Grundy Reporter

University of Illinois System Senate Committee on Faculty and Academic Staff Benefits met Sept. 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

Present: Chair David Lange, Angela Lyons, Piper Martin, Antonio Sotomayor, Francis Thomas, Sever Tipei

Ex officio: John Kindt, Katie Ross, Deb Stone, Brent West, H. F. Williamson, Karie Wolfson

Absent: Ex officio: Larry Curtis, Mark McGiles

Guest: Wendy Doebel (Senior Coordinator, Human Resources Administration)

I. CALL TO ORDER

A regular meeting of the Senate Committee on Faculty and Academic Staff Benefits (FB) was called to order at 11:00 am with Chair Lange presiding.

II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

The minutes of the April 27, 2020 meeting were approved as distributed by roll call vote.

Yes: Lange, Martin, Thomas, Tipei

No: None

Abstain: Lyons, Sotomayor

III. PUBLIC COMMENT

No requests received.

IV. CHAIR’S REMARKS

Chair Lange welcomed new and returning committee members and had each introduce themselves.

Chair Lange gave an overview of the role of the committee which includes acting as a liaison to the faculty and fostering communication with the administration.

Chair Lange noted the November ballot issue of a graduated tax. He commented that the State Universities Annuitants Association (SUAA) has shared a position paper with the premise that more money received by the state would be good for the pension system.

V. OLD BUSINESS

FB.20.02, Behavioral Economics of Retirement Planning

FB will continue discussion on this issue at a future meeting.

VI. NEW BUSINESS

No new business.

VII. UPDATE FROM SURSMAC REPRESENTATIVES

Williamson reported that SURSMAC has not yet met this semester.

VIII. UPDATE FROM UNIVERSITY PAYROLL AND BENEFITS

No update.

IX. UPDATE FROM STATE UNIVERSITIES RETIREMENT SYSTEM

No update.

X. UPDATE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PROVOST

Stone reported on the quarantine benefits protocol. She noted that when an employee is required to quarantine due to exposure but is not ill, then the 14-day required quarantine period is continued pay for the employee.

Stone commented that the state legislature has made Election Day (November 3) a state holiday this year. This holiday applies to employees and will require a change to the academic calendar. It was noted that the revision to the academic calendar will go to the Senate for approval via the Senate Committee on Educational Policy this month.

Stone reported that the University will not participate in the federal tax deferral. Under the terms of the deferral, federal taxes would not be withheld from an employee’s paycheck during the months of September, October, November and December; however, those deferred federal taxes would need to be withheld from the employee’s paycheck during 2021.

XI. UPDATE FROM FACULTY STAFF ASSISTANCE SERVICES (FSAS)

Wolfson thanked FB for its support of the emergency fund drive last spring. The average fund drive raises $10,000-$12,000; however, last year’s fund drive raised $20,000 for the emergency fund.

Wolfson shared that FSAS has seen numerous families struggling with the balance between work life/home life and the additional stresses with remote schooling and work.

XII. UPDATE FROM ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR HUMAN RESOURCES

Ross distributed copies of the HR/Benefits: Current Topics & Events document and gave an overview:

• The Self Managed Plan (SMP) is now called the Retirement Savings Plan (RSP). The new record keeper is Voya Financial and all participants in the SMP changed over to RSP on September 1. A new default investment option, SURS Lifetime Income Solution (LIS), is available which has an insurance component built into the cost of the fun and insures that the annuitant has a minimum amount at retirement. Previously, there was no guarantee in the self managed plan so this offers some level of guarantee. Participants in this plan will need to make a decision by October 1 if they want to stay in the default LIS option. Lyons noted concern that participants may not have received information on the need to make a decision by October 1. Chair Lange will make an announcement at the September Senate meeting.

• In August, an email was sent to all employees with no state life insurance beneficiary on file to encourage them to update their beneficiary.

• An infection control fee has been charged by some dental offices to cover the cost of the personal protective equipment required due to COVID-19. In-network providers are not allowed to charge this fee to participants. Out-of-network providers can charge the fee and it will be the expense of the participant as Delta Dental does not reimburse for this fee.

• Central Management Services offered several voluntary benefits options this year. Pet Insurance and ID Theft Protection have enrollment available at any time. Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Legal Services only have enrollment during the Benefit Choice period.

• Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) and Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP) participants have through December 31, 2020 to incur expenses and submit claims for FY20 funds.

• Paper forms are no longer accepted for enrollment, contribution elections/changes, and beneficiary elections/changes for the State 457 deferred compensation plan.

• Flu shots will be available beginning today at various campus locations.

State Claim Payment Delays as of September 14, 2020

QCHP – Aetna 07/06/2020 2 months

HealthLink OAP 07/13/2020 2 months

Aetna OAP 07/06/2020 2 months

QCDP PPO/Premier 07/26/2020 2 months

QCDP Non-network 05/09/2020 4 months

XIII. UPDATE FROM THE UIUC CHAPTER OF THE STATE UNIVERSITIES ANNUITANTS ASSOCIATION

Williamson reported that SUAA has issued a statement in support of the graduated tax that will be on the ballot for Illinois voters in November.

XIV. UPDATE FROM THE COUNCIL OF ACADEMIC PROFESSIONALS

West updated FB on the following:

• CAP has heard wide praises for University’s efforts during COVID-19 including pay continuity, telecommuting, free COVID testing, free masks, flexible workspaces, and accommodations for health and childcare needs.

• The Professional Employment Redesign (PER) has resulted in a decline in the overall number of academic professional positions. Recently, 155 of 900 positions reviewed were reclassified to civil service and another 150 were reclassified due to a promotion or similar employment change.

• The Academic Professional Development Fund (APDF) is currently suspended due to the travel restrictions that are in place. CAP hopes it can reopen for applications for non-travel development such as webinars and books.

• The Chancellor’s Academic Professional Excellence (CAPE) Award ceremony was cancelled in April, so CAP is discussing how to recognize both the 2020 and 2021 CAPE awardees.

• CAP surveyed academic professional staff in early July regarding the impact of COVID-19 and preparing to return to campus. The survey had 542 responses which was a 13% response rate.

XV. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 pm.

https://uofi.app.box.com/v/FacultyAcademicStaffBenefits/file/729780946191