Staff Assembly Meeting Minutes
Nov. 5, 2002

Present: Jean Andrus, Chris Arreguin, Ruben Ayala, Victor Baeza, Ross Bailey, Karen Baker, Hao Brown, Jonathan Brown, Emily Burgwyn, Alice Carter, Nancy Carter, Rafael Chavez, Kay Edmondson, Marilyn Eudaly, Laurie Fetter, Roger Fisher, Terri Gartner, Rebecca Glass, Marshall Gordon, Julie Graver, Nancy Grieser, Josh Harmon, Ida Hernandez, Jack Hesselbrock, Sharon Hudson, Pam Hughes, Jacobo Juarez, Mary Kaszynski, Mary Lane, Joe Laster, Maria Leyva, Tommy Love, Debbie Mar, Jake Martinez, Valeria McDougle, Dennis Odom, Tara Pope, Barbara Savak, Kathy Smith, Emily Sullivan, DeVonna Tinney, Alison Trinkle, Gail Truitt, Darron Turner, Juan Varela, Esco Weatherspoon, David Yale

Guests: Chancellor Michael Ferrari, Vice Chancellor Carol Campbell, John Weis, Amy Johnson (Skiff reporter), residential services, facility services and Physical Plant employees

Absent: Jackie Callanan, Carlene Coover, Dan Dehart, David Grebel, Dorothy Holland, Pamela James, and Donna Shepherd

The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m.

Chair Karen Baker made brief opening comments, welcomed visitors and reviewed the agenda.

Chancellor’s Remarks: Dr. Ferrari expressed appreciation for contributions to United Way which exceeded the goal by 9%. He stated that current construction and renovation projects are going well. Dr. Ferrari said there were no deficiencies found by the accrediting team evaluating our engineering program. Dr. Ferrari indicated also that the Faculty Senate review of the proposed revision to the core curriculum is progressing well. He reported that many accomplishments by faculty, staff and students are bringing increasing favorable visibility to the university, for example, the College of Fine Arts' performance at Bass Hall and the continuing success of our football program. He stated the turbulence of the economy is making the development of the 2003-2004 operating and capital budgets very challenging and he explained the major trends adversely currently impacting the University, including the decline in the market value of the endowment, escalating health care costs, added costs of new facilities, and competition for students and private giving. He distributed an article from the New York Times describing cost pressures on private colleges and universities across the country. Dr. Ferrari did note, however, "We will fund equalization of the retirement benefit for nonexempt employees from 10.5% to 11.5% in fiscal 2003-2004." While this is a challenging budget year, Chancellor Ferrari asked the Assembly to continue to study and monitor compensation plans even though it would be unlikely that funds would be available to provide anything more than modest wage adjustments for 2003-2004. The studies would, however, provide important base-line information that would be helpful in longer-term planning.

Program: Baker introduced Carol Campbell, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business. Campbell stated that TCU has two budgets - an operating budget and a capital budget. All information she presented to the Assembly pertained to the operating budget. She stated that operating revenues had been growing around 10% a year. Operating revenues come from tuition, endowment, other gifts and athletics. She stated that TCU is working to decrease the spending rate from the endowment from 6 to 5%. She noted expenditures are increasing and there is little cushion. Expenditures include compensation, goods, financial aid, plant expenses and other. Campbell noted that TCU cannot continue to increase tuition at the same rate as it has in the past for fear of losing students to public schools, and that income from endowment is decreasing, and that all other revenues are expected to be flat, at best. She noted that this year the emphasis was on reallocation due to lack of new money.

The Assembly approved the Oct. Staff Assembly minutes.

Chair’s Report: Baker noted that 100 people attended the joint meeting between Staff Assembly, Faculty Senate and Student Government Association. Baker mentioned the Staff Assembly ListServ can serve as a forum for exchanging ideas. Instructions for subscribing to the Assembly ListServ were provided in member packets. Information about the tuition exchange is being distributed across campus. Baker said that Chancellor Ferrari met with the Executive Committee.

Committee Reports:
Community Service - Julie Graver announced that the Reading Frogs program was continuing. She also said there was good turnout for Colby Halloween. Dec. 7 there will be a Score a Goal in the Classroom event at the Fort Worth train station - contact Julie for more information.

Policy Review - Karen Baker announced that Marilyn Eudaly had resigned as chair of the policy review committee. She was replaced by co-chairs, Hao Brown and Sharon Hudson. Brown noted that the committee is considering staff feedback regarding the PTO presentation at the October meeting and will make a report to the Assembly in December.

Professional Development - Alice Carter announced that Dr. Russell Elleven would be the speaker November 14, noon -1:00 in Student Center 207. Staff may bring a sack lunch. Drinks and dessert will be provided courtesy of Residential

Services. She asked representatives to pass along this information to faculty, staff, and students.

Elections - Emily Burgwyn reported that letters regarding the Chancellor's Staff Award would soon be sent out in English and Spanish.

Retirement, Insurance, and Benefits - Roger Fisher passed out information regarding 2003 health insurance rates. He noted that Human Resources tries to find the best contractor. Some modifications to the EPO include increased emergency room deductible, increased hospital admissions cost from $200 to $400. Also, a $100 annual deductible will apply to use name brand prescriptions. Fisher noted employees are using the plan more and costs are increasing.

Daycare - Pam Hughes reported the committee has visited five daycares and the final proposal is being developed.

Budget Advisory Committee - Jean Andrus noted that the first budget meeting covered the budget time table. She said everyone brings different viewpoints with different impacts. She noted there have been layoffs at other universities.

Human Resources Update:

John Weis handed out a sheet summarizing compensation issues that have been addressed from 1999-2002.

Compensation/Benefit Recommendations:
Karen Baker noted that different compensation and benefit concerns top the Staff Assembly’s priorities as formulated at the September meeting during discussion groups. She noted the Chancellor welcomed Assembly concerns. She said that three speakers would share their proposals and each would take questions.

Sharon Hudson - Hudson highlighted the history of the retirement equalization. Hudson noted in the 1990s the OSP had a goal of equalizing retirement. She said Ferrari heard that voice and was committed to moving the retirement contribution to 11.5% for all employees. Hudson said equalizing the retirement sends a message that TCU is a leader among universities.

Mary Lane - Lane proposed a one-time salary adjustment for band two administrative assistants. Lane noted this group was regarded by Human Resources as suffering the worst wage compression. Lane said that there was a review of administrative assistant positions by Human Resources underway. The study is to be completed March 2003.

Tara Pope - Pope proposed taking another step toward a living wage by moving the entry-level from $8 to $9 with a $1increase for current employees in departments affected by the entry-level increase. Noting that TCU had made significant progress, Pope said that many staff members still must work second jobs to provide for their families. Julie Graver, Dolly Pierson and Juan Varela also voiced concern from their areas.

Karen Baker said that the Executive Committee would write a letter to Chancellor Ferrari regarding compensation issues by the end of November. She asked representatives to send feedback concerning the presentations to the Executive Committee by Nov. 8.

Other business:

Josh Harmon presented a resolution calling for elimination of the $5 monthly charge for staff to use the newly renovated University Recreation Center. He asked representatives to gather feedback from their areas regarding the proposal. He made a motion for a vote to be held on the resolution. The resolution will be discussed at the December meeting and a vote will be called.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.