FAQs
General Questions
Why are WVURC employees transitioning employment to WVU?
This change is part of an effort to better align research operations with the University’s broader mission and infrastructure. It will:
- Streamline administrative processes and reduce duplication between entities;
- Improve access to institutional resources, systems, and support;
- Ensure long-term sustainability and compliance with funding and regulatory requirements; and
- Offer a more consistent employment experience for research personnel.
Will I need to complete new hire onboarding paperwork as part of the transition to University employment?
Yes. All WVURC employees transitioning to University employment will be required to complete new hire onboarding paperwork as part of the employment process. Additional details and instructions will be provided along with your formal communications.
When will I receive my formal communications packet?
Formal communications will be distributed manually on a rolling basis beginning August 18. Due to the high volume of individual messages, we anticipate completing this process by August 29. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this important step in the transition.
Will my current work schedule and location be honored?
Positions will be reviewed and aligned with the University’s job family structure. However, work schedules and locations are expected to remain the same unless otherwise communicated.
Will I be subject to a probationary review period with the transfer since I will start new employment with WVU?
No, you will not be subject to a probationary review period, as your role remains the same. Your performance will continue to be evaluated according to the standard criteria outlined in the regular performance review cycle.
Will my email address change?
No, your current email address will stay the same during the transition.
Will my job title change?
The responsibilities, duties and current working title of the position will not change. As positions are aligned to the University’s job family structure, employees may see a change in the system title of a position. There will also be no change to current base salary as part of the change to WVU employment.
Will I need a new employee ID card as part of the transition to University employment?
Yes. All WVURC employees transitioning to University employment will need a new Mountaineer ID card. Please review information provided by ITS on requesting an ID card.
Will my supervisor change?
Positions will be reviewed and aligned with the University’s job family structure. However, supervisors are expected to remain the same unless otherwise communicated.
Will WVURC employment transactions continue during the transition phase?
As we prepare for the upcoming transition, temporary updates to employee transaction procedures are necessary to ensure a smooth transition:
- From July 23 to September 5, there will be a pause on employee transactions (e.g., job reviews, salary changes, etc.).
- Transactions already in progress will move forward, and special cases will be reviewed, as needed.
- Starting July 23, new jobs will be posted as University positions.
- Talent and Culture will partner with supervisors to transition currently posted WVURC positions and pending offers to the University.
- New hires with accepted WVURC offers who haven’t started yet will be transitioned to University employees, with Talent and Culture guiding them through the process and benefits changes.
What will happen if I am on a WVURC-sponsored visa?
Employees with WVURC-sponsored visas will transition to University sponsorship, with direct support from the International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) team to ensure a smooth transition.
What happens if I don’t want to transition?
If you decide not to accept the offer of employment with the University, your current position with WVURC will still be eliminated as part of the transition and it will be considered a voluntary resignation of employment.
Who can I contact with questions about the transition?
If you have specific questions or need individual support, you can reach out via email to WVURCTransition@mail.wvu.edu. We’re here to help and will do our best to respond promptly.
General Benefits Questions
What will happen to my current benefits?
Any benefits that you are currently enrolled in through your employment with WVURC will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2025, and will terminate on November 1, 2025.
When will my benefits begin through WVU?
You will need to complete the new employee onboarding process by the end of September, and any benefits you elect will begin on November 1, 2025. This means you will not have a break in coverage(s).
How does my current benefits package compare to what I will have at WVU?
WVU offers the same types of benefits as WVURC in addition to more benefits that were not previously available to WVURC employees. However, the vendors (other than retirement) and specific benefit plans differ from those at RC. For additional information on WVU benefit offerings, visit the WVU Benefits webpage.
Will my years of service at WVURC transfer over to WVU?
No. WVURC is not a state agency. Only years of service from eligible WV state agencies are accounted for in WVU systems.
Will my benefits have the same plan year?
No. The WVU benefit plan year runs from July 1 through June 30, whereas the WVURC plan year ran from December 1 through November 30.
Will my Open Enrollment period be the same?
No. WVU’s Open Enrollment period typically runs from April 2 through May 15, whereas WVURC’s Open Enrollment ran for two weeks in October.
Will my FMLA eligibility be impacted and restart one year after my October 31, 2025, start date with WVU?
No. Your time with WVURC will count toward your FMLA eligibility, so your eligibility will not be negatively impacted by the October 31, 2025, start date with WVU.
Health Insurance
How is WVU health insurance different from WVURC health insurance?
Just like WVURC, the University offers comprehensive medical and pharmacy coverage for benefits eligible employes and their eligible dependents. WVU’s health insurance is offered through the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA) and includes seven plan options including PPO, PPB, HMO, and Qualified High Deductible plans. Depending on the plan you elect, your cost-sharing (deductibles, copays, etc.) may change from your current plan. Visit the PEIA Benefits Guide for more information about health insurance offered to WVU employees.
Will my health insurance premiums be the same?
WVU’s health insurance premiums differ from WVURC’s. WVU health insurance premiums are determined in part by the salary of the employee, and the premiums per plan are divided into salary “tiers." Premiums also depend on the plan elected, dependents enrolled, and tobacco use. Premium details begin on page 32 of the PEIA Benefits Guide.
Employees enrolling a spouse in health coverage should also be aware of the Spousal Surcharge, which is a monthly premium surcharge applied if the spouse is eligible for other non-PEIA coverage through their own employment but has elected PEIA coverage instead. More information on the Spousal Surcharge is listed on page 36 of the PEIA Benefits Guide.
What about the amount already met towards my deductible/OOPM?
As a new employee with WVU, medical plan deductibles and out-of-pockets will begin at the start of the WVU medical plan enrollment effective date.
I have a Health Savings Account (HSA). What will happen to the money in my account?
Your HSA is portable, which means the money remains yours when you change employers, health plans, or retire. You can continue to use your HSA on qualified health expenses now and in the future.
I don’t live in West Virginia. Does my or my covered dependents’ location impact WVU health coverage?
If you live out of state, you still have options! Three out of the four PEIA PPB Plans are available nationwide and use the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus PPO network providers. If you live in WV, but your dependent resides outside of WV and beyond the bordering counties of the surrounding state, you must complete a form, and your dependent will use the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus PPO network providers. The Health Plan is available in WV, four counties in PA, one county in MD, and 68 counties in OH.
Retirement
How is WVU’s 401(a) retirement plan different from WVURC’s 403(b) plan?
At WVU, all benefits-eligible employees must contribute 6% of their gross pay to the 401(a) mandatory defined contribution plan, whereas WVURC employees could choose between 3% and 6%. Both plans include employer matching contributions, and you are 100% vested from your very first contribution.
Do I have additional options for retirement savings?
Yes. WVU offers two supplemental retirement account options – a 403(b) and a 457(b). Employees can choose to contribute to either plan with pre-tax or post-tax Roth account options, or both. While WVU does not match contributions to these supplemental accounts, employees are 100% vested from their first contribution.
What is the impact to my salary going to be for the required 6% retirement contributions?
You will have 6% of your gross salary deducted from each paycheck to go toward your mandatory retirement contribution. Since you are paid biweekly (26 paychecks per year), this means a portion of each paycheck will go directly to your retirement account.
To estimate how much will be deducted from each paycheck, you can use this simple calculation:
- Take your annual gross salary.
- Multiply it by 6% (0.06) to find your total yearly retirement contribution.
- Divide that amount by 26 (the number of paychecks you receive in a year) to find the amount deducted each paycheck.
For example, if your annual salary is $52,000, then 6% of $52,000 is $3,120 per year. $3,120 divided by 26 paychecks is $120 per paycheck, which will be deducted from each paycheck for retirement contributions.
Life Insurance
How will my basic life policy with WVU be different than what I had with WVURC?
WVU’s basic life policy is $10,000. WVURC’s was equivalent to one year’s salary, with a maximum of $165,000.
Can I keep the same amount of life insurance coverage I have now?
The life insurance coverage at WVU differs from what you currently have at WVURC and will not automatically transfer. However, both WVURC and WVU offer a guaranteed issue amount of $100,000 for new benefits-eligible employees. If your life insurance coverage at WVURC exceeded $100,000 and you want a similar amount with WVU, you will be required to submit evidence of insurability. Additionally, if your spouse had coverage with WVURC, their maximum allowed life insurance amount was $150,000. At WVU, the maximum spouse coverage is $40,000.
Will my beneficiaries carry over?
No. Since WVU uses a different life insurance vendor than WVURC, you will need to create a new account with MetLife and designate your beneficiaries through their system.
Time Off Work
How is WVU’s leave program different from WVURC’s paid time off (PTO)?
At WVURC, you have had a single paid time off (PTO) bank that can be used for any reason (vacation, personal time, or illness). At WVU, time off is separated into two accrual categories – annual leave (for vacation and personal time) and sick leave (for illness or medical needs).
Accrual methods also differ. At WVURC, accrual is based on your years of service and position. At WVU, annual leave accrual depends on your job type and, in some cases, overall state service. Please see the Leave and Time Off Program webpage for additional details on the amount of leave employees are eligible to receive.
Sick leave accrual at WVU is the same for all leave-eligible employees but may be prorated based on the FTE of the position.
How does taking sick time off work differ between WVURC and WVU?
At WVURC, sick time was included in your PTO bank. WVURC also provided short- and long-term disability (STD and LTD) insurances to all benefits-eligible employees for free. To utilize RC’s disability insurance, you have to take 5 days of PTO prior.
At WVU, sick leave is separate from annual leave. While STD and LTD insurance are available, they are not provided by WVU and must be purchased individually.
Will I still have access to short- and long-term disability insurance?
Yes. At WVU, there are several enrollment options for STD and LTD insurances, with premiums conveniently deducted through payroll.
Will my banked leave (PTO) reset? How soon will I earn my leave at WVU?
There will be a one-time transfer of your WVURC PTO hours as of October 30 to your WVU annual leave balance. Moving forward, leave accruals will be added based upon eligibility two times a month starting with October 31.
I already have time off planned and approved. Can I still take this time?
Yes, if your time off was approved before transitioning to WVU’s leave program, you can still take your planned time off. Be sure to coordinate with your supervisor and follow WVU’s leave request procedures to ensure your request is submitted in the WVU Applaud system after October 31.
Longevity Questions
Will my years of service at WVURC count towards WVU leave accruals and other benefits such as the annual longevity payment?
Only WV state agency service counts towards WVU’s years of service. Since WVURC is not a state agency, this time will not be included in years of service.
Will I be eligible for WVU’s longevity program?
After becoming a WVU employee, participation in the annual longevity payment will be applied per the guidelines and eligibility outlined in WVU’s BOG Talent and Culture Rule 3.7 – Annual Increment.