Most of the information regarding benefits beyond salary may be found in the Employee Handbook, published by the Human Resources Department and available online at . This section contains descriptions of the various benefit plans provided by the College that are unique to faculty. Although these descriptions are as complete and accurate as is reasonable for Handbook purposes, you should be aware that the information conveyed represents summaries of master policies in effect as of the date of publication. Should discrepancies or changes occur, the exact terms of the contracts prevail.

To determine benefit eligibility in this section (A.2) and in section A.3 (Support Programs), an eligible Faculty member is defined as a person who (a) holds a tenured or tenure-track appointment; (b) holds a full-time term appointment of at least two years and that is designated in an appointment letter as renewable; or (c) holds a full-time non-renewable term appointment of at least three years.  Summer instruction is not counted in determining full-time status.  Faculty who teach on a temporary basis are not eligible for College benefits.  Some benefits have different or additional specific eligibility requirements as detailed below.

Benefit eligibility is calculated from the first day of the month coinciding with or following the date of appointment plus any benefit eligibility-waiting period. All benefits accrue to the employee unless there is an explicitly stated exception to the contrary.  Detailed information regarding eligibility, enrollment and procedures for applying for benefits is available in the Human Resources Department.

Enrollment in College benefit plans is not automatic.  Although the Human Resources Department makes every effort to notify you when you become eligible to participate in a particular benefit plan, it is your responsibility to enroll on a timely basis.  If you have questions concerning eligibility dates, please consult the Human Resources Department.

While it is the intent of the College to continue the benefit plans described in this section, it unilaterally reserves the right to modify, amend, or terminate any benefit plan.

Spouses and eligible dependent children receive tuition remission for one graduate or undergraduate course per semester at Trinity.  Courses may be taken for credit, either separately or as part of a degree program, or may be audited with appropriate permission.  This benefit is available at the start of the semester coinciding with or following the Faculty member’s full-time employment.

Spouses and eligible dependent children of faculty who have been continuously employed by the College in a full-time continuing appointment on or before December 31, 1982 are eligible for a waiver of 100% of full regular tuition at Trinity as defined for undergraduate students.  Eligibility is limited to four full-time academic years or until a baccalaureate degree is earned, whichever occurs first. This pertains to any combination of tuition benefits received as a full-time undergraduate student either at Trinity or another college or university. 

Spouses and eligible dependent children of faculty hired on or after January 1, 1983 who are appointed by the College to a full-time continuing position are eligible for a waiver of 50% of full regular tuition at Trinity as defined for undergraduate students.  The benefit is available at the start of the first semester coinciding with or following the date of appointment.  Eligibility is limited to four full-time academic years or until a baccalaureate degree is earned, whichever occurs first. This pertains to any combination of tuition benefits received as a full-time undergraduate student either at Trinity or at another college or university. Should both parents of a dependent child be employed by the College in benefits eligible positions, the child will receive the tuition waiver benefit of only one parent. Dependent children of visiting Faculty, adjunct Faculty, and lecturers are not eligible for this benefit.  Senior and Principal Lecturers are eligible for this benefit if they have completed six years of continuous full-time teaching at Trinity.

Dependent children of full-time, continuing Faculty may qualify for a tuition scholarship award at an accredited college or university other than Trinity if the student is in an undergraduate degree program, (including the Cordoba Program), and is officially matriculated on a full-time basis.  The benefit provides an award in the amount of 50% of the other institution's tuition, limited to one-half of Trinity's tuition.  In order to qualify, the child must be a legal dependent of the Faculty member, and must be declared as such on IRS reporting form 1040 each year the benefit is sought.  Certification of dependent status is required. 

Eligibility is limited to four full-time academic years or until a baccalaureate degree is earned, whichever occurs first. This pertains to any combination of tuition benefits received as a full-time undergraduate student whether at Trinity or at another college or university. Should both parents of a dependent child be employed by the College in benefits eligible positions, the child will receive the tuition scholarship benefit of only one parent.  Dependent children of visiting Faculty, adjunct Faculty, and lecturers are not eligible for this program.   Senior and Principal Lecturers are eligible for this benefit if they have completed six years of continuous full-time teaching at Trinity.

The Director of Human Resources administers the tuition scholarship program.  An itemized copy of the tuition bill must be submitted to the Human Resources Department before semester fees are due.  The tuition scholarship check will be sent directly to the college or university.

It is the Faculty member’s responsibility to notify the Human Resources Department promptly if the dependent child withdraws from school, becomes a part-time student, or is no longer a dependent.

Tuition waivers and scholarships are subject to specific Internal Revenue Service regulations.

Equivalent years of service are not counted for part-time Faculty members or others not meeting the specific service requirements.

Tuition is remitted for credit-bearing courses in the regular undergraduate degree program, for the Individualized Degree Program and for the Rome Program during the academic year.  Tuition is not remitted for non-credit or per-capita courses, or special programs such as the summer program.

All entrance requirements must be met.

The Director of Human Resources verifies eligibility each semester.  Application forms may be obtained from the Human Resources Department.

The normal retirement date for Faculty is defined as the June 30th coinciding with or following the 65th birthday.  There is no mandatory retirement age.

PHASED RETIREMENT

Effective with the 2002-2003 academic year, full-time tenured faculty members are eligible to apply for a phased retirement appointment for three, four, or five years. Faculty members on a phased retirement appointment may elect to teach a total of ten courses (i.e. the equivalent of two years of full-time service) over the term of the appointment. A person on phased retirement appointment must teach a minimum of two courses each year. The specific teaching schedule and courses will be established in consultation with the department chair and approved by the Dean of Faculty. Further information regarding Phased Retirement policy and procedures may be obtained from the Dean of Faculty’s office. This program is subject to change without notice.