Members Present:

Mark Kinders, Tony Bredahl, Sarah Egerstrom, Marilyn Duerst, Gretchen Link, Larry Testa and Sue Walton

Call to Order

Meeting called to order at 3:06 PM

Chair’s Report:

Nothing to Report

Representative’s Report:

• Proposed $250 million cut to the UW System for the 2003-05 budget (25% of our budget). UW-RF is 3% of the System’s budget. With this proposal, we could see a $1.5 million cut in 2003-04 and another $800,000 cut in 2004-2005. This cut would be dramatic – during the last decade, we experienced a $1.4 million cut.
• The UW System takes up 9% of the state budget GPR budget, but we’re being asked to give back 38% of all GPR cuts to help with the shortfall.
• Some of the budget cut may be offset through tuition increases. There is a proposal that would increase tuition by $250/semester for the next 4 semesters.
• Academic Staff Professional Representatives Organization (ASPRO) is looking for someone from our campus to join. We are the only campus in the system that does not have a representative in this organization.
• Health Insurance Premiums: There is a proposal that employees start to pick up a larger percentage of their health insurance premiums.
• Plan 2008: The first 5-year report and next 5-year plan is due this year.
• Bargaining Agreement Update: Classified staff contracts have still not been settled. The union leaders aren’t talking – no contract negations are taking place at this time.

New Business
Additional comments from Mark Kinders:

• The size of the proposed tuition increase is not out of line with the increases that we’re seeing in other states – we would still be an affordable option when compared with other campuses.
• The Joint Finance Committee will be in River Falls for a meeting in the next month. It is important that faculty, staff, students, and community members attend. We need to spread the word about the impact these budget cuts would have on our campus and the UW System.

Old Business

• Sue has submitted Bob Sievert’s materials for the Regent’s Award for Academic Staff.

Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 3:55 PM