November 25, 2003

Health Care Plan Changes

Gorlok Greeter Program Off to a Good Start

Inclement Weather Policy

News from Bermuda

Featured Administrator

Kampus Kudos

St. Louis Calendar Highlight

Employees of the Month

Service Anniversaries

New Employees

Condolences

Health Care Plan Changes

University employees will see an increase in their health care costs beginning in 2004, due to a hike in the renewal amounts given to Webster by Blue Cross, the University’s HMO and PPO provider. Employees have until Dec. 12 to make changes to their health care plans.

The employee premium for the PPO plan will increase by 12 percent, while the employee premium for the HMO plan will increase by 16 percent. “The insurance committee looked at a number of scenarios on cost-sharing, and we felt this was the most viable option this year,” explains Betsy Schmutz, director, Human Resources.

The insurance committee, which is made up of 11 faculty, staff members and administrators, met over several months to determine ways to make the coverage more affordable. “We tried to find a way around increasing the employee’s contribution but, unfortunately, due to the size of the renewal amount handed down by Blue Cross, we were unable to avoid it,” Schmutz says.

The cost rises at the University are in step with national trends. “2004 is the fifth consecutive year where we’ve seen double-digit increases in the cost for health care on a national level,” Schmutz explains. She says the increases can be tracked to three main causes: higher cost for services, expanded usage of the health benefit, particularly for newly developed health care procedures; and the continual increase in prescription drug costs.

While Schmutz says that University employees have been making good progress in switching to lower-cost generic drugs, usage of the health benefit continues to rise. “Our claims have increased from an average of $1,608 in 1999 to an average of $3,683 in 2003,” she says. A sizable part of the average claim increase, she says, is due to the growth in the number of large claims—claims of $30,000 and over. The University had triple the number of such claims in 2003 vs. 1999.

“We’re trying to have a really solid insurance program balanced with the cost issue,” Schmutz explains. “Right now, the cost issue is winning.”

Given that, Schmutz says the University will contact other providers in the coming year to see if they have better plan options for Webster employees. “It’s time to go out for bid,” she says.

There is good news in the health care plan changes, however. Due to Internal Revenue Service changes, a wide range of over-the-counter medications qualifies for reimbursement through the Section 125 Cafeteria Plan beginning Jan. 1, 2004. The Section 125 Plan allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for medical premiums, dependent-care expenses and expenses that are not covered by their medical, dental and vision insurance plans. The limit for the Section 125 Plan also has increased to $4,000 from $3,000.

For further details on the health care plan changes, click here. For questions about the changes, contact Gloria Barbre, benefit representative, Human Resources, at 314-968-6961 or e-mail barbregj@webster.edu.

Gorlok Greeter Program Off to a Good Start

FROM ROBYN GAETA, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS WORK-STUDY STUDENT

“What’s a Gorlok?” That might be one of the first questions a new Webster University employee would ask when they arrive on campus, and Gorlok Greeters are there to provide the answer.

The Webster Staff Alliance (WSA) has established the Gorlok Greeter program to help new employees feel more comfortable at Webster. Nancy Higgins, special events coordinator and originator of the Greeter program, says the program’s goal was to turn the Webster welcome up a notch. “While Human Resources does a great job with orientation, we wanted to find a way to open our arms more broadly to employees and show them what a wonderful family they’ve joined,” Higgins explains.

Higgins says that the program has already exceeded her expectations, both in terms of the number of volunteers who have signed up to be greeters and the responses she’s received from new employees. “The reception so far has been great,” she says. “The greeters are having a blast, and the new employees have been very impressed by the welcoming spirit at Webster.”

Gorlok Greeters provide a three-part introduction to the University. At their initial meeting, the greeter joins a new employee for lunch on campus. Next, they tour the campus together, giving the employee the chance to find out the best places to park, good restaurants to visit for lunch or shortcuts around campus. Finally, they attend a WSA meeting, where new employees can meet co-workers outside their department and make new work friends.

Kathy Bussey, service clerk, Financial Aid, feels that the Gorlok Greeter program is beneficial to new and current employees alike. During lunch with her greeter, she was pleased to learn about the volunteer programs at Webster and is eager to participate in them.

“It’s kind of a welcome mat for new employees,” Bussey said of the program.

Brajeshmoni Sundaramoni, service programmer, Information Technology, experienced programs similar to Gorlok Greeter at other jobs, but never on a personal level.

“One-on-one really helps,” Sundaramoni said. “It’s good to have one person to show you around.”

“[My greeter] gave me a warm feeling about the Webster community,” said Emily Goehring, department assistant, College of Arts and Sciences. Goehring also says her greeter encouraged her to attend the Brown Bag lunches on campus. Overall, she enjoyed talking to her greeter and would encourage other people to take advantage of the program.

As a greeter, Mary Birkenmeier, executive secretary in the President’s Office and a 13-year employee of Webster, enjoyed her experience with the program. Birkenmeier says the employee she was paired with is “a wonderful person” and feels she will do well in her department because she likes to help students and is “people-oriented.”

“I plan on keeping in touch with her as a new friend,” Birkenmeier said.

To participate in the Gorlok Greeter program as either a greeter or new employee, contact Nancy Higgins at ext. 6959, or e-mail her at higgins@webster.edu.

News from Bermuda

FROM DEREK SNEE, DIRECTOR, BERMUDA CAMPUS

During September, we entertained an uninvited guest, with the rather odd name of Fabian. Apparently the name is of Greek origin and means “bean farmer.” Fabian took his agricultural heritage too seriously. He harvested a lot more than beans. Trees, roofs, road surfaces, boats, bits of hotel, chunks of coastline, power and phone lines—all were uprooted and flung around.

Part of the damage wrought by Hurricane Fabian at a school in St. George, Bermuda

On Sept. 5, Hurricane Fabian became Bermuda’s first direct hurricane strike since the late 1980s and the worst on record to hit the rock, unless you include “The Tempest”—recounted by William Shakespeare. Oddly enough, if it were not for that storm, I would probably not be in Bermuda today. It shipwrecked a bunch of English voyagers en route to the Elizabethan “new world” of Virginia. They clambered ashore on the “Devil’s Isles” and claimed them as British territory. The Devil’s Isles later became Bermuda.

“It was a dark and stormy night” several hundred years later, when long hours of playing Scrabble by candlelight took their toll. My wife and I fell asleep at the height of the storm and remained comatose for 12 hours! Our squat and solid little Bermuda cottage withstood the wind. Electricity, trees and banana plants were our only losses. I am delighted to say that our students were likewise unscathed, and we did not incur any damage to our campus.

Did you know that we have relocated? Despite rumours that Hurricane Fabian moved us, it was actually seven blokes and a big van. Yes, we have moved lock, stock and barrel onto the campus of Bermuda College. We now have expanded classroom facilities, opportunities to collaborate on professional development seminars and many more synergistic benefits—not the least of which is the elevation of our profile.

Bermuda Director Derek Snee with Claudia White, adjunct professor and Faculty Member of the Year winner, and Michelle Scott, Student of the Year winner. White and Scott received their awards from Snee at the American Society of Training & Development conference held in Bermuda in November.

Indeed, over the last few months, we have embarked on a major promotional campaign, comprising radio adverts, a radio talk show and press releases based on a range of events—from donating furniture to the Bermuda Music School, to awarding faculty and student of the year awards at Bermuda’s first American Society of Training & Development conference, where we were exhibitors.

We were also delighted to have an extremely positive article written about us by The Bermudian Business, a slick bi-monthly magazine targeted at Bermuda’s vibrant finance sector and world-leading re-insurance industry. The article on Webster was published in the magazine’s October/November issue and includes a number of glowing testimonials. Also, we have just completed our belated WebsterWorksWorldwide project—painting the hurricane-damaged offices of Masterworks, a charity that supports the development of the island’s artistic talent.

The bottom line: Student numbers and enrollments are increasing, and after a stormy start to fall, the forecast is bright for Webster’s Bermuda campus.

Derek Snee
Director, Bermuda Campus…33° 22' N 64° 41' W

Featured Administrator

Al Wiman, vice president, University Communications, has received the 2003 Human Rights Campaign Equality Award, along with his wife, Glenda. The Wimans received the award for the significant role they have played in advancing the mission of equality within the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community.

“Both Al and Glenda Wiman have played such important roles over the years to further the message of equality and compassion in our community—they are both so deserving of this special honor,” says Kelley Green, co-chair of the 11th annual HRC gala that was held at Windows Off Washington in downtown St. Louis Nov. 8.

Glenda and Al Wiman at the Human Rights Campiagn gala earlier this month, where they received the 2003 HRC Equality Award

Over the past 20 years, Al and Glenda have worked as volunteer leaders and supporters of numerous gay rights organizations in the area, including the Human Rights Campaign, Doorways, St. Louis Effort for AIDS and The AIDS Foundation. In the early 1980s, Al brought news of the AIDS epidemic to the St. Louis viewing audience through his work with Larry Kramer, co-founder of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis in New York City. Al was the first St. Louis-area reporter to bring an in-depth look at the AIDS crisis to the local airwaves, while working as Medical & Science Editor at Channel 4 in the early 1980s.

While he was interviewing Kramer for the series, Kramer made a statement that has stayed with Al since. “He said that gay people are not a ‘disposable population,’” Al says. “I have never, ever forgotten what he said in that interview.” The impact that this and similar interviews had on Al was the catalyst for his support of gay issues. His wife, he says, felt a similar passion for the cause.

“To deny any individual his or her rights as a human being is to demean the value of all of our lives,” Glenda said at the HRC event. “Every person has the right to live an honorable life with dignity and respect.”

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay political organization with members throughout the country. It works to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans can be open, honest and safe at work and in the community.

May Akabogu-Collins, adjunct professor, San Diego Metropolitan Campus, wrote an essay, “Getting Into College, Whatever It Takes: When parents, professional editors and counselors lend a hand, how personal is the personal essay?” for the Oct. 20 edition of Newsweek magazine’s prestigious “My Turn” column. The weekly column offers contributors the chance to share personal insight on an issue that has larger implications in society.

Karen Luebbert, vice president and executive assistant to the president, was re-appointed to the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority by Missouri Gov. Bob Holden. The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority oversees actions of the Authority, sets bylaws, approves bond issues and annual budgets and appoints the executive director, among other duties.

Thomas Keith Mirabile, adjunct professor, Chicago Metropolitan Campus, completed the requirements for the advanced law degree of LL.M in Health Law at DePaul University Graduate College of Law. Mirabile had his article, “Aids, Africa and Access to Medicines,” published in The International Law Journal of Michigan State University-Detroit College of Law this fall. In addition to teaching at Webster’s Crystal Lake and Great Lakes campuses, Mirabile practices law in Wheaton, Ill.

Anthony Brandenburg, adjunct professor, San Diego Metropolitan Campus, was appointed to the faculty of the National Judicial College in Reno, Nev., where he wrote and taught in a program called “Courage to Live.” The program, which focused on alcohol abuse among Native American youth, drew representatives from various tribes throughout the West.

Gary Ford, visiting professor, School of Communications, wrote the 2003 annual report for the Missouri Foundation for Health, the largest health foundation in the country, which provides health care project grants for underserved and uninsured residents in Missouri.

John Buck, assistant dean of students, Student Affairs, is serving as president of the Saint Louis Area College Housing Association (SLACHA). SLACHA is a consortium of St. Louis-area college housing officers, who collaborates to provide ongoing training for student RA staff, information exchange, staff recruitment and other services to student housing professionals.

Paula Hanssen, coordinator of German studies, Foreign Languages and Literatures, led a panel discussion following the performance of “Kurt and Bert,” a play written about Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht by Prudence Johnson and performed at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis. The play included material from Hanssen’s dissertation, “Elisabeth Hauptmann: Brecht’s Silent Collaborator.”

Rick Michelson, adjunct professor, San Diego Metropolitan Campus, presented “Linking Assessment Centers to the DACUM process for Effective Public Safety promotions” at the International Congress on the Assessment Center Method in Atlanta. DACUM—an abbreviation for “developing a curriculum”—is an occupational analysis performed by workers in a particular occupation, who are guided by a DACUM facilitator.

Keep us posted on your professional activities and send us your story ideas by completing the UFO form.

Employees of the Month

November 2003

FROM MARIANNE KIRK, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Jennifer Andonoff, representative, Undergraduate Admissions, and Doreen Blee, department assistant, Bermuda Campus, share the Employee Spotlight Award honors for November.

Jennifer Andonoff has been with the Undergraduate Admissions office since January 2001. One of her responsibilities is to coordinate the College of Fine Arts auditions for prospective art, dance, music, theatre and film production majors. Jennifer’s nominator says, “Throughout the busy audition season, she schedules all on-campus and off-campus auditions and is extremely valuable in assisting students with the audition process.” Her nominator also praises the excellent working relationship Jennifer maintains with the various Fine Arts departments. “Coordinating the auditions takes a special person, and that she is!” the nominator says.

Jennifer’s nominator appreciates her taking the initiative to suggest new ways of doing things “in an effort to create more effective ways to handle not only her work, but for the office as a whole…I highly recommend Jennifer to receive an Employee Spotlight Award for making such a profound difference to so many people!”

Jennifer says that one of the best things about her job is getting to meet so many of the students. “As the audition coordinator, I have the opportunity to meet many interesting and extremely talented students,” she says. She especially enjoys the opportunity to travel to Chicago to help with the Unified Auditions for theatre majors. “The atmosphere is full of excitement, anticipation and fear,” Jennifer says. “I like to think I help to relieve some of the anxiety by providing a friendly face and encouraging words.”

Overall, Jennifer says: “I truly enjoy my job…as for my coworkers, they are the greatest! We have a great chemistry in our office that allows us to work so well together…I feel very lucky to work at Webster.”

Jennifer chose a day off with pay as her prize.

Doreen Blee’s nominator says that Doreen’s coming to work at the Bermuda Campus six months ago was a sort of “return home” since she had worked at Webster several years ago as assistant to the former director. Her nominator adds, “In the matter of a few months, Doreen has demonstrated competence, resourcefulness and caring. She has built a great rapport with our students, contributed many creative ideas for improvement, and routinely goes the extra mile…In short, Doreen is a tremendous asset to our Bermuda campus family and deserving of ‘employee of the month.’”

Doreen says she likes the fact that her job presents her with opportunities to discover, develop and use new skills and ideas. She has high praise for the campus director, Derek Snee, who encourages her input and never fails to express his appreciation for her contributions. “He is the most focused, patient and well-organized manager I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with,” she says. Derek’s leadership makes it a joy for her to come to work every day, Doreen says.

“Being this far away from St. Louis, I sometimes think we are worlds apart, but then, when we pick up the phone or connect via e-mail, I realize just how close our Webster family really is and how very helpful everyone can be. It’s because of our Webster St. Louis family that our jobs are a lot easier at this end.”

Doreen chose the day off with pay as her prize.

Employees everywhere are eligible for the monthly Employee Spotlight Award. Using the nomination form is easy!

Service Anniversaries

November 2003

The University extends its appreciation to the following individuals who have ably served the institution for many years:

Gary Hubler, assistant professor, Theatre and Dance, 30 years

Jan Murray, coordinator, Extended Campus Administration, 25 years

Gloria Barbre, representative, Human Resources, 15 years

Pam Lewis, working supervisor, Facilities Operations, 10 years

Sandra Chamberlin, director, Lakeland Metropolitan Campus, five years

Claudia Curran, department associate, Biological Sciences, five years

Janice Neal, assistant bursar, Finance Office, five years

Bonnie Schwarzenholz, representative, Kansas City Metropolitan Campus, five years

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New Employees

A warm welcome to the newest members of the Webster family:

Shanetta Cross, general clerk, Fort Sam Houston, 210-226-3363 or speed dial #6 027, replaces Paulita Lazarin.

Lawdon, department assistant, Denver Metropolitan Campus, 303-750-6665, replaces Laurence Joireman.

Janice Mains, department assistant, Memphis, 901-873-1531 or speed dial #6 086

Kara Powers, office manager, Fayetteville Metropolitan Campus, 479-571-1511 or speed dial #6 110, replaces Leneva Ferguson.

Carolyn Barnard, general clerk, Greenville Metropolitan Campus, 864-676-9002 or speed dial #6 098, replaces Mary-Lu Bonte.

Melanie Osterud, department assistant, Salt Lake City Metropolitan Campus/Hill Air Force Base, 801-779-2061 or speed dial #6 117

Marla Hauser, department secretary, Development Operations

Michael Steinberg, director, Film Series, ext. 8002, replaces Vicki Woods.

Lynn C. Barth, officer, Development Operations, replaces Marilyn Holmes.

Elizabeth L. Richie, reference assistant, Emerson Library

Donna M. Fischer, reference librarian, Emerson Library

To learn more about job opportunities at Webster, go to the Human Resources Jobs site.

Condolences

The University extends its sympathy to Pam Miller, coordinator, Information Technology, on the loss of her mother.