Meeting Minutes for September 25, 2001

Present: Art Aikman, (ex officio), Vicki Benson (ex officio), Brian Chapman (Chancellor's Representative), Kevin Dorsey (Dean's Council), Tom Godell (A/P Staff Council), Linda Grace (Faculty Senate), Carolin Harvey (Civil Service Council), Patricia Hopkins-Price (Faculty Senate), Jim Hunsaker (ex officio), Aslam Kassimali (Faculty Association), Steve Kraft (Graduate Council), Andy Morgan (A/P Staff Council), Roland Person (Faculty Association), Ruth Pommier (Civil Service Council), James Staub (ex officio), James Swisher (Emeritus Association).

Absent: Jake Baggott (ex officio), Kathy Blackwell (ex officio).

I. Announcements 
Introductions were made for the benefit of new committee members present.

II. Approval of Minutes of June 26, 2001 
The minutes were approved as presented.

III. Approval of Agenda of September 25, 2001 
The agenda was approved as presented.

IV. Updates from Human Resources 
Jim H. reported: a) the pre-tax purchase of time from SURS has been approved. The first deduction will begin October 1. The next deduction will be in January, with a deadline of November 3 for paperwork to be turned in to SURS; b) October will be open enrollment month for the state's long-term care program. The effective date will be December 1. Representatives from Met Life will be on campus October 11 for four sessions. The premiums will be direct-billed. Any questions will be referred to the Met Life representatives. Retirees and their spouses are also eligible.

V. Subcommittee on Health Benefits 
It was noted the subcommittee remains unformed. Jim Swisher indicated it is rumored that the state insurance program may run a deficit this year of between $140-300 million, and at the very first opportunity CMS wants to restructure the program. There is even talk of merging [universities] with the K-12 health insurance program, which would not be beneficial. Some providers that have served various school districts in the northern part of the state have gone bankrupt, and that has created this crisis. The assumption is that CMS will attempt to sit down with AFSCME as soon as their contract permits and try to get changes implemented. This could result in higher premiums, higher deductibles, etc. Jim Swisher also mentioned he spoke with a Blue Cross representative because CMS's contract with Unicare comes up for renewal within the next year. [CMS] has the option of renewing with Unicare or going with another company. The Blue Cross representative indicated the inflation rate on health care is now 16% per year.

VI. Subcommittee on Retirement Benefits and Annuties 
A) Steve reported he finally received more reader-friendly information from SIUE on the results of their annuity survey, though it is not the sort of side by side comparison the committee wanted. Jim Swisher noted the information may be of some help, but not all companies responded to the survey. He added that he had tried to push things a little by writing a memo to the President about the difficulty in getting a review of the various annuities. The President referred the matter to Don Wilson. Jim indicated the result of his effort was that he was told that all of the individual human resources offices are being asked to conduct their own reviews and solve problems as they see fit. Vicki indicated her office has received no such directive. Jim stated he first went to Bill Capie and was told it was a system-wide program, so it should be done through the President's staff. Now he is being told it should be handled by the individual campuses. There is still a lot of confusion. Jim indicated he will ask Don Wilson whether he followed through with that.

Steve asked how difficult it would be to work with committee members to do something on campus so at least cost comparisons and such can be done. Jim H. stated he did not believe it would be that difficult as far as gathering information and analyzing cost. Steve noted Andy has worked in that area, so possibly the subcommittee could be reconstituted in an effort to explore the issue further.

B) Jim Swisher reported he received an e-mail from Brian Mattis recently indicating the SURS- sponsored legislation to kill the class action suit [has been declared unconstitutional]. As a result, the lawsuit is continuing. Dr. Mattis was a law school professor who retired in 1994. He took issue with SURS on how his pension was calculated. He received no satisfaction through informal channels, so he filed an individual lawsuit which then evolved into a class action law suit. His premise is that federal law states that every individual who puts money into a pension plan has money kept in trust for him/her by the trustee, and no one can spend that money except the person who has that benefit. However, SURS, congress, etc., take certain liberties with the pension fund, and Dr. Mattis believes that to be a violation of federal law.

VII. Old Business 
A) Jim Swisher reported that approximately 20 years ago, then President Somit decided the University should provide certain benefits to its retirees. One of those perks was free season tickets for football for annuitants and a spouse/guest. A year ago the new athletics director convinced then Chancellor Jackson to discontinue this practice, and a lot of people were dismayed. The Emeritus Association has discussed the possibility of at least offering discounts to annuitants, and its president, Charlotte West, will speak with the athletics director about this possibility. Jim also agreed to raise the issue with this group and indicated he would like the committee to consider the following motion: "That the SIU administration offer individual football tickets at a price of $5 each to senior citizens age 62 and over." Ruth seconded the motion. Brian believed it would be wrong to tie the hands of the athletics department at a time when it is struggling to deal with a deficit of over $800,000. Jim countered that the department may generate a higher income as a result of getting more people to go, even though they are paying $5 rather than $9. He added that the committee can only offer a recommendation, which could be rejected. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Art noted at one time there was discussion about providing annuitants some options to football tickets such as free theater tickets or basketball tickets, but then all complimentary tickets for retirees were canceled. Aslam asked if the resolution applied only to those individuals who were employed by SIU or all senior citizens. Jim Swisher stated the way the resolution is written, it is all senior citizens 62 and older. However, if the consensus of the committee is that it should just be SIU retirees, then he is willing to make this change. Aslam stated he would rather support it as a benefit for SIU retirees since it was a benefit that was taken away. Jim indicated he would amend the motion to read, "That the SIU administration offer individual football tickets at a price of $5 each to SIUC annuitants." Ruth, as the second, accepted the amendment. After further discussion, a vote was called on the motion. Motion, as amended, carried 7-6 on a show of hands vote.

B) Steve reported he met with Chancellor Wendler on July 19 to discuss a number of issues. The Chancellor seems receptive to the committee, and he is scheduled to attend the November meeting. Among the issues raised at the meeting were: 1) the sick leave pool. The Chancellor is supportive of the proposal and has had experience with such a policy; 2) staffing problems at Human Resources; 3) the attempt to get SURS to be more responsive. They discussed at length representation for SIU with AFSCME, and it was noted that it is unlikely anything can be done without involving other universities. Chancellor Wendler did agree to bring the matter to the President to see what could be done. Steve indicated that overall it was a positive meeting. He then asked the committee whether it wanted to consider sending back the sick leave proposal or revisit it first in light of the comments received by central administration. Aslam pointed out the minutes of the last meeting state the consensus of the committee was to continue to examine the issues and address the points raised in Pam Brandt's letter. Steve suggested the Subcommittee on Health Benefits, along with David, look at Pam's comments so the committee will have something for the Chancellor when he comes in November. Kevin asked if the Chancellor would have a chance to review the proposal before the meeting. Steve indicated the committee may want to consider the frequency of its meetings so there is not a lapse when issues are being considered. Jim Swisher also suggested the committee could call a special meeting apart from its regular schedule. Steve indicated the meeting schedule is one of the items that will be addressed under New Business.

VIII. New Business 
A) Steve deferred to Jim Staub to conduct the election of officers. The floor was opened to nominations for chair. Brian nominated Steve as chair. Ruth moved to close nominations; seconded by Tom. Steve Kraft was elected chair by acclamation. The floor was then opened to nominations for vice chair. Ruth nominated Kevin as vice chair. Andy moved to close nominations; seconded by Brian. Kevin Dorsey was elected vice chair by acclamation.

B) Steve reported the committee's meetings have generally been at 3:00 p.m. on the last Tuesday of January, February, April, June, September, and November. He asked if the committee wanted to continue with that six month schedule, with special meetings being scheduled as needed. Jim Swisher asked if the committee could schedule a meeting in October to review the sick leave proposal. He also asked that David Marx be placed on the subcommittee, noting he did not believe the subcommittees are limited to committee members. After discussion, Jim Staub moved the committee continue with its regular six-month schedule, in addition to a special meeting scheduled for October 23; seconded by Kevin. Motion carried.

C) Steve called for volunteers to serve on the Subcommittee on Health Benefits. The following people were placed on the subcommittee: David Marx, Jim Swisher, and Ruth Pommier. Ruth agreed to chair. Steve called for volunteers to serve on the Subcommittee on Retirement Benefits and Annuities. The following people were placed on the subcommittee: Andy Morgan, Carolin Harvey, and Aslam Kassimali. Andy agreed to chair. Steve suggested the Subcommittee on Health Benefits should meet before the October meeting. He will provide the information to the subcommittee that he received from Edwardsville.

IX. Adjournment 
The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for October 23.