OS Reference Material

Operating Staff
Minutes of the Meeting
January 9, 2002

Speaker Shaughn Piper opened the meeting at 10:08am

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes from 12/12/01 meeting. These minutes were approved as written.

Speaker Report:

Shaughn introduced the following new OS members:

Casey Brough
John Guarnieri
Gloria Potter
Dean Stevens
Guylaine Ivester
Aaron Comeau
Michelle Marsh
Scott Jarvis

It was announced that Dean Merrill was appointed to fill the OS Senate position vacated by Mary Boisvert. Dean will be representing the Building Service Workers.
Additionally, the following new Representatives were introduced:

a. Allison Mazur will be our Representative for the Parking Committee.

b. Phil Atkinson will be our new SPPC Representative replacing Joanne Caplice.

The Operating Staff Senate, in conjunction with Dr. Wharton and Human Resources, have been working for quite some time to find a suitable name for our PSU Employees currently called “Regular Hourly/Non-Status.” The name “Supplemental Staff” was forwarded by the Operating Staff Senate to President Wharton, who approved this choice. It is now in the hands of Human Resources to identify what forms and potential PSU policies need to be changed for wording. Human Resources will be communicating with the PSU Community shortly regarding the name change! It was noted by Human Resources that the University System of New Hampshire policy language would remain unchanged since this is considered “System.” The name utilized by USNH is “Non-Status.”

New Business:

1. Shaughn introduced Carol Kuzdeba from Human Resources regarding Cost Containment. Carol explained that Joan Tambling and Sandy Gray from UNH would visit PSU on February 6^th to discuss this issue. As well as addressing cost containment with each of the constituency groups, the visit is fact finding in nature. Carol passed out information regarding the Cost Containment information for our use. She welcomes any suggestions we may have. Carol went through the information point by point concerning “Medical Cost Issues in the State and in the Nation.” HMO Blue has the highest increase. PSU is not the only one feeling this. Other companies are feeling this as well.

In Sept 2001, PSU changed life insurance coverage/companies from Etna to Metropolitan Life due to a high rate change by Etna. Carol stated that if you were out of work for six months, TIAA would either approve 56% or 66% of your salary. However, you must have to have your doctor’s approval. Carol explained that she does an early notification to the University System if someone is going to be out for more than six months. If you sustain an injury in the work place, please notify your supervisor or Carol in the HR Department immediately. PSU has only five days to report this to Worker’s Compensation. Carol noted that after putting it out to bid, PSU has a new carrier for Worker’s Compensation. It is, MEMEC (Maine Employee Mutual Insurance Company).

Carol explained that the PSU early retirement program has also changed. This new plan will only affect new hires only. All other employees are grand fathered into the old program. If you have any questions regarding your retirement, you should contact the HR department.

Carol also talked about how we can save on benefits. The following are a few suggestions:

a. There may be a six-month to one-year wait from date of hire before tuition waivers can be utilized.

b. There may be a six-month to one-year wait from date of hire until a retirement plan can be initiated.

c. The percentage put into the retirement account by employee/employer may vary from date of employment. Possibly only 2.5% - 5%.

d. There may be a wait for an employee to get medical insurance (possible wait of 30 days).

It is a good idea if we start thinking on how we can save money on our health plan. What does the plan provide now that we could possibly cut? Maybe a health club membership is not necessary. Prescription coverage’s are being looked at as well. Another possibility is to have only one insurance carrier. If so, this may lock the insurance company in for six years at a fixed cost. The State of NH has only one, CIGNA. This is a new trend, which could save USNH money.

Carol encouraged everyone to contact her if we had any thoughts, questions and/or suggestions. This is very important and when we meet in February with Joan Tambling and Sandy Gray, it would be nice to have all of our questions in order. Please call or email Carol at ckuzdeba@mail.plymouth.edu if there are any questions about our individual coverage/benefits. She will be very happy to explain it to you.

2. Shaughn introduced Barbara Noyes from the Welfare Committee. The members are Phil Atkinson, Emily Clark, Pam Desloges, Daphne Morin and Barbara Noyes.

Barbara explained that Laura Alexander from HR had spoken to the committee about escalating costs of benefits. They discussed “Know Your Benefits.” They have been developing this program since last year. This will educate individuals on their current benefits – on an off campus; i.e., HUB, Bookstore, Library, dental, medical, etc. Hopefully, this information can be mentioned at an OS meeting as well as to the new employees. If anyone has any ideas about this, please email one of the committee members. Additionally, the Welfare Committee works very closely with SPPC Representatives. Welfare Committee meets with the SPPC Representatives and then the Welfare Committee presents the information to the OS. Barbara said that the Welfare Committee and SPPC Representatives should be combined so that SPPC Representatives were Welfare Committee members too. She was hoping a formal proposal to change the Bylaws could be voted upon in March. The Bylaws Committee will be working on this and address the change in our February meeting.

Please email Barbara at bnoyes@mail.plymouth.edu if you have any questions, concerns and/or comments.

3. Shaughn mentioned that the PSU name change would not be discussed due to time and that Dr. Wharton will come to our next OS meeting to address this issue.

Speaker Elect Report: Mike Clark

No report

Committee Reports:

Bylaws – no report

Early Notification – no report

Fundraising/Scholarship – no report

Hospitality/Sunshine – Mary Washburn

a. Mary reported for Alice O’Connor that the members of this committee have been meeting and working on some possible procedural changes. The committee will try to have something to present at the February or March meeting.

b. Two plants were sent – one to Kit Otto (Advancement) after the death of her father and one to Dianne Guenther (Advancement) after the death of her mother.

c. The committee got word that Kevin Boswell (Physical Plant) had his appendix out and had planned on sending some movie passes for his recuperation period; but, a few days later when the Committee called to get his home address he was already back at work!

d. The committee also received a wonderful thank you note from Kit Otto.

Nominating - no report

Professional Development – no report

Safety – no report

Welfare – Report given earlier in the meeting by Barbara Noyes

Representative Reports

Administrative Selection – Laura Alexander

Laura mentioned that the committee met twice. Resumes are coming in now for the position previously held by Barbara Pratt. The estimated start date is June 1, 2002.

Affirmative Action – no report

Appeals Panel – no report.

Campus Planning – no report

Faculty Observer – there was no meeting therefore, no report

Honorary Degree – no report

Parking Committee – no report

PAT Observer – At this meeting, they discussed cost containment.

SPPC – no report

Treasurer’s Report – we have a balance of $708.07. Everything has been deposited. Will have more info regarding scholarships at the next meeting.

50/50 Raffle: Shaughn asked, “Where is the raffle box????” Dean Merrill offered to get it and bring it to the next meeting.

Shaughn asked if there were any questions before we adjourned. There were none so - see you all on the 13^th of February.

Meeting adjoined at 11:05.

Respectively submitted,

Debbie Cole
OS Senate Secretary – Student Affairs Division