MICHIGAN
TECHNOLOGICAL
UNIVERSITY                  The Senate of Michigan Technological University



                             PROPOSAL 2-96

                      (Voting Units: Full Senate)

                       FRINGE BENEFITS COMMITTEE



The Fringe Benefits Committee shall be a standing committee of the Senate with the Senate bylaws revised
accordingly.




Proposal Background

Until September 1993 the Fringe Benefits Committee was a standing committee of the Senate. In fall 1993 the
Fringe Benefits Committee was merged into the Finance Committee as a subcommittee of the Finance
Committee. The rationale seemed to be that fringe benefits cost money and hence should be considered by the
Finance Committee. This arrangement has not worked well, and it is time to restore the Fringe Benefits
Committee as a standing committee of the Senate for the following reasons:

1.   Although fringe benefits indeed cost money, discussion of fringe benefits centers on their merits rather
     than on their financing. Hence it would be better to have a Fringe Benefits Committee that would
     survey faculty and staff on their interests in fringe benefits, develop proposals, perhaps coordinate with
     the Finance Committee on proposals with major financial implications, and send them to the Senate
     for discussion and vote.

2.   Different types of people seem to be attracted to fringe benefits v. finance. In the opinion of some this
     has led to unnecessary divisiveness in the finance committee.

3.   The enlarged Senate can easily handle an additional committee.

4.   A Senate Fringe Benefits Committee can initiate benefits proposals. As such it has a stronger role than
     the University Benefits Committee, which is advisory to the manager of benefits.



13 Sept 1995:  Senate adopts Proposal 2-96.