Tulane University
Staff Advisory Council
Minutes of Thursday, April 15, 2010
ATTENDEES
ATTENDEES
OFFICERS
UPTOWN CAMPUS
Susan Barrera, Chair
Gwen Chavez, Vice Chair
Rob Platner, Election Coordinator
Lisa Britton, Recording Secretary,
Present
Present
Present
Present
Kathy Bourgeois
Linda Cantero
Liz Davey
Shirley Dymond
Excused
Present
Absent
Present
Proxy
Excused
Miriam Espinosa
Mike Griffith
Michael Harrison
Cynthia Hayes,Immediate Past Chair
Present
Absent
Alysia Loshbaugh
Proxy
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Member at Large
Cheryl Sterling,Corresp. Secretary
Jered Bocage, Parliamentarian
DOWNTOWN CAMPUS
Tanya Ambrose
Ron Cail
Linzi Conners
Cheryl Dempsey
Tami Jenniskens
Paula Lucas
Merisa Pasternak
Patsy Stewart
Shirley Tubre
Suzanne Lossi
Present* Aaron Martin
Absent
Lisa O’Dwyer
Present
Laurie Orgeron
Present
Kimberly Vega
Excused Judy Vitrano
Present
Emily Capdeville (proxy)
Absent
Jeannine Coxen (proxy)
Simon Dorfman (proxy)
Jeanny Keck (proxy)
NORTHSHORE
Scott Goings
Corrie West
Robert Johnson (proxy)
Present
Present*
Absent
INVITED GUESTS AND VISITORS
Cheryl Avera, WFMO
Kelly Furlong, WFMO
Carole Spitzack Daruma
Wendy King-proxy for C. Sterling
Mike Jones – proxy for M.
Espinosa
* Via teleconference
All Officers are serving the Staff Advisory Council term 2009 – 2010
Present
Excused
Excused
Present
Absent
Absent
Present
Absent
TU Staff Advisory Council Meeting
April 15, 2010
Page 2
Call to Order: Susan Barrera, SAC Chair, called the April 15, 2010 meeting of the Staff
Advisory Council to order at
p.m. The meeting was held at the Lavin-Bernick Center, the
McKeever Room on the uptown campus.
I.
Review and Approval of the Minutes
Chair Barrera called for a motion to approve the March 11, 2010 minutes and the minutes were
approved.
II. Guest Speaker
Guest speaker today is Carole Spitzack Darin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Communications
for Newcomb-Tulane College. She is working on a project to collect data for a book about how
women view the difference between women who are socially defined as “young” and socially
defined as “old”. For the data she is looking to interview women between the ages of 40 – 65
years. Dr. Daruna wants to understand from the prospective of the women in this 25 year age
group centered on three topic areas: (1) Physical experience of aging; (2) Relationships – the
way women’s relationships are affected by age; and (3) Finances. She is collecting data from
four geographical areas, South Carolina, New York, Minnesota and New Orleans.
The level of disclosure is up to the individual, and the interviews are approximately an hour and
a half to two hours in time. Dr. Daruna is flexible on the location and times of day, designed to
make as easy for the individual to participate. Confidentiality is guaranteed, you will remain
anonymous. Dr. Daruna is asking for individuals to participate and to contact her to schedule a
time to meet.
III. WFMO Liaison
Kelly Furlong, Director, Benefits and Cheryl Avera, Director, Compensation and Records
represented WFMO. They wanted to discuss the recent Recognition events that were held at
the three campuses. A survey was sent out to everyone who participated to get the feedback
on the event. The results indicate most participants enjoyed the event, and the food and
speech was good.
Question from the floor: In the past employees were able to access your personal information
on the MetLife website. Standard does not have that capability. Now to access your
information, you have to contact WFMO, for them to contact Standard. Has this been updated
where we can access via website? Yes, can track beneficiaries online and also at WFMO.
Retirement plan beneficiaries are on paper with whatever vendor you are with.
Question from the floor: In the past on our paystubs, MetLife was listed. When we changed
over to Standard, the paystubs continued to say MetLife. Has this been corrected? Yes, the
paystub now states “insurance”.
Question from the floor: What is the status of the transportation flexible spending plan request
SAC submitted to WFMO? WFMO is ramping up for 2011 planning year. In the process of
reviewing the entire “parking and commuter reimbursement” plan. Looking at the flexible
spending accounts, did have the pre-tax parking but will look at the utilization of adding the
commuting / parking.
TU Staff Advisory Council Meeting
April 15, 2010
Page 3
Question from the floor: Received a request to supply social security numbers for spouse and
dependents. Why is this information needed? Is this a legitimate request for information? Yes,
a federal law went into effect January 1st mandating employers provide spouse and dependents
social security numbers relating to medical insurance. This information will be compared
against Medicare secondary payer. The goal is to cut Medicare costs if a secondary payer is
responsible for the claims.
IV. Report of the Chair, Susan Barrera
No report.
V.
Officer Reports
A. University Senate
Senate meeting was held on April 12th, Susan Barrera reported the following:
 Looking for a Senate Secretary, Jim Mackin is retiring from the position as secretary.
 Enrollment projections for the fall, have received 648 deposits for incoming freshman.
So far similar numbers for last year’s incoming freshman.
 A report was given by Information Technology – reviewing issues with the Help Desk.
 Equal Opportunity – problems in the past for someone on tenure track, becoming a new
parent. Committee offered automatic extension to accommodate new parent at the
same time to be able to continue on track with tenure.
 Cat condos are being built on campus to deal with feral population. The cat condos will
be built near the Facilities Services building. Cats have been causing some damage to
buildings. In working with LSU Veterinary School, instead of capturing and removing all
of the animals, by offering a safe place for the animals should help lessen any damage
to the buildings. Will continue to trap and spay/neuter and return them to the campus
where they were trapped.
B. Board of Administrators
Gwen Chavez reported the following from the Board Meeting held this morning. Dr. Ben
Sachs report to the Board:
 Overview of the heathcare reform – the rising cost means higher deductible and higher
costs to the employee. If we don’t do anything, the government will not be able to afford
Medicare and Medicaid. Some reasons for the rising costs: Fees for services, doctors
have incentive to see you often but no incentive to keep you healthy. The technology
advances, the aging population and too few insurance options in many states have also
increased the cost of insurance. Uninsured families in 2007-08 in the United States
totaled 87.6 million under the age of 65. Seventy percent of uninsured people are
working families. Everyone pays for the uninsured by increased taxes and higher
insurance premiums. The United States world ranking is 37. Louisiana is ranked 47 th in
the nation for healthcare – and has the highest cost for Medicare and lowest quality in
the US.
 For New Orleans, there are three neighborhood health centers: Ruth Chris location,
Dillard Health Center and Tulane Community Center at Covenant House seeing
approximately 20,000 individuals per year. Twenty percent of the city’s population
TU Staff Advisory Council Meeting
April 15, 2010
Page 4
(175,000) was served by a health clinic. The clinics are operated by 25 different
organizations at 93 sites around the city, all post Katrina.
 Tulane supports the new academic facility in New Orleans as long as financially viable
and not rely on the taxpayer to cover the costs. The facility will need more Medicare and
commercial payers to cover the costs. Tulane also supports the neighborhood health
centers.
The President’s report:
 Increase in African American applicants. However, lowest yield compared to other
institutions. Many apply and accept but decide to not attend here. Overall applications
we have received for the fall semester is 43,880.
 Renewal plan should be fully implemented within the next two years.
VI. University Senate Committee Reports
1. Benefits
No meeting.
2. Budget Review
No meeting.
3. Information Technology
No Report.
4. Equal Opportunity
No Report. Meeting is scheduled for tomorrow.
5. Physical Facilities
Michael Harrison reported the following:
 The new Director of Facilities was introduced, Richard Schointuch.
 University Architect Collette Creppell listed the many construction projects going on at
the various campuses.
 Discussion regarding parking on uptown campus, specifically lack of parking.
Communication between the construction planning group and university staff and faculty
needs to be improved regarding parking availability. The information is not getting out to
everyone regarding changes and rules regarding parking.
6. Social Issues
No Report.
VII. SAC Sub-Committees
1. Election Committee
TU Staff Advisory Council Meeting
April 15, 2010
Page 5
Rob Platner reported we need a few volunteers to roll-off of the roster, for a total of one-third
of the roster. This will be the last year we need to request for volunteers to roll off. Starting next
year everyone should be designated for how many years to your term.
Elections will be in May and Rob will be getting out an email to everyone. We also need
some people to consider becoming a SAC representative. The June SAC meeting we will hold
elections for the Officers positions.
2. Electronic Technology and Information
No report.
3. Staff Appreciation
Lisa Britton gave the following recap of costs for the Family Fun Day on February 27, 2010:
 All invoices have been paid with the exception for the food. Still waiting for an invoice
from Olive/Blue with an estimated cost of $2,250.
 The remaining invoices for tents, tables and chairs, kids inflatables, clean up, DJ, give
aways, miscellaneous items such as coffee and donuts, etc. came to a total of $3,925.83
 Shirts donated by WFMO – Anne Banos.
 Mr. Mudbugs – donated a pasta dish.
 Kelly Venable Carroll (with the Reily Center) – donated the PowerAde.
4. Staff Issues
No report.
5. Health and Wellness
Judy Vitrano reported the following:
 The 10-K program has 200 people recording their information and there is approximately
four weeks left to the program.
 Seminars are being offered “Natural Energy Boosters” being offered at all three
campuses. Next seminar will be “Aging Well”.
 Also, Dr. Gourmet’s seminar on “Eating Health and Losing Weight” is also being given at
the three campuses.
 Annual Health Assessment kick off is May 3rd. Offering participants gift cards for $75,
and the gift card is taxable. Each participant is eligible to participate once a year. If you
participated last year, you cannot participate until you are at the one year mark. The
system will prompt you as to whether or not you are eligible to participate at that time.
6. Community Service
No report.
VIII.
None.
Old Business
TU Staff Advisory Council Meeting
IX.
April 15, 2010
Page 6
New Business
Aaron Martin asked SAC to consider participating at homecoming in the fall. One suggestion
would be to have tailgating, or open to suggestions to be a part of homecoming and show our
support.
Lisa O’Dwyer asked everyone to join in on Saturday, April 17th at the Tulane Athletics 5K to
raise support for the Tulane student-athletes. The walk/run starts at 8:00 am and will be held at
the Westfeldt Track and Field. Registration is $30 and you can go to the website to get more
information and to register at Tulanegreenwave.com. This is a party for all participants with
entertainment and food and beverages.
Jered Bocage wanted to invite students/staff/faculty to attend the “Crawfest 2010” on Saturday,
April 17th at the LBC Quad. Free crawfish for students with ID, or you can purchase crawfish for
$10. Different bands will be playing on the quad starting at 11:00 am until 9:00 pm.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 3:30 pm in the
School of Public Health Dean’s Conference Room in the Tidewater Building. Provost Michael
Bernstein will be our guest speaker.
IX. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa M. Britton
Recording Secretary