New Mexico State University Fringe Benefits Committee Meeting March 2, 2004

NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITYFringe Benefits Committee

Meeting Minutes

Monday, February 9, 2004

Members Present: Cathy Thomas (Chairperson), Jim Anthony, Cherri Lambeth, Ethel Lynch, Charles Pfeiffer, Gretchen Van Doren, Richard (Dick) Waugh and Estela Guerra

Ex-officio Members: Janet May

Members Absent: Diana Quintana, Ex-officio Member

OPENING

The regular meeting of the Fringe Benefits Committee was held in Breland Hall Room 333 and was called to order at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2004 by the chair.

OLD BUSINESS

1. The minutes of the January 23^rd meeting were approved as distributed.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Introduction of a New Member

The chair introduced Mr. Richard (Dick) Waugh to the Committee and afterwards each Committee member introduced him/herself to Mr. Waugh.

2. Review of the Compressed Summer Hours Survey Results and Recommendation to ACAP

Copies of the Compressed Summer Hours Survey were distributed and reviewed by the Committee. Statistics showed that a 78% of the 1709 population that responded approved a compressed schedule for the summer months.

The preferred option among this group was to close down every Friday (8-5 p.m.). However, some concern was raised with childcare for those single parent employees that maybe affected by this change. There was considerable discussion as to whether to go with the recommendation of having Fridays off or only 1/2 day off on Fridays. It was suggested that the Committee recommend, to ACAP, a gradual change over time. In other words, start with closing the university on Friday afternoons and do an evaluation after the first year.

New Mexico State University Fringe Benefits Committee Meeting March 2, 2004

A motion was made and passed for the Committee to make the following recommended 2004 Summer Schedule:

¯ Monday – Thursday (7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.) with a 1-hour lunch

¯ Friday (7:30 – 11:30 a.m.) and closing the afternoon

This schedule will be in effect the first Monday in June (June 7, 2004) and continue through the last Friday in July (July 30, 2004) with the University Administration to address the July 4^th holiday when affected. Departments are expected to have adequate staffing during the hours of University operations. Employees will continue to work a 40-hour work week (prorated based on FTE). A motion was made and passed unanimously.

3. Time off for Fitness

The topic of Time Off for Fitness/Wellness Program was brought up again and a member of the committee provided further information. Discussion was held regarding the exact role of the committee on this issue and what type of recommendation should be made. A motion was made to draft a recommendation and finalize it at the March meeting. The following Draft recommendation was considered:

“The Fringe Benefits Committee recommends that the University administration look into the possibility of forming a committee to evaluate the feasibility of a Wellness/Fitness program for NMSU, which would include release time from work and the coordination and promotion of exiting activities and facilities on campus.”

Information Item -- the chair received an email from the faculty senate representative on the student fee review committee asking if faculty and staff have been granted use of this building as one of our fringe benefits. Missy Giacomelli, former Chair of the Fringe Benefits Committee, was asked if this issue had been brought up before. According to Missy, the issue did come before the committee previously. The Activity Center requested a fee to help support their operating budget. She said it was voted down by the committee…most members saw this as an “erosion of benefits”. According to Janet May this has always been a fringe benefit. Under the provisions of the “No-additionalcost Service” fringe benefit rule of the Internal Revenue Code, employer-paid access to the Activity Center is a non-taxable employee benefit, as long as the benefit was available to all employees on an equal basis.

The subject of taxing retirees on benefits, such as the use of the golf course, etc. was brought up by a committee member. Some retirees feel this tax is not being calculated consistently. It was suggested that Robert Scaling be invited to the March 15^th meeting. It was also suggested that retiree George Roberts be invited as this is a major concern to him.

NEXT MEETING

New Mexico State University Fringe Benefits Committee Meeting March 2, 2004

Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 15, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. in Breland Hall, Room

333.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 4 p.m.

Minutes submitted by: Estela Guerra, Secretary Date: March 2, 2004