Insurance and benefit changes were the hot issues of the night at the first meeting of the Faculty Senate on Tuesday.

The senate focused on the redesigned faculty benefits program.

“One of the most significant changes that is happening to us is that of insurance and benefit changes,” said Bill Woodman, president of the Faculty Senate.

Woodward said that the plan was forced upon Iowa State by the insurance industry. The industry, he said, kept the rates flat, while the U.S. government members were discussing different insurance policies across the country. Then the rates skyrocketed.

“We got caught in the crossfires,” Woodward said. “This explains why we are moving to a cafeteria plan.”

The “cafeteria” plan was presented by Mark Powers, an associate professor in the College of Business. He explained the changes that would take place with the new program, and how they would impact each of the faculty members individually.

Powers illustrated that in order to substitute the benefits plan it would be necessary for the faculty to change benefits administrators. The faculty’s benefits are currently administered by Principal Financial and would switch over the responsibility to Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Each employee will have a choice on which plan they want to purchase. The new plan will consist of a four-tier structure for health coverage: single, employee plus spouse, employee plus children and family.

“The biggest change is in the tier,” said Barbara Mack, secretary of the Faculty Senate. “We now have an individual and a family tier.” Keeping the present health benefits plan is also an option to the faculty.

Mack said cheaper rates, more dental and life insurance policies and greater choices for the staff are all the positive aspects of the new plan.

The report to the faculty senate states that the plan will be reported to the state Board of Regents later this month. The final approval will be given by the board during October. If the new plan is approved, the actual health coverage will begin Feb. 1, 1997.

Continuing adjunct appointments

The issue of a necessary policy which is needed for the members of the university’s continuing adjunct faculty was presented to the faculty senate by Denise Vrchota, vice president of the Faculty Senate.

She stated that continuing adjunct positions were appointed to individuals who had previously served as temporary faculty in 1990. “This was the first time the topic was brought up in front of the senate,” Vrchota said. “I assume one of the councils associated with the senate will look at it in greater detail later.”

Spring retreat planning

The issue of whether or not to have a fifth faculty retreat next spring was brought up at the beginning of the meeting. The idea to only include the senate members at the next retreat was also discussed.

Questions were opened up to the senate members and Vrchota asked for any additional comment. The senate decided to delay the conclusion.

McDonald’s in the Hub

Bill Woodward said he is unsure when the issue on the McDonald’s location at the Hub will be brought before the senate. Woodward said the issue will be left up in the air for now. Until the problem becomes a major issue with the university again, the senate will not become involved.