Staff Senate Officers for 2004-05

Chair – Bill Forman 852-0996

Vice Chair – Bev Daly 852-8360

Sec/Treas. – Brent Fryrear 852-2956

Senate Office - Robin Emond-Durham – 852-6713

Web:

Summary of October 11, 2004Staff Senate Meeting

The meeting was called to order at 2:38 PM.

The Senate approved the minutes of the September meeting as revised.Official Septemberminutes:

Faculty Senate Representative, Dr. Bob Staat reported on issues discussed at the October Faculty Senate Meeting.

  • Introduced the new Dean of the J.B.SpeedSchool of Engineering, Mickey Wilhelm
  • Approved a motion to remove a section of the Red Book that does not allow for Librarians to receive tenure - supported by President Ramsey, Provost Willihnganz and the Trustees
  • Health Insurance – Provost and President have everyone working on it.
  • State’s increased revenue of 8.9%, everyone is clamoring for the surplus and anything that is distributed will have strings attached
  • Council for Post-Secondary Education is revising the formula funding model which should help U of L in the future
  • Shelby Campus is underutilized and there are several innovative uses coming in the future. Planning will be considerate of neighbors.
  • Provost Willihnganz reported that the CareerCenter is shut down but a more modern concept is coming

Student Government Association RepresentativeJustin Moorhead’s report as distributed to the listserv:

1. SGA will be hosting a block party Thursday, Oct. 21st. We would like to invite all of you and your families to attend. There will be free food, rides, games, and prizes. It will take place on Brandies St. between 3rd and 4th street (the road in front of UTA and Louisville Hall). We will also be using the blue parking lot located by Gray's Bookstore. This lot will be closed all day on Thursday. In order to accommodate those that will be displaced by this event, for that day only, blue permits will be allowed to park in yellow parking, which is available by Kurz, Bettie Johnson, and Minardi Halls.

2. The food advisory committee would like a member from the staff senate to attend meeting. They are held the 1st Friday of every month 12:00 in the MillerFirstYearResourceCenter.

3. SGA has purchased over 500 DVDs which are available for checkout in Ekstrom Library by faculty, staff, and students. The collection is located on the 2nd floor in the MediaCenter

4. SGA fronted $7,000 to pay for the use of the game room in the SAC. It is now free for use. We have seen some staff use, but would like to see more. Your family may also play for free if you are with them.

5. Chartwells's will be installing credit/debit card readers in select locations. If you do not have a meal plan or do not want a meal plan, you will be able to use your credit/debit cards soon.

6. National City Bank will be installing ATMS in the SAC. A specific date has not been set, but I heard it should be sometime before the end of the semester.

If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me

Vice President for Business Affairs, Larry Owsley

  • Health Insurance – with the planned discussion upcoming, Senators need to know that no decisions have been made.
  • SGA – Working together to add tangible services for students like additional food outlets and enhanced communication capabilities.
  • Shelby Campus – an interesting master plan has been developed to turn this property into a performing asset.
  • Flu Vaccines – Look for information in U of L Today this week…
  • Q & AAnswers
  • Mr. Owsley explained the difference between being self-insured and having insurance through an insurance company
  • Fire Drills in A-Tower –handicapped people have a problem with stairs. Someone reported that Belknap had a Carry Chair, but HSC did not. (Note from Secretary – There was a carry chair purchased for HSC and it is in custody of DPS)
  • Parking issues on Parkway Field should not be a problem much longer. Two Intramural sports fields, a field for the Marching Band and Eastern Parkway lights and beautification coming soon
  • The Eastern Parkway overpass is in bad shape. The State has been notified.
  • Baxter III building plan in limbo due to the state budget
  • Smoking guideline at HSC has driven everyone to sidewalks and McDonalds. Would the Administration please consider smoking huts. More to come.
  • Security Compliment – Security is much more visible, the additional budget has made a big difference!
  • Parking – Magenta spots open in the new garage
  • Look into a ramp to alleviate having to heave garbage bags into the HSC Dumpster
  • Traffic Control at the North entrance to Belknap continues to be problematic when there are major events at that part of campus. Working with City to better control traffic.

Associate Vice President for Human Resources, Julien Carter presented the following points on Health Insurance and answered questions:

Health Plan Funding

  • As of today’s meeting, no decision has been made on funding or other issues for the 2005 health plan
  • In calendar year 2003, the university experienced $2,332,659 in claims that exceeded funding.
  • The university has contributed approximately $4,000,000 to reestablish the IBNR and address the cash deficit in the health plan as of June 30, 2004.
  • Because 2003 served as the basis upon which the 2004 funding strategy was based, in addition to enrollment patterns for 2004 that were not predicted by the actuaries, it is anticipated that a $2,559,437 deficit will remain by the end of 2004.
  • In addition to the $4,000,000 the university contributed towards claims issues from 2003 and 2004, the university is planning to contribute $3,207,691 toward 2005 plan health costs – this is an increase of approximately 20% over its 2004 contributions.
  • The projected health plan costs for 2005 are $29,283,300. The university contribution represents approximately 70% of that amount. The employee contribution represents 30%.
  • Although the university has taken several steps since 2001 to control costs which have saved approximately $7.5 million in costs (becoming self insured, reducing the number of administrators from three to one, and carving out the pharmacy benefit), all agreed that the current course of action presented by the 2005 funding strategy of rising rates and cutting benefits is unsustainable.

UTILIZATION

  • The university provides health plan benefits to approximately 8,931 people. The average age of the covered population is 35; 25% of the university population covered by the health plan is under the age of 18 and 32% is over the age of 44. Of the population over the age of 18, 51% is female and 49% male.
  • The university’s top health issues in terms of cost (more than $500,000) are injuries, musculoskeletal diseases, cancer, circulatory diseases, maternity, respiratory diseases and diseases relating to the genital and urinary organs and functions.
  • The top drugs used by the university workforce in terms of cost (more than $50,000) are Lipitor, Nexium, Zoloft, Singulair, Effexor XR, Zocor, Advair Diskus, Oxycontin, Neurontin and Prevacid.

Possible Strategies To Address Utilization

  • Health Management—A Health Management program could be instituted through the use of data provided voluntarily by faculty and staff on a health risk or other type of assessment. Based on the assessment, individuals with medium to high risk factors would be identified and encouraged to take advantage of intervention programs and strategies to reduce risk factors. The result would be a win-win scenario that reduces the health risk for the individual and helps keep the health plan costs lower than if no intervention s were attempted. The university is exploring the use of a health management program in 2004 for employees only. If the program is deemed successful, consideration may be given to expand this to employee spouses at some point in the future.
  • Case/Care Management – Case or care management (the terms are interchangeable) is usually provided when someone has an advanced disease condition. Care managers evaluate problems, identify solutions and arrange services for individuals in the program. They also follow up with or monitor the individuals care. The goal is to get the individual to the appropriate health care provider and intervention to better help them manage their condition. This would be especially important for the university’s high cost claimants who have claims in excess of $50,000.

A case management program can also help an individual who has more than one chronic condition by giving them skills to manage their health; techniques to deal with frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation; appropriate exercises for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility and endurance; appropriate use of medications; and more.

The university already receives some services with case/care management as a part of its contract with Humana. However, the university will step-up efforts to ensure that our administrator is appropriately encouraging our faculty and staff to avail themselves of these types of services.

  • Maternity Programs—A maternity program, coordinated by a nurse case manager, would strive to improve the health of pregnant women and their newborns through early assessment of the mother’s risk for complications subsequent education and proactive management. The university already receives some services with maternity programs as a part of its contract with Humana. However, the university will step-up efforts to ensure that our administrator is appropriately encouraging our faculty and staff to avail themselves of these types of services.
  • Consumer-Directed Health Plans—Traditional plan designs typically have insulated people from the cost of health care. Under a consumer-directed health plan, the employer gives the employees the information and tools that they need to be in charge of cost containment for themselves. Employees become more cost-conscious buyers of health services and shop for value in the same way they make purchasing choices about other goods and services. The university plans to introduce a consumer-directed health plan option for 2005. The plan, called Coverage First, will provide a $500 account for deductibles and co-insurance on the medical benefit before a more traditional PPO plan takes over. Through the use of this account, it is believed that the university can start to impact discretionary spending connected to the health plan benefit in an effort to keep overall costs down.
  • Pharmacy—The university spends approximately $7 million a year on pharmaceuticals. Each year, more faculty and staff are selecting drugs that are in the lower cost tiers which results in savings to the individual as well as to the health plan; however, improvement is still possible. As a result, the university may want to consider hiring a pharmacist to assist employees with understanding the Rx tiers with Humana as well as to help Human Resources with additional cost containment strategies.

Decisions That Need To Be Made For 2005

  • 2005 Health Plan Employee Contribution Rates
  • 2005 Health Management Program Strategy
  • 2005 Pharmacy Cost containment Strategy

Q & A Answers

  • U of L contribution for 2005 employee insurance will be $356, a 20% increase over the $297 funding rate for 2004.
  • The Pharmacy benefit is one of the biggest cost drivers for insurance
  • The average age of U of L employees is 47, we are older than the majority of employers and have great long-term employees, but the trend will reverse in the next 10 years. Many people will retire over those years.
  • Insurance benefits are more utilized when employees have more education.
  • 51% female employee population means that our people are more in tune with their health issues
  • Will look back into Faculty and Staff being able to use Student Health Services.
  • Requirements of certain Departments or Units to have Dr’s excuses is an issue under discussion. This potentially drives up payouts since we are self funded.
  • Possible Future Issues
  • We can better promote the 90 day prescription refill
  • Flexible Spending
  • Hire a Pharmacist
  • Health Management Assessments would be for the employees first and family members in future years

Standing Committee Meetings and Reports

Credentials & Nominations – Loren Beard

A call for nominations will be sent to Arts & Sciences, VP for Information Technology, and Graduate School CSDs to announce Senate open seats in these areas.

Report will be posted at

Executive Committee – Bill Forman

The Executive Committee of the Staff Senate met on September 24, 2004.

There were three primary issues for discussion:

1. The plans of the standing committees that were spelled out in goals and objectives.

2. Ideas for our 30th year celebration.

3. Results of the breakout sessions at our retreat.

Other business included discussion of items for the officers to discuss with Julien and Larry at "Larry's Lunch.” Those included: The status of the State of the Staff Report from HR.

Developing a Power Point Presentation that outlines 30 years of Staff Senate Accomplishments.

The function of the Executive Committee compared to Plans/Policies

Meet regularly or on an as needed basis??

The Executive Committee consists of Senate Chair as Chair, Senate Vice Chair, Senate Secretary-Treasureer, standing committee chairs, past Senate Chairs, past Senate Officers, and Robin as Senate Employee.

Finance & Economic Welfare – Sherry Robinson

Report posted at

Plans & Policies – Beverly Daly

Report will be posted at

Services & Facilities – Angela Lewis-Klein

Committee meeting date is October 7, 2004 and a report will be posted once available.

Staff Grievance – Nancy Barr

Committee meeting date is October 6, 2004 and a report will be posted once available.

Staff Policy Review – Bridget Burke

Report will be posted at

University-wide Committee Reports

Reminder: Please email committee reports to Robin and Brent as soon as possible after the meetings so reports can be included on the Agenda.

A.A,T,C, – Chrissy Soards

The University is going to be implementing spam software later in November. Currently, it is in a testing phase. Also, IT will implement self-service password changes. Each staff member will be able to change their own passwords without going to one of the computer centers or calling the Help Desk. This feature is anticipated to be put into production by the beginning of the spring semester.

C.O.D.R.E. – Mike Byrne

The Staff Concerns subcommittee of CODRE held its first meeting Oct 3 and discussed at length the issue of Physical Plant employees need for access to computer terminals, encouragement to participate in

university-wide activities and the opportunity to attend classes. This will continue a concern of the subcommittee initiated last year. The next full Commission meeting will convene Friday, Oct 8.

PARKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Bridget Burke

Fall Parking Update

Permit sales are down by 623 from 2003-2004. There was a discussion as to why. Cost was an issue for employee permits, but there was no obvious reason for the student permits.

Parking Citations – The number of citations issued for 7/1 – 9/10/04 has dropped significantly from the same period last year.

Tows – The number of cars being towed from 7/1 – 9/10/04 has also dropped from last year. The largest number of towed cars was due to outstanding citations.

Space utilization – As with the other areas, less cars are parking in university lots.

Cardinal Shuttle Service – The routes were adjusted this year based on feedback from last year. Statistics to date reveal ridership is about the same as last year and running very smoothly.

Lot changes – Relocated Magenta parking on Belknap back to the Reynolds bldg. parking lot. These Magenta permits are issued to professional students. The move was due to underutilized designated Magenta parking in the 4th street lot.

Pay parking operations – All evening pay machine rates changed from $2 to $3. Rate changes for hourly pay in SAC and Dental lot to $1/0-60 minutes, $3/ 61 – 120 minutes, $4/121-180 minutes, $6/181-240 minutes, and $8 over 240 minutes. Lost tickets were increased from $6 to $8.

Escort service – The service utilization reports show a significant drop (61%) in requests. One explanation may be due to the additional security officers on campus.

Motorist assistant program – This service has also had a decrease in requests, down by 50% from same time last year.

Chestnut Street Garage Expansion Status

SHARE – Sheryl Meier

Packages are going to be sent to Soldiers overseas, although they will be different than the ones sent last year.

Athletics Association Board– Bev Daly

Athletics gave the budget report. Everyone is excited about Football!

Report of Staff Senate Chair – Bill Forman

  • Bill went to the CPSE Conference where Kentucky was one of four states which improved on four out of five areas, but we are being measured against the very best in the country, states like Massachusetts, Michigan and California.
  • Junior Bridgeman won an award as an Outstanding Alumni in Kentucky
  • Dr. Ramsey’s first State of the University address was well received. He reported on the positive achievements that U of L has made in the past year.
  • Shelby Campus – being made a viable asset. All work is being done while being sensitive to the surrounding community
  • Staff Senate Technology Ad Hoc Committee is looking at the utilization of technology, the website and the listserv. The group is looking at setting up Blackboard to have a Chat Group so Senators can log on and discuss issues with each other in real time. Those who do not wish to participate in discussions will not have to.
  • Communications outside the Senate Body – It is the intent of the Staff Senate to be a communicative body to discuss the issues of our constituents. While the Listserv keeps Mr. Owsley and Mr. Carter in the loop, direct communication with President Ramsey and Provost Willihnganz should be through the Staff Senate Officers.
  • Senators were reminded that the Staff Senate is an advisory body, we do not make policy. Our opportunity to influence/affect change is through advising and feedback gathered from our constituents, as we are not a bargaining unit or union.
  • It was noted that this is the first time long-term Senators can remember that the Executive committees of both the Staff and Faculty Senates have been able to comment and request changes to the Healthcare plans for the coming year.
  • Health Insurance – As soon as the information is available, Mr. Carter will meet with the Executive Committees of both constituent groups, members of the President’s Executive Committee and the Human Resources Advisory Committee. After that meeting is conducted, Staff Senate Chair Forman will call a special Staff Senate Meeting to communicate the new information and provide an opportunity to discuss as necessary. There was a motion from the floor to call that meeting, which was seconded and passed unanimously.
  • Another motion was made and seconded, which called for an educational campaign with respect to the Listserv, passed unanimously as well.

The meeting adjourned at 4:38 PM.