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Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday, April 11, 2000

Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday, April 11, 2000, 2:00 p.m., Octavia II

PRESENT:
Al Alcazar
Michelle Andrews
Catherine Comiskey
Debbie Diliberto
Bob Gross
Avia Morgan
Robert Reed
Charles Marshall
Paula Ruiz-Saurage
Karen Shields
Jay Sonier
Arthur Stern
Germayne Turner
ABSENT:
Jay Calamia
Gail Howard
Dave Huffman
PROXIES:
Julie Thomas for Jay Calamia

I. Arthur Stern called the meeting to order at 2:04 p.m.

II. Approval and/or correction of the Minutes of the March 14, 2000 meeting

Germayne Turner pointed out that, under VI, the last sentence should read: " . . . that Robert Reed, the Director of Residential Life, would be celebrating his 20 year anniversary . . . ". MOTION was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the March 14, 2000 meeting as amended. MOTION passed.

III. Old Business

A. Peer group/staff salary - John Sears input

Mr. Stern met with John Sears and found this information can be accessed, but at a cost of about $800, which is not included in the budget for next year. Mr. Stern feels that the results would be helpful, and asked if the Senate should request more in our budget allocation for next year. Robert Reed sees this as two separate issues. First, he agrees that we should ask for more in the operating budget, but that this cost is a special, non-recurring request that should be funded by Human Resources, Dr. Danahar, or Fr. Knoth. It is a university-wide concern. Mr. Stern will compose a letter to the President, asking for more funds in the Senate’s operating budget, citing the need to publish a Newsletter with increased printing costs.

B. May and July meeting agendas

Mr. Stern asked for suggestions for topics for the May and July meetings. A tour through Biever Hall will not be possible in May. Mr. Stern reminded the group that we must begin to talk about Objective #5, and about the survey to be done. It was suggested that Donna Goforth and Wally Boudet be invited to the May meeting to answer questions on the Work Study situation.

C. Work-study situation -

Michelle Andrews reiterated that solutions need to be found to cover the decline in the number of work-study students. There is more than one reason for the decline. Mr. Stern urged the senators to bring written questions and concerns to the next meeting.

V. Guest - Joseph Jones, Inter-Fraternity Council (2:40)

Mr. Stern welcomed the President of the IFC, Joe Jones, and congratulated him on being recently elected Vice President of the SGA for 2000-2001. Mr. Jones spoke on the many accomplishments the council has made this year, such as holding the first Greek retreat in five years, and writing the first Greek credo. He spoke about the large number of students recruited for rush. At the national UIFI council, Loyola’s IFC won the fraternal excellence award. Mr. Jones was elected president of the SERIFC, which is the regional IFC. He said that half of all the members of fraternities and sororities on campus are certified as alcohol and drug abuse counselors. One of his goals for the future is to have a weekly Greek column in The Maroon, highlighting the philanthropic works done by the Greek organizations. There are also plans to increase membership by attracting more Greek organizations to campus. He then mentioned that some of his goals for the SGA in the upcoming year include: more involvement between the students and faculty, administrators and staff; that Loyola’s radio station be activated; to generate more funds for athletics; to motivate congress to get more resolutions passed; and to restructure the chartering of student organizations. Since the SGA’s Vice President chairs the Ways and Means committee, he would like to award funds to those organizations that do serve the community.

III. (cont)

D. 4/15 Walk for the Hungry/Jubilee 2000 reminder

Jay Sonier reminded everyone that this Saturday, April 15th is the Walk for the Hungry. Al Alcazar urged participants to register at Loyola this week.

IV. New Business

A. Committee Reports:

1. Election - Catherine Comiskey reported that ballots have been mailed, and responses are coming in. The committee will meet on April 18th and they plan to have results announced at the May meeting.

2. Fringe Benefits - Ms. Sonier said the committee met on March 15th and April 7th. Discussions continued on re-negotiations of Loyola’s life insurance and long-term disability plans for 2001. Leo Guibault, the consultant, reviewed the recommendations for the request for proposals as discussed at the last meeting, which suggested providing life insurance to every full-time employee and changing the basic benefit to 1-2x annual earnings to a maximum of $50,000. Under this proposal, Loyola would pay the entire premium. Employees could purchase additional insurance under the voluntary life insurance plan. The committee decided to include the following options in our request for Group Term Life Insurance: our current coverage, 1x salary with a cap of $50,000 - pd by Loyola, 1x salary with a cap of $100,000 - pd by Loyola (any amount over $50,000 is a taxable benefit). Because of the high number of claims, we can expect life insurance rates to increase, as well as rates for other insurance plans in 2001. The consultants will check to see if there are different rates for voluntary life insurance based on gender and smokers/non-smokers.

The AD&D insurance plan would mirror the life insurance plan. Employees will still be able to purchase additional AD&D insurance even if they do not purchase life insurance. The consultant recommended the following be included in the request for a proposal for Long Term Disability; our current coverage, a 6 month elimination period with a 2 year review, a 3 month elimination with a 2 year review.

Regarding dental insurance, we will request bids from Blue Cross, SMA, and HMO dental plans. The committee will meet for the final time this year on May 10th.

3. Senate subcommittee - Karen Shields reported that Gail Howard had a meeting with the SGA. The SGA has been trying to gain more faculty and staff participation in their activities. Their number one activity was Wolves on the Prowl, held in the Fall. The students made some good points concerning her buddy system plan, urging the subcommittee to go slowly and develop these plans properly.

4. Rec Sports - Mr. Reed announced that a meeting has been scheduled for April 18th to discuss a possible move to a NCAA division.

5. Parking - Ms. Turner said the weekly meetings have been centered on hearing appeals and on revising the parking regulations brochure. Mr. Reed added that the Parking committee will be the body to hear appeals by resident Freshmen who want to park on campus.

6. Jesuit/Catholic Identity - Dave Huffman was not present, so the report will be given at the next meeting.

7. UPT - no report

VI. Open Forum

Mr. Stern reminded everyone that Wednesday, April 19th is the Annual Staff Luncheon, and said that he was asked to be M.C. for the event. He also announced that one of our senators, Avia Morgan, is the winner of the Coadjutor Optimus award for Administrative Staff.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:42 p.m.