Flexible Compensation Benefits Committee

Thursday, Mar. 27, 2003

Conference Room, Wellness Center

Minutes

Members Present:  Fox, Harrison, Payne, Reed, and Stromberg

Members Absent: Blackburn, Cooper, Hare, Henderson, Lehenbauer, Morris, and Poole

Ad Hoc, Ex Officio members and Guests Present:  Matoy, and Oehrtman

Motion to approve the agenda was made by Payne and seconded by Reed. Passed.

The motion to approve the minutes of the Feb. 27 meeting was made by Harrison and seconded by Reed.  Passed.

Fox reported that the retirement taskforce’s public presentations are continuing.  There has been very little feedback and nearly all of that has been positive.

A letter from professor emeritus, Ron Debois to OTRS was discussed.  The letter concerned his loss of benefits because of his taking leave without pay from the university in order to accept a Fulbright fellowship.  The consensus of the committee was that the matter was now entirely in the hands of OTR and that the university had exhausted all options.  Perhaps faculty council should look into a way of ensuring that faculty is aware that leave without pay can result in loss of benefits.

Fox reported on the cafeteria taskforce.  Presentations have been given to Staff Advisory Council and the Policies, Benefits and Budget subcommittee of SAC.  There was some question about 50% rebate for health premiums when insured elsewhere.  New members are desperately needed for the committee, especially now with the resignation of Dr. John Wilguess, the taskforce chair.  Payne volunteered to be a member.  Matoy suggested that Fox go to both Faculty Council and Staff Advisory Council to solicit members.

The Maternity/Family Leave issue has been worked on by the taskforce, but is not part of the presentation given to the campus focus groups.

HR report. Matoy reported that the OTR shell bill passed the house and will now go to the Senate and then to committee. Another meeting has been scheduled with officials at OU.  They now seem willing to discuss getting out of OTR. 

Matoy met with the new director of HR at OU.  He had not yet studied the issue of the skewed compensation of the comprehensive universities compared to common education.

Matoy met with Tommy Beavers of OTR.  The actuary’s report is supportive of the retirement taskforce’s proposal.

Matoy stated that it is her understanding that Judge Morris’ report is in the final stages.

Pending issues for next meeting.               Judge Morris’ report

The retirement lawsuit

OTR legislation and the lottery

Maternity/Family Leave status

Presentation of the Cafeteria Plan to FC and Administrative Officers

New members to the Cafeteria Plan taskforce

Keep President Schmidly informed of committee activites

Update on healthcare issues.

 Next meeting will be held on Thursday April 24, 3:00 – 5:00 pm in the Wellness Center Conference Room.

Motion to adjourn was made by Reed and seconded by Harrison. Passed.