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DOCUMENTS OF THE GENERAL FACULTY

MATCHING PROGRAM FOR RECREATIONAL SPORTS MEMBERSHIPS

Richard Cleary (architecture), on behalf of the Recreational Sports Committee, has filed the resolution set forth below for proposing a matching program for recreational sports memberships for faculty and staff.

The secretary has classified this resolution as general legislation. Notice is hereby given that this resolution will be presented to the Faculty Council for action at its meeting on May 8, 2000.



<signed>

John R. Durbin, Secretary
The Faculty Council




This legislation was posted on the Faculty Council web site (http://www.utexas.edu/faculty/council/) on April 27, 2000. Paper copies are available on request from the Office of the General Faculty, FAC 22, F9500.

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Resolution

The Faculty Council requests the University administration to institute a program based on the principle that the University should share the cost of a basic recreational sports membership with each faculty or staff member who chooses to participate.

Background

A proposal to offer a matching program for faculty and staff memberships in recreational sports has been recommended to the administration by the past several Recreational Sports Committees. The committee believes that an endorsement of the concept by the Faculty Council would be useful in keeping this proposal before the administration.

The Division of Recreational Sports continues to maintain a policy of indexing faculty-staff membership fees to the amount assessed to students. Survey data from faculty and staff members indicate that affordability is a key factor in the decision to participate. The matching program is the best method to reduce the expense of membership and encourage increased participation in recreational sports.

Rationale

The committee feels that at a time when the University is challenged by a variety of employment and compensation issues, offering this popular service at a reduced rate will have a strong, positive impact on the campus environment. Evidence suggests that implementation of this program will foster participation resulting in a healthier and more productive work force with reduced absenteeism and fewer health insurance claims. It is also believed that the inclusion of the matching program as part of the total-compensation package will assist in the recruitment and retention of the highest quality faculty and staff.

While the proposal the committee has forwarded to President Faulkner recommends a 50/50 matching model, the committee recognizes that the design of any matching program must be considered within the context of employee benefits in general and may require modification. Thus, this resolution addresses only the principle of a matching program.