Meeting Notes

Date: March 10, 2010

Location: Mary Reed
Subject: SAC monthly meeting

• Guest speaker – Dick Gartrell, Director Human Resources

• Question regarding increasing the tuition waiver:
○ There has been a lot of discussion about this, but more regarding reducing this
benefit rather than expanding it.
○ It is a very costly benefit for DU, and only used by a few (about 20%)
 There are only three benefits that run in the $10K range: health
insurance, retirement and tuition waiver
○ The likelihood that this benefit will change anytime soon is small.
○ Any change will have to be approved by the Board of Trustees
 Currently a rather conservative Board, who might consider decreasing
the benefit as it is considered much more than small businesses offer
their employees currently in CO.
• Question regarding donating sick leave to a pool for people in need to draw from:
○ This is a very complicated topic.
○ DU has a “book of liability” for vacation and sick time
 Most employees actually do not use their available sick leave
○ If there would be a pool of sick time, chances are that all available time would
be used - > the costs for the university would be very high.
○ Other issue would be how to determine who gets to draw from the pool and
who would give to the pool.
○ SAC has the power to recommend changes to our benefits.
 If SAC believes this is something that should be reviewed, HR will
certainly do so.
• Current benefit budget is $40M+, up from $20M.
• HR is deeply concerned about the health insurance costs.
○ Costly and complicated
○ Account for $14M+ this year.
○ The new Kaiser proposal indicated a 13.3% increase.
 The co-pay is expected to increase from $20 - $25 for office visits.
 Co-pay for specialists is expected to increase from $30 - $40.
 Prescriptions are expected to increase to $15 for generic and $25 for
brand.
• Mail order will decrease: 90-day supply for two co-payments.
 We are looking at a 8-9% raise in premiums instead of the suggested
13% increase from Kaiser.
 PLEASE NOTE: this information is still subject to Board approval.
○ The PPO plan will be frozen (no new members accepted) as Kaiser wants to
phase it out as it is too expensive (as they do not have the control over the
costs as they do within their network).
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○ We are relatively competitive to other universities and government agencies,

but much more generous than small businesses.
• Long-Term-disability plan change:
○ Currently you receive 60% of your salary, which is taxable (as DU pays the
premium).
○ Employees will have the option to buy-up, meaning add a 15% un-taxed pay
to the 60% pay.
• Dental:
○ There will be no change to the current direct-pay dental plan.
○ There will is an 8% increase expected to the PPO plan.
• Question regarding the health/wellness classes Kaiser offers: could those be brought
onto campus?
○ Yes, that could be possible, given the size of Kaiser insured on campus.
○ Would need to submit suggestions/recommendations of classes that could
draw enough interest.
 SAC to discuss how to go about this.
• There will be two benefit newsletters sent out as well as an email, announcing and
explaining the changes, once approved by the Board.
• Of note: there is a fresh fruit & veggie program through Kaiser
○ Wellness committee member (Sarah Childs) will explore and report back to
SAC the possibility of having fresh fruits/veggies delivered to campus during
summer for purchase by employees.
• There will also be a pre-paid legal service offered to the employees. More
information to follow.

• Policy for a subpoenaed state witness: should this be paid time off?
○ Current case of a law school staff member who has been subpoenaed.
○ In order to amend the current jury duty policy, staff needs to be in support of
the issue and a written recommendation needs to be handed in.
○ This does not appear to be a very common case; no major costs should be
associated with a change in policy.
○ SAC members will ask their departments for feedback.
○ Gayle Keahey will email more details as well as language for inner-
departmental polling by SAC members.
○ SAC will decide and vote on input at April 2010 meeting.

• SAC Coat Drive recap: very successful; 30+ bags were filled and handed to Rescue
Mission, who was very thankful and happy with the outcome of this drive.

• Egg Hunt: this event will take place on Saturday, April 3rd at 11 am.
○ There will be stuffing party held at the Richie Center (room 3C) on Friday,
March 26 from 9 – 4:30 pm. Volunteers needed. Breakfast and lunch will be
provided.
• Bring-Child-To-Work-Day: this event will take place on April 22nd.
○ Event 2009 included: speaker at breakfast, kids divided into three groups who
went on a tour of the campus, to the library; making of career collages of the
future; attendance of the women’s basketball coach
○ Event 2010 will include: introduction of a sport at the Richie Center (possibly
ice skating); career center will again help with collages, this year business
plan; NSM will demonstrate a science project; possible music from Lamont
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 Emails for this event will be sent out around March 12th and April
5th.
• Mass emails: electronically vs. paper
○ Christa Bruning to talk to Jeff Derksen in UTS as well as Quick Copy and
update SAC regarding who can pull these lists and how we really can
reduce the amount of paper used for internal announcements via email.

• Athletics: both the hockey WCHA playoffs (Magness arena) as well as the NCAA skiing
championships (Steamboat) are taking place this weekend.

Next meeting: April 14, 2010, 12 – 1 pm