Dear Employees,

As a follow up to the recently sent email with HR FAQs and Answers, attached is a comprehensive document with additional information from Concordia Plan Services (“CPS”).  You are encouraged to peruse the attached document and to set up one-on-one meetings with benefits experts in the areas of health insurance and retirement planning.  Instructions on how to set up these meetings are included in the attached document.

If you have questions that were not addressed in this document from CPS, or you have specific questions related to Concordia College NY, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@concordia-ny.edu.

The Concordia College NY HR team will continue to provide you with additional resources as they become available.

Thank you.

Terry Vidal, MS, HRM, SHRM-CP, PHRi

Dear Employees,

Please note that The COVID relief bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, was signed into law on Sunday, December 27, 2020. The legislation includes several items that impact medical flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and dependent care assistant plan (DCAP) accounts, including:

FSA Spenddown: Allows medical FSA participants who terminate during the 2021 plan year to spend down their unused balances for expenses incurred through the end of the plan year in which the termination occurred. 

For example, if Jane Doe participates in the medical FSA by contributing the IRS maximum for 2021, which is $2,750, and Jane Doe is terminated on June 30, 2021, she would have repaid to the College $1,375.  The College will not recoup the balance of $1,375 after June 30, 2021; however, Jane Doe may continue to spend her medical FSA funds for a maximum of $2,750. 

On February 1, 2021, we sent the attached email to employees.  The February 1st email states that employees who are participating in the FSA were allowed to make changes in their medical FSA by (i) lowering their maximum limit; or (ii) opting out of the plan.

This email supersedes the February 1, 2021 email.  Eligible employees may elect to any of the following by March 1, 2021, by informing humanresources@concordia-ny.edu:  

• Decreasing their maximum contribution 
• Increasing the maximum contribution 
• Participate in the medical FSA plan – even if you recently opted out
• Participate in the dependent FSA plan 

As always, do not hesitate to contact Human Resources at humanresources@concordia-ny.edu if you have any questions.

Note that changes will not be allowed after March 1, 2021.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Terry Vidal, MS, HRM, SHRM-CP, PHRi
Director of Human Resources | Human Resources

Regent Jean Hanson has provided us with a description of the process that led to the Board’s decision to proceed on a formal agreement with Iona College and close Concordia. She also describes work the Board undertook to achieve a different outcome. Her communication can be read here. 

Dear Colleagues,

Please see this message from Bishop Derek Lecakes, an alumnus, Regent, and true friend of Concordia. 

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Grace and peace in Jesus!

The Atlantic DIstrict - LCMS and the East Coast Districts (New England, Eastern, New Jersey, South Eastern, Florida-Georgia, and SELC) are creating a Comfort and Care Fund for the Faculty and Staff of Concordia College - NY. 

Donations may be made starting Monday, February 15, 2021 at AD-LCMS.org.  

In the coming weeks I will share the process by which faculty and staff can request funds to meet their needs.  

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

In Christ,

Pastor Derek Lecakes
Atlantic District President/Bishop

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God ... For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8, 10, ESV)

Engaging The World With The Gospel Of Hope!

(914) 337-5700  |  ad-lcms.org   |   171 White Plains Road, Bronxville, NY 10708

Office of the President

Dear Colleagues,

Please join President Nunes and Board of Regents members including Chair Joe Carlin for a Town Hall on Friday, February 5 at 4:00 pm.

You will have the opportunity to ask your questions directly. Please be mindful in your use of time so that as many colleagues as possible have the opportunity to speak. 

You will also have the opportunity to submit questions privately in the chat, where they will be collected and passed on to President Nunes and regents.

Zoom link to follow. 

Office of the President

Concordia College New York

Dear Colleagues,

As you heard in the Zoom meeting this morning, the Board of Regents of Concordia College New York has decided that Concordia College will close. Classes will cease beginning with the Fall 2021 semester. In addition, the Board agreed to proceed on a formal agreement with Iona College to provide continued education for Concordia’s students through a teach-out, and to sell Concordia’s Bronxville campus to Iona College.

Iona College’s like mission, faith-based foundation, comprehensive array of programs, strong financial picture and close location were all factors in the Regents’ student-centric decision. By acting now, the Regents have provided our students with an excellent option for continuing the high-quality, faith-informed education they began here. In the midst of our pain over the loss of our institution, this is a distinctly positive outcome.    

As the agreement is being finalized and subject to regulatory approval, there are many more questions than can be answered definitively at this moment. We understand this is frustrating. Administration decided to share this broad outline as soon as possible to give us more time to process and plan. Additional details will be shared as soon as possible. 

Human Resources will be providing information regarding an Employee Assistance Plan to aid employees as they transition. With support from the NY State Department of Labor and Concordia Plan Services, Concordia support will include:  

• Personal counseling
• Coordinating assistance from the NYS Department of Labor
• Career counseling
• Job search strategies
• Access to Job Opening Network
• Resume writing
• Information regarding unemployment benefits
• Coordinating assistance from Concordia Plan Services
• Health Insurance
• Pension Plan
• 403b Plan

Information from Human Resources will be shared in information sessions, department meetings, and scheduled one-on-one meetings.

The Atlantic District has generously made licensed, Christian counselors of the Lutheran Counseling Center available to Concordia students, faculty and staff free of charge. Appointments may be set by calling 1-800-317-1173. If no one answers, leave a message and the best call back number. Calls will be returned several times a day. Alternatively, you may e-mail Center@LCCNY.org with your phone number and need. Responses will be timely.

Office of the President

Concordia College New York

After much deliberation, the Board of Regents of Concordia College New York has decided that Concordia College will close; classes will cease beginning with the Fall 2021 semester. In addition, the Board agreed to proceed on a formal agreement with Iona College to provide continued education for Concordia’s students through a teach-out, and to sell Concordia’s Bronxville campus to Iona College. 

This extremely difficult decision is the result of a deliberative, thoughtful and strategic process, informed by immutable business realities. Set within the context of a changing and broadly challenged higher education industry, the College’s financial shortfalls were further accelerated by the global pandemic.  

Iona College’s like mission, faith-based foundation, comprehensive array of programs, strong financial picture and close location were all factors in the Regents’ student-centric decision. Together, Iona College and Concordia College are committed to the needs of students and will be providing numerous communications and assistance to facilitate this transition.

Many details of the agreement are being finalized and are subject to regulatory approval. As information becomes available over the weeks to come, Concordia College will update students, admitted students, staff, faculty, alumni, donors, Conservatory students, OSilas Art Studio students, and the community. At present, Concordia does not expect any disruption to the current Spring 2021 semester. 

Board of Regents Chairman Joe Carlin said: “While we had hoped to preserve the College in its current form, and worked hard on a number of solutions, we know that this move gives our students the best opportunity for a seamless continuation of their education at a worthy institution.”

Concordia President John A. Nunes said: “Students were and continue to be our priority throughout the prayerful and painstaking decision-making process. By acting now, Concordia’s Regents have provided our students with an excellent option for continuing the quality, faith-informed education they began here. This outcome brings deep pain to all of us who care for Concordia, and in whose hearts Concordia will always live. I find inspiration in Concordia’s legacy: the generations of alumni who have and are today impacting the world with the foundation Concordia gave them. I find hope in the bright future of our current students, able to pursue their passion, purpose and service at a thriving institution with a Christian foundation, just as generations of Concordia students before them have done. May God bless them on their journey.”    

Find HR FAQs and answers here. 

Comprehensive information from Concordia Plan Services, including instructions for setting up a one-on-one benefits consultation. 

Dear Employees,

Please note that The COVID relief bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, was signed into law on Sunday, December 27, 2020. The legislation includes several items that impact medical flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and dependent care assistant plan (DCAP) accounts, including:

FSA Spenddown: Allows medical FSA participants who terminate during the 2021 plan year to spend down their unused balances for expenses incurred through the end of the plan year in which the termination occurred. 

For example, if Jane Doe participates in the medical FSA by contributing the IRS maximum for 2021, which is $2,750, and Jane Doe is terminated on June 30, 2021, she would have repaid to the College $1,375.  The College will not recoup the balance of $1,375 after June 30, 2021; however, Jane Doe may continue to spend her medical FSA funds for a maximum of $2,750. 

On February 1, 2021, we sent the attached email to employees.  The February 1st email states that employees who are participating in the FSA were allowed to make changes in their medical FSA by (i) lowering their maximum limit; or (ii) opting out of the plan.

This email supersedes the February 1, 2021 email.  Eligible employees may elect to any of the following by March 1, 2021, by informing humanresources@concordia-ny.edu:  

• Decreasing their maximum contribution 
• Increasing the maximum contribution 
• Participate in the medical FSA plan – even if you recently opted out
• Participate in the dependent FSA plan 

As always, do not hesitate to contact Human Resources at humanresources@concordia-ny.edu if you have any questions.

Note that changes will not be allowed after March 1, 2021.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Terry Vidal, MS, HRM, SHRM-CP, PHRi
Director of Human Resources | Human Resources

Yes. The Spring 2021 Semester will proceed as planned. Concordia will finish the academic year with some form of commencement in keeping with health and safety requirements. Classes and scheduled days off all remain unchanged. 

Human Resources will be providing information regarding an Employee Assistance Plan to aid employees as they transition. With support from the NY State Department of Labor and Concordia Plan Services, Concordia support will include:  

• Personal counseling
• Coordinating assistance from the NYS Department of Labor
• Career counseling
• Job search strategies
• Access to Job Opening Network
• Resume writing
• Information regarding unemployment benefits
• Coordinating assistance from Concordia Plan Services
• Health Insurance
• Pension Plan
• 403b Plan

Information from Human Resources will be shared in information sessions, department meetings, and scheduled one-on-one meetings.

The Atlantic District has generously made licensed, Christian counselors of the Lutheran Counseling Center available to Concordia students, faculty and staff free of charge. Appointments may be set by calling 1-800-317-1173. If no one answers, leave a message and the best call back number. Calls will be returned several times a day. Alternatively, you may e-mail Center@LCCNY.org with your phone number and need. Responses will be timely.

The Regents want to hear from staff and faculty as the Board continues its work in daily meetings. You can email the Board directly here: board@concordia-ny.edu. 

The College expects to make salary and benefit payments through the end of the spring semester. 

The College is conducting a feasibility analysis to determine whether or not to hold a summer session.  

The College does not know whether funds will be available to pay severance and faculty contracts. The sale to Iona will not occur until late August, so Concordia has not yet received any money from the transaction. 

Severance has not been offered or promised to any staff or faculty, including President Nunes or other administrators. 

At this link you'll find answers to the most common questions HR has recently received. 

Note that HR will continue to work with the benefits administration office - Concordia Plan Services; Hello Further regarding the FSA; New York State Department of Labor; and our internal colleagues to provide updates and new information.  Please look out for additional emails from Human Resources regarding upcoming job search and benefit information sessions as noted in the FAQs.

This comprehensive document from Concordia Plan Services (CPS) includes information on how to set up one-on-one meetings with experts in health insurance and retirement planning benefits. 

CPS INFORMATION

As plans continue to develop, the process of ceasing operations will result in job losses, and at different times. 

People will be able to stay in their homes at least through the end of June. It is expected that  this may be extended through August. 

There is no provision in Concordia’s agreement with Iona to provide jobs for Concordia employees. There is a possibility that a small number of Concordia’s faculty and staff may fill open jobs at Iona. 

Until December 28th, the board was hard at work on two plans: independence and the Iona deal. When the Iona deal became Concordia’s only option, regulatory reasons required action to ensure enough time to put students’ educational plans in place. Without those approvals, the College would still have closed in the summer or by the fall for lack of funds, as it became apparent to the Board in late December/early January that the College will not have sufficient funds to open in the fall. The Board decided that the Iona plan was preferable to a closure with nothing in place for the students or use of the campus. By announcing on January 28th (five days after Concordia’s board approved the deal and two days after Iona’s Board approved the deal) the Board also intended to provide for an orderly end-of-semester closing and give Concordia’s employees as much time as possible time to process and plan. 

The Board’s Strategic Alternatives Committee was formed in 2019.  The Strategic Alternatives Committee was tasked with identifying every possible alternative for the college to reach the goal of being financially viable.  The committee developed seven strategic alternatives. They included:

• To continue the college as an independent institution affiliated with the LCMS
• To limit or reduce the college’s program offering to those with strong profitability
• To reduce costs and partner with another CUS school to deliver programs and for back office support
• To merge or combine with another CUS school
• To partner with a non-CUS institution on a range of collaboration opportunities
• To merge or combine with a non-CUS institution 
• And last, and least preferable, orderly closure   

Concordia was placed on probation by its accrediting body in June of 2019 because of the College’s precarious financial position. Declining enrollment after 2018, broad challenges in the higher education sector, Concordia’s location in the most competitive higher education market in the U.S., tuition discounting, and the size of Concordia’s endowment were all factors. 

The pandemic did not cause Concordia to close. Decreased enrollment and pandemic-related expenses did however exacerbate and accelerate existing financial problems.  

Conversations with Iona started a year ago with discussions about how the colleges could work together, e.g. sharing programs or facilities. Over time the conversation evolved, and grew more serious as the financial circumstances of the College became clear. Simultaneously, the Board was also exploring plans for Concordia’s independent future. 

The sale to Iona is currently scheduled to occur in late August. The date depends on the timing of the receipt of the various regulatory approvals that are required from entities including the New York State Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Education, the New York State Attorney General and the court. No money will change hands until all of the regulatory approvals are received and the closing takes place.