UCIEA Executive Committee Meeting of November 7, 2005

Present: David Easton, Julian Feldman, Eldon Foltz, Richard Frank, Jeri Frederick, Barbara Hamkalo, Ann Heiney, Judd Hubert, Ronald Miller, Kivie Moldave, Robert Montgomery, Lorie Reed, Myron Simon, Ann Stephens, and Jerome Tobis.

Minutes: The minutes of October 3 were accepted with the following corrections: Barclay Theatre rather than Berkeley Theatre; Judd Hubert was a member of the ad hoc committee for drafting the history of the UCIEA.

Newsletter: Robert Montgomery requests submission of information for newsletters including obituaries (of which there are to be seven, and conceivably an eighth, in the current newsletter). David Easton recommended a box in each newsletter to list those who make contributions in excess of dues. Because our finances are marginal, it was previously suggested that we routinely send the newsletter by e-mail allowing those who so request to receive hard copies in the mail. However, since the annual $2000 support of the Executive Vice Chancellor may now be used for expenses other than salary, Kivie Moldave recommended we continue to send hard copies of the newsletter. Other suggestions to reduce expenditures were made by (1) Jerry Tobis who recommended sending the newsletter by campus mail for those with campus mail addresses, (2) Julian Feldman who suggested we sell advertising space in the each newsletter which Kivie indicated would preclude the use of campus mail but would be possible were we to use the US mail directly, (3) Kivie Moldave who recommended bulk mailing which would require separation by postal zip codes and Richard Frank indicated would require a $50 fee. The current newsletter is to be mailed shortly, but because it has not yet been mailed, Jeri Frederick suggests to include announcement of the December holiday party as well as the January meeting with the Chancellor, and will also check that the dues notice in each newsletter includes an opportunity for additional contributions (which are to be recognized or simply stated as submitted anonymously according to the benefactor's preference, and there should be an opportunity for the contributor to so indicate).

Treasury: Lorie Reed reported that our balance is essentially unchanged from last month (approximately $1150). This balance is owing to an additional provision last year of $1000 for Audrey Wicks' salary). Our total budget has been approximately $5,000, and postage is shortly to increase and our membership has decreased so that we must be careful in expenditures. Judd Hubert recommended increasing our dues, but Kivie Moldave states they are already the highest in the UC system.

Programs: For our annual holiday party, Kivie Moldave offered to reserve the community room at Harborview Homes near MacArthur and Bonita Canyon where a large room could accommodate eight round tables and 100 chairs for a rent of only $25 for the room (and $100 with a $1000 deposit were we to use the kitchen). However, Julian Feldman's offer to have the party at his home (which could accommodate 35-40 people) in Eastbluff (2824 Carob, Newport Beach 92660; phone 949-644-1665) met with enthusiasm. Rather than potluck it was decided to charge $10 for a single attendee, $15 for a couple, and several volunteered to shop for food, and Ann Stephens offered to provide wine. Announcement of the holiday party (which is to be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 15) with a form for RSVP and submission of the attendance fee is to be sent to emeritae/i, I believe by Jeri Frederick.

Director Frederick has arranged a Reception for Retirees and Emeritae/i with Chancellor Drake at the University Club on January 9 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. It is expected there will be 100, perhaps 150, in attendance (Jeri Frederick reports that her student assistant, Marisa Lee, who works five hours a week is presently going through a list of 1200-1500 names of retirees and emeritae/i who might be invited). We elected to contribute $300 for the expenses of food, non-alcoholic drink, and the room. The Chancellor's office has requested that we submit questions he might address, and all are invited to do so. Miller recommended we ask his view of how the UCIEA might best contribute to the welfare of the Campus.

Whereas we had only one program per quarter last year, Julian Feldman, Chair of the Program Committee, recommended we meet monthly in the afternoon. The University Club (which charges $175 for use of the library, and two dollars a person for coffee, tea, and water) is less expensive than the Beckman Center though both have the advantage of no charge for parking. Julian hopes Michael Clark will meet with us in February to discuss the UCI 10-year plan and the participation of emeritae/i and retirees. Julian offered to donate $250 for this meeting. Barbara Hamkalo recommended we announce this and all other UCIEA meetings in the monthly newsletter of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). Peggy Maradudin will come to our December Executive Committee meeting to discuss OLLI and to consider future participation in our meetings. Julian Feldman stated that for a future meeting Andrew Reikes, MD, Director of the Gottschalk Plaza, would be willing (but only on a Friday afternoon) to participate in a panel (perhaps with Sherrie Kaplan) discussion of how to communicate with one’s doctor.

Jeri Frederick reported that influenza vaccine is being provided today at the University Club, that the annual open enrollment health fair will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on November 10 at the University Club, and that Fidelity Investment Services Corp. will provide information on the recent transition of investment funds from 10 to 11 a.m. on November 17 at the University Club.

Faculty Welfare: The UC Committee met in October and the UCI Committee met in October and will meet again tomorrow. Julian Feldman reported that we should expect changes in the retirement system and health benefits, at least for new employees, possibly for current employees, and probably and hopefully not for retired retirees and emeritae/i. The defined benefits plan is the standard University pension plan which is based upon one's years of service and salary. There have been no contributions to the defined benefits plan for 15 years, but the interest on the account is no longer sufficient to carry it. The defined contribution plan is one where both the employee and the University contributes, and this serves as the basis of one's retirement income. Previously both the employee and the University contributed 6% (of the employee's salary), and it is anticipated this will increase to 8%. Changes in health benefits are also anticipated. Myron Simon reported that Frank Cannonito, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, has compared the High Option plan (to which the University contributes $44) and the Blue Cross PPO (to which the University contributes much more), and believes the latter plan may be more appropriate for many. Myron believes Cannonito would make this information available (and if so, he will send it to Kivie Moldave and Jeri Frederick for distribution to us). On November 10, Joe Walsh will be present at the open enrollment meeting at the University Club. Julian also reported that mortgage loans are available from the University.

CUCEA: A political action group, named the UC for California Alliance, has been formed to support the University politically and financially.

The Regents are reviewing the total remuneration of our faculty. A consulting firm, Mercer, reported we are now in the 70th percentile in the country compared with other universities and with corporations because our benefits are sufficient to compensate for our comparatively poor salaries. The University treasurer who tends to be optimistic reported last year we made 10.3% on investments. The retirement plan was 160% over- funded in the past, 118% last year, and the funding has decreased. Thus, the cost-of-living adjustments which are optional may be limited in the future.

UCIEA Archives and the UCIEA History: David Easton recommended that the records of the UCIEA should follow the archival organization recommended by our UCI librarian, Jackie Dooley. He also recommended that someone needs to review the UCIEA records (which are being organized by graduate assistant, William Chiu) to be sure they are complete and to request information that may be missing. Further work on the UCIEA history awaits completion of the organization and categorization of our own archives. Kivie Moldave recommended that we follow the guide to the UCLA and the CUCEA Archives which he obtained and provided. Jeri Frederick might provide these to William Chiu for organization of our UCIEA archives.

Pending: As above, completion of the UCIEA history after reorganization of our archives.

At Kivie's request, Jeri Frederick’s office will assist in sending the biobibliography forms to all UCI emeritae/i. He hopes we will substantially improve our prior compliance (only 5% returns compared with 23-45% at other campuses). He would hope to provide information of our continued academic productivity to the Chancellor.

Chairman Moldave will appoint an Awards Committee for our mentoring and distinguished emeritae/i awards.

Vice Chairman Miller reported that the UCI Librarian, Gerald Munoff informed him there are two librarians in the UCIEA (eligibility for which Eldon Foltz, Kivie Moldave, and Lorie Reed recalled our approval two years ago), and we should encourage their participation in our activities including the Executive Committee.

We need a current list of our Executive Committee members with e-mail addresses and phone numbers.

The date of our April meeting needs to be corrected on the web page, and possibly a more direct link from the UCI web page could be provided.

Other matters pending include computerization of benefit information, approval of UCI e-mail for widows and widowers, and discounted parking for emeritae/i.

Minutes drafted by Ronald B. Miller, November 8, 2005, and revised November 15, 2005.