UNIVERSITY OF
MINUTES OF APRIL 16, 2003 MEETING
The annual Spring meeting of the
President Carl Kisslinger called
the meeting to order at
President Kisslinger read the names of our recently deceased colleagues. In addition to the names listed in the packet previously mailed to members for this meeting, he added the name of Quigg Newton, who served as President of the University from Dec. 1956 to June 1963, and died on April 4 this year. A moment of silence was observed in their memory. President Kisslinger asked that anyone who learns of the death of former colleagues, please let one of the officers know; this is especially helpful in the case of those residing in far away places.
The minutes of the Annual Fall
Meeting of the RFA on
President Kisslinger read the membership report, prepared by Stewart Strickler:
Members current for 2003 339
Members not paid since 2002 156
Members not paid since 2001 53
Total 548
Membership by campus
Health Sciences 16%
Other 1%
Treasurer Rudy Schattke discussed the financial report included in the packet and gave some more recent figures. As of April 14, the income - expenses for the period since October 1 is in fact $2010 (before paying for the luncheon), and the total net worth is $8600.
Prof. Kisslinger noted that our funds deposited with the Foundation for the graduate scholarships now amount to $2755 and there were 3 donors since September 2003. This is remarkable since we haven’t been soliciting funds. We do have to pay $225 for the two rooms we are using at the Coors Conference/Events Center. And there is an extra cost of $382 for the food servers and the table setups. We are continuing to explore the possibilities for meeting space, such as the Glenn Miller Ballroom or even going off campus someplace, such as the Spice of Life.
Jim Topping, Vice President for
Budget and Finance, assisted by the budget director Rob Kohrman, gave a report
on the University budget situation.
The state budget situation has been very difficult the past two
years. There has been a shortfall
of almost a billion dollars each year out of a budget of 13 to 14 billion
dollars. The Tabor amendment and
amendment 23 have reduced flexibility.
In 1990 the state appropriation was about 25% of the university’s
budget but now it is down to about 9.9%.
Biggest growth has been in federal grants and contracts area. 27% comes from student tuition. We are talking of a 10% increase in
tuition. Student
enrollment has grown at all campuses and the overall total is now 50, 287 (up
5.5%). There have been staff cuts and some programs have been cut. 40% of budget is affected by Tabor. Four directions being discussed at the
legislative level this year: 1.
RFA member, Stuart Schneck, reported on UBAB (University Benefits Advisory Board). Last year they deferred going out for request for proposal (RFP) but last Friday a request for proposal to insurance vendors went out and by June 9 a decision will be made. They are hopeful but not overly optimistic that things may change a little for the better. They have also been concerned that the university does not contribute the level of benefit that industry does (about 80%). CU gives single retirees 61% and retirees plus spouse 44%. For active faculty it is less. UBAB thought it would be a good idea to look at salary plus benefits as a unit and increase the amount going to benefits at the expense of salary. Steve McNally, from the benefits office then reported on a survey done by UBAB (who will first learn the results on Friday) concerning whether a portion of a possible raise should be applied to health benefits: 60% said no. In the case of no raise, 77% were opposed to applying some salary to health benefits
Ombudsperson Bob Fink gave a report. Since last April he had 15 contacts. e-mail accounts will now be established for surviving spouses who wish to apply. They are working on the question of RTD passes for retired faculty. Concerning the problem that some retired faculty were mistakenly solicited by the Retired Staff Association for $5 in dues; the RSA has agreed to refund the money for those who paid. Those people should please contact Bob Fink, who will handle the refunds. He is also working with the Retired Staff Association to prevent this mistake from happening again.
President Kisslinger commented that we had not allowed enough lead time to send out the second mailings, which arrived rather late and we will plan to mail them earlier next time. He also pointed out the reports in the packet from the BFA representatives (Natalie Hedberg and Kurt Gerstle), the UCHSC RFA liaison (Johann Stoyva) and the Personnel Committee representative (Franz Roehmann). Prof. Roehmann gave further clarification on his report.
Vice President Chuck Howe led discussion on two motions from the Executive Board concerning the Graduate Student Awards. These had been included in the meeting packet. The first motion was as follows:
1. A motion from
the Executive Board to continue the Retired Faculty Association Graduate Student
awards for one more two-year cycle.
In view of the success of the first cycle of activity, 2001-2003, of the Retired Faculty Association Graduate Student Awards in supporting excellent graduate students on the four campuses of the University and the generous support of the membership through voluntary contributions to the fund;
It is moved that the
Association continue the program of awards to the graduate programs of the four
campuses for one more cycle, 2003-2005, on the same basis as originally approved
by the membership and presented in detail in the Gift Agreement between the
Association and the
After
a short discussion, the motion was passed.
The
second motion concerned the setting up of an endowment for the Graduate Student
Awards program. Prof. Court
Peterson introduced an amendment allowing the Executive Board to
proceed more quickly with implementation of the program. The amendment passed. The amended motion then was approved as
follows: the underlined words
comprise the amendment.
2. A motion from the
Executive Board to authorize the Board to initiate discussions with the
University of Colorado Foundation on planning and fund raising for an endowed
Retired Faculty Association Graduate Student Awards program and that the
Board be authorized to proceed with implementation of the solicitation program
if the Board is satisfied with the plan worked out with the
Foundation.
In view of the success of the Retired Faculty Association Graduate Student Awards program for 2001-2003 in supporting excellence in graduate studies on the four campuses, and the generosity of the membership in supporting this program through voluntary contributions,
And in view of the desirability of establishing this program as a permanent activity that will not require a continuous commitment of Association funds;
It is moved that the
Executive Board of the Association be authorized to engage in discussions with
the University of Colorado Foundation concerning planning and implementing a campaign to raise
funds to create a permanent endowment, the proceeds from which will be used to
continue the Graduate Student Awards. A campaign would run concurrently with the
second cycle of funding of the Awards program, 2003-2005, and would be
terminated if the amount raised by
The
group then heard from this year’s graduate student
awardees:
Kayci
Emri,
from
Manoela
Borges
was introduced by her faculty advisor, Anthony Bebbington. Ms. Borges was born in
Further
activities: Members are encouraged
to visit the RFA website to keep informed on activities. Johann Stoyva invited RFA members to
attend a lecture on End of Life Issues at the
The
meeting adjourned at
Respectfully
submitted,
Richard Roth, Secretary