Minutes for July 2007

University of Texas Staff Council Meeting July 19, 2007 at 2 P.M.
Avaya Auditorium-ACES building

Members Present: Timothy Barber, Joe Barroso, Sharon Bernard, Denise Berry, Benjamin Bond, Steven Brahm, Drew Carls, Gus Castellanos, Vickie Drake, Lara Eakins, Nelson Fahlund, Danielle Fournier, Lisa Gentry, John Goutier, Chrissi Guerrero, Martha Harrison, Janice Hejl, Bob Hemby, Sara Jackson Watson, Dreya Johannsen, Troy Johnson, Vicki Kullberg, Rebecca Ledbetter, Shelton Lewis, Debra Madden, Jennifer McClain, Michael McFarlin, Domingo Morales, Rita Moreno, Joyce Moyer, Eric Patkowski, Martha Ramey Janet Reed, Ben Rodriguez, Felix Sanchez Jr., Christopher Scherer, Mark Smyth, Allison Supancic, Meredith Taylor, Henna Tayyeb, Dixie Terry, Barbara Thompson, Mindy Thompson, Evan Turner, Robert Walker, Erin Waneck, Leigh Ashley Williams, Blake Willms, Denise Zuniga, Vicki Nguyen-Student Rep.

Members Absent With Notification: Craig Blaha, Linda Breining, Layne Brewster-Smith, Johnnie Conley, Tommy Downey (sent coworker to represent), Bretna Hackert, Gary Martt

Members Absent: Antonio Alfau, Emily Barrett, Greg Browning, Phillip Guerrero, Sarah Hickey, Richard Lee, Cindy May, Linda Overton, Pamela Owen, Monica Pena-Mercado, Elaine Rafferty

CALL TO ORDER

MEETING COMMENCED AT 2:04 PM (quorum present)

NEW BUSINESS

Following the call to order, Ms. Waneck made a motion to amend today's agenda and move New Business to the front of the meeting, in order that Mr. Dan Stewart from UT System Office of Employee Benefits could begin his presentation. 

Motion 1: Ms. Waneck - that the agenda be amended and New Business moved to the front of the agenda.
Second: Unanimous
There were no objections; the motion passed.

CHAIR:

• Reminder that we will be deviating from the third Thursday next month to accommodate President Powers on August 9Th at 2pm in the Aces Building.
• Erin introduced Tracy Tarver from the Dispute Resolution Office.
• Handouts were given and are available from the Dispute Resolution Officer, North Office Building A (NOA), Suite 2.202 (512) 471-6638 FAX (512)471-1188 and at www.utexas.edu/hr.
• Tracy Discussed the Dispute Resolution Process and the Grievance Procedure.
  Early dispute resolution leads to more positive and successful workplace relationships.

CHAIR:

• Erin introduced Dan Stewart from UT System to give presentation on wellness.
• Dan discussed why we should care about the number of uninsured Texans. Uninsured Texans treatment costs are paid for by those that are insured. Texas has one of the largest uninsured populations in the US. In the next few years Uninsured Texans will grow. Fewer jobs are offering insurance and this allows for insurance companies to have higher premiums due to the lack of competition. 13% of our monthly premiums go towards the uninsured (that's 4 bucks a day folks!)
• Dan says one way to bring down these premiums is to introduce Wellness Programs. The 3 leading causes of death are preventable and wellness programs help reduce these risks. They help reduce absenteeism and workers are 12.5% more effective who exercises than those who don't. It is said that anywhere form 16 to 64 million dollars can be reclaimed due to a Wellness Program. However, in the state of Texas it is not mandated for the Higher Education State Employees to have such a program even though other State employees do. They are given 30 minutes 2x a week to exercise. There are no Federal Laws on this matter. One of the costs on this matter is facility use and modification, the need to have a place to exercise.
• Outside of Cost and exercise another part of a Wellness program is Food Choice. The increase in awareness and availability of healthy foods.
• Leadership needs to support this. It maybe true we are living longer, but are you Living Healthier?
• If we do nothing, Health care will continue to worsen. The cost of Health care will continue to rise. And you'll see the University's Missions and Goals alter. If we do implement a Wellness Program we can expect to see our quality of life to improve, our over all health care cost go down and the University's Goal more attainable.
• Q: Christopher Scherer dist. 511, asked about if it is feasible to change our policy on sick leave when we retire concerning our "extra hours."
• A: Yes, by changing TRS to work more like ERS.
• Q: Are those who are on Welfare and CHIP considered uninsured?
• A: Yes, cause they are paid for by taxes.
• Q: Aren't people who don't miss work more stressed?
• A: A Wellness Program does increase the attendance at the work place, but they are not more stressed because of the Program which is what allows them to come/stay at work. The Wellness Program has to fit the Budget, If there is not money for such a program there are other things to do that can increase your health like using the stairs and having different types of healthier foods in vending machines.
• Lastly, Dan Left on the note that if we want such a program in place we need to encourage our politicians and Leaders within the University to help us

VICE CHAIR:

• Annual Enrollment for Insurance is from July 1-31st.
• Those on HMO are ALL going to PPO starting 9/1/2007.
• There were changes in the new PPO concerning those who care for grandchildren.
• Prescription drugs cost went up for name brand, but stayed the same for generic.
• Delta premium went up, but now you can get 4 cleanings a year instead of 2.
• Superior Vision went up 2%, but had an increase in service providers.
• In compliance with new privacy laws, we will be issued new Vendor ID Cards with new ID #s.
• Reminder that UT Flex needs to be applied for each year.
• In compliance with new privacy laws, new Vendor ID cards with new identification numbers will be issued to all employees.

VICE CHAIR:

• It has come to Danielle's attention that under this new health care system some coverage may not be provide on some meds that were on the old(HMO). If you,  or anyone you know, is affected by this please contact Danielle Fournier or UT Systems in HR with the name of the meds, you don't have to give your name or why you take these meds, only give the name of it, and they will work to try and get these covered.

CHAIR:

• Erin will Contact Gwen Grigsby's Office to come speak to the council about proper behavior during an election year. What you can and can't say, have or do while in the office or on campus.
• Update on Travel Budgets concerning out-of-pocket cost. Committee has looked into this matter and found there are no big changes at all.
• Mark Smyth gave handout on using the right group email for all Staff Council reps or just your district.

SECRETARY:

Motion 2: Chris Scherer - that the June minutes be approved.
Second: Dreya Johannsen
Motioned and passed.

BY-LAWS

• Committee Chair Eric Patkowski asked for approval of changes in sect.VI and V.

Motion 3: Chris Scherer - that the proposed revisions to Section V.A.2, V.A.3 and V.B.2 be approved.
Second: Danielle Fournier
There were no objections; the motion passed.
Sect. VII.F. had new changes and will be reviewed for next meeting.

Motion 4: Chris Scherer - that the proposed revisions to Section VI.E.2 be approved.
Second: Dreya Johannsen
There were no objections; the motion passed.

• Committee Chair proposed clarification of a new glossary entry in Section VIII.F.4 =>UTSC Standing Committees=>Standing Committee Purviews=>Issues. Which will help staff submit concise issues proposals
• The Council decided to table this revision until the August 9, 2007 meeting in order to give members additional time to review the revision and submit feedback regarding the wording. 

COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

• Announcement of Chairs for Committees. Eric Patkowski is the By-Laws Chair.
  Vickie Drake is the Insurance Committee Chair. Evan Turner is the Miscellaneous Committee Chair. Janice Hejl is the Grievance Committee Chair.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Grievance Issues in Fine Arts concerning an employee who has been with the University for 27 yrs. Recently received new job duties and schedule. These new duties make him work with chemicals that affect his allergies which concern him about his health. The department has said they will provide him with what he may need to ease this inconvenience. There was a suggestion to file this issue within the committees. Chris Scherer feels that we should focus more on issues that affect Staff as a whole and not get bogged down with personal issues. He feels HR should handle this. Sarah Watson Dist. 532 suggested checking into the standing of his Grievance if he has filed one.
  Mark Smyth Dist. 451 suggested that when things like this happen to staff we need to bring them into the "fold." Erin Waneck mentioned that singular issues like this can expand and affect all staff.
  There where also suggestions to bring OSHA into the matter.
  Sara Watson suggested that the person contact THE EEO OFFICE

Motion 5: That the Staff Council meeting be adjourned.
Second: Unanimous
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 3:26 PM.

Watch the web recording of this meeting at:
e-rtsp://146.6.74.12/UT_Staff_Council_19Jul2007.mp4
(you will need a plug-in, which can be downloaded from
http://webcast_plugin.theacesbuilding.com)