Minutes - April 21, 2005

These minutes were approved at the UT Staff Council meeting on May 19, 2005

Members present: Mack Andrews, Tara Carlisle, Johnnie Conley, Julie Cunniff, Neil Fahlund, Phil Gavenda, Marco Gonzalez, Philip Guerrero, Charlotte Harris, Phillip Hebert, Tom Horn, Marcus Horton, Kim Johnson, Elizabeth Korves, Lynn Lecropane, Debra Madden, Suzanne McIntyre, Cheryl McVay, Kim Montroy, Laura Najera, Billie Pierce, Annamaria Sergi, Edie Shugart, Frank Simon, Sandra Sleeper, Didi Smith, Sheril Smith, Jerry Spillar, Alayna Wadleigh, Erin Waneck, JR Watson, Sara Jackson Watson, Shane Williams, Cynthia Wilson, Glen Worley, Andrea Zabcik

Members absent with notification: Yolanda Aldaco, Vickie Amidon, Alison Louise Brown, Marlis Dagg, Laura Davis, Patrice Fox, Royce Gehrels, Claudia Gerardo, Christy Habecker, Gayle Hight, Margaret Hill, Dreya Johannsen, Noah Lowenstein, PG Moreno, John Nelson, Chuck Pearson, Jo Ann Richmond, Craig Schroer, Olen Smith, Barbara Thompson, Gabby Yearwood

Members absent: Philemon Brown, Oscar Carmona, Melba Catchings, Augustin CollazoLinda Frost, Freida Golden, Bert Herigstad, John Hibbitts, Greg Howard, George David Hughes, Amy Jones, Donna O'Kelly, Albert Puga, Jorge Puig, Kathy Romberg, Leslie Saucedo, Jennifer Trost

Quorum: 75 filled UTSC representative places divided by 2 = 38 (for quorum)

Call to Order

Chair Glen Worley called to order the regular meeting of the UT Staff Council at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, April 21, 2005 in Main 212. 35 UTSC representatives were present.

Announcements:

Welcome new members

Laura Najera interim rep for district 322

Outgoing members

Teresa Williams (current rep for district 322 - Chem/Biochem) has resigned.

Tara Carlisle, the current UTSC rep for district 122 (Architecture, etc.)

Both people said that they did not feel that their job duties did not allow them the time to be an effective representative.

Next meeting

The next regular meeting of the UTSC is May 19, Avaya Auditorium ACE 2.302, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Staff Emergency Fund

Dr. Connie Deutsch, Director of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) asked to have this information relayed to the Staff Council:

We have recently expanded the Staff Emergency Fund website.

http://www.utexas.edu/hr/eap/sef/index.html

Staff Recognition Program

The 2005 Staff Recognition Program and President's Reception will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2005, from 2-4 p.m. in the Frank C. Erwin, Jr., Special Events Center

UT Remembers

Former Staff Council member Peggy Mueller wanted to remind members of the annual UT Remembers ceremony on May 6: At the university's annual "UT Remembers" memorial program, students, faculty and staff who died in the prior year are remembered. Family and friends are invited to the public ceremony where Tower bells toll as each person's name is read. Flag lowering on the Main Mall: 9am The Chair will represent UT Staff and lay flowers at the base of one of the flagpoles.

UT Remembers Program at the Tower Garden: 2:30pm

Kyle Cavanaugh has left the building.

Kyle Cavanaugh last day was April 20. The interim director for Human Resources Services is Rich Burns.

Guest Speaker: Rich Burns, spoke to the UTSC regarding the nation-wide search for a new HR director. He confirmed Human Resources commitment to continue a high level of service to staff. There are currently a few high level positions that are open at this time.

The Staff Education Benefit website has been down. Rich reminded UTSC that staff must register for classes, then apply for the Benefit, that they are a separate processes.

Chair's Report:

New member orientation:

A one hour orientation session will be held for new Staff Council members immediately preceding the May 19 Staff Council meeting. Staff Council committee chairs should also attend this meeting.

Staff representation on search committees:

The Staff Council Chair was contacted to nominate a staff member to participate on the search committee for the UT Police Chief. The Staff Council Executive Committee nominated Marcus Horton and he will be on that search committee.

Glen Worley was asked to be on the search committee for the Associate Vice President for Human Resources (Kyle Cavanaugh’s position). The search committee will also meet with the Staff Council executive committee.

UT System Employee Advisory Committee (EAC) meeting March 30-April 1, 2005. Since Glen’s term will expire, there will be an opportunity for another UTSC member to serve.

The EAC met at UT Pan American in Edinburg, South Texas. Highlights of the meeting:

UT Health Science Center in Houston announced that they will start using a grievance policy based on the UT Austin policy this summer. The EAC Policy Committee proposed that the EAC recommend to the UT Regents that all components adopt a grievance policy similar to UT Austin. Glen recognized Frank Simon’s work on this policy on behalf of staff last year.

Legislative update: As of the middle of the legislative session 5394 bills had been filed. 500 of those would affect health insurance or human resources. 374 bills would affect UT. UT System monitors the progress of about 75 of these bills on a daily basis.

Here are some of the proposals and bills that UT System is monitoring as of April 1. Keep in mind that it is very likely that these may be pulled or changed significantly by the end of the session.

Health Insurance – Legislative Budget Board proposals

• Eliminate contribution to dependent’s health insurance – also to pre –65 retirees
• Employee only insurance – employee would pay 10% of costs
• Retirees under 65 would pay part of their health care

These are just proposals at this time.

A bill has also been filed that would change the ‘rule of 80’ for retirement. The rule of 80 would still be in effect, but those employees who worked until they had a number of 90 would get a bigger multiplier for their retirement.

Other bills that may affect our health care: There is a bill filed that would reduce the pharmacy benefit managed plan (mail order drugs). This benefits retail pharmacies. Another bill would combine UT, Texas A&M, TRS group, ERS group into one big group under the Texas Department of Insurance. A bill has also been filed to rescind the 90-day waiting period for benefits; however, the projected cost to the state for this would be 16 million dollars.

Benefits update: The Texas Senate has proposed a 9% increase in the appropriation for insurance in 2006 and a 6% increase for 2007. Combined with projected increases in health care, this would mean that we can expect an increase in health care premiums of around 5%, which is very good. For example, the cost of drugs is going up around 14% per year.

At this time there are no major changes planned for our health insurance. New for next year will be a 24-hour nurse hotline. Enrollment will be via the Web. There is an ongoing discussion about who will administer benefits for retirees; the component or UT System. Now a retiree has to enroll at the component from which he/she retired. At some point this might be centralized at UT System. There will also be some voluntary disease management programs for diabetes and congestive heart problems. If you have one of these diseases, you might be asked if you wish to participate.

Finally, UT System will send letters out if any bills are passed that would affect people retiring as of 9-1-05. UT System is very committed to letting employees know of any possible changes due to new laws.

The Chair was asked to explain how appointments to various committees are made. The Chair stated that when the Ex-Com committee is asked to recommend a representative to serve, The Chair for Committee on Committees is asked to supply a list of those who have submitted their names as willing to serve.

Tom Horn stated that the whole process seems to be shrouded in mystery. He questioned why we don’t have representatives who volunteer to serve, speak at Staff Council meetings, to offer the reason for their interest, and possibly their expertise in a particular area, so that the UTSC could help select the appointee.

Frank Simon addressed this question from the floor. He stated that in the first year, the Executive Committee received a letter from Kyle requesting the names of six folks to serve on committees. The problem was that they were needed right away. However, he agreed that is was a great idea to get everyone in UTSC involved to insure a good pool of people.

Tara Carlisle who has served on the Committee for Committees added that usually there are 10-15 people per position who have volunteered, and they are analyzed by the group on who might be the best choice.

Sandy Sleeper suggested that 2-3 times a year, the committee might ask for nominees to add their name to the pool.

The Chair acknowledged the role that UTSC has taken on in the University Community. We have established ourselves on campus and are viewed as caring. It is a high compliment to be asked to participate on various committees.

Vice Chair's Report:

Recorder/Secretary:

Minutes from the previous meeting:

The minutes of the March 10, 2005 meeting were approved, with a clarification that the new UT Childcare center will serve Faculty and Staff children only.

Committee Reports:

Standing Committees:

Nominations and Elections Committee – Sandra Sleeper for Noah Lowenstein

Of the 39 slots in possible contention, 10 will require an election, and 29 are going, by default, to single nominees. The results are not official until after the Executive Committee certifies the results on May 4, following the runoff election period. The final election outcome will be available through the UT homepage, a link will be provided under the "spotlight" section.

By way of comparison, last year we had 36 slots in possible contention, 6 required an election, 29 went, by default, to single nominees, and 1 representative slot went unfilled (0 nominees).

The election period began on Monday, April 18 and will end tomorrow (Friday, April 22).

If runoff elections are required, they will be held Wednesday April 27 through Tuesday May 3. District 540 will hold their election during the run-off election period and will allow the staff in this district to vote for two candidates (i.e. once for the 540.1 slot and once for the 540.2 interim rep spot), as preparations for this "double" election were not completed in time for the general election period.

The Staff Council Executive Committee will meet on May 4 to certify the election results.

We will have our orientation and the 1st meeting with new reps on Thursday May 19. At this meeting we will nominate (from the floor -- new reps will NOT participate) candidates for the officer positions.

We will vote on the new officers (new reps WILL participate) at the June general council meeting, and that will conclude the election events. The May general council meeting will be the final meeting for current representatives whose terms have expired.

Issues Committee - Didi Smith, Chair:

#2004-28 (this was schedule for the March meeting, but not presented due to time constraints) HMO Blue of Texas - health insurance benefits exclusion appeal
by Liz Landeros #182

Objective: For HMO Blue of Texas to determine that the ostomy (ileostomy) prosthesis is medically necessary and a covered benefit and essential to all ostomates.

Reason: Currently, HMO Blue of Texas excludes coverage of ostomy bags as a non-medically necessary consumable so that ostomates throughout the state (UT System) on this plan are denied what is essential for functioning in society.

Expected UTSC action: To bring issue to UT benefits review for consideration in this & future insurance plans

Expected University action: For UT System to include essential, medically necesary ostomy prostheses in health insurance plans to benefit the many employees and faculty who are ostomates as a result of colonectal cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and more.

If accepted, refer to the Insurance Committee

Result: Accepted

#2004-29 Pro-rated SEB for 1/2 time employees

Submitted by Amy Jones #160

Objective: Pro-rated Education Benefit for half-time employees (1.5 hour Benefit)

Reason: Currently, it costs over $1,100 to take a one-hour weightlifting class. Staff who are getting older or who reduce their work hours for a year to start a family could really benefit, moreover, the employer would benefit from fewer sick days, lower health insurance costs and better mental health and productivity.

Expected Staff Council Action: Letter to Human Resources

Expected University Action: Policy Change

Documentation: article from UT Public Affairs "Kinesiology researchers show resistance and endurance training can slow effects of aging"

There was discussion about whether this should be taken up as an issue, since it had previously appeared in the 2002 UTSC issues, and was not approved by OHR. The SEB is a complex benefit that is not easily changed.

Result: Referred to Miscellaneous Benefits Committee

Working Committees:

Ad Hoc committee on electronic information exchange (info-x): Shane Williams

Originally created to formulate policy regarding the use of email for Staff Council business. Shane read parts of the committee’s deliberations. One observation he made was that the intent of Robert’s Rules is to encourage discussion in person. Generally, face-to-face discussions were essential to afford simultaneous deliberations, and especially when votes are taken. Our by-laws state that we will follow Robert’s Rules so we need to be able to conduct business and get things moved forward, while not violating the spirit of Robert’s Rules.

Please access the Info-X report and its background supplement at: http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~shanew/utsc.html

New Business:

Frank Simon made a motion to order a token plaque to give to Kyle Cavanaugh to thank him for his support of the UTSC.

Adjournment:

The UTSC adjourned at 3:30.

The next regular meeting of the UTSC is May 19, Avaya Auditorium, ACE 2.302, from 2-3:30 p.m.