Bendapudi informed senators that effective July 1, retirement contributions will be restored to their pre-COVID levels, 7.5%. She further reported that a 1% increase to base pay is pending approval by the Board of Trustees. If approved in the upcoming July board meeting, the 1% increase will go into effect on August 1.

“Every year, everyone who works here should have some increase to keep up with cost-of-living adjustments. Something to show we believe in you and we’re investing along with you,” Benadpudi said. 

Unit elections closed on May 28 and resulted in the seating of 50 Staff Senators, including 21 first-time Staff Senate representatives. Credentials and Nominations received a total of 106 applications, both from returning Senators and first-time applicants. The seating of the senators was approved unanimously.

Due to COVID-19 scheduling conflicts, the Staff Senate meetings were moved from the second Monday of each month to the second Tuesday. After a senator poll revealed overwhelming support for Tuesday meetings, changes to Article IV of the Senate bylaws were proposed that will allow for flexibility in meeting scheduling moving forward. Senators will vote on the proposed bylaw changes at next month’s Staff Senate meeting.

On May 25, President Bendapudi announced the observance of Juneteenth as a university holiday starting this year and moving forward. In response to the university’s inaugural observance of Juneteenth, the Committee on Anti-Racism Efforts (CARE) prepared recommendations for the Staff Senate.

The chair of CARE, Leondra Gully, presented the recommendations before the Senate. CARE proposed that a statement on behalf of the Staff Senate that recognizes the university’s commitment to observe Juneteenth, as well as the historical significance of the holiday. Additionally, the statement will inform recipients how they can celebrate within the campus community or individually. The proposed Juneteenth statement was approved by senators.

Committee reports and a of the virtual meeting can be found on the . The next Staff Senate meeting will be held on July 13 in a hybrid format via Microsoft Teams; more information is forthcoming.

He discussed bipartisan leadership, federal budgets, student debt, immigration reform and jobs during his visit as part of the McConnell Center’s Distinguished Speaker Series.

Schumer, D-NY, said he supports programs that take aim against high levels of student debt and would like to see lower interest rates for student loans. He also said he believes in strong support of colleges and universities, especially as the nation continues to move toward an “ideas” economy.

“A focus on higher education is needed more than ever before,” Schumer said. “It is our future.”

Schumer also delivered a surprise to UofL sophomore Jasper Noble when he announced that Noble was selected to be an intern in the Democratic leader’s office over the summer. Noble is a majoring in political science, history and philosophy.

Introduced to an audience of nearly 400 by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Schumer stressed that the two party leaders “can and do work together” to tackle important issues. He cited the Feb. 7 two-year bipartisan budget as a good example of how he and McConnell have recently worked together.

“We try our best to understand each other; to be honest and respectful,” Schumer said.

In his introduction of Schumer, McConnell shared similar thoughts about bipartisan problem solving. “Washington may look like a pretty divided place but, actually, the Senate is a pretty collegial place,” McConnell said.

This is the second time the McConnell Center has had both Senate leaders on the stage, said Gary Gregg, who directs the Center. The last time was in 2007 when former Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., was a McConnell Center guest.

The Center has hosted many political leaders since 1993. Past speakers include U.S. President George W. Bush; U.S. Secretarys of State Hillary Clinton, Madeleine Albright and Colin Powell; Senators Ted Kennedy, John McCain, Marco Rubio and many others.

In addition to giving a public talk, guests who come to UofL as part of the center’s Distinguished Speaker Series meet privately with UofL students who are part of the McConnell Scholars program.

Check out video from Schumer’s talk below: