THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSE AT CHATTANOGA
Exempt Staff Council Meeting
Lupton Library, Room 208
Members Attending: Debra Anderson, Debbie Bell, Allison Cardwell, Jean Dake, Tom Ellis, Ellen Neufeldt, Tonya Pace, Lindsay Pardue, Charles Scott.
Others in attendance: Debbie Parker, Associate Vice Chancellor; Dan Webb, Director, Office of Human Resources; Melanie Sadler, Administrative Secretary, Office of Human Resources.
Call to Order: Ms. Anderson called the meeting to order.
Minutes: Motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes of the March 18, 2003 meeting. (The ESC did not meet in April.)
Presentation: Kathy Bonham, Benefits Specialist, Office of Human Resources
§ Sick Leave Bank Enrollment
Enrollment for the Sick Leave Bank, which covers a serious illness or injury, began April 1 and ends June 30. A donation of 24 hours (pro-rated for part-time employees) is required.
§ Workers’ Compensation
Regular and term employees and student assistants who are injured in the course of employment with the University are covered under the State of Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Program. If an employee becomes injured, they are advised to phone Human Resources before seeking medical treatment, except in the case of an emergency. An accident report and a supervisor’s report should be completed within 48 hours of the incident. Information about workers’ compensation has been faxed to all departments.
§ Long Term Care
Long Term Care, administered through MedAmerica, is a new benefit for regular employees and their spouse, parents, parents-in-law, and dependents from the ages of 18 - 24. Long Term Disability provides a salary if an employee becomes sick or injured and unable to perform their job; however, Long Term Care provides medical assistance when someone is unable to perform essential basic activities of daily life, such as bathing, dressing, etc.
For those who were unable to attend the Long Term Care seminars held recently on campus, the presentation may be viewed at: http://www.yourlongtermcare.com/public/webinar.jsp. Employees are urged to visit the web site to examine rates based upon options they choose. Coverage is portable, which means it can be continued after termination with the University.
Individuals may enroll in LTC until June 15 without answering any health questions. After that date, they must complete a health questionnaire. Premiums are paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually through payroll deduction or may be paid directly to MedAmerica. The company will bill dependents of employees, parents, parents-in-law.
§ Address Changes
Ms. Bonham reminded employees to notify her if they have a change of address or phone number and have not notified the Office of Human Resources. Annual enrollment information mailed by the State in October uses the employee’s address in IRIS as of August 1. Employees who complete a W-4 to change their address should also notify Ms. Bonham for address changes in insurance, retirement, etc.
New Business
§ Proposed New Benefit
Dan Webb and Debbie Parker have examined a supplemental insurance product to add to the overall benefit package offered by the University. Among the particular types of insurance that are offered are plans that pay cash benefits directly to the policy owner in the event that certain kinds of medically related expenses are incurred. Benefits are paid directly to the policyholder regardless of other insurance coverage and can be used for such things as co-pays, deductibles, and incidental expenses.
The employee may choose the types of coverage desired and pays premiums through payroll deduction. Premiums are normally paid on a pre-tax basis. Policies pay benefits regardless of any other insurance the policyholder may have. Coverage in most plans can be continued after employee leaves the University, on a direct pay basis.
Mr. Webb will send a memo to ESC members asking them to consider whether they think these types of plans might generate sufficient interest among those they represent. Similar plans are being offered at organizations and Universities around the country and Mr. Webb will contact TN Tech and MTSU to determine their satisfaction with the plans.
§ Summer Picnics
Five summer picnics will be held with some expressing concern that a picnic is scheduled for August 15, moving day for students. This concern will be shared with the Executive Council in hopes of choosing another date. The ESC agreed to be sponsors for a picnic again this year.
§ Student Services Task Force
Members of the task force traveled to North Carolina to visit Appalachian State University and UNC-Charlotte to view practices of the campuses and ways to improve customer service at UTC. Ms. Anderson will present information about the trips to members at a later date.
Old Business
§ ESC Compensation Plan
The ESC Compensation Plan, part of List A of the University’s budget, is funded at 100% with no enrollment increase. Compensation for exempt employees, dependent upon fee increases, will range from $30,000 to $100,000. Ms. Parker stated that she anticipates that the Board of Trustees will set fees between 7.5 and 9 percent when they meet June 18 – 19. Ms. Parker added that she has not seen any indication that the State Legislature will set fees this year, as was done last year.
§ Mocs Award Program
The program, modeled after a similar one at the University of Central Florida, rewards employees for ideas submitted to help the University reduce expenses. Ms. Anderson presented the program to Dr. Stacy and Dr. Friedl who approved and the Chancellor has indicated that he would like the program ready by July 1. Awards of $25, or an amount agreed upon by the Chancellor and Provost, will be awarded monthly and students, staff, and faculty may submit ideas. Ms. Cardwell has agreed to serve on the committee with Deb Anderson, Ellen Neufeldt, Julia Cronin, Dan Webb, and an SGA representative.
§ Voluntary Separation Incentive Plan
The plan was submitted by UTC and ultimately developed for the entire system. Two employees at UTC have indicated their desire to take advantage of the voluntary separation incentive plan.
§ Other Issues
Ms. Cardwell stated that a $1 billion campaign for UT would begin in the fall.
§ Next Meeting is Tuesday, June 17 at 11:00 a.m. in Lupton Library, Room 208.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melanie Sadler
Administrative Secretary
Office of Human Resources