Approved Minutes For Meeting on May 18, 2010-11

Date: May 18, 2011 (2010-2011)

Program:

1. The meeting was called to order by the Vice Chair, Tuesday Ashner. Visitors and guests were welcomed and introduced.

2. Roll Call

Members Present: Tuesday Ashner, Natalie Branca, Steve Buhman, Janet Douglas, Pat Eckert, Jon Geiger, Layla Murphy, Sarah Olson, Mike Reiman, Amy Rose, Charlotte Sarao, Rod Sievers, Lori Stettler, Meredith Thomas, Sue Tin, Gloria Yuncker.

Proxies: Jon Geiger for JP Dunn; Lori Stettler for Alfred Jackson.

Visitors and Guests: Jake Baggott, Tracy Bennett, Valerie Brooks, Kathy Jones, Delores Kerstein.

3. Guest

To be rescheduled.

4. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting on April 20, 2011, were approved as presented.

5. Adoption of Meeting Agenda: C. Sarao moved to approve the agenda; seconded by L. Stettler. Motion carried.

6. Reports

6.1/6.2 Chair/Board of Trustees 
JP Dunn provided his written report (included as an appendix to the minutes). T. Ashner commented on Senate Bill 1150, which would remove authority from universities to determine if positions should be A/P or civil service. She read an article which stated that the University of Illinois Chicago's School of Medicine is going on its second year of having every one of its administrative positions audited to determine whether they should be civil service. She questioned whether they are working their way downstate. T. Bennett explained that U of I Chicago has had a history of inappropriately classifying civil service positions as A/P; there were hundreds identified on their last audit that should have been classified as civil service. She noted that every school, including SIU, has findings. However, there is also oversight. When positions go to HR, they are reviewed to determine whether there is an existing civil service title that would fit the position. Her understanding is there is a lack of oversight at U of I. The legislation being proposed would give the State Universities Civil Service System the power to determine whether a position should be civil service or A/P. T. Bennett pointed out that in the 1990s, before there were what are now called standard titles, those positions used to go to the Systems office for approval.

6.3 Human Resources (HR) 
T. Bennett reported that benefits choice sessions are scheduled for May 25. Also, Prudential has open enrollment for its long-term disability insurance through the end of May. Anyone not currently enrolled has the option to enroll, provided they have not been denied that coverage in the past. Employees are strongly encouraged to check the HR website for periodic updates and informational emails from HR regarding benefits choice or other benefits related issues. T. Bennett noted that benefits choice is currently open-ended for everything except dependent care on the flexible spending; however, employees are still encouraged to submit any benefits changes to HR by May 31.T. Ashner asked how it is possible to place a current employee into what appears to be a brand new position without having a job search. T. Bennett responded the only way would be a search waiver, which would have to go through Linda McCabe-Smith (Associate Chancellor Diversity). T. Ashner asked whether a change in a current job title to a title that has not been on campus before would be considered the same as a new job. T. Bennett responded that there is a difference between creating a new position to campus and either searching for it or obtaining a search waiver for a current position that has evolved into a [new title]. T. Bennett indicated if it is a new position in a different office, then the person would have to be put in that position via search waiver.J. Geiger asked if there is any additional information on Health Alliance's appeal. T. Bennett did not know, but Mary Nippe (Deputy Director of HR) believes it will be a while before a decision is made. J. Geiger expressed concern that the benefits choice deadline would expire before a decision on Health Alliance is made. T. Bennett believes that if a decision has not been made on Health Alliance by July 1, then employees would be switched to Quality Care as the default. However, her understanding is that if down the road Health Alliance's appeal is upheld and they return, employees will be offered another opportunity to sign back on with them. T. Ashner asked on what website can it be found how many search waivers have been done and if in recent times they have increased. J. Baggott did not believe that information was available on a website, though the Affirmative Action office does do an annual report.

6.4 Representatives to University Committees

6.4a SURS Members Advisory - Jake Baggott 
J. Baggott reported that much of the discussion that took place at the last meeting is currently going on in public. The big news at that time was the effective rate of interest discussion and how that impacts the employees eligible for the money purchase formula. The rate of interest will be lowered based on the actuarial tables being updated. People are living longer, so it will take more money to fund those who retire on the money purchase formula. This would affect approximately two-thirds of SIU employees. Once the actuarial tables are put into effect, employees will cause have to work as much as a year longer than they normally would have to receive the same benefit. Those considering retirement should probably look into that very carefully. It has yet to be determined when the effective date of the new actuarial table will take place, but it will either be July 1 or January 1 of 2012. The issue the Board is wrestling with in terms of their fiduciary responsibility to the system is that they now know people are living longer, and it will take more to fund those accounts; therefore, does their fiduciary duty outweigh their concern and awareness of how that might impact campuses administratively? For example, some people may or have already considered retiring when maybe they were not ready to do so; that will create issues on the campuses, so that is something they are trying to sort out. The more pressing matter is what is happening with the budget and how that affects pensions. The legislature is feeling a great deal of pressure to reduce the costs of the pension systems. The state's bond rating is severely damaged or will be in the future unless this issue is addressed. The Pension Committee will be voting on Senate Bill 512 possibly tomorrow, and J. Baggott expects that it will pass out of committee and go to the Senate for further consideration. What this bill does is set up higher requirement contributions from employees to continue receiving the same retirement benefits they are eligible for under the current system. Employees currently pay 8% towards retirement; that figure would increase to 15.3% under the current version of the bill. He is unsure if it will actually get out of committee, but there is a lot more support for it than there was in the past. If employees choose not to stay in that, they have the irrevokable option under this proposal to switch to Tier II benefits, which are available to new employees. It would mean working a longer period of time. Employees under the current Tier I system, which many would be, would have to make a choice potentially about whether to stay there and pay a higher rate or go to Tier II where the rate, as he understands it, would actually decrease. J. Baggott believes this to be counterproductive because it would mean less money going into the retirement system, which it desperately needs. The other alternative is to switch to the self- managed plan. Current employees under that plan get a matching of 7.5%, while new employees would receive 6%. These are the issues that are looming. J. Baggott noted that he fully expects there will be some sort of pension reform bill passed if the budget is contingent on much of that.

6.4b Affirmative Action Advisory - Delores Kerstein 
D. Kerstein reported that the last time the committee met was October 14, 2009. She has made numerous phone calls in an attempt to have a meeting called. Most of the terms on the committee list she has have expired, including the term of the committee chair. She has called Linda McCabe-Smith's office and talked with her administrative assistant, as well as sent her a copy of the committee's operating papers. The assistant was supposed to talk with L. McCabe- Smith and get back with her, but she never did. D. Kerstein indicated that the committee's charge in 2009 was to review a job description for a position which L. McCabe-Smith was [going to hire]. However, she found out from the assistant that the position, Coordinator for Diversity and Equity, was filled on February 1, 2011. D. Kerstein reported that the committee needs to meet with L. McCabe-Smith and J. Baggott and find out what is its charge. T. Ashner suggested the committee should be disbanded if it is no longer effective. D. Kerstein responded that it would be up to the Chancellor to do so. She noted the committee has not been effective since October 2009. T. Ashner believes this might be something the next Council chair could look into.

6.5 Standing Committees

6.5a Executive Committee 
T. Ashner reported the Expanded Executive Committee met and discussed: i) representation on the various search committees; ii) Senate Bill 1150; iii) enrollment and application numbers; iv) a recent Judicial Review Board case, which was settled without hearing; v) the 6.9% tuition increase passed by the Board of Trustees; and vi) reorganization in distance education. P. Eckert, who is a staff member in the Division of Continuing Education, clarified that the "for- credit" unit of distance education is only one piece of the Division of Continuing Education that is moving and will be housed in the Northwest Annex. The "non-credit" side of the department can still be found at Washington Square C and continues to offer services such as conference events, camps, certificate programs, etc.

6.5b Committee on Committees 
A. Rose presented for approval the nominations of Janet Douglas and Jessica Mann, both from University Communications, to serve on the Search Committee for Chief Information Officer. Nominations were approved.

6.5c Constituency Relations 
S. Buhman reported the A/P reception on April 26 was very poorly attended. There was some discussion in Executive Committee about possibly changing the format of the spring meeting.

6.5d Operating Paper 
R. Sievers noted that the committee submitted its final report.

6.5e Staff Benefits 
C. Sarao noted that the committee submitted its final report.

6.5f Staff Welfare 
L. Stettler (for A. Jackson) noted the committee submitted its final report.

[All final reports were included as an attachment to the May agenda.]

7. Old Business - None.

8. New Business

T. Ashner presented certificates of appreciation to outgoing Council members Sarah Olson, Mike Reiman and Rod Sievers. She thanked them all for their Council and committee service.

9. Announcements

K. Jones announced the groundbreaking for the new track will be on May 23. Everyone is welcome to attend. A reception will be held in the John Cook Club near the Arena.

10. Adjournment