Approved 7-24-03
Minutes
ACADEMIC STAFF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (ASEC)
2:00-4:10 pm
Thursday, 10 July 2003
67 Bascom Hall
Present: Bruce Beck, Tori Richardson, Donna Cole, Belinda Velazquez,
Karen Schwarz, Lawrence Casper, Robin Kurtz
Excused absences: Frank Kooistra, Linda Newman
Guests: Ann Wallace, Peter Spear, Mara McDonald, Bill Steffenhagen, Esther
Olson, Greg Iaccarino, Daña Alder
Meeting called to order by chair Bruce Beck at 2:00 pm.
AUTOMATIC CONSENT BUSINESS
Minutes of the June 26 2003 meeting were approved.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
PROVOST: Peter Spear
The provost mentioned the budget and stated that a mid-biennial lapse
would not be unlikely. Federal dollars have been shifted to bioterrorism
initiatives and away from other research projects, but layoff rates are
the same as other years during priority shifts. Grant funding as a whole
continues to increase.
If a hostile takeover of PeopleSoft by Oracle occurs, it would be bad news for the academic sector, since Oracle has not pledged to continue support.
The Regents and chancellors are currently on a retreat to consider alternate models for our campuses - mainly to gain some efficiencies over state control and red tape. Privatizing, on most any level, would be too expensive and just not feasible.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS
Compensation and Economic Benefits Committee (CEBC) - Bill Steffenhagen
reporting
Bill said that Ron Carda had been re-elected as chair for 2003-04. Bill
will be giving the reports of the committee at the Assembly meetings.
The committee is still talking to Ann Lamboley and Margaret Harrigan about
ways to collect information from departments for a salary equity assessment.
Personnel Policies and Procedures Committee (PPPC) - Ann Wallace reporting
Ann has been elected chair for another year. The committee finished its
annual report for the Assembly. Annual reports are coming in from the
Area Review Committees. Mary Ace has prepared a summary of the job security
data from the schools and colleges. The committee will begin to review
it soon.
GENERAL Reports
ASEC Chair: Bruce Beck
Bruce attended the meeting at the Union on the three-tier health care
premium proposal sponsored by the Classified Non-Rep Council. It was an
explanation of what the plan might entail if adopted.
Bruce talked to Don Schutt about the strategic plan item regarding online resources for professional development. This apparently just refers to an online database of courses available.
Bruce and Linda Newman will meet with the University Committee on July 14 in regard to the intent of the wording in the professorial title legislation passed by the Assembly.
SECRETARY: Colleen McCabe
Arrangements for the Leadership Conference in Oshkosh next week are complete.
Those interested in vanpooling should contact Bruce.
MASA/PDRC brownbags will be held on various Tuesdays starting in September. A complete schedule will be published later.
ASEC will have lunch with the chancellor on September 11 at the University Club.
GUEST: Esther Olson, Group Insurance Board (GIB) member
According to Esther, the prescription drug benefit will be pulled out
of the state HMOs and assigned to a Pharmacy Benefits Manager. This is
supposed to provide a fairer and more consistent monitoring of prescription
drugs for all those connected with state plans. The vendor for this program
will be Navitus Health. The administration should be transparent to those
receiving the benefit. Co-pays as proposed will be $5 for generic, $15
for those within the formulary, and $35 for special order combinations.
Grandfathering of some special drugs will be allowed as will pill splitting.
A committee of physicians and pharmacists will review the policy and program
every quarter.
Bids are still out for the three-tiered insurance system. A decision should be made by the GIB in August. The changes will be announced prior to the open enrollment period and go into effect in January.
BUSINESS
OLD Business
1. ASEC weekly meeting schedule
ASEC agreed to meet on Friday mornings from 8:30-11:00 in the fall beginning
September 5. Colleen will reserve room 67.
2. Review chancellor's participation letter
ASEC made a change to read "Percentage of appointment [replacing
"Full-time employment] in a work unit should not serve as a barrier
to statutorily granted participation in shared governance."
3. Excellence Award criteria
A motion was made to approve the draft of the nomination guidelines for
the Excellence Awards provided by the Professional Development and Recognition
Committee based on recommendations from ASEC. During the discussion period,
additional wording changes were suggested. The motion (with incorporation
of edits) was passed.
4. Frequently Asked Questions: for final consideration
A motion to accept the final draft of the subcommittee was made. ASEC
suggested some changes to the order of the questions that will be included
in the final copy. The motion passed. Greg will provide the secretary
with the latest revisions.
5. Priority setting - from Annual Planning Meeting (deferred)
NEW Business
Deferred
ASEC agenda 7/24/03 - finalized
Meeting adjourned at 4:15 pm.
Submitted by Secretary of the Academic Staff
Colleen McCabe