulations, fees, and time schedules established by Brown.

Personal Insurance Group Discounts [return to top]
Liberty Mutual and Travelers Insurance offer a comprehensive program to all RISD employees that would enable you to purchase auto, home and other high-quality personal insurance products, at low group rates, through direct billing to your place of residence. Contact the Human Resources Office to obtain more information.