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Following the recommendations of the College Benefits Council (CBC), the College has expanded parental and bereavement leave policies to better meet employee needs and to maintain a competitive benefits package. The policies, which went into effect Nov. 1, 2007, apply to regular, benefits-eligible (non-faculty) employees.
After a mother gives birth, a physician typically recommends that she take six weeks of medical leave. This time is paid through Dartmouth’s short-term disability plan. Dartmouth’s new parental leave plan provides birth mothers with two additional weeks of paid leave, totaling eight weeks of paid leave time.
Spouses, partners, and adoptive parents are also now eligible for two weeks of paid parental leave. The time may be taken immediately after the birth or at any point in the first year of becoming a parent. The leave can be used in part-time increments or intermittently, if approved by the supervisor.
Qualifying parents can also take additional time off that is unpaid through the Family Medical Leave Act.
Also at the recommendation of the CBC, Dartmouth is increasing the number of paid bereavement days from three to five. The days can be taken in the event of a death of an immediate family member.
The CBC is a group of faculty and staff representing various areas of Dartmouth that spent the past year examining benefits and policies typical to peer institutions.
“These changes demonstrate our focus on maintaining Dartmouth’s position as a competitive employer that provides for employees at various stages of their lives,” says Traci Nordberg, chief Human Resources officer. “I am especially pleased that these changes allow parents some flexibility as they re-enter the workforce.”
Miranda Pizinger, benefits administrator for the Office of Human Resources, provides consultation to supervisors and employees to aid in the leave process. She can be reached on e-mail or at 646-1296.
With her jovial manner and in-depth knowledge, Ruth Kilburn helps Dartmouth students achieve their goal of making a positive difference in the world. Tucker Foundation’s receptionist, Kilburn guides visitors to such initiatives as mentoring young students in the Upper Valley, participating in community service on a Native American reservation, and working at an orphanage in Bangladesh.
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“It’s really exciting to meet people every day who want to reach out and help,” says Kilburn, who is known for her sharp wit and determination to share her chocolates. “The students that come in here are just phenomenal. I’m amazed by what they do.”
In some interactions, Kilburn asks more questions than she answers. “Sometimes students aren’t sure exactly what they want to do, so I ask them about their interests, and preferences, and try to point them in the right direction,” she says. Often, students visit to peruse the books that list global opportunities for volunteerism. “They’ll just sit and think about where in the world they want to help.”
Kilburn also serves as administrative assistant to Tucker’s Office of Spiritual and Religious Life, and she helps to coordinate the work of the United Campus Ministers and all of the 25 student religious groups. Richard Crocker, College chaplain and acting dean of the Tucker Foundation, says, “Ruth’s cheerfulness and helpfulness make the Tucker Foundation a place of hospitality for everyone.”
The Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth Medical School, and the Dartmouth Entrepreneurial Network will offer an evening mini-course, Introduction to Entrepreneurship, during winter term. The course, taught by Gregg Fairbrothers ’76, adjunct professor of business administration at Tuck and director of the Dartmouth Entrepreneurial Network, is designed to provide basic education in commercialization of technology, entrepreneurship, and starting new business ventures. Class will meet Monday evenings from 4:45 to 6:45, Jan. 7 through March 3, 2008. The course is free and open to anyone eligible for a dartmouth.edu, hitchcock.org, or dartmouth.alum.org e-mail address. For more information about the course or to register as a noncredit student, contact Sandy Rozyla by Dec. 17.
Employee News and Notes features news and information for all Dartmouth employees and is produced by the Offices of Public Affairs and Human Resources. To suggest stories, contact Steven J. Smith via e-mail or at 646-0912.
Questions or comments about this article? We welcome your feedback.
From left: Ben Jastrzembski ’08, student director for the Cross Cultural Education and Service Program-Nicaragua, Jay Mateo ’09, civic intern for national and international fellowships, and Ruth Kilburn, administrative assistant at the Tucker Foundation.(Photo by Sarah Memmi)