The Academic Planning and Budget Committee discussed the Agenda for Excellence at its first meeting. Capital Council has not yet met. SEC discussed the benefits review that is underway with Associate Provost Barbara Lowery, Vice Provost for Human Resources Clint Davidson, and Personnel Benefits Committee Chair David Hackney. Committees with faculty representatives are at work and Towers and Perrin has been hired to assist. Detailed information is being gathered from 28 universities participating in a Penn survey.
All benefits are on the table for review.
Current benefits are very complex resulting in costly administration and difficulty communicating plan options and comparing plans. If Penn must make changes to reach comparability it must be accomplished by July 1, 1997. The administration's objective is not to reduce benefits but in the face of declining University resources additional cost sharing by faculty and staff may be necessary. A letter explaining the process will be sent to all employees and there will be further communication through Almanac and Compass . There will also be an opportunity for employees to respond to the preliminary plan.