University Research Associates
A University Research Associate (鈥淯RA鈥�) appointed under Policy is able to participate in the benefit plans which are available to 大象传媒 faculty as described in Policy excluding the Academic Pension Plan, the BC College Pension Plan, professional development allowance, computer subsidy, and sabbatical leave.
Benefit coverage varies depending on Long-Term/Recurring Limited Term or Short-Term appointments, please see below for more details.
Please click on the appropriate link for further information on specific employee benefits. Please click here to visit Forms & Resources.
Long-Term or Recurring Limited Term Appointments
Long-Term: Refers to full-time and part-time employees who have an appointment of more than one year.
Recurring Limited Term: Refers to full-time and part-time URAs who have held URA appointments totaling at least one year over a four year period. Recurring Limited Term status shall be maintained during any subsequent appointment, except if more than four years have elapsed since the end of the last appointment.
| Benefit | Effective Date | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Share | Employer Share | ||
Extended Health Care Plan: Pacific Blue Cross (PBC) 80% co-insurance Paramedical visit fees apply. Please refer to booklet linked above or for details. |
First day of the month coincident with or following appointment, or on the date MSP** commences. **In British Columbia, newcomers are subject to a 3-month waiting period before their Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage begins. This period includes the remainder of the month they arrive plus the following two months. During this time, MSP does not cover medical services. It is recommended to either self-obtain private health insurance or coordinate with the former medical plan from the province you move from, to cover any potential healthcare needs. 路 Information on eligibility, enrolment and managing your MSP account is available at . 路 Application is made directly to Health Insurance BC and you will be enrolled on a self-administered MSP account. 路 Any changes to your account (ie. address change, add/remove dependent) are made directly with Health Insurance BC. |
0% | 100% |
Dental Care Plan: 90% Basic, 70% Major, 85% Ortho Please refer to booklet linked above or for details. |
First day of the month following a full 3 month waiting period. | 0% | 100% |
Basic Life Insurance: Manulife 2 x annual salary to next $1000 |
First day actively at work. Appointment must be more than 25%. |
0% | 100% |
Optional Life Insurance: Manulife Units of $25,000 |
Date application or approval received. | 100% | 0% |
Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance: Industrial Alliance $10,000 |
First day actively at work. | 0% | 100% |
Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance: Industrial Alliance Units of $10,000 - Employee & Family |
First day of month following receipt of application. | 100% | 0% |
Business Travel Protection $150,000 |
First day actively at work. | 0% | 100% |
| Sick Leave Refer to |
Immediately (26 weeks at 100%) | 0% | 100% |
Long Term Disability Insurance 70% normal salary |
First day actively at work. Appointment must be more than 25%. |
0% | 100% |
Employer Paid Group RRSP (Refer to ) 10% of pensionable earnings |
Upon application. | 0% | 100% |
| Optional Group RRSP: Sun Life |
Upon application. | 100% | 0% |
| Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA): Sun Life | Upon application. | 100% | 0% |
| Group Insurance for Homeowners, Tenants and Condominium owners: TD Insurance | Upon application. | 100% | 0% |
Tuition Reimbursement For job-related, off campus course |
Subject to approval. | 0% | 100% |
| Tuition Waiver Refer to |
First day of semester coincident with or following date of employment. | 0% | 100% |
| WorkSafeBC | First day of employment. | 0% | 100% |
| Annual Vacation | One month. | 0% | 100% |
| Library/Gym Membership |
Upon Application. | 0% | 100% |
| Leave for New Parents Refer to |
0% | 100% | |
| Employee and Family Assistance Program: Homewood Health |
First day actively at work. | 0% | 100% |
Short-Term Appointments
Short-Term: Refers to full-time and part-time URAs who are on an appointment of one year or less.
| Benefit | Effective Date | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Share | Employer Share | ||
Extended Health Care Plan: 80% co-insurance Paramedic visit fees apply. Please refer to booklet linked above or for details.
|
First day of the month coincident with or following appointment, or on the date MSP** commences. **In British Columbia, newcomers are subject to a 3-month waiting period before their Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage begins. This period includes the remainder of the month they arrive plus the following two months. During this time, MSP does not cover medical services. It is recommended to either self-obtain private health insurance or coordinate with the former medical plan from the province you move from, to cover any potential healthcare needs. 路 Information on eligibility, enrolment and managing your MSP account is available at . 路 Application is made directly to Health Insurance BC and you will be enrolled on a self-administered MSP account. 路 Any changes to your account (ie. address change, add/remove dependent) are made directly with Health Insurance BC. Enrolment is not automatic. |
50% | 50% |
| Dental Plan | Not eligible | N/A | N/A |
Basic Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance: Industrial Alliance $10,000 |
First day actively at work. |
0% | 100% |
Optional Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance: Industrial Alliance Units of $10,000 |
First day of month following receipt of application. | 100% | 0% |
| Sick Leave Refer to |
One week salary increasing to four weeks after three months. | 0% | 100% |
| WorkSafeBC | First day of employment | 0% | 100% |
| Annual Vacation | Reference | 0% | 100% |
Business Travel Protection $150,000 |
First day actively at work | 0% | 100% |
| Library/Gym Membership | Upon application | 0% | 100% |
July 2025
*The information on this webpage describing your various employee benefits are only summaries of the legal contracts governing the Plans. While every effort has been made to describe the Plans accurately on this webpage, the legal documents will prevail if there is a variation between the two. The contracts are available for review in Human Resources.