Senators Present:
2:05 PM Senator Cliff Trow was introduced and discussed problems facing higher education in the form of new ballot initiatives. He warned of the dire (and immediate) consequences of initiatives to substantially reduce state revenues and urged senators to be active now in working to defeat them.
There will be a large turnover in both the House and Senate due to term limits. This is a good time (before the elections) for senators to educate candidates on the needs of higher education. Senator Trow also urged senators to make sure the governor's budget would be good for higher education. There is some chance the next legislature will be easier for the governor to work with.
Discussions followed on faculty salaries and compensation (PEBB), legislative strategy for the next session, legislative awareness of the fact that the model was not fully funded last time, and strategies to defeat undesirable ballot measures. Regarding the latter, Senator Trow recommended a strong get-out-the-vote campaign for students.
Senator Trow reminded us that the legislators respond to the immediate during a session and that IFS senators may be better than professional lobbyists in providing education regarding the effects of legislative action.
3:30 PM Laurel Maughan, president of the local AAUP chapter was introduced and a discussion of unified strategies for AAUP, AOF, and IFS followed. Bruce Sorte introduced a proposed IFS legislative agenda which will be discussed at the Saturday meeting.
4:20 PM Tim White, Interim OSU Provost was introduced. After a brief personal biography, he discussed some of the activities taking place in the Provost's office. These included a new collaborative leadership communication scheme, new procedures for commencement (separation of graduate and undergraduate ceremonies), and recent developments in the protest taking place at the school of veterinary medicine.
5:00 PM The meeting was adjourned.
Senators Present:
The next meeting of the IFS will take place April 7th and 8th at the University of Oregon.
Approval of the minutes of the December meeting was postponed until the next meeting.
Reports: State Board of Higher Education
Jack Cooper reported on the December meeting. In his presentation to the board he mentioned the concern over PEBB and the adverse impact on faculty retention, library funding, and the lack of support by SOU for the IFS selection of a Southern faculty member as prospective IFS president.
The Board received a report from CORAB (Central Oregon Regional Advisory Board) regarding a four-year institution in Bend.
Gary Tiedeman reported on the January meeting of the Board and the PEBB meeting that followed.
Proposals to provide tuition waivers for athletes, and to allow armed campus security at Portland State were presented to the Board.
The Board also discussed whether the designated "centers of excellence" should become permanent by virtue of statute or to retain the present system which makes changing designations easier.
Bill Anslow, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, will be leaving.
The Board received a letter from President Betty Youngblood (WOU) urging them to provide more support for the improvement of faculty salaries. Included was data showing the widening gap between salaries at Western, Southern, and Eastern, and those of the comparator institutions identified by OUS.
A presentation by the Governor on PEBB issues followed the Board meeting. It was clear the Governor does not want OUS to separate from PEBB and if faculty compensation is a problem, salaries should be raised. The two issues should not be confused. President Frohnmayer (UO) made an effective response regarding faculty compensation.
Reports: Academic Council
Paul Simonds, IFS Academic Council Representative, reported on the December and January meetings.
The Council received a report from Dick Markwood (Director of the Central Oregon University Center) on higher education in central Oregon. Efforts are being made to obtain a new building for higher education. There are no immediate plans to create a new institution, but he noted the current arrangement will probably not work when enrollment exceeds 1,000 students (expected in about five years).
In a legislative update, Grattan Kerans, noted problems with the new Oregon Enterprise Network (which will replace the current ednet). Problems include requirements for more technical support (a problem in rural areas), level of service, cost, and reliability.
The Provosts discussed the potential adverse impact of inappropriate guidelines from the Office of Degree Authorization (a state agency, not part of OUS).
Programs at OHSU, OSU, UO, and WOU are undergoing Academic Program Follow-up Review (a fifth year review of programs).
Denise Yunker reported on PEBB and the options OUS could take. There was some feeling among the Provosts that OUS should opt out despite the political consequences.
The staff tuition rate issue was discussed and a proposal allowing the benefit to be transferable to family members will go the Board. An unresolved issue is whether the benefit can be used at any OUS institution or just the employee's institution.
9:55 AM A motion was made (Simonds) and seconded (Sevigny) to defer action on revision of the bylaws to the constitution until the April meeting. The motion passed.
A discussion of the legislative agenda for IFS followed. An ad hoc committee was appointed to review the draft proposal presented by Bruce Sorte. The committee members are Bruce Sorte, Paul Simonds (chair), Bob Turner, Gary Tiedeman, and Jeff Johnson.
10:35 AM Denise Yunker, Human Resources Manager from OUS, was introduced and provided an informative update on the present status of PEBB negotiations. Because decisions regarding benefits in 2001 must be made before the next IFS meeting, she felt it important to make sure everyone understood the issues. The current proposal to PEBB freezes cash-back and opt-out options at current levels. If no agreement can be reached, OUS can exercise its option to leave PEBB. The advantages and disadvantages of leaving or staying with PEBB were discussed. Looking further ahead, OUS will probably seek legislation allowing the system to self-insure, an option already granted to community colleges.
11:35AM A discussion was held on how faculty raises were being handled at various institutions. Issues included the percentage increases, the degree of faculty involvement, and merit versus cost of living.
A request was made that each senator compile information regarding these issues at their own campus. The results will be a discussion item at the next meeting.
12:01 PM The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Brandon, Secretary email: bbrandon@eou.edu
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