Official Minutes of the

Executive Board/Central Committee

September 7, 2007

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United Faculty Executive Board/Central Committee Meeting
September 7, 2007
CBB 319
3:30 – 4:45 p.m.

1. Call to order

I.          Call to Order (Isakson)
            3:30 p.m. by Isakson

II.        Approval of Agenda (Isakson)
            Isakson added Changes in Drug Formularies.
            Approved with changes.

III.       Report from the President (Isakson)
            A.        The transition of officers has gone smoothly.
            B.         Meeting times will remain the first Friday of each month at 3:30 p.m.
            C.        The new meeting location will be CBB 319.
D.        Emphasis this year will be on the recruitment of new members.  Isakson developed an informational brochure that contains a Membership Application form.  A signature must be on the form before the person can use payroll deductions to pay dues.  Copies may be obtained from the United Faculty office.

            AAUP will be sending bi-weekly email messages to non-members and to members.  Again, to support recruitment efforts.

IV.       Membership Update (Quirk)
There is a total of 168 members. 

V.        Presentation and Approval of Minutes (Adkins)
            The following changes to the minutes were approved:  remove “__________ Rosenberg, and Dan Cook” and add “Simet” to Ira’s name.
            Minutes were approved with changes.

VI.       Treasurer’s Report (Thompson)
Profit and Loss July 2006 through June 2007; Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2007; Profit and Loss July through August 2007; and Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2007, were presented and discussed.
Motion by Neuhaus and seconded by Beall to accept the Treasurer’s Report.  Motion carried.

VII.     Grievance Report (Funderburk)
The Compliance and Equity Management committee has had productive meetings with President Allen.

The grievant in a grievance that has been going on for some time, has signed an offer of settlement.  It has been submitted to the Board of Regents, and the parties involved are waiting to hear back from them.

There are no other grievances.

The Grievance Committee is being restructured.  Anyone wanting to be a member should contact Funderburk.

VIII.    Old Business (Isakson)
A.        The new Master Agreement is approved and copies made and distributed.  Appreciation was given to the bargaining group for negotiating and maintaining a good benefits package at UNI.

B.         Quirk indicated that 110 people attended the meeting about arming Public Safety Officers.  Isakson composed a statement from United Faculty and sent it to President Allen after it was approved by the Central Committee via an email vote.

IX.       New Business
A.        President Allen asked for a list of people to serve on the Provost/Academic Vice Presidential Search Committee.  Isakson provided a list of names in addition to three characteristics desired in a new Provost/Academic Vice President:
            1.  Supports/defends academic freedom and shared governance,
            2.  Secures additional resources for academic areas,
3.  Possesses experience as an administrator at a campus where the faculty is                                                        unionized.

B.         There are three joint United Faculty and administration task forces.  Isakson was asked to submit the names of three people for each committee.  He pointed out that the purpose of task forces is to study and report back, not to implement.

1.  Study ways to reduce health insurance costs.  The administration would like employees to pay more towards the cost.  United Faculty would like to improve wellness in order to reduce the instances of using health insurance.

      During the discussion, it was noted that faculty have to pay to use the Wellness Center.  This causes people to join the Cedar Falls Recreation Center and pay less for membership.

      Among the three Regents universities, UNI has the lowest incidence of claims.

2.   Study the creation of Clinical Faculty and Renewable Term Faculty classifications.  During bargaining, the administration took their proposal off the table.  Discussion revealed that the University of Iowa is not real happy with Clinical Faculty.

3.   Teaching Assessment Instrument.  Beall reported there was some reluctance to change.  Students want an online assessment instrument, but there are some concerns with this type of assessment.

            This task force hasn’t met since early July.  When they resume, a push will         be made for change.  In the meantime, a copy of Kansas State’s instrument          is being obtained.

            A concern regarding assessment continues to be voiced by non-tenured             faculty.

C.        Thompson is in charge of the United Faculty picnic that will be held on Friday, September 21, at the Pheasant Ridge Gold Course Club House from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Members are encouraged to attend and bring potential new members.

D.        Smoothing the Tenure Track workshop will be presented on October 18 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in the Union.  United Faculty will mentor tenure-track faculty on working with PAC and on their portfolios.

E.         A complaint has been filed with OSHA regarding the mold problem in Baker.  The situation has accelerated in the last month, and the possibility of a damaged roof was cited as the reason.

            The situation of bats in Lang Hall was discussed.  There is a concern they may be rabid.

            Wendel Reece will respond to situations that are brought to his attention.

F.         Changes in drug formularies and prior approval procedures:  Wellmark is making changes that were not negotiated.  These changes are being made to all of their plans.  Over-the-counter and generic drugs should be used before a higher priced drug is prescribed.  Physicians should be able to write a letter to Wellmark explaining the need for non-generic drugs; however, letters are having to be written each time the prescription is filled.  Another problem concerns chiropractic care:  The first visit to a chiropractor is covered, but is needed for subsequent visits.

            Employees and physicians should have received letters from Wellmark about the changes; however, Cindy Webb says the letters are incorrect—there is no waiting period to use the cheaper drug.

            A record should be kept of people who are having problems with the changes.  If anyone is denied coverage, the situation will be looked into.  Cindy Webb should be contacted about problems.

G.        Depken reported about the online survey regarding smoking on campus.  Second-hand smoke is the major concern.  The situation regarding the air handlers by the Library’s loading dock during the summer was discussed.  During the winter, trucks are left running and the exhaust goes throughout the building.

The Iowa AAUP Conference will be at Wartburg College on September 29.  Mary Burgan is the keynote speaker.

X.        Adjournment
            Meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Linda Adkins, Secretary