TOPICS DISCUSSED

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH PROCEDURES
Council reviewed the final draft of the Employee of the Month selection procedures. Several grammatical changes were added for clarity. Dorothy Tenney moved that the procedures be approved as changed. Ginger Linnell seconded. The motion passed.

DOMESTIC PARTNERS –NEW HEALTH INSURANCE AVAILABLE
Becky Baker, Human Resources, explained new coverage available next year. Same sex "domestic partners" will be eligible for medical coverage. [Heterosexual "domestic partners" will not be eligible, the reasoning given is that they have the option to marry which same sex couples do not.] Under the proposal the cost of the coverage for the employee will be "before tax" dollars, but the cost of the coverage for the domestic partner will be "after tax" dollars. For example, under Group Health, the employee pays $2 (before tax), the coverage for the domestic partner will be $14 ("after tax dollars"). To qualify for coverage the employee will need to sign a statement certifying to ten specific characteristics regarding their domestic relationship. See Becky Baker during the open enrollment period (October 23-November 30) for domestic partner health coverage.

BENEFITS FAIR—OCTOBER 24
The Benefit Fair will again be held in the SUB Pit on October 24, 2000, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Representatives from the major plans will be there to answer questions about specifics. Employees will receive detailed information from the Health Care Authority prior to that time.

Uniform Medical will increase rates, so there will be no "zero cost" plans in 2001. Seven plans will have increases in health insurance cost sharing including HealthPlus, Options Health Care, and the Uniform Medical Plan. Two plans will see decreases in premium cost-sharing: Group Health Cooperative and Premera Blue Cross. Two other plans will see no changes in premium costs: Aetna US Health Care and Community Health Plan of Washington.

The Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) has a summary of the January 1, 2001, changes to employee medical/dental plans, on its WebPage. (http://www.wa.gov/hca/PEBB/PEBB2001Changes.htm)

The WFSE union website also has a page with articles about proposed health insurance changes. (http://www.wfse.org/whatsnew.htm#anchor511670).

For the first time this year, current employees will be able to go on line, 24 hours a day during the open enrollment period (October 23-November 30) and change their medical plans. Retirees will not be eligible for this service.

Open enrollment changes to the PEBB Medical/Dental plans is online at: http://www.wa.gov/hca/PEBB/PEBB2001Changes.htm

SHARED LEAVE
CWU employees may donate leave to a fellow employee who is severely ill or injured or has a family member who is severely ill or injured. "Severely" is defined as serious or extreme and/or life threatening. Recipients must be off work and have used all their paid leave to be eligible. Employees who wish to receive shared leave must notify Human Resources and submit a doctor's certificate.

The following individuals is in need of shared leave: Robert (Randy) Carbary of Facilities Management and Laura Lahaie of Dining Services.

Individuals interested in donating leave to Randy or Laura should request a Shared Leave donation form from Human Resources. Requests must be approved by your supervisor before forwarding the form to Human Resources. Donated leave is also subject to approval by your department head, and Human Resources.

Annual leave may be donated in eight-hour blocks. Employees who wish to donate annual leave must retain at least ten days (80 hours) of vacation leave and cannot donate excess leave (that over 30 days or 240 hours) that he/she would otherwise lose at the beginning of the leave anniversary month. Sick leave may also be donated in eight-hour blocks. The donating employee must retain a minimum of 480 hours sick leave balance after the transfer. No more than six days of sick leave may be transferred during any twelve-month period. An employee’s personal holiday may also be donated. Forms for leave donation are available from Human Resources, 963-1202.

STUDENT DEPENDENTS
The Health Care Authority (HCA) has been assigned the responsibility for enrolling student dependents. This is now in effect. When your children are 20 years old, they change to "pending" status until verification is received from their school confirming that they are full-time students. This can be any accredited school, university, trade school, etc. But it is important to plan ahead and be aware of the necessary procedures to avoid gaps in medical coverage.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Council reviewed nominations presented by the selection committee and selected an Employee of the Month for June and for July. The nominations for the other candidates will go back into "the hopper" for consideration in later months. Nominations are now kept one calendar year from the date the original nomination was received.

As the presentations for the Employee of the Month for June and July will not be held until mid-September, we will announce the winners in September’s meeting minutes.

Keep those nominations coming in! Forms are available at http://www.cwu.edu/~hr/forms/nomination_form.doc

REVIEW OF MEMOS FROM AUDITOR
Margaret Smith, Auditor, has sent out two memos regarding ethical use of computers and childcare in the workplace. All employees should be aware of these policies. If you did not receive a copy of these memos, please contact Margaret Smith at telephone 2299.

STAFF T-SHIRTS?
Kari Taylor (EC Chair) and Dale Hubbard (WFSE Local Union President) have had conversations regarding their idea that all staff wear their favorite CWU T-shirt, sweatshirt, or CWU colors (whatever is appropriate for their position and area) the first day of class, September 25. This would readily identify staff as resource persons for students to ask questions, directions, etc. Kari looked into purchasing T-shirts for all permanent staff, but because of financial reasons and time constraints, it is not possible this year. She will look into purchasing buttons/badges for all permanent staff to wear the first day of class. It was felt that this may help to boost staff morale and promote the feeling that we are all here to support students.

MOVERS & SHAKERS
Dorothy Tenney reported on the "Movers & Shakers" program, which will be on Friday, September 22, 2000, from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Volunteers help students get moved into their dorm rooms. This is a great way to show the staff’s support of our returning and new students. Please volunteer at least an hour of your time; you can even volunteer during your work time if your supervisor approves your participation. The Housing Office needs to know if you plan to volunteer by 5:00 p.m., September 11. Volunteers will get a free lunch at the dining hall, a T-shirt, and the good feeling of knowing that they have helped students get off to a good start at CWU. Please call Barbara Hinchliff (1831) for more information.

PRESIDENTIAL FORUM
We are all invited to participate in a presidential forum, which is scheduled for Friday, September 22. Two identical sessions have been scheduled -- one in the morning from 9:00-11:00 a.m. and the other in the afternoon from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

The Forum will build on the work of the Strategic Planning Committee to embark on the next state of our planning process. Each forum will begin in Hertz Auditorium with brief remarks from President Jerilyn S. McIntyre, followed by an opportunity for small group discussion in classrooms in and near Hertz Hall. Each small group will have a facilitator who will then report back to the larger group at the end of the session. We will continue these conversations during fall quarter in a number of venues, including students.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.

NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for September 21, 2000, at 2:00 p.m., in SUB 204/5. This will be our annual transitional meeting. Everyone, all the new delegates as well as the out-going delegates and alternates, is urged to attend this meeting. It will be a good introduction to Employee Council. This is when the new officers for the next year are elected.

Present:
Karol Barker, Dining Services
Marilyn Thompson, Housing & Residential Services
Kariann Taylor, Instructional Support: Unit A; Chairperson
Gene Wilson, Instructional Support: Unit A
Leona Johnson, Library Services; Secretary
Ann Arango, Library Services
Dorothy Tenney, Plant & Facilities
Ginger Linnell, Enrollment Management & Marketing

Absent:
Kim Thomas, Business & Admin Support: Unit A
Elaine Long, Business & Admin Support: Unit A
Paula Moffatt, Business & Admin Support: Unit B
Mike Posada, Business & Admin Support: Unit B
Karen Simmons, Instructional Support: Unit B
Debbie Nethery, Instructional Support: Unit B
Jeri Francisco-Porter, Plant & Facilities
Pat Devlin, Plant & Facilities
Carola Alden, Student Services & SUB
Celia Johnson, Student Services & SUB

Also Present:
Becky Baker
Colleen Rose