Admission to Athletic and Cultural Events
All Gulf Coast Community College employees are eligible to receive free admission to college productions and
all sporting events. Employees can obtain one free ticket for college productions in the college bookstore prior
to the event. Season passes for athletic events are available in the Wellness and Athletics Division.
Check Cashing
Depending upon the availability of cash, employees may cash personal checks up to $10 in the cashier's
office. A charge of $25 will be assessed for returned checks (NSF), and repeats of this problem will result in
the loss of this privilege.
Campus Dental Clinic
The Campus Dental Clinic is a clinical training facility with students in the Dental Assisting and Hygiene
programs assigned to the clinic. Services are available to all employees for a nominal fee. Services provided
include radiographs, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, soft tissue exams, treatment plans, and fillings. The
clinic is located in the Health Sciences portable building area, HP101, and appointments can be made by calling
872-3833.
Flexible Benefits Plan
The Flexible Benefits Plan shelters health insurance costs, child care costs, medical and dental expenses, etc.,
from income and social security tax liability. This plan is at no cost to the employee. For more information,
contact the Human Resources Office.
Library Privileges
The Gulf Coast Community College Library is available to employees and to the community for their use.
Presentation of proper identification will allow the checkout of materials.
Panhandle Educators Federal Credit Union
Employees of Gulf Coast Community College are eligible for membership in the Panhandle Educators Federal
Credit Union. Employees can have their payroll checks directly deposited into a savings or checking account.
For membership information, contact the Human Resources Office.
Parking and Traffic Privileges
Reserved parking areas are established for employees. Security personnel monitor the parking lots Monday
through Friday from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until
6 p.m. If security personnel see an unauthorized automobile parked in a reserved area, the automobile will be
ticketed. Reserved parking regulations are not enforced after 4 p.m. or during the summer sessions, except
those reserved for handicapped persons. The college shall assume no responsibility for damage occurring to
motor vehicles or other forms of transportation and other privately owned property while on campus. Accidents
occurring on campus shall be reported to the Florida State University-Panama City police in accordance
with state and local laws. Any questions should be referred to the vice president of student development.
Retirement
Qualifying Gulf Coast Community College employees participate in the Florida Retirement System (FRS). The
director of human resources serves as the college's retirement officer. Some full-time and most part-time
employees are not eligible for membership in the Florida Retirement System. If you were retired under the
FRS system prior to employment at Gulf Coast, contact the Human Resources Office.
Minimum requirements for full retirement are 6 years of service and age 62, or 30 years of service.
Employees may retire after 6 years of service and before age 62 but take substantial penalties for early
retirement. Further information is available by contacting the Human Resources Office.
If, after retiring under a State of Florida administered retirement system, you are employed in any type of
position with an FRS employer (temporary, part-time, or regularly established) during the first month of
retirement, your retirement is void and all retirement benefits will be canceled. If you are reemployed during
the second through the twelfth months after retirement, your monthly retirement benefit must be suspended
during these months of retirement. The only exception to employment is as an adjunct instructor; the
employee is eligible for a 780-hour exemption as provided by law. If you are eligible for the exemption, your
benefits must be suspended after your employment reaches 780 hours during the limitation period. There are
no restrictions on any employment after the twelfth month of retirement.
On July 1, 1998, FRS began administering the Deferred Retirement Options Program (DROP).
Individuals meeting the minimal retirement requirements outlined above may elect to participate in DROP for a
maximum of 60 months. During the DROP period participating employees will draw retirement benefits from
FRS (placed in an interest-bearing trust fund account) while continuing to draw salary as a regular college
employee, with no interruption in college-provided benefits. A variety of limitations and restrictions exist.
Please contact the Human Resources Office for additional information.
Eligible instructional personnel and specified (by FRS) instructional and institutional management personnel
may elect to participate in the Community College Optional Retirement System (ORP) in lieu of participation in
the regular FRS program. Benefits under this program are placed into an employee's 403(b) tax deferred
annuity account with designated vendors. Selection of this option must be made within 30 days of employment
and is irrevocable during employment at Gulf Coast. A variety of limitations and restrictions exist. Please
contact the Human Resources Office for additional information.
On June 1, 2002, FRS began offering an investment plan option to all public employees of the State
of Florida. Originally referred to as the Public Employees Optional Retirement Plan (PEORP), the plan offers
participants the option of having their FRS benefits placed into a 401(a) tax deferred annuity account with
designated vendors. Selection of this option must be made within 30 days of employment. There is a one-time
option to switch between the pension and investment plans after the initial selection. A variety of limitations
and restrictions exist. Please contact the Human Resources Office for additional information.
Sick Leave Pool
A sick leave pool has been established for the optional participation of all full-time employees. Eligible
employees must have been employed at the college for at least one year and must have accrued a minimum of
six sick leave days. Eligible employees may join the pool only upon the first anniversary of their employment
and during the regular enrollment period conducted each October. Additional limitations and restrictions apply.
For additional information consult the Manual of Policy or contact the Human Resources Office.
Staff Development/Tuition Reimbursement
It is expected that all personnel employed by the college will participate in activities to continually upgrade job
capabilities. Development opportunities may routinely include in-house seminars, conferences, workshops, or
approved advanced course work in the pursuit of professional development.
Employees of entities for whom the college only serves as a fiscal agent are not eligible for participation unless
funding for participation is provided by the employing entity. If reimbursement is partially available from some
other source, the college will reimburse the employee the difference between the funds from the "other
source" and the actual amount of education expenses, provided that the other provisions of this policy are met.
At no time should an employee be reimbursed for an amount that exceeds the actual cost of tuition or books.
For credit course reimbursement, employees are eligible after completing one year of full-time employment
(provided funds are available), if the course is related to the employee's line of work and approved by the
vice president of administration and finance. Please see the Manual of Policy for more information. Requests
are to be made by completing a Staff and Program Development form (obtained from the Vice President of
Administration and Finance Office). The cost of tuition will be reimbursed at the rate charged by Gulf Coast
Community College for freshman and sophomore level courses or Florida State University in Panama City for
junior, senior, and graduate level courses. The college will also reimburse up to 50 percent of the cost of
required textbooks. Paid receipts and proof of successful completion of any prior course work (a grade of
"C" or better) must be submitted to the executive director of business affairs. A specific list of the require
ments and limitations may be found in the Manual of Policy.
Tax Sheltered Annuities
Tax sheltered annuities allow for saving of pretax dollars for retirement purposes. Several companies
currently provide plans for full-time college employees. Contributions are made through payroll deduction.
For more information, contact the Human Resources Office.
Terminal Leave Benefits
College policy and state statute allow, under certain conditions, for the payment of terminal benefits for
accumulated annual and/or sick leave. Employees with the college longer than six years are required to have
all terminal leave benefits channeled through the BENCOR Terminal Leave Program. Please see the relevant
sections of the Manual of Policy or contact the Human Resources Office for more information.
Wellness and Athletics
The Wellness Center contains a weight room that is equipped with various state-of-the-art weight training and
aerobic equipment. The Wellness Center will have hours of availability for staff members each semester.
Please contact the Wellness and Athletics Division for a specific schedule. Fitness and aquatic classes are
scheduled for college employees throughout the year. The natatorium offers open swim times for faculty and
staff as determined by the assistant coordinator of aquatics. Wellness, fitness, and aquatics classes are
offered for employees through SPD funds. For facilities usage, schedules, and assistance, please contact the
senior administrative assistant for the Wellness and Athletics Division.
Holidays
A college calendar is published each year indicating designated holidays for that year. The holidays for this year
are listed on Academic Calendar.
