Chair Ross reported that the BASC is in a “holding patten” until such time as a detailed budget is available for review. The committee was originally sent a two-page summation budget that was not useful. Budget Director Greg Rush will send a more detailed budget and would have already done so except for the payroll issues the previous week. The Committee wants to determine what percentage of the budget goes to Instruction.
Other issues discussed in committee was the status/existence of the university-wide equipment and attrition budget that units submitted all of their equipment needs categorized as $500 and above or $2,000 and above. The inadequate budget for the library was discussed. The Catalogue has not yet been printed and there is no available current operational chart for the University available. There have been new administrative hires/positions and the question was raised if those were added after the Board approved the new organizational chart and the budget. The BASC is concerned about the ratio of administrators to students.
There was brief discussion about the desirability of policy in place that specifies faculty participation in the budget process. Late last spring semester President Burse invited two faculty members selected by BASC to sit in on the last round of budget hearings. This was just prior to the hearings. Seats and participation needs to be established earlier and BASC is researching the process of Faculty participation at other institutions. While the Faculty Handbook specifies Faculty input it does not designate exactly how. A Senator asked if President Burse has been asked if he would support a set policy and past BASC Chair Rye said that the committee had asked that question last year and he said that he would not be inclined to recommend to the Board any policy statement that specifies faculty participation in the budget process.
After applause for Regent McFayden's proactive stance on the Insurance crisis there was lengthy discussion. Regent McFayden said that the state open enrollment is in October and we can possibly make that deadline, but only if the University applies to enroll in their pool and are accepted. As is, individuals do not have a "qualifying event". He said that President Burse indicated he is willing to increase the university contribution gradually. Regent McFayden's position is that family plans need more sooner.
President Smith shared the KTRS plan posted on the Web. While the price of a family policy is close to KSU's projected increase, @ $1,500, there is not a $4000 deductible.
A Senator said that his preference is the private market, with portable KSU contribution. Several others agreed. It was pointed out that while lower prices are available benefits are generally not as desirable.
There was discussion of the problems related to University planning, in both the budgetary and the insurance dilemma. The budget was built on a projected student enrollment of 1,895 and we have no firm enrollment figure available from the Registrar's office to date. The significant impact of the enforced admissions standards was possibly not taken into account as pointed out by one Senator. If the Insurance issue had been addressed earlier then faculty could have made decisions during the summer open enrollment period. Regent McFayden pointed out that, yes, there were problems but now is a time to focus on doing something about it.
After discussion of how the Senate should proceed at this point, Senator Landy made a motion for a Sense of the Senate Resolution that the Senate supports the option to go with the State Pool. After friendly amendment suggestions the motion read:
The Faculty Senate recommends that KSU move to the State insurance pool, if the options will provide employees more affordable coverage and/or better benefits.
The resolution passed with one dissenting vote.