Board Meeting Minutes

August 5, 2008

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Present: Groshong, Behymer, Boyle, Zwonitzer, Phillips, Stewart, Hilderbrand, Mitchell, Freeman, Hahn, Smith, Thompson, and Hunvald

President Groshong called the meeting to order and distributed lists of committees, meeting dates, and an agenda. Gary Zwonitzer was introduced as the new MURA treasurer.

Minutes: Moved by Smith, seconded by Boyle to approve the minutes as circulated via email. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: As of July 31 MURA had $6,505.90 in checking, and $55,099.06 in investments for the Lifetime Members Reserve Acct. and one CD from the operating fund. Moved by Behymer, seconded by Smith to approve the report. Motion passed.

New Business: The list of MURA committees was discussed. Moved by Behymer, seconded by Smith to approve the committees. Motion passed.

Member at Large: The president asked that Bob Stewart be appointed as Faculty Member at Large. Moved by Hahn, seconded by Mitchell that the appointment be approved. Motion passed.

The Retirement, Health, and Other Benefits Committee chair as both a voting and non voting member of the Board as listed in Article V, section 2 of the Constitution was discussed. President Groshong will ask Cramer for clarification or change to be considered for the constitution.

Hilderbrand reported a new membership directory will be printed this fall and distributed to all members current in dues as of 2008.

Partnerships with the Mizzou Alumni Association and the University of Missouri Flagship Council were reported.

A need for a survey of retiree’s contributions to the University community was discussed. Plans will be developed to collect needed information.

Committee Reports

Membership: Hilderbrand reported that we have 1,024 current dues paying or lifetime members for 2008. There are 393 past members who have not paid dues this year. The membership committee will work again this year to recruit new members. Their efforts last year were very helpful.

Communications: Freeman reported that the deadline for submitting information for the fall Newsletter is October 1.

University Liaison: Smith reported meetings had been scheduled with the president Oct 21, and March 18 and with the chancellor Nov. 4. He noted it would be helpful to have information on retiree’s contributions to the university to review with the president to increase his awareness of the important role they play as members of the university community.

Retirement, Health, and Other Benefits: Hahn reported the committee met in the Staff Benefits Office conference room and shared concerns with Mike Paden.

University Retiree Benefits: Stewart reported that new vice-president of HR Betsy Rodriguez met with the committee, that the committee had discussed with the president the need for a pension adjustment for retirees, and received reports about benefits. The Curators approved the establishment of a fund to offset the GASB reporting requirement of listing the liability for post retirement health benefits. The annual report of the Retirement Fund has been posted on the web--the returns were good and projected liabilities are fully funded. A comparative study of our program with peer institutions was made available to the committee for review.

Announcements

• MURA volunteers are needed to help freshmen move in on August 20.
• The Board of Curators will meet 9/04 and 05 in Kansas City, 10/23 and 24 in Columbia, and 12/11 and 12 in St. Louis.
• The next MURA Board meeting will be held Wednesday, October 1 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in N201-202 Memorial Union.

Meeting adjourned.
Bob Stewart, Acting Secretary