UCIEA
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING OF OCTOBER 3, 2005
Present: David Easton, Julian
Feldman, Eldon Foltz, Richard Frank, Jeri Frederick, Louis Gottschalk, Barbara Hamkalo, Ann Heiney, Judd Hubert,
Sam McCulloch, Ronald Miller, Kivie Moldave, Bob Montgomery, Lyman Porter, Lorie Reed, Myron
Simon, Ann Stephens, Jerome Tobis, and Joe Walsh.
Introductions: Chairman Moldave introduced Jeri I. Frederick, Director of
Retirement Relations Center, and each in attendance introduced him or herself
including new and returning members Richard Frank, Louis Gottschalk, Barbara Hamkalo, and Myron Simon.
Ms. Frederick is developing the strategic plan for the UCI Retirement
Relations Center (RRC). She will
coordinate plans for key issues with Emeriti/Retirement Centers at other UC
campuses. The RRC may assist the UCIEA in its desire to benefit UCI, suggesting
program topics and getting the word out about upcoming events. Her office is also working to create a
central and easily updated confidential database for all emeritae/i
and retiree’s address and contact information. The RRC hopes to work with campus entities to
achieve consistent and discounted parking rates, make available information on
benefits, and to retain UCInetID/e-mail access for
all UCI emeritae/i, retirees.
Minutes: The minutes of the meeting
of May 2 chaired by Lorie Reed who assisted with the minutes were approved with
the request by Jerry Tobis that attendance be added. We believe
Health Care Facilitator: Joe Walsh provided a
comprehensive review of Medicare part D and its integration with the UC health
plans. Unless individuals elect coverage
with private insurers they may be seamlessly enrolled in Medicare part D by the
UCOP. Because of the federal reimbursement of partial prescription costs, the
UC health plans should be able to keep our healthcare premiums relatively low,
and it is presently considered likely that we will continue to pay our co-pay
for prescriptions. If one has CORE
coverage there will be a co-pay for medications rather
than a percentage charge of the prescription cost as in the past. As in the past, Blue Cross High Option will
cover the cost of medications without further co-pay once an individual has
paid $1000 or more out-of-pocket.
Formularies may change. There is
a five month grace period in which emeritae/i or retirees may switch to another part D plan
without penalty.
Treasurer: Lorie Reed reported the
Vice Chancellor's office kindly provided additional funds over and above the
usual $2000 support for the past year by absorbing extra staffing costs
incurred (allowing us to begin this year with a current balance of $1156 in the
Foundation account), and will provide $2000 support this year. We must be careful with our expenses. David Easton suggested we request additional
support in light of new programs planned,, a
cost-of-living increase, and an increase in the number of the emeritae/i. Julian
Feldman noted the support of Jeri Frederick represents a substantial increase
in our support. Lyman Porter noted that emeritae/i have an opportunity to donate above and beyond
the dues, and Lorie Reed indicated we should recognize individuals who do so,
perhaps in the newsletter (Ann Heiney noted some
individuals may prefer not to be so listed and thus we should ask in
advance). Significant savings could be
achieved by e-mailing the newsletters.
Since only a dozen responded to Kivie Moldave that they would prefer e-mail, David Easton
suggested that we send the newsletter by e-mail and ask for a response if
individuals prefer a hard copy.
Program Chair: Julian Feldman plans two
themes this year: The 40th anniversary of UCI and health care. He feels we should encourage attendance of emeritae/i at the November 3 symposium at the Berkeley
Theatre and the Library and at the McCulloch recollections October 12, and Bill
Parker's talk November 16. Julian also
hopes we may obtain recollections of faculty spouses, and it was reported Jean
Aldrich will speak at the November 3 symposium.
With regard to medical programs, Julian recommends further discussion of
Medicare part D., how to talk with one's doctor, health improvement efforts,
the practical aspects of Medicare for the benefit of University employees who
are not yet eligible but whose parents are, and the difficult end-of-life
decisions that many of us will face.
Miller indicated willingness to talk on the concept of ineffective or
"futile" care and on advance directives. Louis Gottschalk recommended Rebekah Gladson, Associate Vice
Chancellor and Campus Architect might be asked to speak on her
"design-build" concept of bringing all stakeholders together to plan
new projects before initiating any part of the project (rather than doing so
sequentially). David Easton recommended
that we invite Chancellor Drake to present his vision of how emeritae/i may best contribute to the welfare of UCI. The
RRC, through the efforts of Gail Brooks, is working to obtain a date on the
Chancellor's schedule in order to introduce him to UCI emeritae/i/retirees
and welcome him to address this important constituent of the UCI community at
an event to be held at the University Club. Julian indicated he hopes to
improve attendance at our meetings by working together with the Retirees and
with Joe Walsh and that he recommends we decrease expenses by holding meetings
in the afternoons rather than at lunchtime and that we hold them at the
University Club or at the
History Committee: Louis Gottschalk reported
that he met with the late Renée Hubert, Sam McCulloch, Jerry Tobis, and by
conference call with Henry Fagin. He and
Jerry Tobis with the assistance of Myra Fono drafted
a preliminary history which
has received careful review by Kivie Moldave. Moldave modestly incorporated only a few changes in a
minimally revised version, and requested that additional comments be provided
to the ad hoc committee. Gottschalk and
Tobis, however, recommended a new committee be appointed to complete the
task. They had been seriously hampered
by disorganization of the files of the UCIEA and possibly also by missing
documents. Jeri Frederick confirmed the
problem. David Easton very kindly
offered to pay personally for a graduate student to put our records in order so
that they might be used to complete an accurate history of the UCIEA.
Newsletter Editor: Bob Montgomery has
requested information regarding deceased emeritae/i
for recognition in an upcoming newsletter.
He has short obituaries on approximately a half dozen, but needs
information on others. Myron Simon noted
that in the past the University provided such information, and will investigate
whether this may still be available to us.
Note the above comment about e-mailing the newsletter as a trial.
Faculty Welfare: Julian Feldman is on the
UC-wide Faculty Welfare Committee which meets this Friday. There is a large agenda including the
healthcare task force, faculty salaries, the status of the national
laboratories, and possible changes in retirement benefits for faculty to be hired
in the future. The UCI committee will
meet next week, and we are represented by Julian Feldman, Jerry Tobis, and
Myron Simon.
New Business: CUCEA will meet October 27
and is to be attended by Feldman, Frederick, Porter, and Moldave.
Miller
reviewed some matters in the recent CUCEA minutes: UC Berkeley held a reception
for its new Chancellor, and the Chancellor at UC Davis holds an annual dinner
honoring emeritae/i; the reduction in (perhaps
abolition of) parking fees for UC Davis emeritae/i
may perhaps account for a nearly 30% increase in emeritae/i
membership; UCLA arranges emeritae/i speakers for
community organizations; UC Riverside holds an annual ceremony for deceased
faculty, emeritae/i, and staff; UCSD is planning
meetings "possibly with UCI".
Jerry Tobis recommended that we meet with EVC and Provost Michael Gottfredson. We hope
to support entitlement to e-mail of widowers and widows of emeritae/i. There is need for a more direct link for
UCIEA on the UCI web site.
Minutes
submitted by Vice Chair and acting-secretary, Ronald B. Miller
October
3, 2005