University of Iowa Vice President for Human Resources Sue Buckley has detailed several UI staff benefits for the upcoming year — most of them pertaining to retirement and wellness.

The school will reinstate its 10 percent contribution deal toward TIAA-CREF retirement plans. Low state appropriations have pulled that number down to 8 percent over the last 18 months.

The state Board of Regents also extended the UI’s phased retirement plan through 2017.

The number of staff memberships to the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center has exceeded 3,000, a boost of more than 1,000 since January. As a result, a discounted membership program will be made available, requiring faculty to complete a health assessment and use facilities at least 52 times per year.

A collaboration of Iowa nutrition agencies will launch UChoose, a program that aims to increase health awareness for those choosing to eat on campus. Apple logos will appear on food items in UI outlets that meet established nutrition guidelines.

And for those looking to brush up on computer skills, courses will be available to staff looking to increase knowledge of popular applications such as Access, Excel, and Word.

— by Brian Albert