Tech Times

Category: General

  • 2024 Expanded Benefits

    Benefits Administration is pleased to announce three expanded State Group Insurance Program benefits included in the approved state budget for 2024 as part of Governor Lee’s total compensation initiative. These benefit enhancements will begin in calendar year 2024. More details will be coming in September.

    Here is a brief overview of these expanded benefits and how they impact you:
    • The state will fund 50% of the dental insurance premiums.
    • The state will cover 100% of the premiums for employee long-term disability insurance. Employees who use this benefit will receive 63% of their monthly salary (up to $10K per month) following a 90-day waiting period.
    • The state will pay 100% of the premiums for employee basic term life/basic AD&D insurance. Designated beneficiaries will receive 1x the employee’s base annual salary rounded to the next highest thousand ($50K minimum except when reduced at age milestones/$250K maximum).

    Learn more about your ParTNers for Health employee benefits at www.tn.gov/partnersforhealth.html.

  • 401-(k) Plan Match for FY24

    401-(k) Plan Match for FY24

    Higher Education Employees will be eligible to receive a $1 match for every $1 contributed to the State of Tennessee 401(k) plan each month, up to $100, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2023. That’s a maximum match of $100 per month for contributions of $100 or more.

    If you’re already contributing at least $100 to your 401(k) account each month, great news! You are all set to receive the full $100 match beginning with the first payroll for FY23. If you haven’t yet enrolled or aren’t currently contributing at least $100 each month to the 401(k) account, don’t leave extra money on the table! To get the full match for the fiscal year, log into your 401(k) account now via Empower or by contacting RetireReadyTN at 1-800-922-7772.

    The match is currently approved for fiscal year 2024, which runs July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024.

    For questions email ttubenefits@tntech.edu

  • Dollywood: Summer Celebration

    Dollywood: Summer Celebration

    Summer’s best moments come alive in the Smokies. Here, days are brighter and nights sparkle during Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. Surprises await around every sun-kissed corner, including refreshing ways to play, inspiring bursts of summer color and returning family-favorite shows like Gazillion Bubble Show: Aurora. As the sun starts to set, ride into the night on NEW Big Bear Mountain, join a high-energy dance party beneath the Wildwood Grove tree and watch hundreds of drones dance across the night sky during the dazzling Sweet Summer Nights drone & fireworks show.

    As a students or employee of Tennessee Tech University, you can receive a discount on Dollywood tickets for you and your family. To make your reservations visit the Human Resource page: Tech Total Rewards: Dollywood.

    The Dollywood ticket will be valid 5 days from the date selected. If you do not use the ticket in that 5 day window, you can call 1-800-DOLLYWOOD to change the date.

  • CITL Replay: Course Design, Looks DO Matter

    CITL Replay: Course Design, Looks DO Matter

    Join the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) on Tuesday, May 30th at 11 AM for our next workshop on Course Design. Course design impacts the overall effectiveness and appeal of a class. Looks and content increase student interest and motivation by making the course more engaging. Organization reduces cognitive load, which can help students understand the material more effectively. In this session, we will share engagement and organizational strategies for course design best practices according to the OLC Rubric. Register below and contact the CITL with questions at citl@tntech.edu. 

    Register

  • Join Optum Financial for HSA Investing Made Easy webinar

    Join Optum Financial for HSA Investing Made Easy webinar

    What: Learn how to invest HSA funds over $1,000

    When: Thursday, May 25, 2023, from 11 a.m. to noon CT

    Where: When it’s time, click this link to join: https://tn.webex.com/meet/crystal.mallery.

    Did you know you can invest with your health savings account? Just like your contributions and earned interest, investment growth is tax free, and investing with your HSA is a great way to grow your health care savings.

    Join Partners for Health for this webinar and learn from Optum Financial experts how to invest your HSA funds. After the presentation, there will be time for your questions. No registration is required for this webinar. Be sure to put a reminder on your calendar.

    Questions? Email us at benefits.info@tn.gov.

  • Off Campus Housing Consultant Now Available

    Off Campus Housing Consultant Now Available

    In order to help students, who are eligible to live off campus, find suitable housing in the Cookeville area, University Housing and Residential Life has partnered with an off-campus housing consultant. This consultant specializes in helping students find apartments, houses, and other types of accommodations in the Cookeville area that fit their budgets and preferences. With this service, which is provided by an independent contractor, Tennessee Tech aims to provide students with a hassle-free and efficient way to secure off-campus housing, ensuring that they have a comfortable living space during their time at the university. For more information, please contact Dawn Crabtree at 931-303-1441 or ttuoffcampushousing@gmail.com.

  • CITL Summer Intensive 2023

    CITL Summer Intensive 2023

    Join the CITL for our two day Summer Intensive where we will discuss best pedagogical practices. The interactive sessions will include information on course objectives, alignment, ChatGPT, academic integrity, & more! Lunch will be provided. You can view the session schedule and learn more here. Coffee, breakfast, and lunch will be provided both days. Register below and contact the CITL with questions at citl@tntech.edu.

    May 15th and 16th from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM in Bartoo Hall 111.

    Register

  • Departments to Show Off Your Stuff for Clerical & Staff Support Day

    Does your department offer programs that employees can take part in?  Does your department offer opportunities for employees to be involved on campus or in our community?  The Staff Advisory to the President planning committee is looking for departments that would be available to set up a table/booth for our clerical & support staff day in August.  We would like you to show what you offer our employees!

    If you would be interested please contact Bethany Jones at bjjones@tntech.edu for more information!

  • Replay: 5 Things You May Not Know About iLearn

    Replay: 5 Things You May Not Know About iLearn

    Join the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) for our next workshop, a replay of the 5 Things You May Not Know About iLearn. iLearn is loaded with many practical timesaving features that instructors might not be aware of.  In this session, Dr. Kelvin Norman will elaborate on how to locate and use these  hidden gems so that instructors can get the most out of their iLearn experience.  Included in this list of top features are copying assignments within a course, Quick Eval, restoring assessments, setting default availability dates, and more. Register below and contact the CITL for questions at citl@tntech.edu.

    Register 

  • Onsite Dental Services: Jet Dental

    Onsite Dental Services: Jet Dental

    Cigna Onsite Dental™ and Jet Dental are bringing preventative dental care at TTU on May 16th. Schedule your appointment now, and you’ll be able to receive a preventative care visit that includes x-rays and cleaning in about 45 minutes without having to leave campus. If you are a Cigna Dental customer, these services are covered by your Cigna Dental plan at no additional cost. To schedule your appointment, click on the links below.

    Dental Exam (1 hr.) NO COST* w/Insurance ($150 without insurance) *Jet Dental is contracted with all major private insurances, which typically cover preventative care at 100%, twice per year, making most visits “No Cost” to the patient.

    Teeth Whitening  GloProfessional (30 mins) $399 $249

    Aligner Consultation Treatment options start as low as $89/month. Free Consultations.

    For billing questions please call 801-430-9262 (option 3) or email billing@jetdental.com For all other question email ttubenefits@tntech.edu