D R A K E U N I V E R S I T Y
FACULTY SENATE MEETING AGENDA
The Drake University Faculty Senate will meet in regular session
January 21 in Levitt Hall, Old Main at 3:30 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of Decmber 2003 minutes
4. Report from President Maxwell
5. Report from Provost Troyer
6. Report from President Reincke
7. Unfinished Business

a.  Since this motion was passed, the Benefits Committee has formed a subcommittee specifically charged with exploring the options for retiree health benefits presented by the Emeriti Consortium.  In order to give this committee the necessary space to explore options and make proposals, we need to make sure that they are not limited by the motion we passed in December.  Perhaps we can extend the December motion to authorize such exploration while maintaining the spirit of the opinion that any change must guarantee the level of support currently provided or otherwise be acceptable to the employees affected.

December Motion: The Faculty Senate presents to the Board of Trustees the unanimous opinion that the health benefits of retirees (hired before 1994) are inviolable.

Proposed amendment: The Faculty Senate authorizes the Benefits Committee (UBC) to explore and propose changes to the current plan that maintain or increase the level of support promised to employees hired before 1994.  Such changes may involve different ways of structuring or providing for retiree health benefits and may also extend such benefits to employees hired after 1994. 

B In November, the Senate directed the Benefits Committee to survey Drake employees about possible changes to the two-tier system for health premiums (individual and family).  We also directed the Committee to explore options for tying the rate structure to salary levels.  Given the amount of work that will be involved in exploring the Emeriti Consortium plan for retiree health benefits, the Benefits Committee does not believe the survey can be done adequately this Spring.  However, changes to the rate structure based on salaries should be able to be accomplished (that is, studied and proposed). 

Should the Senate direct the UBC to postpone the tier-system survey until next academic year (04-05)?

8. New Business

Motion to amend the Academic Charter (Section II, paragraphs B & C) defines University Fellows and Adjunct Professors

9. Adjournment