SPIN Theatre presents Lysistrata
A&E 5
Team Trivia takes Decorah
FEATURES 6
LUTHER COLLEGE
“Let the chips fall where they may.”
CHIPS
MAY 1, 2014
Serving the Luther College community since 1884.
VOLUME 136, NO. 22
ORDER UP. Nathan Tritt prepares stir fry at the exhibition line. ANNA JEIDE STAFF WRITER In response to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), many corporations are reevaluating how they will offer health care to full time employees. Sodexo is one of many businesses undergoing changes to comply with ACA. According to Sodexo’s website, the new criteria to be considered a full time employee requires an individual to work an average of 30 hours or more per week for 52 weeks, a total of 1,560 hours per year. According to Vice President for Finance and Administration Diane Tacke, at least three Dining Services
Walker Nyenhuis / Chips
employees at Luther are losing their health care benefits through Sodexo as a result of this new definition. According to their website, “[Sodexo] made this decision to ensure compliance with the requirements of the ACA and to maintain our competitiveness in the market.” ACA now mandates that any employee working 30 hours per week be considered full time, and employers must provide health care. Employers can still offer health care benefits to employees who work fewer than 30 hours per week, but doing so could raise expenses for the corporation. “Right now somebody could work 25 hours a week and you could still offer them health care benefits, but the problem is that in 2018 there will be a Cadillac tax,” Tacke
said. According to Obamacarefacts.com, “Starting in 2018, the new health care law imposes a 40 percent excise tax on the portion of most employer-sponsored health coverage (this excludes dental and vision) that exceed $10,200 a year and $27,500 for families.” Federal calculations determine which corporations will be subject to the “Cadillac tax.” According to Tacke, Sodexo is one of many corporations across the nation that could be affected by the tax. “Many organizations are moving to 30 hours because they SODEXO, PAGE 4
Cabinet amends early arrival policy KATIE WOLTER STAFF WRITER On Friday, April 25, the Luther student body received an email from Vice President and Dean for Student Life Corey Landstrom and Vice President for Administration and Finance Diane Tacke regarding the early arrival policy, as approved by the President’s Cabinet. According to the email, the number of students arriving before their approved dates has increased in recent years. Preceding the fall semester, 1,000 students arrived early to campus. The new policy states that early arrival approvals must be made by a Luther College vice president or a designee. Students will only be permitted to arrive early if it is determined that their presence is needed for New Student Orientation or fall semester opening. Elements of the early arrival policy will stay the same. Athletes will be approved to return early for
preseason training. The policy also still applies to international students, as travel convenience is not included within the parameters for requesting an early arrival. “The numbers of students who have arrived prior to the official opening date has increased in the past several years,” Landstrom said. “The challenges associated with the early arrival of students is that the campus is not yet running at the level [it does] when classes are in session.” Because the campus is not fully functional, students are discouraged to arrive before their approved dates due to possible health and safety risks. Counseling Service and Health Service are not available for
students until classes start. Also, early arrival of students hinders Facilities Services and their efforts to prepare buildings for the fall semester. Student Life recognizes that there may be further extenuating circumstances for students that may cause them to need an earlier arrival date. A student who does not fit the early arrival criteria and has not been approved to arrive early can submit a written request. Students must submit written requests five business days before the desired move-in date. Residence Life will review and approve these requests if they are deemed appropriate. However, these
“The challenges associated with the early arrival of students is that the campus is not yet running at the level [it does] when classes are in session.” - Corey Landstrom
EARLY ARRIVAL POLICY, PAGE 4