MEDICAL CENTER STAFF ADVISORY COUNCIL

Attendance: Ellis, Lisa, Liginfelter, Carol, Ray, JoGale, Smith, Paula, Saskowski, Richard, Agee, Myra, Campbell, Linda, Ferguson, Bettie, Gressman, Jan, Hinger, Lynne, Jenkins, Joann, Johnson, Cindy, Sammons, Barbara, Ambrose, Anna, Burney-Jones, Cheryl, Claiborne, Melissa, Gordon, Anne, Hunter, Karen, Jefferies, Tom, Vaughn, Edie, Ahiatsi, Edna, Bates, Arlene, Cortner, Martha, Hall, DeeDee, Ledgerwood, Judy, Lenior, Frank, Luellen, Lisa, Mallen, Beth, Temple, Jeannie, Stacey, Rachel, Troupe, Marcell, Warren, Rita, Staley, Janet, Smith, Sharon.

Absence with regrets: Westbrook, Jerry, Crittendon, Lynn, Manassee, Mark

Guests: Gee, Gordon; Tanner, Martha, Oakes, Cindy, Shulenberger, Ro, Wilson, Jeff, Anderson, Craig, Park, Trish, Holmes, Marilyn, Qualls, Karen, Anderson, Sue, Stanford, Ann, Carth, Dela, Collins, Clara, Webb, Lynn, Posch, David.

Meeting called to order at 14:00.

Chancellor Gee spoke first and talked to the group about the Road Scholars Tour. They want to retain staff which start every workday. Want to fully understand what we want and need to retain staff at Vanderbilt. We are now on a positive vector in the institution. We have increased staff and students. One hundred positions downsized last year and almost all were moved to other positions. The MCSAC represent 11,000 employees. Want ideas and support from staff to help things improve.

Question asked regarding employee Celebration regarding faculty opposed to letting staff go to the celebration. Answer: They have celebration to honor and allow staff to have some fun. They will continue to work to let all levels know that staff is supposed to go and enjoy themselves and not feel like they cannot go attend. The purpose is to allow staff to leave their responsibilities and have fun, and for them to be appreciated for the job they do to keep Vanderbilt running. Vanderbilt employs some 18,000 people. If you were not allowed to attend the celebration you can e-mail Chancellor Gee.

Question about moving the start of celebration away from Labor Day holiday. They will look at the calendars more closely to identify conflicts in the calendar for holidays and religious holidays. First of the month is also difficult for people who work with research grants to get away for the celebration.

Jane Bruce talked to us about benefits and Marilyn Holmes from Health plus also spoke.
Open Enrollment is from October 1-17, 2003. It is now time to evaluate your benefits for the next year. They will offer medical, dental, pet insurance, and Met Life will be back with home, auto and long-term benefits. It is also time to update your dependant and beneficiaries information. New plan, “Go for the Gold,” will give you and extra $10.00 a month on to your paycheck. This is the first year and is the Bronze level; then will have Silver and Gold Levels. Health costs continue to rise each year. Blue Cross S and preferred will be offered and Cigna will be a new vendor this year. The Vanderbilt Preferred and United will no longer be offered at Vanderbilt. The Blue Cross S plan will remain the same. Basically the coverage is the same between Blue Cross Preferred and Cigna. There are a few exclusions please review these carefully. You get the best benefit by coming to Vanderbilt for your care. Wellness visit benefits have been increased in the new policies. Below is a chart comparing health coverages.

Caremark prescriptions will be for all of the health plans. It is a separate card from the insurance cards.

ADD available in increments of $10,000 up to $500,000 (10 X annual pay).

Flexben will still be processing the PSA and FRA plans. IRS has now changed the rules and over-the-counter drugs can be used against your medical PSA balance. Vitamins and herbals will not be covered by this. Contact lens cleaning solutions are also reimbursable through the medical PSA plan. Co-pays cannot be use against your medical PSA plan.

If you are in United or Vanderbilt Preferred and do nothing you will default to Blue Cross preferred on the Individual Plan.

Dental must be reenrolled this year or it will be waived. Both PSA’s have to be re-enrolled each year.

Benefits Fair will be held October 9 and 10 in the TVC cafeteria.

Confirmation Of your Benefit enrollment should be mailed by November 3 and if you don’t receive it by November 11 You need to HR at 2-8330.

Drop off boxes will be in several locations around campus.

OLD BUISNESS:

The August minutes were approved as presented.

Needles and Pins Craft Fair: We will have a food both this year. There will not be a food vendor.

Standing University committees: These reports will be e-mailed at a later date.

Traffic and Parking:
Status of Women and Minorities:
Campus Security:
Diversity:

NEW BUISNESS:

The two staff councils and the Faculty Senate will collaborate to create a joint letter to Administration, which will request that faculty/staff be allowed an avenue to address benefit needs and wishes of those affected.

ANNOUNCMENTS:
None

Meeting Adjourned at 15:05

NEXT MEETING:
October 15, 2003
Room 206 Preston Research Building
2:00 pm
Ken Browning, Gene Ornes and Cyril Stewart will discuss current and future parking and space issues.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Smith
Secretary