Human Resources

Learn how to interpret your PHA (personal health assessment) report by attending one of the educational sessions hosted by our registered nurse educator, Laurie Ehlers.

Laurie will be sharing how to read your report, understand your numbers and how the report trends from prior years.

Please join us on one of the following days/times:

• Oct. 25, 3 p.m.–3:30 p.m., Steitz Hall Room 202
• Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m–9 a.m., Briggs Hall Room 420
• Nov. 1, noon–12:30 p.m., Steitz Hall Room 202

Laure is also available for individual appointments. Email laurie.ehlers@lawrence.edu or call 920-832-7498. These appointments can be used to discuss individual results, identify goals and plan how to achieve goals.

As a reminder, please complete the PHA questionnaire online at https://thedacarepha.net.

Note: please allow five business days to pass after your screening (blood draw) appointment to complete the online questionnaire, allowing ThedaCare time to process the lab data. The questionnaire needs to be completed for you to be able to see your results.

1. Enter the following address into your web browser: https://thedacarepha.net.
2. Click on “Start Your Online Questionnaire HERE” (to complete your online questionnaire), located in the yellow box.
3. Enter your unique access code: hbv4mdcv
   (Hint: The access code is case sensitive.)
4. Enter the required account information. Click “Proceed to Registration.”
   (Hint: Use your “legal” first and last name.)
5. See box below. 

6. Click “Sign up.”
7. Choose the most current lab date (even if it differs from your screening date) and click “Go.”
8. Click on “Begin your Questionnaire.”
   (Hint: You must answer ALL of the questions before submitting your questionnaire.)
9. After submitting your questionnaire, on the main menu click on the “Printable Report” button to view your Personal Health Assessment Report.

As of Oct. 10, Lawrence has made the following changes to the Transamerica plan:

1. Opened the Schwab Personal Choice Retirement Account (PCRA) to all sources
2. Allow participants to allocate directly to PCRA
3. Participants must maintain a $3,000 minimum balance in the plan’s core fund lineup
4. Participants can only allocate 90 percent of their contributions directly to PCRA

*Schwab Personal Choice Retirement Account (PCRA) is a self-directed investment option designed to complement your Lawrence University Retirement Readiness Plan core investments. PCRA gives you access to thousands of additional mutual fund options.

Who should choose to invest through PCRA?

PCRA may be appropriate if:

• You have a sophisticated understanding of investment principles and the stock market;
• You have the resources to research and monitor your investments;
• You are comfortable with the additional risk associated with making investment decisions;
• You are willing to undertake any additional trading and maintenance costs that may apply

How can I obtain additional information about PCRA?

Visit luretirement.trsretire.com. Under the Resource Center tab and Services section, please find the Schwab Personal Choice Retirement Account (PCRA) brochure for more information.

How do I open my PCRA?

1. Visit luretirement.trsretire.com.
2. Sign in to your account and go to the Messages section (on the top center of the page).
3. In the Messages section, click on Schwab Personal Choice Retirement Account, then click on the link that appears in the message box. Please make sure to note the Retirement Plan ID and Plan Password displayed on this page—you’ll need them for the next step!
4. You’ll be directed to the Schwab site to complete the process.

• From the Schwab site, enter the Retirement Plan ID, Plan Password that you noted from the prior page and your Social Security Number.
• Follow the steps to complete the online PCRA application.
• Once you click “Submit,” you will receive your account number instantly on the screen.
• To set up your PCRA for online access, go to Schwab.com, click the “New User” tab, then the “Register” button.
• Your PCRA is now ready to be funded, and you can begin researching investment opportunities.
• You will receive welcome materials from Schwab in a few days.

Can I make direct payroll contributions to my PCRA?

Yes, you can allocate direct payroll contributions to PCRA. Log on to your account at luretirement.trsretire.com and select Manage/Future Allocations. The maximum allocation is 90 percent of payroll contributions to PCRA.

Can I transfer money into my PCRA?

Yes, you can transfer assets from your Lawrence University Retirement Readiness Retirement Plan through the following process:

• Determine which of your core investments you want to transfer money from.
• Decide on the amount to transfer. See below for transfer restrictions.
• Log onto the plan website at luretirement.trsretire.com and follow the steps to initiate a transfer or call the Transamerica Call Center at 800-755-5801.

Are there transfer restrictions?

• Transamerica does not impose any charges on your transfer, but certain plan options may charge redemption fees on frequent trading, which could apply if you liquidate a fund with a redemption fee in order to fund your PCRA contribution.
• Direct transfers to your PCRA from the New York Life Insurance Company Guaranteed Interest Account cannot be transferred directly to your PCRA. You may transfer them to any other fund offered under the plan for a period of 90 days. You may then transfer those funds to your PCRA. Such restrictions are an industry standard and are intended to prevent excessive short-term or disruptive trading to protect the integrity of the fund and its shareholders.

Is there a minimum transfer required?

Yes, the initial transfer minimum is $1,000, and each subsequent transfer must be at least $250. You must maintain a minimum core product account balance of $3,000. 

What does it cost?

• Transaction fees and trading commissions are outlined in the Charles Schwab Pricing Guide for Retirement Plan Accounts provided in the welcome materials you receive from Schwab after opening your account. Please contact Schwab at 888-393-PCRA (7272) for questions regarding commissions and transaction fees.
• Transamerica will apply an annual PCRA fee of $50 that will be withdrawn from your Transamerica account in addition to any other Transamerica administrative fees.

A message from controller Amy Price:

We have some changes to the finance team I would like to share with you.

I would like to thank Winda Roets, accountant, for her time with and impact on the financial services team and the Lawrence community. Winda has accepted another opportunity outside of Lawrence, and even outside of Wisconsin. Her last day is Friday, Sept. 30. Winda’s energy, positive attitude and willingness to always help wherever needed made her a great partner to all departments on campus. She has been a sparkling gem on the financial services team, and she will be deeply missed by all of us. If there is anything you were working with Winda on, please reach out directly to me until the position is filled.

I am happy to announce two newly hired financial services team members: Lynn Payne, student accounts specialist, and Deb Garetson, temporary accountant. Lynn started Sept. 26 and is responsible for the management of student accounts and the cashier desk. We are very excited to have Lynn on board. She comes to us from UW–Oshkosh, and her experience will serve her well in this new role. Deb started Sept. 19 as a temporary accountant. Deb has over 15 years of accounting experience, with 10 years focused on nonprofit accounting. As temporary accountant, Deb will be responsible for daily and monthly accounting adjustments, reporting and reconciliations. Deb is currently training with Winda through the end of this week.

I would like to congratulate Jacquie Birkholz as she moves into her new role of accountant. Jacquie has been in the student accounts specialist role for over three years and has made significant improvements throughout that time. In her new role within financial services, she will continue to spend roughly 30 percent of her time continuing to grow student accounts. As accountant, Jacquie will also be responsible for daily and monthly accounting adjustments, reporting and reconciliations. I know Jacquie will succeed and make another significant impact to our team in her new role.

Please join me in wishing Winda well, congratulating Jacquie and welcoming Lynn and Deb to the team!

The annual Wellness Fair is quickly approaching. Please save the date Oct. 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

We will also be providing flu shots. Hope to see you there!

Beginning this fall, the Wellness Committee, Benefits Advisory Committee and the HR team are happy to announce the addition of an on-site health nurse educator as part of our wellness benefits for faculty and staff. The nurse educator will provide coaching and education to individuals and groups through educational sessions. Primary areas of focus will initially be nutrition and stress, following priorities identified in health screening results from the prior years. Tobacco cessation and other programs will also be available.

We are pleased to welcome Laurie Ehlers, R.N., to Lawrence as our ThedaCare occupational health nurse. Laurie started Sept. 13.

Laurie will be available at the following location and times:

Memorial Hall: (Room 102—watch for the ThedaCare sign!)
Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

To schedule an appointment, contact Laurie at laurie.ehlers@lawrence.edu or 920-832-7498.

Lawrence has contracted with ThedaCare to provide this on-campus resource for faculty and staff. Anything discussed during your visits is completely CONFIDENTIAL.

For more information, read this nurse educator frequently asked questions document.