President Bendapudi addressed Staff Senators and highlighted recent accomplishments from members of the UofL community. In September, a surgical team with UofL Health – Jewish Hospital performed the world’s first total artificial heart implantation in a female patient, for example.

“In September, the first artificial heart transplant for a man in the United States was performed at Duke University. A week later, the second artificial heart transplant for a man in the United States was here at the University of Louisville. We followed that up by performing the very first artificial heart transplant for a female patient in the world right here at UofL,” Bendapudi said. “I mention that because going forward, I hope I can share these bragging points with our employees because these are genuine, world-wide accomplishments for the university.”

Bendapudi also addressed Staff Senator’s questions and concerns regarding compensation. She said future annual 1% raises for university employees will be contingent on revenue and student enrollment figures. Student enrollment and retention is the largest contributor to revenue for UofL and also affects state funding. Projections estimate that the number of college students in Kentucky will decrease 15% by the year 2025. For this reason, Bendapudi prompted senators and their constituents to reach out and encourage students on campus.

“The best chance we have of our increasing our revenues – the part of the world that we can control and influence – is student enrollment and retention. It is the biggest contributor to revenue and controls where and when we can provide raises,” Bendapudi said. “I believe that everybody who works at UofL should feel confident that every year they will get a raise. To do that, we’ve got to work on our enrollment and retention.”

Vice President of Human Resources Mary Elizabeth Miles informed senators that will be available Oct. 20 through Nov. 3. Employees wishing to make no changes to their plan will not need to take any actions; however, those with a flexible spending account will need to reenroll to retain their balance.

Kari Aikins, director of Total Rewards for UofL, provided senators with additional information on Open Enrollment. Aikens addressed some of the recent changes made to health care plans, including the transition to Optum Health for HRA and FSA administration and moderate increases to vision and dental plans. Senators and their constituents were encouraged to attend one of the four Open Enrollment Benefit Information Sessions offered by Human Resources via Microsoft Teams. Employees who were unable to attend one of the four sessions may view a or reach out to their designated for additional information.

Committee reports and a of the virtual meeting can be found on the . The next Staff Senate meeting is Nov. 9 via Microsoft Teams.

Co-chairs Leondra Gully and Andrew Grubb delivered the preliminary recommendations from the ad hoc committee on anti-racism. In September, the committee was asked by Staff Senate Chair John Smith to explore ways in which the UofL staff could promote the university’s commitment to anti-racism. The committee submitted a total of 10 recommendations, including:

• Create a Staff Senate standing committee related to anti-racism and diversity
• Establish an anti-racism resource toolkit that can be used by Staff Senators to support dialogues about racism and racial justice.
• Create and implement a “CARA Series” aimed at building senators’ capacity to understand structural and systemic racism and learn strategies to address racism as individuals and collectively.
• Encourage constituents to attend Staff Senate meetings and invite constituents to bi-monthly anti-racism trainings sponsored by Staff Senate.

Jones supported the implementations of the ad hoc committee’s recommendations and emphasized the importance of communication between departments. She also encouraged staff to get involved with the university’s diversity plan.

“I want to remind folks [that] every school, every unit has a diversity plan… So if you’re not involved with your diversity plan for the unit or you’re not aware of that, please see who your diversity chair is for your unit and get involved,” Jones stated.

The senate tabled a vote to transition the Anti-Racism Committee’s classification from “ad hoc” to “standing.” Senators will be given time to review the recommendations made by the committee and a survey will be distributed at a later date.

Todd Kneale provided the Staff Senate with updates on Open Enrollment, which starts October 21 and closes on November 4. Costs for the 2021 medical plan were projected to increase approximately 8.5%. Kneale reported that the university elected to cover employee’s increasing contributions. Those staying within the same plan and tier should not experience an increase in contributions in 2021.

Kneale also reported on changes to the university’s medical plan. PPO copays will increase by $5, raising primary care physician visits to $20 and visits to specialists to $35. Generic maintenance medications delivered through mail order will be a $0 copay. Specialty medications will be limited to 30-day supply.  

For those enrolled in PCA plans, the rollover is being reduced from three times the university’s annual contribution to one time. Employees with large balances are encouraged to use their remaining balance until December 1, 2023.

Senators were reminded that the Get Healthy Now incentive is still in effect. The program allows employees enrolled in a UofL health medical plan to earn a $40 a month premium incentive. Kneale encouraged all current employees to take advantage of this initiative by completing the online health assessment before November 4, 2020. Additional information on the Get Healthy Now incentive can be found .

Changes were also made to the basic and enhanced dental plans. Starting in 2021, orthodontic work will not be covered under the basic dental plan. However, orthodontics will be covered for both adults and dependents under the enhanced plan. Kneale stated that those with dependents currently undergoing orthodontic treatment will be allowed to continue that treatment until they meet the lifetime maximum. Basic plan premiums will be reduced by approximately 9% and the enhanced plan premiums will increase by approximately 8 percent.

Kneale reported that there would be no changes in coverage to the vision plan, but reported a small increase in the premium.

Open Enrollment information sessions are available through Microsoft Teams every Thursday during the month of October. Employees seeking additional information are encouraged to register for the virtual sessions .

Committee reports and a full video recording of the virtual meeting can be found on the .

The next Staff Senate meeting will be held November 10 via Microsoft Teams.