Morehead State University - Staff Congress: SCMINUTES March 5 2007

MOREHEAD STATE UNIVERSITY

STAFF CONGRESS MINUTES

March 5, 2007

MEMBERS:

Jeff Adkins	Ray Crum*	Phillip James	Rhonda Mackin	Lonnie Morris	Doug Snedegar
Darlene Allen	Chris Hampton	Mary Jerde*	Rebecca McGinnis	April Nutter	Todd Thacker
Lisa Caskey	Shannon Harr	David Jessie	Rick Messer	Darlene Ramey	Jonell Tobin*
Shannon Colvin	Rosemary Hinton	Linda Kegley	Amy Moore	William Salazar	Terry White
Rhonda Crisp	Mike Hopper	Margaret LaFontaine	Pam Moore	Dallas Sammons	Elizabeth Williams

*Denotes member was absent

Guests:

Mike Walters, Vice-President, Administration & Fiscal Services; Suzanne Hogge, Associate Director, Human Resources and Lora Pace, Staff Regent and First Year Program & Retention Director

Chair White called the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m. A quorum was present.

Chair White asked for approval of the minutes from the January 8th meeting.

Motion:	To approve the minutes from the February 5th meeting minutes.
	Proposed: Rep. Thacker	Seconded: Rep. James
Called for Vote:	Passed

Motion:	To suspend business to address insurance questions.
	Proposed: Rep. James	Seconded: Rep. Kegley
Called for Vote:	Passed

Chair White turned floor over to VP Walters and Suzanne Hogge to address insurance questions sent to them via e-mail from Staff Congress members.

VP Walters stated that questions had been submitted to him about MSU's health insurance program. The answers to these questions were distributed last week by Suzanne Hogge. He then opened the floor up to comments or suggestions regarding these questions and/or answers.

Rep Thacker stated that he was confused as to if MSU was self-insured or not and asked why we still have a run out on previous year's claims.
VP Walters replied that 2005 was the last year MSU was self-insured and that the run out in 2006 was from claims filed in 2005.

Rep. Thacker stated that we should not be seeing run outs now.
VP Walters replied yes and no. He added that we still see claims that were incurred before December 2005 that are still being paid. Claim expenses are still figured in for that year.

Rep. Thacker asked if the premiums amount listed included both employee and MSU's contributions.
VP Walters replied yes.

Rep. P. Moore stated that the 2004/05 year looks like the CDHP and POS figures are from both plans and asked if we could get a break down of both plans?
Suzanne Hogge replied that yes they could give us a break down on both plans.

Rep. Thacker asked why the $919 thousand returned to the General Fund was not put back into the insurance plans?
VP Walters replied that cost is based on calendar year. The $919 thousand is on a fiscal year. He added that budgets would have to explain this.

Rep. Thacker replied that he feels that any unused money from insurance should go back into the plans not the General Fund. He also asked if the HRA accounts were out of premiums collected?
VP Walters replied that this is in addition to premiums and 100% paid by MSU.

Rep. Thacker stated that the Board of Regents approved $5 million for health insurance and it does not seem as if we are using all that is budgeted by the BOR. Suzanne Hogge replied that the BOR over budgets for insurance and that MSU only uses enough of the budgeted amount to cover 990 plans.

Rep. Thacker replied that money not used by employees, which is about $4600 per employee, should go back into plans to help ease cost to other employees.

Rep. James asked if the HRA was budgeted?
VP Walters replied it was a budgeted item.

Rep. A. Moore asked how HRA money was an expense that made us in the red?
VP Walters replied that medical claims, administrative cost are covered by the premiums collected on each plan. HRA is not covered by the insurance plans but they are still an expense to MSU. This is money MSU is giving to each employee in the CDHP plan thus making it an insurance expense to MSU only.

Rep. Thacker stated that Staff Congress submitted a request that MSU to to pay 80% on the plans instead of 75%.
VP Walters replied that presently MSU pays 75% while employees pay 25% of premiums. MSU is presently working on the 07/08 budget. He added that MSU going to 80% is unlikely. MSU's interests for now is the salary pool and compensation plan to adjust pay scales. He added that we have a small amount of money for a whole lot of demands.

Regent Pace stated that at the December Board of Regents meeting they passed a tuition increase which would give us a lot of money for faculty/staff raises. She asked if we were still on track for raises in July? And is this raise going to cover the expected increase for health insurance?
VP Walters replied there have been no discussions in delaying faculty/staff raises in July. He could not say what the pool will be at this point. He added that the State sets budgets in bi-ennual. They gave us $5 million over a two year period which was $600 thousand for 2006/07, which this amount did not cover fixed cost increases. He added that this is the reason last year's raises were delayed until January 2007. This year we will get the remainder of our money on July 1. He added that he did not recall what was budgeted for health insurance but that it would be a projection of MSU's increase in health insurance but would not know actual amount until June's Board of Regent's meeting.

Rep. Hopper stated that if you take MSU's premium and HRA contribution this is the total that MSU puts into health insurance plans. $4.329 million was MSU's cost in 2005. What is the cost per participant? How much is set aside per employee?
Suzanne Hogge replied that $4600 is set aside per employee for health insurance.
VP Walters added that the amount set aside for insurance is established by the budget office and it is based on roster positions. There are 980-1200 employees. He added that budget questions should be address to VP Beth Patrick or Teresa Johnson.

Chair White thanked VP Walters and Suzanne Hogge for attending today's meeting. VP Walters thanked everyone for coming.

Motion:	To go back into business.
	Proposed: Rep. LaFontaine	Seconded: Rep. P. Moore
Called for Vote:	Passed

Chair's Report	Chair White reported that he had ask Rep. Ray Crum if he wished to continue to participate in Staff Congress and he reply was no. He added that Staff Congress needs to find a replacement for Rep. Crum.
Vice-Chair's Report	Vice-Chair James reported that the first candidate for Director of Human Resources was on campus today. The executive Committee met with him. Candidate is presently at Kentucky State University. The Executive Committee is looking forward to meeting with the second candidate for this position.

Secretary's Report	Secretary Caskey reported that for the month of February we spent $130.44 for refreshments and tapes to record meetings. This leaves Staff Congress with $2,116.94 in supplies.
Parliamentarian Report	Rep. Colvin gave a presentation on meeting voting procedures. Discussed was the types of voting that can take place during meetings and the methods these votes are carried out during meetings. Presentation will be placed on Staff Congress' web site for viewing.

Committee Reports

Credentials and Elections

Rep. LaFontaine reported that the committee met last week. The 2007 Staff Congress elections are coming up in May. Fourteen Staff Congress members have terms that are up for re-election this year. Deadline for nominations is Friday, March 16. Nominations must be hand delivered to either Rep. LaFontaine or Rep. Colvin. After Spring Break a sample ballot will be mailed out to employees. April 2 - May 11 paper ballots will be collected for those unable to vote on-line. Elections will be held on May 16 from 6am-5pm. May 21 new Staff Congress representatives will be announced. Election will be on AIMS again this year.

University Standing Appointments

Rep. Sammons reported the committee met on March 2. The committee nominated Jerrod Hodge to the Job Reclassification Committee and Linda Kegley and Jeff Adkins to Service Committee.

Fiscal Affairs

No report

Personnel Policies and Benefits

Rep. Nutter reported that the committee has not met. She did report that the University Employee Benefits Committee had met. Human Resources has submitted a Strategic Initiative for Wellness. Hope to get this funded this year. They are also working on a survey regarding health insurance. This survey, when completed, will be on-line as well as on paper. Human Resources will remind Staff Congress when this survey has been prepared.

Ad-Hoc

Rep. Snedgar reported that the committee met last week to go over Staff Congress' By-Laws. They will meet again to focus on non-election parts of the by-laws. He also reported that the by-laws on-line are incorrect. They are hoping to have the new drafted by-laws by our April meeting or will ask for a special called meeting to discuss and approve the by-laws.

Regent's Report:

Regent Pace announced that the Board of Regents will be meeting this Thursday at 9:00 a.m.

Old Business:

No old business was brought forth.

New Business:

Rep. Kegley reported that employees in her area would like to know if Datatel can print out sick/vacation leave each month? Rep. Williams replied that she would take this question to the Datatel people. In the meantime employees can contact her for the balance on their sick/vacation leave and she would be happy to print this out for them. She added that the Payroll Office is hoping to be able to print out more information for employees in August.

Rep. Sammons stated that nominations for the University Job Reclassification Committee and University Standing Committee needs approval by Staff Congress.

Motion:	To approve the nominations of Jerrod Hodge to the University Job Reclassification Committee and Linda Kegley and Jeff Adkins to University Standing Committee
	Proposed: From Committee	Seconded: Rep. P. Moore
Called for Vote:	Passed

Rep. Snedgar asked that Rep. Colvin be placed on Ad-Hoc Committee with regards to by-laws. Rep. Sammons agreed with this request due to Rep. Colvin's knowledge of parliamentarian rules. Recommendation must be made by Chair White. Chair White asked Rep. Colvin if she would be willing to service on this committee and she agreed.

DICUSSION:

No topics were brought forth for discussion.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Rep. James announced that Founders Day was set for March 13. Call the Development Office for tickets.

Rep. James announced that the Spring Gala would be the end of April. This year they will be raffling off a 2007 Mustang. Tickets are $50. They will also have a drawing for $1000 and three drawings for $500. Call Rep. James if you are interested in purchasing raffle tickets. The $50 tickets will register you for all giveaways. Tickets will be sold until April 27 or until they are gone. Do not have to be present to win.

Rep. Nutter announced that MSU's Open House will be this Saturday. 350 students have registered to attend. Anyone will to volunteer would be greatly appreciated. Call Admissions if you are willing to volunteer.

Rep. McGinnis announced that the 16th Regional Boys and Girls Basketball Tournaments are presently being held at MSU this week at the AAC.

Rep. Sammons announced that Rep. Jerde fell and fractured her hip and shoulder on February 17. Her injuries required surgery. She is home recuperating.

Our next meeting is Monday, April 2 at 1:00 p.m.

Motion:	To adjourn
	Proposed: Rep. Colvin	Seconded: Rep. Sammons
Called for Vote:	Passed

Minutes submitted by: Lisa Caskey, Secretary