Financial Advisory Council (FAC)

Dennis Shaw reported that FAC and the budget process are starting the same as last year.  Dennis said that a step and COLA was built into the budget but the bottom line was $13 million in the red.  He talked about salary increases for next year.  A point was made that the administration needs to be told to make cuts somewhere other than employee salaries.  A question was raised about a tuition increase for next year.  Dennis replied that the outlook for a tuition increase was not good.  Discussion ensued.  Council was told of a request to have the FAC reports sent to representatives a week before a meeting so that representatives have time to prepare comments and feedback for the meeting.

Employee Benefits Advisory Council (EBAC)

Sharon Luczu reported that EBAC met the previous day and last year, hospital bills increased by $4 million.  Sharon said that the problem was the amount of usage by a few number of people.  Council learned that the second highest drug use was for depression.  Sharon stated that she would give another report at the next meeting.