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April 2008
Question: Early Tarrant/Ross
Athletic Facility Hours:
Excerpts from suggestion box:
1) Remember last year, you were working on this (opening athletic
facility earlier to accommodate staff biking to work who wish to shower). If
you still are and it has not yet been resolved perhaps you could add the
argument that Green Mountain Aquatics kids are able to access the gym—they
enter through the small door by the stairs to the pool viewing area. I do
not believe that allowing staff to access the same way would cause any harm.
Day campers are highly unlikely to enter the building through that door.
2) Some of us commute to work on
bikes. However we don’t have access to showers in the mornings at the
athletic center. Could the center open earlier to accommodate staff needing
to shower before coming to their offices?
Answer: (from Geri Knortz) I’ve forwarded this to Bernie Cieplicki,
in charge of athletics facilities. This is primarily a staffing issue – both
the funding of and the availability of staff. The building is entirely
staffed with students. Our luck funding and getting students in early am
made this request not possible. |
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November
2007
Question: Can health care benefits
be extended to part time employees?
Excerpt from suggestion box: My
hope is that part-time employees would be able to sign on to the benefits
plan and pay a pro-rated amount for health insurance. I'm sure this
issue has come up over and over, and I'm also certain that it is very
complicated. I mostly just want to make my wishes known, and to
express that the opportunity to purchase health insurance through St. Mike's
would have a very positive impact for me and my family.
Answer: The Staff Welfare Committee met with Mike New and Tina Tenney
on the issue of health care benefits being extended in some fashion to
part-time employees. The primary obstacle is the cost. The
college is self-insured and projects it will pay out some 4 ½ million for
employees’ claims in FY08. The SWC raised the possibility of part-time
employees buying into the plan, and paying more. Mike felt that the
amount the college would need to charge for the premiums would be
unreasonable for the employee and that there are better options for
part-timers. Tina provided a copy of the “Consumer Tips” document published
by the Division of Health Care Administration. It is called “Shopping
for Vermont’s Catamount Health Insurance” and is located at the VT State
Dept. of Banking and Insurance. The URL is:
www.bishca.state.vt.us. The options for Vermonters have improved in the
last couple of months, and the document provides an outline of available
plans and contact numbers for more information.
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Question: Can HR look at the paid
leave policies for new parents?
Excerpt from suggestion box: I
am curious to know why Saint Michael's College does not offer a
paternity/maternity leave for employees. This is surprising given the fact
that Saint Michael's College is a Catholic institution that promotes
Catholic social teaching. According to Catholic social teaching, "marriage
and family are the central social institutions that must be supported and
strengthened, and not undermined." Catholic social teaching values the
family, and Saint Michael's College has a strong tradition of caring for its
employees. I am surprised then, that Saint Michael's College does not even
offer a week of paid family leave. This gesture would reflect the value that
Catholic institutions place on family life. Is it within the realm of
possibility that paid family leave might be offered as a benefit at Saint
Michael's College?
Answer: The SWC met with Tina Tenney and Mike New to discuss this
issue. The issue is looked on favorably by HR. A proposal is being drafted
by HR for the opportunity for a brief period of paid leave for new parents.
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Question: Can SMC look at changing
health insurers to CBA?
Excerpt from suggestion box:
I've heard from friends that VSAC's insurance costs are considerable less
because they have CBA. Can SMC look into changing to this plan?
Answer: CBA is owned by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Vermont and is a
comprehensive benefit agency overseeing several healthcare plans.
Essentially, employers negotiate with the plan administrator their “benefit
package” that includes pharmacy rates, care rates and other negotiations. At
Saint Michael's College, the co-pay rates, program benefit design and
packages are based on our budget and what we can negotiate within that
budget with the provider. VSAC is negotiating their packages and rates from
their own budget standpoint.
Each year, SMC looks at healthcare and the costs for the college. “Claims”
are the largest cost factor to the college. We will spend nearly $4 million
in claims costs alone for FY 2007-2008. The administration costs, the only
area that we could see cost savings, will cost about $300,000. Every few
years, the college comprehensively looks at our healthcare coverage, the
options available on the market and what plan would benefit our employees.
At this time, our current healthcare plan is the best option, within our
budget, for the employees at the college. |
