|
Program
Chair Martin Krebs called the meeting
to order at 1:35 p.m. followed
by introduction of Council members and guest speaker Leonard Sandridge.
State Bonus Leave Program for Salaried Classified Employees
– 3 Options
- A 2.5% bonus payment
to be distributed on August
30, 2002
- Ten days (80 hours)
of leave time to be used between July 1, 2002 and June 30, 2003
- A combination of
1.25% bonus payment and five days (40 hours) of leave time
Leonard emphasized that employees must complete the “Salaried
Employee Option Election Form” and return it
to their perspective supervisors by May
24, 2002 to receive the bonus payment or leave. He added that
employees who fail to return this form by 5:00
pm on May 31, 2002
would not be eligible. As a prerequisite, employees must have a rating of
“contributor” on their recent performance evaluations.
Comments: Arlene raised the point that the majority of people
in her Department would opt to take the pay since they have accumulated
enough leave time.
UVA Health Plan
Leonard commented on the University’s switch from QualChoice
to Southern Health and emphasized the importance of keeping Southern
Health’s major operations in Charlottesville
rather than another location. He added that Southern Health (like QualChoice) would serve only as claims administrator
for the UVA Health Plan (not the insurance company).
He also noted that the UVA Health Plan insurance pools thus far were
very healthy and for this reason, employees would not see significant
increases in their premiums. However, he added that this did not imply that
employees would not see premium increases in the future and stressed that
it was better from an economic standpoint to have gradual increases rather
than big ones.
Leonard admitted that the transition to Southern Health was difficult
during the first six months. However, things have gotten much better over
the last 3 months and pointed out that Southern Health was doing a much better
job compared to QualChoice at this point. As a
further note, he suggested that employees having problems with Southern
Health’s customer care representatives to contact the UVA Health
Insurance Ombudsman Anne Goodson at 924-4346 or e-mail asg@virginia.edu.
Virginia
Sickness & Disability Program (VSDP)
- This plan was
reopened again to employees in order to encourage some 1,900 employees
not enrolled in this program to join.
- Employees have
between October 2002 and January 2003 to make a decision whether to
join the program or opt out. Leonard emphasized to council members to
encourage their colleagues to consider the program and added that
employees who do nothing would automatically be placed into the
program beginning January 2003.
- This plan would also
include long-term care. Leonard pointed out that this is considered a
benefit to employees, especially since long-term care is very
expensive insurance.
Budget
Leonard commented that over the next 2 years the University would cut its
operating budget by 58 million. In fact, the University is expected to cut
its operating budget by 25 million this upcoming year. To help alleviate
the budget shortfall, tuition for In-State students would increase for the
first time in many years. Without question, he mentioned that Departments
such as Arts & Sciences would be affected, but added that the State is
anticipating a turnaround over the next months.
Leonard went on to say that he would be surprised if there were layoffs
at the University. However, there are some positions currently vacant that
would remain unfilled such as 26 instructional programs, 20 Teaching
Assistants (TA), and 35 non-instructional positions (including one position
in his office). Nevertheless, he assured council members that the
University is a very stable employer.
Parking Garage
3 purposes parking garage would serve:
- Bring employees,
students, and visitors closer to Central Grounds.
- Bring coming
attractions to the new arena and Music
Building.
- Commuters using the
North Grounds connector off Massie Road
to Bypass.
Leonard mentioned that this would be the first parking garage built with
private funds and therefore, would not impact current employee parking
rates. However, like the health care premiums, this does not imply that
rates will not increase in the future.
He went on to comment about the ongoing debate between the University
and the Neighborhood Association over the proposed 1,200 space parking
garage near the railroad tracks behind the Cavalier Inn. He admitted that
the University could have been more attentive to the concerns of the
Neighborhood Association. Nevertheless, he believed and agreed (with the
Planners) that the area behind the Cavalier Inn was a good location for the
parking garage.
As a final note, Leonard stressed the importance of acting honorably and
telling employees the truth. That is why he welcomes feedback from
employees.
Comments: Martin advocated the building of the parking garage.
Sponsored Trip
A question was raised whether it was possible for the Academic side to
participate in the Medical Center
sponsored programs. Leonard responded that it was possible and suggested
those interested to contact Druen Anderson at
924-0200.
GOBB (General Operating Building Budget)
- MR6 Building
(Medical Research)
- Engineering
Building for
Nanotechnology
- Electrical
Substation
- Engineering Chiller
Plant
- Fairweather
Hall Gymnasium Renovation
- Gilmer Hall
Teaching Labs
- Campbell Hall
Chiller
- Studio
Arts Building
- Special Collections
Library (70,000 square feet)
- New Medical Center Addition
(approximately 58 million)
- New Multi-purpose
Facility (15,000 seat, built across U-Hall across Massie Road, shaped
like a horseshoe, 128 million facility, 1,500 parking spaces –
800 in garage and 700 on surface, 2006 completion date
Question: Keith asked what impact would the
new multi-purpose facility have on the Family Housing community.
Leonard commented that proposed North Grounds Connector running along
existing Massie Road,
continuing between Faulkner Residential Housing and North
Grounds Recreation
Center, and finally connecting
with the Bypass.
Question: A colleague asked Martin whether the program at IQ
Health would be cut. Leonard said no (the program is still active).
Question: A colleague informed Arlene that July 5, 2002 would be treated as Holiday
for State employees. Is this correct? Leonard confirmed that the Governor
had declared July 5, 2002
as an official Holiday.
|