Meeting called to order at 9:05 AM.  Present were President Rick Troxel (UO), Vice-President Bob Becker (OSU), Secretary-Treasurer Kemble Yates (SOU), Jim Etchison (OIT), Marie Vitulli (UO), Sarah Douglas (UO), Greg Monahan (EOU) [by phone], and Steve Gibbons (WOU).  Also present:  Mark Nelson and Bill Linden. 

Rick Troxel called the meeting to order at 9:05.  The July minutes were approved.

Campus reports:

UO:  Enrollment up.  Out-of-state travel freeze lifted.  OHSU and UO may be partnering to have medical students start at UO.  Salary increases of 2% COLA plus 2% merit approved for first year.

OSU:  Salary increases of 4% July 1, 2005 and 2% more for first of year announced by President Ray.  Remodeled Reser Stadium, new engineering building opened for the fall.

EOU:  Bargaining just about to start.  Cost of first contract still being digested.   Administration seems to be on a spending spree for nonfaculty.

OIT:  Contracts still not out.  Question:  why does the IAP account need reserves? 

SOU:  Collective bargaining has begun, and union will be bargaining hard for steps.  Will also consider differential disciplinary salary floors.  Enrollment appears to be down 3-4%.

WOU:  Started bargaining; administration proposed eliminating steps.  Peter Calero is the faculty’s chief negotiator.  Freshman enrollment up about 7%.

Marie Vitulli proposed that AOF try to do a time series analysis of administrative growth on each campus.

Treasurer’s Report:

We’re down about $4000, mostly due to a lag on deductions from 9 month faculty. 

Legislative Update (Mark Nelson):

Budget not on vacancy savings not realized – Schrader wouldn’t sign off.

OUS’ share of state employee COLA amounts is $28.6 million (out of $130 M), but E-Board has not released this to DAS yet.  Since PERS employer contribution rate is lower, and PEBB costs are down from original projections, there should be additional $$ available for salary increases.

Bill Linden reported to the OUS Board meeting in Bend.  He pointed out that since classified employees will receive 8.75 – 18.25% increases over the biennium, faculty need to too.  Along with Neil Bryant, AOF may need to go to E-Board to help secure additional funding for faculty salaries.  DAS maintains that only 2 + 2% for OUS should roll up.

Kemble Yates asked:  is management in OUS also getting 4.75% each year?

Mark Nelson has urged Chancellor Pernsteiner to implement steps in OUS.

PERS Litigation Update:

Supreme Court refused to hear Lipscomb case, which is effectively a loss for us.  PERS Board immediately decided to lower pension amounts AND intends to collect “overpayments” from retirees.  Coalition going ahead with a new lawsuit on behalf of current retirees.  It may also file to fully implement Strunk remedy.  There are about 40,000 “window retirees”: April 2000 – April 2004.  Meanwhile, Bill Gary (employers lead counsel) and Greg Hartman (Coalition lead counsel) are discussing an overall settlement.

PEBB:

AOF and OSU lobbied PEBB administrator, Jean Thorne, and the decision to exclude the three counties (including Linn and Benton) from Blue Cross has now been overturned.  

Membership:

Bill Linden has drafted a brochure for AOF; it highlights ORP litigation, Tuition reduction, and faculty salary increases.  AOF has requested a list of Tuition Reduction Participants.  Melissa is our webmaster and our website is being updated.

Mark Nelson and Bill Linden will visit SOU campus on Monday October 3. 

Future Meetings:

October 15

November 12

The Board adjourned at 11:45 AM.