MINUTES UAF STAFF COUNCIL MEETING #120 Friday, October 13, 2000 Wood Center Ballroom I Scott Culbertson called the meeting to order at 8:35 a.m. MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: Anderson, L. Baergen, A. Bywater, C. Brown, E. Carlson, K. Gray, D. Culberston, S. Ledlow, L. DeKerlegand York, D. O'Neill, R. Downes, I. (for L. Evans) Renfro, C. Hagen, D. Rogers, P. Hazelton, G. White, P. McCrea, S. Parzick, J. OTHERS PRESENT: Powell, D. Branley, C. Segla, D. (for R. Candler) Chapman, C. Seymour, M. Duffy, L. Skrob, J. (for S. Comstock) Farrell, M. Simmons, H. Humphrey, M. Lind, M. Mosca, K. Pitney, R. Van Flein, E. B. The minutes to Meeting #119 (September 13, 2000) were approved as distributed via e-mail. C. The agenda was adopted with the following items on the consent agenda: 1. Motion to approve FY02 Meeting Calendar MOTION PASSED (unanimous) ============= The UAF Staff Council moves to approve the FY02 meeting calendar as follows: UAF STAFF COUNCIL 2001-2002 MEETING CALENDAR 8:45 a.m. Wood Center Ballroom MTG.# DATE DAY 128 September 12, 2001 Wednesday 129 *October 12, 2001 Friday 130 November 7, 2001 Wednesday 131 *December 7, 2001 Friday 132 February 6, 2002 Wednesday 133 *March 1, 2002 Friday 134 April 10, 2002 Wednesday 135 *May 15, 2002 Wednesday 136 June 7, 2002 Friday *Face-to-face meetings EFFECTIVE: Immediately RATIONALE: The Ad Hoc Calendar Committee will need all the meeting dates for 2001 to be incorporated in the Staff Council calendar. The 2001 calendar will be distributed at the December 8 Staff Council meeting. ****************** 2. Motion to Change Staff Council Meeting Time MOTION PASSED (unanimous) ============= The UAF Staff Council moves to change their meeting time from 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. EFFECTIVE: Immediately RATIONALE: Several staff council members are either traveling from the downtown campus or have children to get off to school. As a result, they are regularly late for the meeting. Late arrivals could be minimized or possibly eliminated by moving the meeting back 15 minutes. The meeting would then adjourn 15 minutes later. Hopefully, this does not represent an inconvenience for the members who are able to arrive on time. ****************** 3. Rural Affairs Report Report was included in the agenda. 4. Elections, Membership & Rules Report Report was included in the agenda. 5. University Advocacy Report Report was included in the agenda. D. President's Report Board of Regents President Culbertson and President-Elect McCrea attended the October Board of Regents meeting. The meeting was originally scheduled for Kodiak, but due to weather problems the meeting was held in Anchorage. Human Resources was not on the agenda. University budget planning for the next two years was addressed. Financial gifts to the University increased 150% this year. The University will be asking for an increase of approximately $18 million for FY02. The lobbying theme this year is to prove that the increased funding is being used in a productive manner. There is a web site that tracks this information. http://www.alaska.edu/swbudget/01initiatives/index.html Athletics - Randy Pitney donated a hockey ticket and a volleyball ticket. Representatives guessed his age and Irene Downes won the hockey ticket and Debra Hagen won the volleyball ticket. II Governance Reports A. ASUAF - S. Banks - No Report B. Faculty Senate - L. Duffy Faculty Senate is working on a resolution which will allow students to be randomly surveyed during the academic year. In the past, cuts have greatly affected staff who assist in the compliance with federal regulations. Research funding is an essential component to the University funding. Professor Duffy encouraged staff participation in the survey also. The Noel- Levitz Student Survey is a random sampling and is a national survey. The survey is a coordinated effort across the University of Alaska System. The results will be compared with Universities in the lower 48. C. Alumni Association - C. Branley The time and temperature sign is now up at the College Road and University Avenue entrance. Alumni raised $21,900 for student enhancement projects. The new alumni web site should be up in a couple weeks. New membership for employees in the University of Alaska system is $30, which can be enrolled through payroll deduction. Alumni is working with Daisy A Day Floral with the Christmas wreaths for $20. There is a $5 additional fee for a velvet or plaid bow. Contact the Alumni Association or Daisy A Day Floral and reserve your wreath by November 1. New alumni mugs are available for $8. The Fairbanks Alumni chapter will hold their annual meeting on Wednesday, October 18 at 5:30 p.m. in the Alumni Lounge. Cindy Branley has also been appointed the permanent director of the Alumni Association. III Chancellor's Remarks - M. Lind Board of Regents Meeting Chancellor Lind encouraged staff to vote in the November elections and take a look at the resolution on the 10 mill tax cap that the Board passed. The Board will take final action on the operating budget in November. Building Improvements A number of renovations on various buildings throughout the campus will take place in the next few years. Chancellor Lind asked for everyone's patience when departments are relocated due to the renovations. Enrollment - The fall enrollment is up 5.4%. UAF is in the process of hiring a dean of enrollment management. This is a reworking of the position of director of Admissions. Departments which will report to the new dean of enrollment management will consist of Admissions, Registrar's Office, Advising, and Financial Aid. A search committee is presently being formed and Vice Chancellor Kirts will chair the committee. The search will be national. Representatives asked Chancellor Lind if he anticipates the hiring of staff positions with the additional funding the University received this year. Chancellor Lind stated that new staff is being hired to fill vacant positions because funds have been allocated. He didnšt know the exact number, but that new staff positions are being filled. IV Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services Remarks - F. Williams Noel Levitz Survery - This survey is an effective way to gather information and identify concerns and address them. The survey will be done systemwide. Dining Services Vice Chancellor Williams introduced Debi Wilson, interim Dining Services Coordinator. Debi Wilson has done a great job in the transition period with a new food service contractor. There are a number of new food venders on campus. The West Ridge cafe will be closed during the Christmas break for renovations and will reopen in January. Natural Science Facility will have a cold cart which will offer salads, fruit, yogurt, sandwiches, etc. and should be up and running shortly. This is also being looked at for TVC-DTC and Administrative Services Center. Staffing was a difficult problem at the beginning of the transition, but staffing levels have come up. NANA Services has a very strict employment screening tests and they were not willing to lower their standards. Munch money dollars can be purchased and placed on your polar express cards in order to purchase food items, this is exclusive to dining services. Bear bucks can be used for other items besides food items. There has been some difficulty depositing funds on the polar express card. Contact Polar Express if you experience any difficulties in depositing funds to your Polar Express Card. Funds can be deposited at value transfer stations also. Dining Services has a web site, also. Capital Plan The Regents reviewed the capital plan at the October meeting. By the end of next summer, the Duckering building will be finished. Also, work will begin on the Rasmuson Library, Fine Arts Complex, Brooks Building, and Wood Center. Power Plant and Physical Plant will have some code and safety work done. The University will be requesting funds for planning a new research facility which is greatly needed. Microsoft Licensed Products Vice Chancellor Williams requested input from staff on the Microsoft licensed products. Distribution of the software is being handled be Computing and Communication. Contact Computing on how to handle the software for rural sites. Staff overwhelmingly expressed that this is a beneficial program for the University. V Committee Report A. Staff Affairs - G. Hazelton At their last meeting, the committee addressed a resolution on compensation which was passed; a draft resolution on take your child to work was passed but will get a revision before it is presented to Staff Council at the next meeting. The wellness benefit was also addressed. The committee is waiting for information from Wendy Redman regarding Senate Bill #9, PERS credit for less than 12 month employees. Senate Bill #9 and the geographic differential will be on the next agenda. There were no comments on the draft Information Resource Policy. The committee recognizes the changes in the parking situation and process this year and looks forward to progress and accountability reports at future Staff Council meetings. The committee encourages representatives to remind constituents of the open enrollment in November. Last year, due to a delay in the distribution of material, staff had a very short time to complete the paperwork. The committee received a report from UAF Human Resources regarding the re-orientation sessions offered this past spring for the not-so-new employees. Advertising was done in the HR Update. It is uncertain whether poor newsletter circulation or staff not fully reading the Update was the problem for the low participation rate in this training session. The next reorientation is scheduled for December 13 in the Wood Center Memorial Conference Room from 10 a.m. to noon and will be audioconferenced for the rural sites. The next Staff Affairs meeting is October 24 at 9:00 a.m. in Wood Center Conference Room. 1. Resolution on Compensation An executive summary on compensation was distributed as a handout. The new form takes a more positive approach to the issue. Moving forward in a positive manner and not a confrontational manner was favored. Representative Downes stated that staff in Unit 10 are in favor of this resolution/summary and thanked Staff Affairs for their hard work. Discussion continued and representatives were in favor of the executive summary because of its positive approach. A recommendation was made to have this information distributed to the Chancellor when it is forwarded to Staff Alliance, as well as Statewide Human Resources so that Dale Seay can address this issue when he speaks at the December meeting. Representatives thanked Kurt Carlson for all his hard work on this topic. A motion was made and seconded to table the compensation resolution. The vote was unanimous. RESOLUTION TABLED (unanimous) ================ WHEREAS, the University staff salary ranges have had no positive adjustments since 1994; and WHEREAS, the adjustment prior to 1994 was sometime prior to 1983; and WHEREAS, the 1994 adjustment was not to market, it represented a 10-20% increase when Consumer Price Index 1983-1994 was 35%; and WHEREAS, the compensation study promised in 1996 upon completion of the JEF project was not concluded; and WHEREAS, the 03/1998 Hay Report documents University compensation to be 9-28% beneath market; and WHEREAS, staff initiated salary surveys in 1996 and previously on over 20 benchmark positions demonstrated University compensation to be at least 4-28% beneath State of Alaska, 3- 25% beneath Federal, and 4-40% beneath Industry levels; and WHEREAS, the Consumer Price Index, US City average, has increased 12.4% between 1994 and 1999, and 67% since 1983; and WHEREAS, the Consumer Price Index, Anchorage average, has increased 9.9% between 1994 and 1999, and 48% since 1983; and WHEREAS, the Consumer Price Index, Anchorage average, has increased 0.9% for the first half of 2000 and steeper increases are projected for the last half of 2000; and WHEREAS, the Federal General Salary schedule has increased by 12% since 1996 and 31% since 1990; and WHEREAS, the University has chosen to pass inflationary costs for health care onto employees through reduced benefits and employee contributions; and WHEREAS, State of Alaska employee benefits exceed University benefits in significant areas: shorter work weeks, higher leave accrual rates, and higher geographic differentials; and WHEREAS, there are no documented objectives to the University compensation structure; and WHEREAS, retaining experienced and highly qualified employees at the University is a tremendous challenge with under market salaries and no cost of living adjustments; and WHEREAS, hiring competent employees at the University is a tremendous challenge with the current salary ranges; now, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the Board of Regents, in accordance with Policy 04.05.040, is strongly urged to approve at least a 12% across the board increase to the staff salary schedule for all steps to become effective no later than 7/1/2001; now BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That existing employees be reclassified to the nearest step in the adjusted range to guarantee them a minimum 3% cost of living increase to become effective no later than 7/1/2001; now BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That it be acknowledged this modest increase is not to market but an economically justifiable good faith effort in the short term to address the long over due range reclassifications; now BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Statewide Office of Human Resources recommend granting hiring approvals to departments 3 steps higher than stated in Regulation 04.05.040.D1a; now BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That effective 04/01/2001 the recommended minimum hiring step for new employees be 'Step C' in anticipation of 7/1/2001 adjustment; now BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Statewide Office of Human Resources continue a systematic reclassification effort and publish the proposed time lines, scope, and compensation objectives; now BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Statewide Office of Human Resources be mandated to report each October to the Board of Regents and Governance meetings, in accordance with Regulation 04.05.040.D3 and 04.05.080, any general Federal or State of Alaska cost of living adjustments and public source inflation estimates so the Board of Regents can exercise, if they choose, their authority to approve cost of living adjustments according to Policy 04.05.040; now BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Regents endeavor to review cost of living information in accordance with Regulation 04.05.040.D3 and give serious consideration to salary adjustments on at least a biannual basis; now BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Regents direct Statewide Office of Human Resources to exercise their responsibility as stated in Policy 04.05.080 to document and promote appropriate range reclassification on an ongoing basis, that no positive adjustments since 1994 and only one since at least 1983 is contrary to recruitment and retention of qualified staff; now BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Board of Regents and Statewide Office of Human Resources acknowledges University staff compensation (wages and benefits) is not the same as State of Alaska compensation; that the University is systematically lower; and that reports such as the 1999 Legislative Wage and Benefits study are not directly applicable to the University. Information Sources: ================ http://www.alaska.edu/bor/policy/4p/p04-05.html http://www.alaska.edu/bor/regulation/4r/r04-05.html http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/research/col.htm http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/col/cpiuanch.htm http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/col/cpiuann.htm http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/col/col.pdf http://www.govexec.com/careers/00pay/gsindex.htm http://www.opm.gov/oca/2000tbls/GSannual/INDEX.HTM http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/ADMIN/dof/payroll/salary.ht m http://teak.state.ak.us/wa/postapps.nsf/?open 1999-07-23 State of Alaska Salary Schedules by BU/Location (salary.xls, faxed from State personnel office 2000-09-27) 1999-01 Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, Wage and Benefits Study (KPMG: Final Report) 1998-09-15 UA Staff Alliance Minutes, Attachment 5.1 1998-03 Hay Preliminary Base Salary Analysis 1997-05-27 UA Classified Employees "Want to Know Why" Previous State of Alaska Salary Schedules Previous Federal General Salary Schedules Previous University of Alaska Salary Schedule Previous Policies and Regulations (Part IV: Human Resources) Previous draft/proposed policies Industry salary surveys (various, 1990-1999) ****************** The following executive summary was distributed via e-mail and as a handout. A motion was made and seconded to approve the summary. The vote was unanimous. The executive summary will be sent to Staff Alliance with copies to President Hamilton, Statewide Human Resources, and Chancellor Lind. MOTION PASSED (unanimous) ============= UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA STAFF COMPENSATION SITUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Evidence shows that the UA staff salary scale is very much below market and has not kept up with cost of living increases. An adjustment to the salary scale and employee movement onto that scale is urgently needed. Additionally, a modest across the board cost of living increase would be very helpful and very appropriate. Also, for the longer term the overall scale structure needs a complete review and documented objectives. BACKGROUND The last positive adjustment to the UA staff salary scale was in 1994 and the adjustment previous to that was some time prior to 1983. The 1994 adjustment represented a 10-20% increase when Consumer Price Index 1983-1994 increased 35%. The compensation study promised in 1996 upon completion of the JEF project was not concluded. Staff-initiated salary surveys in 1996 and previously on over 20 benchmark positions demonstrated University compensation to be at least 4-28% beneath State of Alaska, 3-25% beneath Federal, and 4- 40% beneath Industry levels. The 03/1998 Hay Report documents University staff compensation to be 9-28% beneath market. The Consumer Price Index, US City average, has increased 12.4% between 1994 and 1999, and 67% since 1983. The Consumer Price Index, Anchorage average, has increased 9.9% between 1994 and 1999, and 48% since 1983. The Consumer Price Index, Anchorage average, has increased 0.9% for the first half of 2000 and steeper increases are projected for the last half of 2000. The Federal General Salary schedule has increased by 12% since 1996 and 31% since 1990. Additionally, the University has chosen to pass inflationary costs for health care onto employees through reduced benefits and employee contributions. Conversely, no inflationary adjustments have been made to the salary scales or wages. University salary and benefits have often been unfairly equated to the State of Alaska employee when the State is generally better in significant areas: higher pay, shorter work weeks, higher leave accrual rates, higher geographic differentials, and higher annual step increases. Finally, there are no documented objectives to the University compensation structure. Retaining experienced and highly qualified employees at the University is a tremendous challenge with under market salaries and no cost of living adjustments. Hiring competent employees at the University is also a tremendous challenge with the current salary ranges. The following recommendations are offered by the UAF Staff Council to begin to alleviate the situation. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That the Board of Regents, in accordance with Policy 04.05.040 be urged to approve at least a 12% across the board increase to the staff salary schedule for all steps to become effective no later than 7/1/2001. 2. That existing employees be reclassified to the nearest step in the adjusted range to provide a minimum 3% cost of living increase to become effective no later than 7/1/2001. 3. That it be acknowledged this modest increase is not to market but an economically justifiable good faith effort in the short term to address the long over due range reclassifications. 4. That Statewide Office of Human Resources recommend granting hiring approvals to departments 3 steps higher than stated in Regulation 04.05.040.D1a. 5. That effective April 2001 the recommended minimum hiring step for new employees be 'Step C' in anticipation of 7/1/2001 adjustment. 6. That Statewide Office of Human Resources continue a systematic reclassification effort and publish the proposed time lines, project scope, and compensation objectives. 7. That Statewide Office of Human Resources report each October to the Board of Regents and Governance, in accordance with Regulation 04.05.040.D3 and 04.05.080, any general Federal or State of Alaska cost of living adjustments and public source inflation estimates so the Board of Regents can exercise, if they choose, their authority to approve cost of living adjustments according to Policy 04.05.040. 8. That the Board of Regents review cost of living information in accordance with Regulation 04.05.040.D3 and give serious consideration to cost of living adjustments on at least a biannual basis. 9. That the Statewide Office of Human Resources exercise their responsibility as stated in Policy 04.05.080 to document and promote appropriate range reclassification on an ongoing basis. 10. That the Board of Regents and Statewide Office of Human Resources compare the relationship of University staff compensation (wages and benefits) to the State of Alaska compensation to understand the 1999 Legislative Wage and Benefits study is not directly applicable to the University. INFORMATION SOURCES University of Alaska Policy and Regulations (current) http://www.alaska.edu/bor/policy/4p/p04-05.html http://www.alaska.edu/bor/regulation/4r/r04-05.html Cost of Living Studies http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/col/cpiuann.htm http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/col/cpiuanch.htm http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/col/col.pdf http://www.labor.state.ak.us/research/research/col.htm http://www.opm.gov/oca/cola/index.htm http://www.opm.gov/fedregis/2000/65-44103-a.pdf Federal General Schedule Tables http://www.opm.gov/oca/payrates/index.htm (links to 1997-2000 tables, annual) http://www.opm.gov/oca/2000tbls/GSannual/html/GSBASE.HTM (2000 Base table, 25% COLA applies to Alaska) 1999 General Salary Schedule 1998 General Salary Schedule 1997 General Salary Schedule 1996 General Salary Schedule 1992 General Salary Schedule 1991 General Salary Schedule 1990 General Salary Schedule State of Alaska Salary Schedules and Information http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/ADMIN/dof/payroll/salary.htm http://www.state.ak.us/local/akpages/ADMIN/dof/payroll/forms/00g gw.xls General Government, Schedule 2A (2000 Base: bi-monthly, hourly) Salary Schedules by BU/Location dated 1999-07-23, identified as salary.xls, faxed by State, shows State geographic differential classes 1999-01 Legislative Budget and Audit Committee, Wage and Benefits Study (KPMG: Final Report) 1992 General Government Schedule 2A (bi-monthly, hourly) 1991 General Government Schedule (monthly) 1990 General Government Schedule, Range 20-27 (bi-monthly, hourly) University Salary Schedules and Information 1998-09-15 UA Staff Alliance Minutes, Attachment 5.1 1998-03-25 Hay Preliminary Base Salary Analysis page 13, University Anchorage vs. Market Average 1997-05-27 UA Classified Employees "Want to Know Why" (reference to market survey promised at beginning of JEF process) 1997-04-15 SAA Minutes, Item 5, Motion on Compensation 1997-03-19 Attachment 5 to SAA Minutes: Comparison of University, State, and Federal Pay Scales Comparison of UA vs. State leave (SWOHR 1997 Proposal) 1995 (current) University Salary Schedule (not presently in University regulations) 1994 University Salary schedule (lower steps added in 1995 to Grade 78 through 84) 1991 Schedule, Range 78-89, effective since before 1983 1990 Regent's Policy 04.05.01 Compensation Responsibilities: Statement of Intent Notes: No 'Statement of Intent' remains in Policy or Regulations. In 1995 Regulations stated program should enable "to attract and retain highly qualified employees". By 1997 the word "highly" was removed. Presently there is no statement of objectives. Industry Salary Surveys (various for Information Technology, 1989- 1999) 1999 SANS Salary Survey 1998 SANS Salary Survey 1997 SANS Salary Survey 1998 Information Week National Survey 1998 Computerworld Salary and Job Satisfaction Survey 1997 Computerworld Salary and Job Satisfaction Survey 1996 Computerworld Salary and Job Satisfaction Survey 1995 Computerworld Salary and Job Satisfaction Survey 1990 Computerworld Annual Survey 1995 Datamation Annual Survey 1993 Datamation Annual Survey 1992 Datamation Annual Survey 1991 Datamation Annual Survey 1990 Datamation Annual Survey 1989 Datamation Annual Survey ****************** The Council took a five minute break. MOTION PASSED (unanimous) ============ The UAF Staff Council moves to extend the meeting time to conclude governance business. EFFECTIVE: Immediately ***************** VI Guest Speaker - Mike Humphrey, Director of Benefits, Statewide Human Resources TOPIC: Wellness Benefits Staff Council received approximately 95 responses to the survey on the wellness benefit. UA2000 plan did not exceed the defined contribution and there will be no employee contribution as of January 2001 for the next calendar year for staff who are covered under this plan. Faculty did not do as well on their benefit plan, and will be paying a fee of $7.50-8 each pay period. There will still be dependent charges. Wellness Benefits From January to August, there were 3,519 claims for wellness benefits, totaling approximately $200,000. The claims included everything from bone density exams, physicals, mammograms, well baby check ups, and child immunization. When you plan on using the wellness benefits, make sure that you inform all parties, receptionist, nurse, and doctor that this is a wellness visit. Communication is a key to the successful usage of the wellness benefit. Identify how you are going to use the wellness benefit and try not to pack too much into the visit. Education of Physicians - Blue Cross sends out a quarterly newsletter. The UA wellness benefit was on the front page for the August 2000 newsletter. Blue Cross was supposed to have distributed information to their physician network, but when Mike Humphrey asked for a copy, they could not produce one. Statewide Benefits requested that this information be distributed again. Miscoding - When miscoding occurs, the doctoršs office will need to send in the physician notes and have it recoded. If there is a coding error, it does take time to correct. Coordinating Benefits - This has been a tough issue to track. Statewide Benefits is working on this. Mike Humphrey asked representatives to contact him after the meeting with specific information regarding the conflicting information from the Human Resources Offices. Each Human Resource Office has competent staff. Carolyn Chapman asked staff to ask for the appropriate employee who can address these questions. At UAF, contact Jennifer Youngberg directly at 474-6205 or fnjjy@uaf.edu. Representatives expressed concerns about physicians being fed up with the hassles of this program and the negative effect on their participation in the networks provider. At this time, Statewide Benefits has not had concerns expressed by the physicians. Blue Cross does work with the physicians that are in their preferred provider network. The wellness benefits does cover PSA prostate cancer test. The wellness benefits work the same way at the rural sites as it does in the urban areas. Blue Cross is continually working to expand the preferred provider network. If you are not satisfied with a benefits explanation, call Blue Cross. If you are not satisfied with the results of the phone call, contact Jennifer Youngberg at Human Resources. There have been a few problems with the mail order prescriptions being lost in the mail. Plan ahead when reordering prescriptions. If you have problems contact Merck. If the problem isnšt resolved, then contact Human Resources. The final questions was regarding the use of the wellness benefit for health club fees. The type of benefit structure UA has does not allow such a usage of the wellness benefit. The structure is a typical medical plan. Is non-traditional health care covered? Mike Humphrey stated that such non-traditional methods as acupuncture has been covered. Contact Blue Cross directly when considering these types of options. Staff asked that the balance of wellness benefits be included on the statement. Mike Humphrey stated that at this time, this is not on their agenda. The best way to know what your remaining balance is to contact Blue Cross directly. Staff Council is requesting that Mike Humphrey give another discussion on what is covered on the wellness benefit and to include the rural sites. Mike Humphrey stated that he traveled to Valdez and conducted a session on the benefits. Also, he has asked his supervisory to incorporate a rural site visit to address the benefits. VII New Business A. Update on Raffle Staff Council would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the Staff Council raffle. Staff Council raised $2,490 from the raffle. This does not include the generous $1,000 donation from the Fairbanks Pool Association and $200 from the Borealis Chapter #2 OES. The proceeds from the raffle benefit the Carolyn Sampson Memorial Scholarship. Congratulations to the following winners: Marcia Keyes - Two coach round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines. Tickets courtesy of Alaska Airlines. Sarah Hall - Two season tickets for UAF Hockey, courtesy of UAF Athletics. Pavat & Glyn Komkai - Two tickets for the Top of the World Classic, courtesy of UAF Athletics. Kurt Carlson - One individual Student Recreation Center Pass, courtesy of UAF Athletics. Ann Tremarello - Quilt, courtesy of Kathe Rich. Patty Green - One month trial membership, courtesy of the Fairbanks Athletic Club. Kathy Mosca - One Broose Moose and $50 in gas coupons, courtesy of Tesoro. Julie Riley - One Broose Moose and $50 in gas coupons, courtesy of Tesoro. The UAF Staff Council named the scholarship in memory of Carolyn Sampson, former executive secretary in the Governance Office. Carolyn was instrumental in obtaining support services for the Staff Council and provided support for the Faculty Senate and Academic Council while employed at UAF. This scholarship is designed to provide new career paths or retraining to applicants wishing to re-enter the job market or whose work activity may be threatened by economic, health or other factors. At the present time, Denise Williamee received a $1,500 award for 2000-01 academic year. The recipients are selected by the UAF Standing Scholarship Selection Committee. As of June 20, 2000, the Scholarship's principal is over $51,000, and it continues to grow. B. Staff Members Needed for the Women's Center Advisory Board The UAF Women's Center is requesting two staff members to serve on their Advisory Board. Laura Lee Potrikus from Foreign Language has volunteered. Representative Downes recommended Kathy Mosca and she agreed to serve. C. Resolution on Tax Cap The following resolution was distributed as a handout for the Council to consider. The Board of Regents passed a resolution opposing the 10 mill tax cap. If the tax cap passes, municipalities and boroughs will be looking for additional funding from the state legislature. The resolution reflects the resolution that the Board of Regents passed. After a brief discussion, the resolution was passed with two abstentions. RESOLUTION PASSED (2 abstentions) ================= WHEREAS, the Staff Council of the University of Alaska Fairbanks believes that public education K-12 through post-secondary is a prime responsibility of state and local governments, and should continue to be a top funding priority, and WHEREAS, local property taxes provide the primary revenue source not only for school construction, maintenance and operation, but also for police and fire protection, local road maintenance and a wide variety of social services, and WHEREAS, local property tax mill rates have historically been a decision left to local communities, and WHEREAS, the proposed initiative entitled "An Act Providing Property Tax and Assessment Relief" would limit local mill rates everywhere in the state to 10 mills, and WHEREAS, the same proposed initiative would also limit increases in assessed value of individual properties to the Consumer Price Index, but no more than 2 percent per year, and WHEREAS, enactment of the proposed statewide property tax cap would eliminate one-third of Alaskašs current property tax revenues, and WHEREAS, a decline of that magnitude in tax revenue would require the elimination of a multitude of public services in every region of Alaska; and WHEREAS, local government budget reductions will affect the ability of the University of Alaska to respond to community needs for postsecondary education by reducing local government funding for community campus programs and services; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the UAF Staff Council joins the University of Alaska Board of Regents and the UA Foundation Board of Trustees in opposing any statewide tax caps that would significantly reduce the ability of the state and municipal governments to contribute to the funding of public education and other public services, and FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, That the UAF Staff Council urges other MAU and statewide governance groups to join us in taking a united stance against the proposed statewide property tax cap because of the potential impact it can have on us as staff, students, and faculty of the University of Alaska. Effective this thirteenth day of October. ********************* D. Motion on 2001-02 Academic Calendar The 2001-02 calendar was distributed as a handout. The Governance Coordinating Committee met on October 12 to address the change in spring break so that it will coordinate with the school district. The faculty and staff have already passed the calendar with the change to spring break dates. The students were off for the summer when the change came through. The students have requested that the last day for 100% refund of tuition and 50% refund of tuition be extended by a week. Representatives stated that federal regulations mandate when financial aid is distributed. The motion was tabled for further information. MOTION TABLED (unanimous) ============ The UAF Governance Coordinating Committee moves to approve the amended 2001-2002 academic calendar to change spring break to March 18-25 and the last day for student and faculty initiated withdrawals to March 15. The tuition refund dates have also been extended. EFFECTIVE: Upon Chancellor's Approval Add = CAPS Delete = (( )) UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS - Fairbanks Campus ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2001-2002 Classes begin after Labor Day for Fall Semester and after Civil Rights Day for Spring Semester. FALL SEMESTER-2001 Registration and fee payment for the 2001 fall semester begins Mon., Apr. 9, 2001 Application for admission deadline for fall semester Wed., Aug. 1 Orientation for new students Sun.-Wed., Sept. 2-5 Labor Day (no registration or fee payment) Mon., Sept. 3 Residence halls open, 9 am Mon., Sept. 3 First day of instruction Thurs., Sept 6 Late registration begins Thurs., Sept 6 Late registration and fee payment end Fri., Sept. 14 Last day for 100% refund of tuition and materials fees Fri., Sept. ((14)) 21 Last day for student-initiated and faculty-initiated drops (course does not appear on academic record) Fri., Sept. 21 Last day for 50% refund of tuition (only) Fri., Sept. ((21)) 28 Low grade reports for freshmen due not later than Fri., Oct. 12 Last day to apply for 2001 fall graduation Mon., Oct. 15 Last day for student-initiated and faculty-initiated withdrawals (W grade given for course) Fri., Nov. 2 Registration and fee payment for the 2002 spring semester begin Mon., Nov. 12 Thanksgiving holidays (no classes) Thurs.-Sun., Nov. 22-25 Last day of instruction Fri., Dec. 14 Final examinations Mon.-Thurs., Dec. 17-20 Residence halls close, noon Fri., Dec. 21 Grades due to the Registrar's Office Fri., Dec. 21 Campus closed 5 p.m., Fri., Dec. 21, 2001 - 8 a.m., Wed., Jan 2. 2002 SPRING SEMESTER-2002 Application for admission deadline for spring semester Mon., Dec. 3, 2001 Orientation for new students Tues.-Wed, Jan. 15-16, 2002 Residence halls open, 9 a.m. Mon., Jan. 14 Alaska Civil Rights Day Mon., Jan. 14 (registration and fee payment continue) First day of instruction Thurs., Jan. 17 Late registration begins Thurs., Jan. 17 Late registration and fee payment end Fri., Jan. 25 Last day for 100% refund of tuition and material fees Fri., ((Jan. 25)) FEB. 1 Last day for student-initiated and faculty-initiated drops (course does not appear on academic record) Fri., Feb. 1 Last day for 50% refund of tuition (only) Fri., Feb. ((1)) 8 Last day to apply for 2002 spring graduation Fri., Feb. 15 Last day for student-initiated and faculty-initiated withdrawals (W grade given for course) Fri., ((Mar. 22)) MAR. 15 Low grade reports for freshmen due not later than Fri., Feb. 22 Spring recess Mon.-Sun., ((Mar. 11-17)) MAR. 18-24 Registration and fee payment for the 2002 fall semester begin Mon., Apr. 8 All Campus Day (no classes) Fri., Apr. 26 Last day of instruction Fri., May 3 Final examinations Mon.-Thurs., May 6-9 Residence halls close, noon Fri., May 10 Commencement** Sun., May 12 Grades due to the Registrar's Office Wed., May 15 **Saturday, May 11 may be an alternate date for Commencement (to coordinate with other MAU's). ****************** VIII The meeting was adjourned at 10:43 a.m. Tapes of this Staff Council meeting are available in the Governance Office, 312 Signers' Hall, if anyone wishes to the complete tapes. Submitted by Kathy Mosca, Staff Council secretary.