Board Meeting Minutes
Oregon State University Retirement Association
Friday, November 21, 2008
Attending: Kathy Heath, Bobbye Koeper, Carol Kronstad, Jim Krueger, Curt McCann, Susan
Poole, Mike Rainbolt, Kate Sanders, Bill Smart, Barb Stuber, Gary Tiedeman, Jo Anne Trow
Guests: Luanne Lawrence, Terri Tower
Absent: Erin Haynes
President Bill Smart called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.
Luanne Lawrence spoke to the Board about the recently-announced statewide budget shortfall
and its impact on higher education budgets. OSU will absorb a 5% cut in the last six months of
the current biennium, and an additional 20% reduction is anticipated in the next budget cycle.
OSU, UO and PSU also will carry part of the regional campuses’ load. Tuition increases, staff
and faculty reductions and class section cuts are expected. OSURA’s budget will take a small
hit of approximately $450. In response to a question from Curt McCann, Luanne indicated she
would be happy to participate in a future program on budget cut implications.
OSU Network Identification (ONID) access for OSU retirees has been found to represent a
significant security breach through potential access to student and departmental records.
After this year, only current students and staff, including 10/40 employees, will be allowed to
hold ONID email accounts. Fortunately, very few retirees will be affected.
Luanne also reported that there has been no resolution to the retiree parking issue.
Kate mentioned that the former OSURA logo has been removed from our publications, and a
new look will be unveiled with the newsletter currently in the mail. Luanne believes OSU’s new
graphic identity is very exciting and that the consultant did a phenomenal job.
Approval of Minutes – Minutes of the October meeting were approved as submitted.
Treasurer’s Report – Kronstad. The Foundation account balance is $19,795.18. As the transfer
of $9,000 in State funds will not occur until the end of the fiscal year, the University account
currently has a negative balance of $2253.87. Only one new membership came in this month.
Carol also reported on today’s Parking Committee meeting. Because Parking Services continues
to operate in the red, fees will increase next fall by 23%, about $3 per month.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Golf Tournament Committee – Smart. Gary Meddaugh, the new committee chair, is looking at
September 16 for next year’s tournament.
Member Services Committee – Tiedeman. There has been no meeting since the last report.
Gary was unable to attend the programs on Identity Theft (10/21) and the Current Financial
Storm (11/18), but Carol reported the first was good and the second excellent. Kate has access
to a video camera we could use to tape programs and post on the website; videos already taken
can be found under “past events.” Susan mentioned the need for sound amplification, which is
currently dealt with on an event-by-event basis. OSURA may want to purchase its own portable
microphone.
Program Committee – McCann. Although the program was well publicized, Curt was disappointed
in the turnout at the excellent “Tracking the Whales” presentation on 11/20. We will continue
to survey members at the annual meeting concerning their program interests.
Future programs include:
January 10 – Women’s Basketball/Arizona. TBA speaker at LSC.
January 15 & 18 – Wrestling practice and meet/Iowa State
February 7 – Dessert followed by “Arcadia” play at Withycombe Theater
February 27 – Gymnastics/UCLA. Main dish buffet at LSC.
March – George Taylor on climate change
April 9 – Health Innovations program and tours at GSRMC
May – Hinsdale Wave Lab tour
July – “Titus Andronicus” on the MU quad
Other suggestions:
Tour of Starker Forests or Thompson Mill in Brownsville – both recommended by Susan
Radiation Lab - done before; maybe next year
Membership Committee – Krueger. Marilyn Sarff and Sue Borden have agreed to serve on the
new committee. Chair Kathy Meddaugh hopes to have a progress report for Jim by the
December Board meeting.
Scholarship Committee – Poole. Susan will have a brochure draft ready at the December
meeting. Following her meeting with the Foundation, she shared three examples of donor cards
that could be adapted to our needs. Kate says we can print our own for much less than the $35
per 50 cards charged by the Foundation. She will work with Susan on a cohesive look for the
‘ask piece.’ Opinions differed on what donation amounts to include next to check-off boxes (i.e.,
$50, $100, $150). It appears we need to list amounts large enough to encourage substantial
donations, yet not so large that potential donors are discouraged. Donations by check are
preferred, as credit card companies will take a percentage off the top. Susan believes
participation by 100% of Board members would be good PR for the fundraising program, which
seeks to establish an endowment by raising $25,000. Bill has sent thank-you notes to all 2008
scholarship donors.
Newsletter – Tiedeman. The newsletter is in the mail, and Gary has made peace with the new
look. Kate has cleverly planted the trivia answer on the web page.
Volunteers – Koeper. Bobbye reported a very active fall quarter, including the recent flu clinic.
The winter Career Fair (usually in late February) is the only event on the winter schedule so far.
A new volunteer form, which can be found on line, is required for each event.
OSURA Directory – Sanders. Kate says she is playing catch-up to get everyone listed who
wants to be, and the directory will continue to improve. Members must have paid their dues by
publication time.
OLD BUSINESS
Event liability issues – Kate clarified that OSURA Board members are covered by OSU’s liability
umbrella.
NEW BUSINESS
Board Vacancy – Smart. Bill announced that Barb Stuber will leave the Board after the
December meeting. Today’s guest, Terri Tower, is a potential candidate for the vacant position.
Terri is a retiree of University Housing & Dining Services.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 pm.
Next meeting: Friday, December 12, 10:00-Noon, President’s Conference Room
Submitted by Barb Stuber, Secretary
November 29, 2008