School Profile
Bucknell University
School Overview
Bucknell University is a highly selective, privately endowed comprehensive university offering baccalaureate degree programs to approximately 3400 undergraduates and master’s degree programs to about 150 students. The University is located in Lewisburg on a 450-acre campus in central Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River Valley. New York City, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia are each within a 3 ½ hour drive from Lewisburg.
http://www.bucknell.edu/x19.xml
School History
Founded in 1846 as the University at Lewisburg, Bucknell traces its origination to a group of Baptists who deemed it "desirable that a Literary Institution should be established in Central Pennsylvania, embracing a High School for male pupils, another for females, a College and also a Theological Institution."
In 1846, the "school preparatory to the University" opened in the basement of the First Baptist Church in Lewisburg. Known originally as the Lewisburg High School, it became, in 1848, the Academical and Primary Department of the University at Lewisburg.
In 1881, facing dire finances, the university turned to William Bucknell, a charter member of the board of trustees, for help. His generous donation of $50,000 saved the university from ruin.
Since its founding, 16 presidents and four acting presidents have served Bucknell. Under their leadership, Bucknell has grown from a "Literary Institution and Female High School" to a university of more than 3,450 undergraduate and 150 graduate students and 291 full-time faculty.
The university’s facilities continued to grow. Today, more than 100 buildings dot the 450-acre campus.
New buildings and new degree programs do not alone characterize Bucknell or identify its uniqueness as an educational institution. From the outset, Bucknell developed traditions that have strengthened and sustained its mission as a teaching institution
The university has preserved its commitment to the liberal arts, but it has also integrated other kinds of learning into the curriculum.
Today, Bucknell has 48,000 living alumni who form a close network of loyal Bucknellians around the world. Their successful lives and personal achievements are a testament to the vision and perspicacity of the university’s founders, who were dedicated to the pursuit of excellence.
http://www.bucknell.edu/x474.xml
Benefits
Benefits Overview
Bucknell University recognizes that each faculty and staff member presents unique and highly individual needs. The benefit program at Bucknell is designed with your individuality in mind. To that end, Bucknell offers a varied benefits selection for all regular full-time and regular part-time staff members. Below is a brief overview of some of these benefits. All of these benefits are discussed in greater detail at new faculty and staff orientation and are explained in the staff handbook.
Health Care Coverage
Bucknell offers a PPO plan and a High Deductible Health plan, which provide world wide coverage, and two HMO plans covering Central Pennsylvania. Members of the faculty and staff share a portion of the premium cost, determined using a percentage of salary method. Overall, Bucknell pays 80% of the healthcare premium cost and individuals pay 20%.
Retirement Program
Bucknell's retirement program is provided through TIAA-CREF on a contributory basis. After a one year waiting period, the University will contribute an amount equivalent to 10% of base salary. When eligible, faculty and administrative staff members are required to contribute 6% of salary. Individual contributions are voluntary for support staff.
Tuition Benefits
There are several tuition benefit programs available to you, your spouse/spousal equivalent, and dependents. These programs include tuition remission, tuition exchange, tuition grant, and an informal tuition exchange program with Susquehanna University.
Time Off
Twelve paid holidays are part of the University benefit program. The University recognizes 6 national holidays and also closes for the half day before Thanksgiving and the Friday after Thanksgiving as well as 3.5 days designated annually around the winter holidays. Staff members also receive a floating holiday for use each calendar year. Vacation is accrued at a specified rate per month from a staff member's date of employment. The staff handbook details these accrual rates. In addition, Bucknell provides a paid sick leave program.
Life Insurance
Bucknell provides a death benefit equivalent to an annual base salary with a maximum limit of $50,000 for faculty and staff aged 64 or younger. This coverage includes accidental death and dismemberment insurance equal to the amount of life insurance, in the event of accidental death.
Long-Term Disability
After one year of service, Bucknell provides a disability income insurance (waiting period is waived with proof of LTD coverage in the last 90 days). After six months of total disability, the plan pays 60% of covered salary up to a maximum monthly income benefit.
Other Benefits
The University also offers voluntary benefits such as dental insurance, eye-wear plans, flexible spending accounts, individual disability insurance, long-term care insurance, and supplemental retirement annuities. Beyond these basic benefit offerings, Bucknell provides a wealth of other University services, including cultural and recreational activities, admissions to university events, Credit Union membership and more. If you are considering Bucknell as an employer and need more information on these benefits, contact Human Resources hr@bucknell.edu.
http://www.bucknell.edu/x19450.xml