ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• The Summer Health Screening Program will be again offered this year. The date and time of the program will come at a later day.
  • This is a chance for those who were not able to be seen last year to come get tested for mammograms, pap smears, executive profiles, which include liver profiles, blood sugar level, and electrolytes (just to name a few). For men over 50 years old, you can get a prostrate exam and the executive profile, as well.
  • The price of these tests is $25.00. This will be held at the Student Health Center on campus.
• Health Insurance Rates have increased again. The Executive Committee will meet with the Chancellor this month to discuss this issue, and how to look for programs for assistance and relief.
  • Premiums will go up in July. The premiums deducted from the June paychecks will be at the new rate.
  • There are other options for health insurance plans. One Staff Council member suggested Farm Bureau. They are much cheaper than the State's health insurance. However, Farm Bureau will not cover existing conditions. It's always best to look for a health insurance plan that fits your and your families needs. The Staff Council does not endorse Farm Bureau or any other company.
• House Bill 1148 - Incentive Retirement Plan
  The Legislature has passed a new plan for retirement incentive.
  • The Board of Trustees has the option to create the retirement incentive program. It will be presented to IHL, then to the Universities.
  • This retirement incentive plan will benefit those people who have worked their 25 years or who are at least 60 years old with cash incentives.
• Jeannette Wells wanted to remind everyone of the Blood Drive on May 15 from 11:00am to 4:00pm and May 16 from 7:30am to 4:00pm in the Student Union room 404 A&B. Please encourage everyone to come donate. This is a worthy cause and will be appreciated.
• Joni Camp wanted to remind everyone to encourage all our students to come to the Exam Breakfast at Johnson Commons from 9:00pm to 11:00pm for the ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT buffet. It will be served by the Staff Council members and hosted by Aramark.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

• The winners of the Outstanding Staff EEO categories will be announced on Staff Appreciation Day, May 17, 2002 in Fulton Chapel at 9:00am. There were over 400 participants who voted for this election.
• The Staff Appreciation Day preparations are in process.
  • The brochures for that day will be campus mailed to everyone. In that brochure will be a meal ticket. Please make sure you bring your meal tickets to the picnic.
  • The Physical Plant Department will be setting up tables and chairs for the picnic. If you would like to volunteer to help set up tables and chairs, please contact Buddy Kahler at 915-7051. Volunteers will be greatly appreciated.
• Activities for the Day:
  • Plant Swap - 1:00pm to 3:00pm on the stage at the Grove.
  • Bingo - 12:30pm to 3:30pm in the Ballroom at the Student Union.
  • Karaoke - 11:30am to 1:00pm in the Grove.

TREASURER'S REPORT:

CONCERNS:

• One member wanted to know if there was any way for a visitor, who comes on campus to have lunch at the Johnson Commons, not get ticketed.
  Answer: There are 2 solutions: The visitor can go to UPD to have a temporary hangtag issued while on campus, or the visitor can take the ticket to UPD to have it written off when ticketed. All visitors must have a temporary hangtag when on campus to avoid getting ticketed.
• Question: Can the Welcome Center issue hangtags for visitors?
  Answer: No, only UPD can issue hangtags.
• Question: Will the House Bill 18 be reinstated? This Bill states that any employee may donate a portion of his or her earned personal leave or major medical leave to another employee who is suffering from a catastrophic injury or illness, or to another employee who has a member of his or her immediate family who is suffering from a catastrophic injury of illness.
  Answer: No, The Legislature rescinded that bill a year or two ago. It has not been brought up for vote since then. Only schoolteachers are allowed to donate their time to others, not University employees.
• Question: What are the criteria for years of service to qualify for pins and certificates?
  Answer: May 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003 is considered a full year for service.
• Question: What was the status of the Portability rule for taking classes at another university available for staff and their children?
  Answer: It went before the President of MASCO, but died. It has never gone any further. This will be addressed at the next MASCO meeting.

STAFF COUNCIL ELECTION RESULTS: