New Employee Resources

Eligibility for the various benefits plans depends upon your appointment.

If eligible, you have 60 days from your date of hire to elect benefits. An offer to attend a benefits orientation will be sent to your personal or CSU email address. New employees should contact our Benefits Unit(opens in new window), ( 530-898-5436) if the e-mail has not been received.

Please click on the links below for further information:

• Enrollment and Eligibility
• Health Plans (Health, Dental, Vision)
  • 2025 Health Plan Rates and Side by Side Comparison (PDF)
• Affordability Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Coverage Only (Contact the Benefits Unit for more information)
• Other CSU Paid Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits
• Retirement and Savings Programs
• Employee Benefits Summary (PDF) - Provides an overview of systemwide benefits to eligible employees.
• Time Off
  • Eligible for up to 15 paid Holidays (PDF) to view dates
  • Vacation
  • Sick - Refer to your collective bargaining agreement(opens in new window)
• Benefits FAQs

• Cal Employee Connect
  • Once you receive your first paycheck, you can register using your personal email account. You will be able to view your state paychecks and your electronic W-2. 
• Payroll Information
  • Paychecks and Direct Deposit. A Payroll representative will be attending your New Employee Orientation to help answer any questions
    • Paper paychecks can be picked up from Student Financial Services (Cashiering) located in the Student Services Center (SSC) 230.   Pick-up of checks begins at 3:00 pm on any given payday.  Pay checks not picked up on payday will be held in Student Financial Services (Cashiering) for pick up during our normal business hours.
  • Pay dates are once a month at the beginning of the month (dates may vary). For current pay dates, view current Chico State Employee Calendar under Calendars, Deadlines and Schedules(opens in new window). 
  • To learn more about your pay plan, review your appointment letter or visit the Payroll website by clicking on the following link- Staff/MPP pay plans.
  • Faculty: To learn more about your academic pay plan, review your appointment information or visit the Payroll website by reviewing information on  Faculty pay plans(opens in new window). 
• Total Compensation Calculator(opens in new window)

Chico State offers multiple ways to keep your knowledge and skills current.

• Fee Waiver

  Many of our employees are eligible for the Employee Fee Waiver program. The program allows eligible employees to attend CSU courses at a reduced rate or transfer the waiver to an eligible dependent.

• Learning and Development
  • Interested in additional training opportunities? Check out the Campus Calendar or the Staff Development Calendar for upcoming sessions and times. Employees are highly encouraged to enroll in on-campus  Learning and Development opportunities .
  • Employees are automatically enrolled in mandatory compliance training courses offered through CSU, Learn during their first month in their new position. An email invitation from  training@csuchico.edu will be sent to your campus email address with links to complete the assigned trainings.
  • The Faculty Development Center offers consultation, workshops, learning communities and grant opportunities throughout the year. They also sponsor the yearly Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) Conference and the summer Academy eLearning. Watch for email and campus announcements or drop by Meriam Library 458.
• Resources for New Administrative Support Staff (AAS, ASC, ASA)
  • Administrative Support serve a critical component on our campus for Academic, Business and Student Services department.   The Administrative Support (AAS/ASC/ASA) Resources site provides information support staff may need to help them to be successful in their position.
  • A course catalog of training opportunities can supplement your growing knowledge and skills, including training on campus processes.  Be sure to check with your supervisor prior to attending training and let us know if you need an accommodation.
• eLearning Courses and ebooks
  • The CSU offers through CSU, Learn(opens in new window)free in-depth self-paced training opportunities. The system will track your progress and completion of courses.
  • Complete a course to meet your professional development goals or use course notes for training or meeting discussions.  Use the courseware to increase your skills and knowledge or for personal self-development. As a CSU Chico state employee, all fees have been paid—so it’s free to you!

• Wildcat Cards

  The Wildcat ID Card is the official CSU, Chico identification card for students, faculty, and staff. View the Wildcat Card FAQ for more information.

  After you have completed all of your new hire paperwork and you are active in the campus payroll system, you will be provided with instructions on how to obtain your Wildcat Card or your supervisor will take you to the Wildcat Card office.

• Perks
  • WellCat Health Center provides discounted over-the-counter medications.
  • AT&T Signature Program and T-Mobile offer CSU Employees a discount on their monthly bill. T-Mobile’s contact information for the discount is 877-334-7099.
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental offer a discount for personal travel. If interested, please contact Employment Services at 898-4664 for discount information.
  • B-Line transportation is free to students, staff, and faculty to use in Butte County, simply swipe your Chico State ID on the card scanner.
  • Employee Assistance Program – EAP is designed to provide resources for professional assistance to state faculty, staff, and their families (dependents and permanent household members) in assessing and resolving personal problems that may be affecting well-being or job performance. Resources include counseling services and a wide range of other services available through LifeMatters, on-campus resources, and community resources.
  • Raley’s grocery store offers a 10% discount at the two Chico locations when signed up for their “Something Extra Rewards” program. Must show your Wildcat Card. Exclusions apply.
  • Safeway grocery store offers a 5% discount at any Northern California store location when you sign up for the free Safeway card. Must show Wildcat Card. Exclusions apply.
  • Meriam Library - As a Wildcat staff member, you are now connected to a global book request system and a digital chapter and article service that delivers within two business days. Immediate access to articles and databases is available through our online catalog. Whether for leisure, research, or personal interest, we have what you’re looking for. Your Wildcat ID Card also gives you access to our Innovation Lab, which offers technology rentals, a podcast room, and Makerspace with 3D printers, vinyl cutters, a 3D scanner, button maker, sewing machine, and more.
  • Staples offers a Business Advantage program (PDF) that offers discounts to CSU Employees for personal use.
  • Chico State Wildcat Store provides discounts on computer hardware and software. 
  • On the Hub offers discounts for computer software.
  • Federal Loan Forgiveness is available for qualified Public Service Employees.
  • Discover & Go is a museum pass program that provides CSU library cardholders with free and low-cost tickets to local museums, science centers, zoos and more.
    • OneCard is a partnership with Butte County Library and Meriam Library.  Your Library Barcode (located on the back of your WildCat Card) allows you to log in to all Butte County Library Resources. The login is the Library ID and the last four digits of the Library ID are your PIN number.
  • Wildcat Recreation Center offers gym membership and access to The Well for a low monthly fee.
  • Dirwin E-Bikes provides a discount of up to 60% off MSRP. You must create an account with your Chico State email, and you can view the special savings on their website once you log in.
• Summer Work Schedule

  CSU, Chico transitions from a standard work schedule to a compressed (4/10) summer work schedule generally during June, July, and part of August each year.

• Maps

  View Campus Map(opens in new window) and click on or expand campus areas to view

  • Building Labels
  • Building and Spaces
  • Accessibility
  • Parking & Transit
  • Campus Safety
  • Services
  • 360 Panoramas
• Campus Safety Information
  • University Police Department is Chico State’s own police force consisting of state police.
  • Emergency Blue Lights
  • Campus Connection
  • Emergency preparedness information
• Get to know your Collective Bargaining Unit

  View CSU Labor and Employee Relations page to view current bargaining agreements for:

  Unit 1 UAPD

  Union of American Physicians and Dentists(opens in new window)

  Units 2, 5, 7 and 9 CSUEU

  California University Employees Union(opens in new window) - Statewide Union Website
  CSUEU Chico Chapter 302(opens in new window) - Your Local Chapter

  Message to Units 2, 5, 7 and 9 CSUEU Members: You are represented by the California State University Employees Union, a union of approximately 16,000 employees employed at CSU's 23 campuses, and the Office of the Chancellor.  As your union, CSUEU negotiates with CSU about your wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of employment.  Join us as an active member with the right to vote on the collective bargaining agreement and other union issues!  To do so, please go to Join CSUEU webpage(opens in new window).

  Units 3 CFA

  California Faculty Association(opens in new window)

  Message to Unit 3 CFA Members: You are represented by the California Faculty Association, a union of more than 29,000 professors, lecturers, librarians, counselors and coaches who teach in the California State University system. In classrooms on the 23 CSU campuses, CFA members work hard to teach our students. To join, as an active member with rights to vote and engage fully on behalf of yourself and others, go to Join CFA webpage(opens in new window). 

  Unit 4 APC

  Academic Professionals of California(opens in new window)

  Message to Unit 4 APC Members: You are represented by the Academic Professional of California, a union of approximately 3,000 academic support staff employed at CSU's 23 campuses. As your union, APC negotiates with CSU about your wages, hours of work, and other terms and conditions of your employment. Join us as an active member with the right to vote on the collective bargaining agreement and other union issues! To do so, please go to APC Why Join(opens in new window) webpage.

  Unit 6

  Teamsters Local 2010(opens in new window)

  Message to Unit 6 Teamsters 2010 Members: You are represented by Teamsters 2010, our Union consist of 15,000 higher education employees supporting the missions of California Universities. As your Union, we help support and bargain for wages, hours, and conditions related to your employment. Take time to join Teamsters 2010, so you may have the opportunity to receive pertinent information related to your employment. You can find more information at the following website or contacting your local representative.

  Unit 8 SUPA

  Statewide University Police Association(opens in new window)

  Unit 11 UAW

  Academic Student Employees(opens in new window)

• Strategic Planning

  Mission:

  Chico State is the comprehensive university of the North State with a global reach. Through excellence of inquiry, innovation, and experiential learning, we develop students who are critical thinkers, responsible citizens, diverse leaders, and inspired stewards of environmental, social, and economic resources.

  Vision:

  Chico State will be known as a preeminent university solving the unprecedented challenges of the 21st century.

  To learn more about University's Strategic Planning, please visit the President's Strategic Planning website.

The City of Chico is located in the Northern Sacramento Valley with the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the east and the Sacramento River less than 5 miles from the city limits. It was founded in 1860 by General John Bidwell and it has grown to a population of approximately 100,000. Chico is home to Bidwell Park, one of the largest municipal parks in the United States with miles of hiking and biking trails and swimming holes.

Many well-known companies have planted their roots in Chico. These include the insulated bottle company Klean Kanteen(opens in new window), the online home improvement website Build.com(opens in new window), the compact reusable bag company Chico Bag(opens in new window), clothing website Lulus(opens in new window), and restaurant and brewery Sierra Nevada Brewing Company(opens in new window).

To learn more you may visit the Choose Chico(opens in new window) website that has a wealth of information on life in Chico.

• Payroll FAQs
• Benefits FAQs
• Summer Schedule FAQs