April 2012 APAC News Vol. 5, No. 4

Governor Proposes Drastic Pension Changes

Governor Patrick Quinn Friday, April 20, unveiled his plan to alter

State Universities Retirement System (SURS) and other pensions.

GOVERNOR PATRICK Quinn Friday, April 20, unveiled his plan to alter State Universities Retirement System (SURS) and other pensions by raising the retirement age, increasing employee contributions, and threatening to withhold retiree health care for those who do not accept the new plan. The proposal is limited to the SURS traditional benefit plan and does not impact employees in SURS self-managed plans.

IT CALLS for:

• Raising the retirement age from 55 to 67.
• Increasing employee contributions by three percentage points.
• Reducing cost-of-living adjustments to three percent or one-half of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less.
• Upon retirement, a member's COLA will not begin until five years after retirement, or age 67, whichever comes first.
• A strong guarantee written into State law that requires the State to pay its full annual contribution to SURS and the other pension systems. No detailed language of this guarantee has been provided as yet, however.

WHAT THE plan does not change:

• The basic 2.2 benefit formula that is based on service credit and final average salary.
• The alternative "money purchase" formula for members with service prior to 2005, a formula that is based on total contributions.
• Post-retirement work rules.
• Creditable earnings – there is no cap on earnings applied to a pension.
• Survivor benefits.
  

"FORCING PUBLIC servants to choose between two sharply diminished pension plans is no choice at all," Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan told the Southtown Star.  "It is a clearly illegal attempt to solve the problem caused by past governors and the Legislature solely on the backs of teachers, caregivers, and other public workers.

"CONSIDERING THAT the subject at hand is the ability of hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans to support themselves in retirement, we believe the proposals are insensitive and irresponsible," Carrigan said, adding that labor was not invited to Quinn's pension working group.

THE STATE constitution prohibits cutting pension benefits for government workers and opponents of the Governor's plan are prepared to go to court to fight any cuts. Quinn aims to get around the constitutional prohibition by making the cuts "voluntary."

IF STATE employees do not want to opt into this new plan, the Governor instead would let them stick with the current plan, but then they would forfeit their retirement health-care coverage. The Illinois constitution does not guarantee healthcare in retirement. Those who opt to stick with the current plan also would see no benefit from any pay raises they get between the enactment of the new law and retirement.

IF UNIVERSITY personnel opt for the new plan, with its higher employee contributions and later retirement age, they would get health benefits in retirement and any pay raises they get would also increase their pensions.

THE NEW health plan would not be as generous as the current one, Quinn said. State employees who have worked 20 years currently pay no health insurance premium in retirement. This may be changed so that retirees would pay a premium.

PEOPLE WHO already have retired would not be affected.

QUINN SAID he assumed the law would eventually wind up in court.

THERE IS no timetable or deadline for action on this plan, or a date when the changes would take effect if enacted. The legislation will be the subject of debate in the Illinois General Assembly, and changes in the final legislation can be expected as compared to the Governor's current plan.

"LET ME stress that this is only a proposal, and no legislation has been introduced," said Dr. Robert A. Easter, President-Designate of the University of Illinois. "We will closely monitor its progress through the legislative session.

"WE ALSO will be actively engaged in proposing adjustments and amendments to the proposal to minimize the financial impact on our dedicated employees and protect retirement benefits earned. Approval of the proposal by the legislature in its present form is uncertain.

"I FULLY appreciate the concern you may have about your retirement system and the impact these proposed changes may have on you and our great University," Dr. Easter concluded. "We will keep you informed as this proposal moves forward for legislative consideration and do everything possible to protect the retirement benefits you have earned."

ALMOST ALL sides, including credit rating agencies like Moody's that have downgraded the State's bond rating, acknowledge that pension liability stems from Illinois using its pension fund like a bank account – using money earmarked for pension obligations to instead pay down other debts or fund State programs, and, in doing so, shortchanging public employees.

RALPH MARTIRE, Executive Director for the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, a Chicago think tank, wants the State to treat pension debt like it would bank debt or any other outstanding obligation.

"WE NEED to treat it for what it is – real debt – and pay it back through real debt payments," Martire said, like front-loading interest payments and back-loading principal payments. But, Martire said, "this is not being discussed."

FOR MORE information, contact SURS at (217) 378-8800 or the UIC Office of Human Resources at (312) 355-5230.

Contributing to this article were Abdon M. Pallasch and Dave McKinney of the Southtown Star, Matthew Blake of Progress Illinois, and Merrill Gassman of SURS.

UIC HR Prepares for Retirees’ Institutional Impact

“Eligible employees are giving serious consideration to retiring prior to the July 1, 2012, deadline,”

said Robert Crouch, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources.

THE JULY 1 change in the State Universities Retirement System (SURS) Money Purchase Factor (MPF) is understandably causing potential retirees to deeply evaluate their options. “Eligible employees are giving serious consideration to retiring prior to the July 1, 2012, deadline,” said Robert Crouch, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources. The new factors will result in a lower monthly benefit payment for those retiring after the July 1, 2012 effective date. According to SURS “It is estimated that the monthly annuity benefit paid from the MPF will be reduced on average by 7% to 8%.”

SURS HAS undertaken surveying all retiree applicants as to their reasons for choosing to retire at this time. The key contributing factor was the change to the MPF and the resulting reduction in lifetime benefits after July 1. The majority of those surveyed also revealed that they plan to seek continued employment after their retirement.  The survey did not reveal where they planned to seek work, but their ability to return to UIC may be limited as the Illinois State Legislature is currently discussing potential constraints on rehiring retirees.

“THE POTENTIAL loss of institutional knowledge is critical for UIC, with nearly one in every five employees (17%) eligible to retire,” noted Crouch.  One department may lose up to 44% of its employees, while another may lose up to 466 people. Depending upon the normal rate of turnover in any given department, the potential impact for the institution could be even higher and longer-ranging. Those who choose not to retire by the July deadline will remain eligible to retire at any time and more will become eligible throughout the year. “Logic would suggest that every month we could potentially lose more mission-critical staff,” Crouch highlighted. “This is not a one-time situation, but a continuing concern.”

CROUCH STATED that “many departments will be losing knowledgeable and seasoned staff critical to operations. It is crucial to plan for budgetary requirements and create succession strategies. Departments should prepare themselves with succession plans and make sure their budgets will accommodate vacation benefit payouts.”

THE POTENTIAL surge in retirement notifications will lead to an increase in Central HR and departmental HR work. It is crucial that departmental HR staff are prepared and equipped to process the retirement notices, while balancing their regular job duties, to prevent any delays in the payment of retiree benefits. “I strongly encourage Deans and department heads to consider budgets, knowledge retention, and succession plans to ensure organizational readiness should UIC experience a significant surge in retirements,” Crouch said.

“IT IS imperative that retiring employees communicate at the earliest possible time to their department the intent to retire so that retirement notices can be processed in a timely manner,” Crouch said. The SURS website does not offer an absolute deadline for filing, but states that “SURS would like to receive your application 60-90 days prior to your effective date of retirement.” To begin the process:

1. Employees should inform their department supervisor of the intent to retire.
2. Employees should then contact Central HR.
3. Contact SURS. They will provide clarification on entitlements and retirement income.

LOOKING AHEAD to potential changes, it is imperative that the University is prepared for the impending losses in human capital with succession plans or alternative human resource strategies in place.  “Departments need to also consider budgetary implications that may result from the need to make benefit payments on an employee’s retirement,” Crouch emphasized.

CENTRAL HUMAN Resources directly contacted employees who are eligible for retirement and informed them by e-mail or letter of retirement planning seminars held earlier in April.

THESE FOUR sessions emphasized the steps employees can take to facilitate smooth processing and administration of their benefits if they choose to retire at this time. This information was designed to be useful in helping employees plan for retirement.  .

FOR MORE information, call Susan Balmes at UIC Human Resources at (312) 355-5230. 

Monica Walk contributed to this article. See also “State employees rushing to retire” from the Springfield Journal-Register, April 14: http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x1157751000/State-employees-rushing-to-retire

Campus Voices Opposition: 600 Pages of Comments Delivered Opposing Changes to Civil Service Administrative Code

PROPOSED CHANGES to the Civil Service System Administrative Code would take “exemption authority” (the University’s ability to exempt positions from Civil Service regulations and create new Academic Professional positions) away from all Illinois State Universities and move it to the State University Civil Service System (SUCSS).  

THE AP constituencies on each campus were contacted with the opportunity to provide comments on the change via an online form. APs were offered four prepared responses (detailed below) from which respondents could choose. Respondents also had the option to submit their own comments. The form was available from March 26 to April 7; once completed, the comments were compiled by the University Professional Personnel Advisory Committee (UPPAC) and electronically delivered to the Abby Daniels at the State Universities Civil Service System on April 9; a 600-page hard copy was also delivered on April 11.

Comment Response Rate

• Chicago: 289
• Urbana-Champaign: 273
• Springfield: 22
• Total Respondents: 584

Summary of Concerns

550 RESPONDENTS indicated: The University of Illinois has hundreds of Human Resources professionals who work in collaboration to efficiently process these transactions. These employees are in the best position to make informed, accurate, and compliant decisions for our campus. If the proposed amendment to SUCSS Section Number 250.30 is implemented, the AP hiring process would be managed by an external agency that is disconnected from our day-to-day HR operations and our campus-specific Human Resources needs. These employees are not in the best position to make informed, accurate and compliant decisions for our campus.

546 RESPONDENTS indicated: If the proposed amendment to SUCSS Section Number 250.30 is implemented, it would cause significant delays in our hiring processes and unnecessarily disrupt our normal operations.

488 RESPONDENTS indicated: The proposed amendment to SUCSS Section Number 250.30 could be implemented as early as May; a critical window for hiring new employees to replace retirees (we anticipate significant retirements prior to July 1, 2012, as a result of the changes to the SURS Money Purchase formula). This poorly timed implementation could result in inopportune hiring delays that seriously jeopardize vital University operations.

472 RESPONDENTS indicated: SUCSS has only 11 staff. If the proposed amendment to SUCSS Section Number 250.30 is implemented, the work currently performed in collaboration by a network of hundreds of dedicated University HR staff will have to be absorbed by these 11 SUCSS staff members who are disconnected from UIC HR and already have full-time job responsibilities. SUCSS does not have the capacity to absorb these HR transactions from our entire University, much less all 11 State Universities that they support.

308 RESPONDENTS provided additional comments.  There was great diversity in the concerns raised – several highlights follow, but this is not a fully representative or inclusive list:

• There is a tremendous potential for negative impact on the UI research enterprise. Once funded, work on sponsored programs is expected to begin immediately. If this amendment is implemented, it could cause hiring delays that would jeopardize sponsored project funding. 
• Various factors (including the hiring freeze, State budget, and increased retirements) have resulted in vacant positions going unfilled and the workload has been shifted to the remaining staff.  If the proposed amendment is implemented, it will exacerbate this problem – many staff are already working at capacity and cannot continue to absorb additional responsibilities.
• Additional concerns were voiced at Chicago’s Medical Center, where hiring delays could negatively impact patient care services.

Chancellor’s Academic Professional Excellence Award Nominations Due in June

Chancellor Paula Allen-Meares presents the CAPE Awards each year.

THE CHANCELLOR’S Academic Professional Excellence Award (CAPE) acknowledges the demonstrated excellence of Academic Professional employees (APs). The CAPE Award honors the contributions of individual staff members and encourages the professional growth and achievement of APs at UIC. Each winner of the CAPE Award receives a $1,000 permanent salary increase, a certificate and a pin. The names of the winners are added to the CAPE plaque.  In addition, a $2,000 one-time cash award is given to each recipient.

THE DEADLINE for receipt of nominations and all supporting credentials is noon on Friday, June 29, 2012. The CAPE awards will be presented in November at a reception as part of the UIC Employee Recognition Week.  2012 Nomination forms are available here.  If you have any questions, please contact William S. Bike, Chair of the 2012 CAPE Selection Committee, at billbike@uic.edu or at (312) 996-8495.

Court Rejects Faculty Union

By Scott Jaschik

Inside Higher Ed, www.insidehighered.com

ALMOST A year ago, faculty members at UIC filed papers to unionize. The drive at the University was seen as a major victory for academic labor, which has struggled in recent years to organize at research universities. And at a time when the treatment of those off the tenure track is an increasingly important issue to faculty leaders, the new union was to have combined tenure-track and adjunct faculty members.

SINCE THEN, the union has been engaged in a legal fight with the University, which argued that Illinois law does not allow joint units for tenure-track and non-tenure track faculty members. Along the way, the union won most of the skirmishes, but that ended on March 23.

AN ILLINOIS appeals court ruled that the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB) exceeded its authority when it certified the new faculty union -- and so effectively stripped the union of its authority. The IELRB ruling was based on interpretations of a narrow provision of State law. The ruling found that the law's direct language was ambiguous but that there was evidence of what legislators intended with the law, and that this evidence backed the University's interpretation that a joint bargaining unit was illegal.

THE UNIVERSITY has said in the past that it would not object to separate unions for tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty members. And a University spokesman confirmed that position after the appeals court ruling came down.

ONE OF the organizers of the union criticized the decision, but said that the union was determined -- one way or another -- to move ahead to bargaining with the administration. "The administration decided to take this issue to a conservative appellate court in Springfield, when of course the proper place to appeal would have been Chicago, where the union activity has taken place," said Lennard J. Davis, an English professor at UIC, via e-mail. “They got the decision they wanted, which was a minor victory in which the conservative court ruled, as conservative courts and venues have ruled throughout the U.S. in these times -- making a decision on technicalities. Because this is a technical decision, we think the University has a Pyrrhic victory. The decision can and may be appealed by us to the Supreme Court of Illinois."

BUT, HE added: "At the same time our central and focused interest is to begin collective bargaining as soon as possible and within the framework of Illinois law. To that end, we are willing to take whatever steps required to bring such negotiations about. We believe that we have the ability to do that sooner rather than later, and whether we are two bargaining units of tenured and non-tenured faculty in the same union or one unit within the same union, we hope to be sitting down with the administration to begin collective bargaining within a month or two."

ON APRIL 20, in response to the recent Illinois Appellate Court decision, faculty filed a new set of membership cards at the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, with a greater number of signed cards compared to last year.

APAC Adds New Members

EACH YEAR the Academic Professional Advisory Committee (APAC) holds an election to fill the available seats on the Committee. This year, five people submitted nominations for the eight open positions, and one person submitted a nomination to be AP Representative to the UIC Senate. As there was no competition for these positions, the nominees are empowered to hold the seats they sought. APAC congratulates the newest members and thanks them for their willingness to serve on this increasingly active committee.

MEMBERS TAKING seats for the term running May 2012 through April 2015 are

Ahlam Al-Kodmany, Director, Financial Operations, Institute for Health Research and Policy; Kathleen M. Engstrom, Assistant to the Head, Department of Physiology and Biophysics: Michael Moss (returning member), Assistant Director, Cost and Analysis, Office of Business and Financial Services Grants and Contracts; Tonia Nikopoulos, Assistant Dean, Liberal Arts and Sciences Administration; and Colleen Piersen, Assistant Head for Administration, Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy.

APAC REPRESENTATIVE to the University Senate (returning) is Jacqueline Berger, Director of Communications, Office of the Vice Chancellor for research, also serving May 2012 through April 2015.

APAC Meetings Scheduled; All Invited

ALL APs are invited to the monthly APAC meeting at 12:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held either in Room 5175 of the College of Medicine Research Building, 909 S. Wolcott, or Room 2750 of University Hall on the East Campus.

SCHEDULED MEETINGS are May 9 in Room 2750 UH, June 13 in Room 5175 CMRB, July 11 in Room 2750 UH, Aug. 8 in Room 5175 CMRB, Sept 12 in Room 2750 UH, Oct. 10 in Room 5175 CMRB, Nov. 14 in Room 2750 UH, Dec. 12 in Room 5175 CMRB. For information, call (312) 996-0306

APAC PROFILE: Jeff Alcantar: APAC’s Webmaster

Jeff Alcantar APAC's Web Chair
(click photo to enlarge)

By Ivone De Jesus

JEFF ALCANTAR is the Assistant Director at the Office of Business and Financial Services (OBFS), Business Information Systems (BIS). He has proudly served the OBFS, University Administration, and University community in this capacity for 11 years (having been at the University for 17 years). 

HOW HE got to UIC is where the story begins. Alcantar first started working for the University of Illinois in 1986 at WILL-TV, Urbana, IL, as a Broadcast Operator. It was his first experience with IBM computers and main frame. After six years, he decided to pursue a childhood dream by joining the Chicago Police Department (CPD) in 1992, where he served the citizens of Chicago working in various districts, such as Englewood (007th) and Grand-Central (025th).

DURING ALCANTAR’S last year with the police department, he was offered a position in the Chief of Patrol’s office, Computer Application Development Section, where he provided support for 25 city-wide districts’ software applications and Local Area Networks (LAN). Alcantar had many accomplishments working with his team, including installing more than 250 computers on the police department’s LANs, introducing the Intranet concept to the districts, automating the CPD’s more than 3,000 Department General and Special Orders and Department Notices and providing video training on demand to police officers during roll call utilizing the Intranet.

Officer Alcantar, 007 district Englewood
(click photo to enlarge)

IN 2002, he received the CPD’s third highest award, the Superintendent's Award of Merit, presented by Superintendent Terry Hilliard and Mayor Richard M. Daley for his efforts. During his time as a police officer, Alcantar received many other recognitions and awards. 

Alcantar receives the Superintendent's Award of Merit,
presented by Superintendent Terry Hilliard and Mayor Richard M. Daley

AFTER NEARLY TEN years of employment with the CPD, Alcantar decided to seek employment with UIC. In 2001, he joined OBFS, BIS. His job was to maintain the UIC OBFS Local Area Network. This accorded him the opportunity to meet many OBFS personnel and take care of their business needs.  In 2006, he worked with a team to build a stable accessible OBFS web environment used by OBFS, University Administration, University personnel, and vendors. The OBFS website has more than 2,900 visits a day, up from 500 when started. 

ALCANTAR ENJOYS interacting with OBFS staff and meeting their business needs, stating, “My job requires me to find business solutions using Information Technology.  Currently, I have a dual role of leading a team of Software Developers and Business Analyst, as well as liaison with department directors and staff.”

Jeff Alcantar representing OBFS
(click photo to enlarge)

ALCANTAR FREQUENTLY travels to UIUC and works with colleagues. UIUC happens to be his alma mater, and that gave him the opportunity to connect with his fraternity, Sigma Nu. Since he frequented UIUC for work, he took on the chapter advisor role in 2001. By day, Jeff worked with OBFS staff ensuring network connectivity and finding solutions to business needs.  In the evenings, he worked with the fraternity’s local chapter. Out of 176 chapters and advisors, Alcantar was presented the 2005 Sigma Nu chapter Advisor of the Year Award.  He served as chapter advisor for seven years.

ALCANTAR BECAME involved with APAC because he believes in what APAC stands for. “Since there isn’t a union for APs, APAC helps APs with tough issues, such as retirement,” he said. “ I want to pay back my part for what APAC has done to help me as an AP.” 

HE HAS been involved with APAC for more than a year. Like many APs, he wanted to be more involved but work responsibilities (having to continually travel to UIUC) limited his participation. However, he managed to find ways to contribute and be involved.  He participated in the Academic Professionals Mentoring Program (APMP) where his mentor, the UIC College of Medicine’s Jay Mueller, talked to him about participating with APAC. APAC Chair Michael Moss and Alcantar soon connected and he began assisting with the website and blog.  “I found this task helps APAC…at my pace,” he noted. He hopes to grow his APAC role as other opportunities and time arise.

WHILE HE is fairly new to APAC, Alcantar said he is proud APAC connects with “University senior management from the President on down, State politicians, APs, the University community, and public.” Moving forward, he would like to see APAC achieve participation from more APs.  And, he pointed out, “APAC doesn’t have to be only for APs.” There are issues that affect both APs and Civil Service employees like retirement – something that APAC is concerned with.

WHEN ALCANTAR isn’t hard at work, he enjoys many hobbies including travel and vintage cars. His spare time consists of working out, going to church and spending time with friends.

BENEFIT BEAT

Variety of Employee Discounts Available

ALL ACADEMIC Professionals are eligible for University staff discounts on cell phone carriers, rental cars, travel, car manufacturers, and more. Here's the link in case you haven't visited it in a while: >https://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/cf/benefits/index.cfm?Item_ID=1574&rlink=1. Also see https://sites.google.com/site/uicapac/resources/employee-discounts.

MEET THE CHANCELLOR’S COMMITTEES

Left to right: Jacquelyn Jancius, Sara Rusch, and Connie Ping

at the CCSW’s 2011 Woman of the Year reception.

Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Women:
Changing Lives One Volunteer at a Time

By Jennifer Costanzo

THE CHANCELLOR’S Committee on the Status of Women (CCSW) is known around UIC’s campus as the organization that “promotes the professional, educational, and career development of women faculty, staff, and students.” Not only does the CCSW advocate for the increased opportunities in professional growth both academic and non-academic, but it also promotes “life-friendly policies and a positive environment where women may thrive in all areas of research, education, teaching, administration, and service.”

SERVING AS Co-Chairs are Jacquelyn Jancius and Connie Ping, who work to bring motivation and leadership to the group. “The best leaders are those who inspire others and give others the opportunity to do something that contributes to the mission of the group,” Jancius said. As co-chair, Jancius defines her role as “the person that puts all the pieces together and aligns the activities of the committee and the subcommittees with the mission of the CCSW.”

SPECIFICALLY, THE subcommittees of the CCSW are Communications, Faculty Concerns, Minority Women Concerns, Staff Concerns, and Students. Each subcommittee “focuses on addressing issues, reviewing policies, providing opportunities, and promoting the development of all UIC women.” Once they have completed these tasks, recommendations are made to the Chancellor regarding findings.

THESE FIVE subcommittees divide and conquer their goals through divisions of co-chairs that focus their efforts in a multitude of ways:

Communications: Mamie Gray and Kathy Battee-Freeman are responsible for publishing a monthly newsletter six times throughout the year, as well as providing announcements, calendar items, and maintaining the CCSW web page.

Faculty Concerns: Judith Gardner and faculty serving on the subcommittee review the policies on faculty promotion and tenure, attempt to increase participation of women in all levels of the University, and address faculty and salary equity to ensure equal rights for the women of UIC.

Minority Women Concerns: Tyra Oliver and Myra Gaines, along with the women who serve on the subcommittee, address issues pertaining to women of color, and help to create a climate of unity at UIC that will help these women set goals, as well as work to change policies that do not include women of color in important decisions. Also, they implement the mentoring program for support staff.

Staff Concerns: Sarah Dombrowski and Brittany Laschober, along with the University staff who serve on the subcommittee, consider issues that pertain to Academic Professionals and Civil Service staff at UIC with the goal of increasing career advancement for and discussion of women.

Student Concerns: Graduate Assistant Shayna Weiner addresses issues of student concern, looks for new members to define goals for the CCSW, and provides ideas for activities for the upcoming academic year.

FOR ANY organization, community relations can define the success of upcoming ventures. Last year, Yesim Anter and Kris Zimmerman took on the roles of Community Relations Officers, and met with co-chairs of the subcommittees to create  “needs assessment analyses.” They also were responsible for the CCSW Open House that took place in January. Through dedication, Anter and Zimmerman have “increased membership, presence in the community, and recruitment of future leadership,” Jancius said. In addition to these contributions, the Communications subcommittee developed unique promotional materials as well as a Facebook page to increase marketing and awareness of the CCSW’s focus and leadership. Some popular events that the CCSW has hosted in the past are the WoRD Book Club, Women’s Heritage Month (organized by the Women’s Leadership and Resource Center, WLRC), and the Women’s Leadership Panel.

THE CCSW’s main accomplishments of the past academic year illustrate the group’s important presence within the UIC community. The annual Woman of the Year (WOY) Selection and Reception “heightens awareness of exceptional women who have significantly helped other women at UIC through and beyond their job performance. The eligible women are nominated campus-wide and selected by a committee of CCSW co-chairs and former award recipients.” Nominations for  WOY 2012 are being accepted through Monday, July 2. Nomination forms are available on the CCSW website.

ACTIVITIES SUCH as this are aimed at advocacy for women on campus. “Advocacy can take shape in many forms, whether professional development, networking, addressing social issues or financial issues, we believe that these events promote CCSW’s mission,” Jancius said. She listed events including the Staff Concerns subcommittee’s speaker’s panel on Women in Leadership and Management at the University that has been in place for the last four years, the Minority Women’s Concerns subcommittee’s “Remarkable Women” event that promoted professional development through advice on resume development, and the Faculty Concerns subcommittee’s progress in conducting focus groups for non-tenure track faculty women to identify major concerns.

THE 2011-2012 Academic Year is the first in which the CCSW offered a Professional Development Award, which allocates “funding support for professional development activities of women in the UIC community.” These activities must “promote the CCSW’s mission of professional and career development,” and the applicant “must demonstrate that she has been actively involved in the CCSW or show that her proposed activity furthers the CCSW mission.” Through this award, the CCSW, with the co-sponsorship of the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Asian Americans, the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Blacks, and the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Latinos, were able “to support the applications of seven women in their pursuit of professional development activities,” said Jancius. “The idea was so popular with the community that other chancellor’s status committees may replicate the professional develop opportunity in the coming years.”

CO-CHAIRS MUST focus on the importance of funding for the organization, but have found low-cost grass-roots efforts in order to work around a limited budget. “Almost all the activities organized by the CCSW are 100% volunteer effort, and we could not be as successful without their commitment to give shape to the ideas that translate into events that educate women and advocate for women on campus,” Jancius said.

ALL CCSW meetings are open to the public, so anyone interested is invited to attend. All employee, student, and faculty groups are welcome to participate and become members of the organization. The main reasons to get involved with CCSW are opportunity, reputation, and professional and personal growth development and leadership. No matter what your specific interest, there is certainly a place for you to help yourself and others through the volunteer work done through CCSW. “CCSW gives you an opportunity to serve the campus community, develop your leadership skills, and will help you build your professional network and reputation,” Jancius concluded.

FOR MORE information regarding the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Women, visit its website at http://www.uic.edu/depts/ccsw/.

No Brag, Just Fact

ILLINOIS CONNECTION, the advocacy network for the University of Illinois (see http://www.ic.uillinois.edu/news.html), recently provided a new list of interesting facts:

• The University produces more than $13 billion in direct and indirect economic impact on the State of Illinois, including the creation of more than 150,000 jobs.
• For every dollar the State of Illinois spends on the University, the three campuses generated more than $17 into the State economy.
• The UIC Medical Center is the State’s largest public healthcare facility.
• UIC is the principal educator of Illinois’ physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.
• UIC is among the 96 universities in the nation that are classified by the Carnegie Foundation as having very high research activity.

WEBSITES TO KNOW

Websites to Know

UIC RETIREMENT Matters is a new blog focused on UIC-specific retirement concerns: http://uicretirement.blogspot.com/.

STATE UNIVERSITIES Retirement System (SURS) money purchase facts can be found at http://www.surs.com/pdfs/forms/MoneyPurchaseFacts.pdf.

THE CONTINUING CRISIS

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

Editor’s Note: “The Continuing Crisis” is a section of APAC News which links to news pertinent to the state budget crisis and other financial matters as they affect the University and Academic Professionals. These news outlets are not affiliated with or endorsed by APAC.

DON’T CUT pensions—expand them, says economics professor. See New York Times, March 16, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/opinion/pension-funds-for-the-public.html.

ANALYSTS PROJECT State retirement systems will need $131 billion to cover benefits—but there’s only $46 billion in the bank. See Illinois Issues, http://illinoisissues.uis.edu/archives/2010/02/pension.html.

QUACK! LAME ducks in State Legislature may make pension reform possible. See Illinois Statehouse News, March 12. http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/8003/primary-losses-add-to-lame-duck-ranks/?utm_source=PI+Extra+3.22.12&utm_campaign=PI+email+3.22.12&utm_medium=email.

ILLINOIS CHAMBER of Commerce has “solution” to pension crisis—bring in Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. See State Journal-Register, March 22, http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x1231831382/Anti-union-Wisconsin-governor-to-speak-in-Springfield.

WALKER’S VISIT coincides with IL pension report, notes Illinois Statehouse News, April 12: http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/8148/walkers-springfield-visit-coincides-with-quinns-pension-report/?utm_source=PI+Extra+4.13.12&utm_campaign=PI+email+4.13.12&utm_medium=email.

ILLINOIS STATEHOUSE News looks at former President Michael Hogan’s future in March 28 issue. See http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/8058/former-il-university-president-gets-golden-parachute/?utm_source=PI+Extra+3.30.12&utm_campaign=PI+email+3.30.12&utm_medium=email.

YAHOO! FINANCE has published an online study from Bloomberg Business News, listing the five states with the lowest and highest tax burdens.  The full list of the 50 states’ tax rates is at http://tinyurl.com/8a46fon. From April 5.

SENATE PRESIDENT John J. Cullerton discussed our pensions with the City Club of Chicago on March 22. He reiterated his belief that existing public pensions are protected by the Illinois constitution, but said there are other avenues to draw down the State’s retirement costs. See http://illinoissenatedemocrats.org/index.php/features/2595-senate-president-talks-pensions-with-city-club-of-chicago-video.

HISTORY OF neglect leads to today’s pension woes, says Senate Democratic Caucus Staff. See http://illinoissenatedemocrats.org/index.php/features/2595-senate-president-talks-pensions-with-city-club-of-chicago-video.

TURMOIL SURROUNDING ex-president leaves U of I with big bills, says Channel 2, April 20: http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/04/20/turmoil-surrounding-ex-president-leaves-u-of-i-with-big-bills/.

Vol. 5, No. 4, April 2012

ISSN 1946-1860

Editor: William S. Bike

Writing Staff: Jennifer Costanzo, Ivone De Jesus, Tomeiko Sewell

Chair: Michael Moss

Vice Chair: Jennifer Rowan

Secretary: Jacqueline M. Berger

Treasurer: Virginia Buglio
Webmaster: Jeff Alcantar

http://www.apac.uic.edu

March 2012 APAC News Vol. 5, No. 3

State Universities Civil Service System Attempts to Take Power to Exempt Workers from Civil Service Status Away from University

A PROPOSED rule change from the State Universities Civil Service System (SUCSS), which would take the power to exempt University workers from Civil Service status away from the University and give it to SUCSS, was posted by SUCSS in the Illinois Register, the rulebook for Illinois Governmental agencies, on March 9, Volume 36, Issue 10.

THE AUTHORITY to approve exemptions in order to establish Academic Professional positions would therefore no longer reside with the University, but solely with SUCSS and its Executive Director.

THE PROPOSED amendment, which would hinder the University’s ability to create Academic Professional positions, is on page 3840 and can be found at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/register/register_volume36_issue10.pdf.

ANY ILLINOIS citizen has 45 days from March 9 (approximately April 25) to provide comments. Comments should be addressed to:

Abby K. Daniels
Manager, Legal Services and Legal Counsel
State Universities Civil Service System
1717 Philo Road, Suite 24
Urbana, IL 61820
Phone: 217/278-3150 ext 226
E-mail: abbyd@sucss.state.il.us

THERE ARE several serious negative implications should this amendment go into effect:

• If the University loses its exemption authority, it would cause significant delays in hiring processes. Any new AP position would have to be approved by SUCSS.
• UIC has hundreds of Human Resources (HR) professionals who are able to efficiently and accurately process these transactions. If the change is implemented, the process would be managed by an external agency that is disconnected from the University’s day-to-day HR operations and UIC’s campus-specific HR needs.
• SUCSS has only 11 staff. If this change is implemented, the work currently supported by hundreds of dedicated UIC HR staff will have to be absorbed by these 11 SUCSS staff members who already have full-time job responsibilities. SUCSS does not have the capacity to absorb the HR transactions from the entire UIC campus, much less all 11 State Universities that they support.
• The change could be implemented as early as May; a critical window for hiring new employees to replace retirees (the University anticipates significant retirements prior to July 1, 2012, as a result of the changes to the SURS Money Purchase formula).

WHILE AT work, you may review and submit a comment before work, after work, or during any normally scheduled break (such as lunch) using your work computer. Do not participate in this activity while at work if it will significantly interfere with your ability to perform your job effectively. You may also review/submit a comment outside of work.

HUMAN RESOURCES and the Office of Governmental Relations have been made aware of this process. APAC has assurances that it does not represent a prohibited political activity, and it is not forbidden by the State Officials Employee Ethics Act.

University Opposes Legislation to Eliminate Employee Tuition Discount

Protesters at UIC marched against proposed tuition waiver cuts in 2010. Now, the State Legislature is looking at cutting our tuition waivers again.

THE UNIVERSITY has formally registered its opposition to proposed State legislation that, if adopted, would eliminate discount tuition waivers for employees.

EMPLOYEES AT Illinois public universities such as UIC, who have held positions for at least seven years, are eligible to receive half-price tuition for their children. Each year, more than 2,000 students statewide take advantage of the tuition.

“MOST UNIVERSITIES around the country provide tuition waivers, so eliminating them would impair our ability to recruit and retain top faculty and staff,” said University President Michael J. Hogan. “The waivers are a reasonable benefit for our hard-working faculty and staff, who contribute greatly to the State’s well-being through their teaching and research. The waivers are part of what universities consider the normal compensation package when we recruit faculty in a very competitive market. Without them we are at an extreme disadvantage.”

AT A Feb. 29 hearing on the legislation, House Bill 5531, sponsored by Rep. Luis Arroyo (D-Chicago), the University filed a formal notice of opposition, according to DeShana Forney, Associate Director of University Governmental Relations. Illinois public universities and organized labor lined up to testify in opposition to the legislation, which advanced out of the House Executive Committee and will be considered next by the full House of Representatives. If passed by the House, it would require approval in the Senate before final consideration by the Governor.

“WE WILL continue to talk to legislators on both sides of the aisle and let them know how this legislation would put public universities in Illinois at a competitive disadvantage,” Forney said. “We will do everything we can to explain our position.”

COMMON AT colleges and universities nationally, including UIC peer institutions, the waivers are an incentive to retain high-quality faculty and staff at the University.

REP ARROYO maintains that the State cannot afford the waivers. If passed, the new legislation would be effective immediately.

TWO OTHER bills, HB 2959 and HB 3873, also have been introduced that would repeal the tuition waivers. They have been assigned to the House Higher Education Committee; the University will oppose both bills.

YOU CAN look up contact information for your local district officials by clicking the URL at the end of this paragraph, should you wish to contact them and let them know how you feel about the proposed legislation: http://www.elections.il.gov/districtlocator/DistrictOfficialSearchByZip.aspx.

SEE ALSO related UIC News article at http://www.uic.edu/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/uicnews/articledetail.cgi?id=16181.

APAC Elections Currently Underway

PETITIONS TO run for a seat on the Academic Professional Advisory Committee (APAC), or for the AP seat in the University Senate, are due Wednesday, March 21.

APAC REPRESENTS the more than 3,700 Academic Professionals on campus and advises University Administration, reviews policy, represents APs on search committees, voices concerns regarding APs to the Chancellor, and plays an active role in professional development efforts at UIC. APAC is comprised of 15-to-18 APs, elected for a three-year term. Approximately one-third of the APAC seats are up for election this year.

SENATE AP representatives attend regular University Senate meetings and may also serve as AP representatives on Senate Committees. One AP Senator will be elected this year.

NOMINATION MATERIALS for APAC and Senate seats are available on the APAC website: https://sites.google.com/site/uicapac/about-apac/join-apac. Complete the appropriate nomination petition, including a personal statement and the name and signature of ten endorsers who are APs. Fully completed petitions must be received by noon on Wednesday, March 21. Send your completed packet to Jennifer Rowan, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, 310 AOB, MC 672. For information, e-mail jrowan@uic.edu.

ELECTION BALLOTS will be available on the APAC website (www.apac.uic.edu) beginning Wednesday, March 28. All ballots must be submitted by noon on Wednesday, April 11.

APAC Meetings Scheduled; All Invited

ALL APs are invited to the monthly APAC meeting at 12:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held either in Room 5175 of the College of Medicine Research Building, 909 S. Wolcott, or Room 2750 of University Hall on the East Campus.

THE REGULARLY scheduled meeting originally set for April 11, has been cancelled due to conflicts with the Bringing Administrators Together conference.

SCHEDULED MEETINGS are May 9 in Room 2750 UH, June 13 in Room 5175 CMRB, July 11 in Room 2750 UH, Aug. 8 in Room 5175 CMRB, Sept 12 in Room 2750 UH, Oct. 10 in Room 5175 CMRB, Nov. 14 in Room 2750 UH, Dec. 12 in Room 5175 CMRB. For information, call (312) 996-0306.