March 12, 2009 Provost Vice Chancellor meeting

              Dick Mann passed out an article from the Wall Street Journal depicting the politics of voluntary furloughs.  Ernie Patterson said that he preferred to see a reduction in salary not be accompanied by a reduction in benefits.  Brenda Denzler asked how state appropriations and F & A monies are spent.  Mann said that much depends on the nature of the unit’s work.  Carolyn Elfland pointed out that it does not matter how one uses one source of funds to offset the other.  Patterson said that 7% cuts would affect the quality of education in the Biology department.  Mann said that the University must make temporary cuts for this term and permanent cuts for the next.  Mann said that if the University must make 7-10% cuts next year the impact could be devastating. 

              Patterson asked the administration to look into traffic safety at crosswalks near South Road and Columbia near Wilson Hall.  He also pointed out that the yellow flash lights during special events had led to some unsafe crossings.  A delegate raised the question of ticketing employees in the patient lots near UNC Hospitals.  Elfland said that there had been rampant violations of students and employees parking there.  It was noted that UNC Hospitals could place a parking permit on the back of appointment slips for patients parking there, but this still leaves the question of immediate family and friends parking in the deck.  Jackie Overton noted that Public Safety had worked to improve the signage in this area. 

              Ernie Patterson said that the University needed better feedback from the Bain & Company process.  He asked if the University had taken a stance on Senate Bill 287, which deals with health insurance issues.  Mann understood that that bill hurt employees but was generous to retirees.  Mann said that the University was aware of the difficulties with this bill but said that this was one of many budget problems facing the State this year.  Attendees discussed the bicycle commuter tax rebate proposal and the difficulties in insuring compliance with the program.  Ernie Patterson proposed recognizing University service with a commemorative brick.  Elfland said that the University often faces difficulties in keeping replacement bricks available on hand.  She proposed that this question go to the Buildings and Grounds committee.

              Marc ter Horst brought up the question of cost benefit ratios within the context of University budgets.  Mann said that Bain and Company have more experience with these matters on the corporate side.  Ter Horst pointed out that the University has let individual units how to structure their cuts previously.  Mann said that it would be May before it was clear what Bain and Company will recommend.  Ron Strauss said that Bain will likely recommend that smaller units share service centers. 

                                                                          Respectfully submitted,

                                                                          Matt Banks, Recording Secretary