Employee Benefits
SWOSU provides a variety of benefits to eligible employees and their dependents. Benefits are available through the Oklahoma Higher Education Employee Interlocal (OKHEEI) Group, which consists of 12 colleges and universities across the State of Oklahoma.
Eligibility Dates
All regular, full-time employees who work 30 hours or more per week are eligible for benefits. Temporary employees are not eligible for benefits regardless of the number of hours worked. Coverage is effective on the first of the month following the date of hiring.
How to Enroll
Employees will complete new hire benefit enrollment and open enrollment online at Empyrean.
How to Make Changes
During new hire enrollment and open enrollment, employees can add or drop dependents from health care coverage without a qualifying event.
If an employee has an applicable qualifying event, the request for a change of benefits must be made within 30 days of the applicable qualifying event. A qualifying event includes:
- A birth or adoption
- Marriage, divorce or legal separation
- Death
- Child loses eligibility because of age
- Employee’s spouse gains or loses coverage through employment
- Significant change in the financial terms of health benefits provided through a spouse’s employer or another carrier
Insurance Cost
SWOSU pays for certain health insurance plans and vision insurance. Employees may wish to sign up for Dental insurance and other additional benefits at their cost.
Benefit Plans
SWOSU offers multiple benefit plans for eligible employees. Employees are encouraged to consider the plans that best suit them and/or their family’s needs. Employees are also encouraged to register online through each vendor site. This will give them access to your benefit coverage, replacement cards, Explanation of Benefits (EOB), and plan details.
The current OKHEEI Benefit Guide, summaries, reference guides, and videos are available in Empyrean which can be accessed through GOSWOSU, then selecting the Empyrean app. Under "Additional Items to Explore", select "Resources".
For specific questions, please contact SWOSU’s Benefit Specialist:
SWOSU Benefits Specialist
Hays Administration Building, Room 101
Monday - Friday | 8 am - 5 pm
580.774.3013