Benefits Advisory Committee

Type of Committee:
Standing.

Purpose:
To provide an avenue for faculty and staff involvement, input, and advice on benefits issues which apply to all NMC employee groups; to assist with communication of benefit issues which pertain to all NMC employee groups.
To ensure our benefits plan is competitive and is within NMC's financial means, per Board Policy D-1100.00.

Membership:
Executive Director of Human Resources, Chair, Coordinator of Benefits and Human Resources, one executive staff member, one Wellness & Ergonomics Committee representative, and two representatives from each employee group selected by their respective councils. Members serve two or three year terms, and may be reappointed for a maximum of six consecutive years. A first and second vice-chair are selected from within the committee.

Reporting Relationship:
The committee reports its recommendations to Faculty Council, Staff Employee Groups, and the Total Compensation Committee through the Executive Director of Human Resources or designee.

Responsibilities:
The Benefits Advisory Committee will consider benefits issues which apply consistently to all employee groups (as outlined in #1 below). Other benefits issues which pertain to specific employee groups will be addressed by the respective salary study teams according to their respective processes.

1. Review and consider suggestions for benefits changes which apply to all employee groups. Make recommendations for changes where indicated. Such benefits include:
   

   All benefits, including: Medical/dental coverage Long-term disability coverage Tuition benefit Retirement - MPSERS, ORP Wage continuation Holiday

   All leave, including: Vacation Sick leave Military Family sickness/ emergency leave

   Jury duty Child care Bereavement Family and medical leave

2. Review proposals from administration for changing third party administrators, insurance carriers; provide input on potential issues, cost containment/saving measures; and assist in communication of changes.
3. Review and consider suggestions for changes to structure of NMC's flex plan, including opt-out amounts, structure of options and form of medical/dental coverage such as HMO's, PPO's, self-funded, or traditional indemnity plan arrangements. Make recommendations for changes where indicated.
4. Study any benefits changes mandated by federal or state laws or changes in regulations; make recommendations for changes in NMC benefits plans where indicated.
5. Assist in communication of benefits issues and changes with employee groups.

Timeline:
The committee will convene as needed when there are issues to be addressed.

Communication strategy:
Members are to report to their respective councils and employee groups. Hearings may be held. Committee activity may be announced in the Intercom. Changes will be printed in resource guides and the policy manual.

2006-07 Membership