New Employee Orientation

Welcome to VCU!

As a new employee, you will want to review the important information below and check out the links provided.

Where do I start?
Q: How do I get my VCU ID? A: Before visiting one of the VCUCard offices on campus, call first at 827-CARD (2273) or 628-CARD (2273) to check your status in the VCUCard database.   Once you have confirmed that you are in the VCUCard database, you can stop by either VCUCard office on campus to receive your ID card.  For office locations and hours, see www.vcucard.com.  Don't forget to bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.).
Q: How do I get parking on my first day? A: See the Parking and Transportation Web site.  Keep in mind that you must have a valid VCUCard before you can purchase a parking permit.  If you do not have a VCUCard, you can purchase a temporary parking pass at $5 per day.  If you have additional questions, call the Parking and Transportation office at 828-0501 or 828-8726.
Q: How do I set up my VCU e-mail account? A: Your e-mail address will be automatically generated.  See the Technology Services website to obtain your eID for e-mail access.  For further technology questions, see the Technology Services home page at http://www.ts.vcu.edu.
Q: How does my information get entered in the Self-Service Banner (SSB) system for employees? A: Your department should enter your employment data in Express Hire, the on-line system that enables you to get a VCUCard.  Once you have met with your Human Resource Generalist and completed all of your employment forms, HR will enter your personnel data into the Banner HR system.  After a short waiting period, you will be able to access your personal University information in the Self-Service Banner (SSB) system at http://www.eservices.vcu.edu/ (click on the "Employees" button).   If you have not met with your HR Generalist, find your department's HR Generalist from the contact list on the Employment Services web page.
Q:  Will my first paycheck be direct deposited? A: See Direct Deposit Program FAQs.
Q: How long is my probationary period? A: See the Probationary Period Employee Overview.
Q: Do I have to go to orientation before I start work? A: The date scheduled for your orientation is included in the employment confirmation letter ("Welcome Packet") mailed to your home address, and it is important for you to attend this session.  (Please note - your orientation session may not occur on your first day.)  You also need to contact your HR Generalist before or on your first day of work to complete certain conditions of employment.  Your HR Generalist's contact information is included in your confirmation letter, or find your department's HR Generalist from the contact list on the Employment Services web page.
Q: What policies must I know? A: You should familiarize yourself with many VCU and HR policies depending on your employee type (i.e., faculty, classified, or hourly).  The following are mandatory for all employees to have read: VCU Code of Ethics  VCU Code of Conduct for Business Practices  VCU Alcohol and Drug Policy    University Guidelines on Prohibition of Sexual Harassment   Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)    VCU Computer and Network Resources Use Policy    State Policy 1.75, Use of  Internet and Electronic Communications Systems     VCU Office Closings Policy    Worker's Right to Know Safety brochure   Click here for a complete list of VCU HR policies and guidelines.   Benefits and Leave Q: When is my health insurance effective? A: Full-time faculty and classified staff may enroll in the health benefits plan on a pre-tax basis within 31 days of employment.  If you begin employment on the first workday of the month, coverage can be effective on the first of that month if a completed Health Benefits Enrollment Form is submitted to VCU Human Resources on the first workday.   If you begin employment after the first workday of the month, the effective date for health insurance will be the first of the month after a completed Health Benefits Enrollment Form is submitted to VCU Human Resources.
Q: Who can I cover on my health insurance? A: Full-time employee; legally married spouse; unmarried dependent children until the end of the year in which they turn age 23.   For complete details, see the Eligibility Rules available from the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM), which manages the State Health Benefits Program.
Q: How much life insurance do I have? A: See the Life Insurance web page.
Q: How do I determine the premium for Optional Life Insurance? A: See the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Optional Life Insurance web page.
Q: I'm pregnant - how long do I have to work before I can use short-term disability? A: New classified employees are automatically enrolled in the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP), and coverage is effective on your first day of work.  There is a seven-calendar-day waiting period for short-term disability that begins on the day following the commencement of disability or maternity leave, as applicable.  For more information, see the VSDP handbook.
Q: How do I accrue leave? A: See the Quick Reference for Classified Employee Leave (see first page marked for Classified employees).
Q: When is the winter closing? A: See the VCU Holiday Schedule.
Q: I am part-time classified - how do I accrue leave? A: See the Quick Reference for Classified Employee Leave (see third page marked for Part-Time Classified employees) for information about annual leave, holidays, and traditional sick leave (where applicable).   Accruals for VSDP Sick Leave and Personal and Family leave are based on years of service.  See pages 5 and 6 of the VSDP handbook for details.
Q: When is open enrollment for health insurance? A: An annual Open Enrollment period is held in the spring of each year.  Changes made during Open Enrollment are effective on July 1 of the same year.  For more information, see the Health Insurance web page.
Q: How do I enroll in the Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) or Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP)? A: See the Tax-Deferred Annuity (TDA) and Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) web pages.
Q: Can I purchase service credit, and how do I start? A: See the Purchase of Service web page.
Q: How do I designate my beneficiary? A: See the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Instructions to Complete the Designation of Beneficiary.
Transferring from another state position
Q: I'm a state transfer - how do my leave accruals transfer? A: If you transferred from another state agency or have been promoted or demoted from one classified position to another classified position in the same or different agency, you will retain your accrued leave balance and accrual rate.  VCU Human Resources will coordinate with the HR office in your former agency for complete balance information.
Q: I'm a state transfer - do I have to serve another probationary period? A: Classified employees who transfer from other positions in the state system with no break in service and who already have completed an initial 12 months of classified employment do not serve new probationary periods.  For more information, see the Probationary Period Employee Overview.
	Return to top of page Mailing address:  Virginia Commonwealth University  |  Human Resources Human Resources Building, 104 North Belvidere Street, P.O. Box 842511  |  Richmond, VA  USA  23284-2511 Phone:  (804) 827-1770 (Voice)  |  (800) 828-1120 (TDD)                      This page is maintained by the VCU Human Resources web team   |   Revised:  June 03, 2008 Virginia Commonwealth University   |   Human Resources   |    HR - A to Z