Meeting Notes from July 17, 2000

Present: T. Rogers, A. Quinn, D. Lassila, B. Keen, E. Horsch, H. Hiner, I. Cheney

Absent: B. Seely, J. Pickens, L. Davis

Guests: J. Meldrum, J. Seppala, D. Greenlee.

Meeting opened at 8:30 AM. Tony Rogers reported for the Charge 1 Subcommittee the subcommittee wants to differentiate between contracts and grants by contacting successful on-campus researchers and ask their experiences. They would also like Anita Quinn's if debriefings indicate a non-competitiveness in the fringe benefit rates. Anita related she does not receive copies of debriefings and has not heard. Rogers to contact John Sutherland, John Crittendon and some others on campus.

Horsch summarized information from the weekend researchers get-together. They are looking for a forum to discuss issues and tensions on research and the negative items such as Research Excellence (REA) money, etc. Poster boards were presented for comments. Money has been taken from the REAs and put into such things as Internet 2 instead. Horsch felt some of the topics at the weekend gathering are beyond the charges of this committee as a whole and have been brewing for some time. Rogers is soliciting input from anyone with additional information and may contact funding agencies.

Greenlee reported in Pickens' absence for Charge 2 Subcommittee, the equity and relation between benefits from different classes of employees. Mike Cook, ONR, gave a listing of other universities that report to ONR and it hit 6 of the 8 benchmarks which will be checked. Cook related that a good amount of universities have on rate, lesser amounts have two rates and a very small group have three or four rates. The ONR will not allow 15 rates and the committee must go to the DC auditor for approval on what the committee wishes to do. Fewer rates, logical progression, and staying power for the rate system are all recommendations by Cook. The group is also working with HR for benefits by class of employee, by person, class or groups of employees. Seppala quoted U of M as admitting they are the exception with many rates.

Horsch reported for Seely on the Charge 3 Subcommittee, relating the information sent in Seely's email of 7/14 and handed out at the meeting. Hendricks stressed the effect on Auxiliary Enterprise of any change in who is included in a composite rate. Hendricks felt Auxiliary Enterprise should be part of the group discussion. Horsch is to talk to John Rovano and Howard Greenley regarding the effect of the fringe benefit multi-structured rates on Auxiliary Enterprises. Discussion of subsidizing of various activities on-campus followed. Anita pointed out that if soft-money personnel are to be treated like everyone else then we should look at how they get their raises all at once, not split and how they do not get season days off. Rogers said the raise issue was something to help balance off the possibility of lay-off. Horsch agreed that employees should be treated the same and pointed out that most lay-offs are in Auxiliary Enterprise, in any case, not in research.

Lassila asked if the one-rate for the entire campus idea proposed by Meldrum was viewed as fair. She pointed out that many research positions were not eligible for retirement for two years but this would be included in the one-rate of 40%. Anita felt there was not consensus for one rate university-wide. Rogers thought most researchers should view this as easier to work with and fair. Horsch stressed that a multi-rate, such as University of Michigan, will increase administrative costs which most faculty are against. Anita added that it will not look good on proposals as there are mostly higher salaries on research contracts and grants. Something in-between is needed.

The need for an open forum was discussed and agreed upon. Horsch will request the Faculty Senate to sponsor an open forum for all interested and will speak to acting provost Bowen about arranging an Academic Forum. These forums will both be within the next two weeks.

Charge 2 Subcommittee to return next week with numbers and the full committee will decide how to present the information to the forums.

Meeting closed 10:00 a.m.

Submitted by: Helene T. Hiner



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