Eastern Illinois University :: EIU Annuitants Association

Feb. 13, 2014 Chapter Meeting Minutes

I. Call to Order: President Jill Nilsen welcomed attendees and called the meeting to order at 9 a.m.

II. Presentation by President Bill Perry: President Perry's principal points included the following:

A. Eastern has more freshmen enrollees than was the case last year. A Strategic Enrollment Plan is now being launched. A forum hosted by Mary Herrington-Perry was held on campus on February 13 to explain how the plan is to be implemented. Close to 1,200 prospective EIU students are expected to attend an open house to be held on campus on Monday, February 17. The President is "optimistic about new student enrollment next fall."

B. At the National Conference on Undergraduate Research to be held in Lexington, Kentucky in April, EIU is expected to have among the largest contingents of student presenters in attendance, as is "usually" the case at NCUR conferences.

C. In the most recent U.S. News and World Reports college rankings, EIU is ranked #7 among public master's institutions in the Midwest.

D. Jeff Boshart (Art Department) was named Illinois Professor of the Year in 2013. Two years ago, David Raybin (English Department) also achieved that distinction.

E. The Panther football team had an exceptionally good year, and quarterback Jim Garoppolo's receipt of the Walter Payton Award has given the university national exposure.

F. EIU has won the Ohio Valley Conference Commissioner's Cup for overall excellence in the conference in three of the last four years.

G. Eastern students have accumulated impressive total numbers of hours of Student Community Service in recent years. A goal of 150,000 hours of student service has been set for next year.

H. The EIU Foundation had a record fund-raising year in 2013, thanks in large part to a particularly generous gift by retired EIU professor Paul Ward.

I. The Honors College now occupies attractively renovated facilities in Pemberton Hall.

J. The Center for Clean Energy Research and Education now offers Eastern Students a major, a minor and a Master's program. The Center will soon be housed in a new building located north of the Renewable Energy Center.

K. Funding is in progress for Eastern's proposed Autism Center.

L. Three months from now CUPB, in fulfillment of its "program analysis" mandate, will offer its recommendations for "paring back some programs." College affordability, President Perry added, has been shown in numerous surveys to be "very important to students and parents."

M. A brief question and answer period followed the President's presentation. Among the questions/answers were the following:

Q: What is the four-year cost of attending EIU?
A: The cost of attending EIUA – including tuition, fees, room, board, incidentals, and travel – is approximately $23,000 per year. Taking into account all financial assistance, students pay "about one-half of that out of pocket."

Q: Given the political and economic difficulties in Illinois, are we having difficulty recruiting faculty?
A: Not yet, but we expect it will happen. The University is exploring options for enhancing the retirement benefits of university employees. (At this point Alan Baharlou rose to thank the President for his "eloquent public defense of our pensions.")

Q: Describe "program analysis."
A: Each University program has described its program history and opportunities. CUPB has looked at that information as well as at data on program outcomes, with the understanding that there is a need to reduce the budget by $7 million. Another million dollars will be used to augment high-demand, high-performance programs. CUPB will make its recommendations in late April. In June a budget request for the new fiscal year will be presented to the Board.

Q: Is the state still slow in sending us our appropriated funds?
A: The "amount the state still owes us each year has declined recently."

III. Presentation by Marita Metzke, Director of Continuing Education's Academy of Lifelong Learning: Ms. Metzke explained that the Academy is "a group of people who like to learn for pleasure." She noted that membership in the Academy costs $35 per year and that many of the classes are offered free of charge. Ms. Metzke is in the process of applying for several external grants. In recent years classes have been offered that have broad community appeal – for example, the Academy's popular "Bike and Hike" sessions. Annuitants were encouraged to look through the booklet (circulated prior to the meeting) listing the Academy's "Spring/Summer 2014" offerings and to consider registering for one or more of the classes. Annuitants and current employees are also encouraged to contact Ms. Metzke to advise her of their interest in devising and teaching a class offered by the Academy, or to let her hear their suggestions of future courses they would like to see offered.

IV. Business Meeting:

A. Introductions of Board Officers and Board Members:President Nilsen introduced the Board's officers, Julie Sterling (Past President), Vicki Hampton (Vice-President), Frank McCormick (Secretary), Barb Funk (Treasurer), Ellen Keiter (Membership chair), and members Dan Carpenter, Mac Corley, Scott Crawford, Mary Anne Hanner, Bob Jorstad, and Doug Sloat.

B. Secretary's Report: Frank McCormick summarized the minutes of the October 24, 2013 Chapter meeting, calling attention to the following actions of the Board and Chapter: (1) beginning in January 2014 non-Association annuitants will receive only the Fall issue of the EIUAA newsletter; (2) principal changes to the EIUAA Constitution approved by the Board and Chapter were the establishment of one-year terms of office for the Board's President, President Elect, and President; establishment of a number of committees tasked with assisting the Board in performing its duties; and provision for EIUAA representation on the SUAA Board (representation to consist of the EIUAA President and one or more additional Association members appointed by the President).

C. Treasurer's Report: Barb Funk announced that she has prepared and submitted to SUAA an "EIUAA Chapter Year-End Financial Report," copies of which were distributed to attendees' tables prior to the meeting, together with copies of her January "Treasurer's Report." Concerning the January report, Barb called attention to the following: (1) balance as of December 31, 2013: $5,083.84; (2) income totals for January: $305.88; (3) Expense totals for January (including donations to assist with expenses of November 27 health seminar, SUAA dues, a memorial donation to SUAA for deceased EIUAA members, a memorial donation to the EIUAA scholarship fund in memory of deceased members, and a contribution to the SUAA Legal Fund to defeat the pension law): $3,253.00; (4) Our balance as of January 31, 2014: $2,136.72.

D. Membership Committee Report: Committee chair Ellen Keiter introduced the members of her committee: Mary Anne Hanner and Jone Zieren. She reported that the committee has prepared a recruitment brochure designed to stimulate additional EIUAA membership. She also noted that EIUAA currently has approximately 720 members, adding that many others are eligible to join, including current employees, spouses, survivors as well as annuitants. To Ellen's remarks, President Nilsen added that raising our membership total to 800 would entitle us to four voting members on the SUAA Board.

E. Communications/Newsletter Committee: Chair Vicki Hampton introduced her committee members: Alan Baharlou, Audrey Edwards, John Kilgore, and Judy Young. She explained that the forthcoming New Horizons newsletter will be sent electronically to members for whom her committee has e-mail addresses and by surface mail to those who do not have e-mail access. The newsletter will include a form that will permit recipients to update EIUAA's records by providing, for example, the name (if pertinent) of a person who has written authorization to act on the annuitant's behalf.

F. Events Committee: Chair Julie Sterling introduced her committee members: Dan Carpenter, Scott Crawford, and Doug Sloat. She reminded attendees that our annual luncheon is scheduled for April 3 in the Lifespan Center. Food will be catered by Martin's IGA. Entertainment will be provided by Dr. Jemmie Robertson (trombonist), Christine Robertson (vocalist), and Dr. Jonathan Bowman (pianist). Julie encouraged audience members to invite non-members as well as EIUAA members to attend the luncheon.

G. Scholarship Committee: President Nilsen acknowledged committee members Bob Jorstad and Margaret Messer and reported that the Scholarship committee has identified a scholarship recipient.

H. Legislative Committee: Chair Jill Nilsen introduced her committee members: Hank Davis, Sue Kaufman, and Jeff Lynch. She reported that in the fall she and her committee met with Senator Righter and Representative Halbrook to discuss matters of concern to annuitants. Both legislators subsequently voted against the pension bill – Senate Bill 1 – which passed both chambers in twelve hours. Jill added that as a consequence of the bill's passage we received our last 3% compounded AAI in January. Jill and her committee plan to meet with the three candidates who are running for Representative Halbrook's seat.

V. New Business: SUAA has filed a pension lawsuit on our behalf in Champaign County, where we will be represented by attorneys John Carr and Aaron Maduff. EIUAA has made a $2,500 donation to SUAA's legal fund in support of the lawsuit. SUAA would appreciate receiving individual annuitants' donations to SUAA's Legal Fund. Donations may be sent to SUAA Legal Fund, c/o SUAA/217 East Monroe St., Suite 100/Springfield, IL 62701. Donations may also be made online at www.suaa.org/ContributeToLegalFund.php. EIUAA has requested from SUAA regular updates concerning the lawsuit's progress and the amount of contributions made to SUAA's Legal Fund. It is anticipated that the lawsuit will eventually be heard by the Illinois Supreme Court.

VI. Announcements:

A. Tribute to Alan Baharlou: President Nilsen, on behalf of all EIUAA annuitants, expressed her heartfelt thanks to Alan Baharlou for his many years of generous service to EIUAA – initially in his capacity as Association President, and in recent years as editor of EIUAA's New Horizons newsletter. Jill announced that Alan will be stepping down from his responsibilities as newsletter editor following the publication of the next issue. Alan responded by thanking Jill for her kind words. He promised to continue to "do what I can to assist the Association."

B. Luncheon Reminder: President Nilsen reminded attendees of the date of our annual spring luncheon: April 3.

C. Charleston Public Library Book Sale: Dave Maurer announced that the Charleston Public Library will be having a book sale during its normal working hours on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 14-16.

D. County School Facility Tax: Ken Baker encouraged attendees to vote in favor of the 1% County School facility Tax on March 18. The tax would be used to improve the security, safety, and maintenance of Coles County school facilities.