Rutgers
University
Administrative
Assembly

The Administrator

...the Assembly Newsletter & On-Line Home Page

The views and opinions expressed in The Administrator are those of the authors identified or of the Administrative Assembly and are not necessarily those of Rutgers University.

Editor: Lambert Blunt Jackson, Camden Campus, 429 Cooper Street, Phone 6107, Fax 6139

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According to recent reports, the decline of the State's pension fund began in 1994 when Governor Whitman began looking for ways to fund the tax cuts she promised in her election campaign.

In order to fund the cuts, the State began reducing payments to the pension fund, which has gone from being the "12th most secure fund in the nation to 81st… the absolute worst."

"In her January budget address, the Governor said her tax cuts will have saved taxpayers $2.8 billion dollars by June 30, 1997. During the same time period (according to the Division of Pensions and Benefits) the State is expected to have put about $3.1 billion dollars less into the retirement system."

The Whitman Administration's $2.9 million dollar pension bond proposal is mainly intended to strengthen the public employees pension fund without jeopardizing the State's ability to fund other programs. Iff approved by the Legislature, the plan would guarantee that public employees who have vested their pensions would have full right to the benefits, including the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) promised at the time they vested. Those base benefits cannot be taken away even if the law changes.

NJEA (New Jersey Education Association) has a law suit pending against the State because of its mishandling of the pension fund. However, after carefully studying the bond proposal and meeting with State officials, NJEA leaders are convinced that the plan is sound and urge its members to support it. Paying off the TPAF (Teacher's Pension and Annuity Fund) and PERS (Public Employees Retirement Fund *sic*) unfunded liability, and guaranteeing pension rights to vested members accomplish the major goals of NJEA's pension lawsuit.

If you haven't done so, now is the time to let your Senators and Assembly representatives know how important the fiscal health of your pension fund is to you. Remind them of the power you wield at election time, and demand that they keep your best interests at heart.

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Are You Wired?

The Administrative Assembly is on line. Check out our World Wide Web site at http://www-rci.rutgers.edu/~assembly/ or get there by going to INFO at http://www.rutgers.edu and following the links “Faculty/Staff Matters” and then “Involvement”. While you're at our site, be sure to check the current Bulletins and Notices for what's happening NOW!

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Compensation Issues

by Gerald Thomas

As each year passes, it seems fewer and fewer Rutgers employees can smile or take pleasure in the growth of their pay check. Downsizing, pay freezes, state politics and a fickle New Jersey economy all influence and impact employee motivation and career aspirations. As Chair of the Salary and Compensation Committee, I understand how these issues can affect employee morale and I have conveyed to Central Administration the need to enhance university employee relations. I have also expressed my opinion about the detrimental effect of not offering adequate empoyee compensation. It is in the best interest of the university to compensate people fairly for their contributions and work efforts. People are Rutgers' most important asset and people should be fairly treated.

Pat Grove, Administrative Assembly President, and myself are currently serving on a salary committee looking at compensation issues affecting the university. We are reviewing the university's current compensation system, pay philosophy and Merit Award program. We are also reviewing compensation systems utilized in other public and private institutions.

I do welcome input from all APS staff employees who may have concerns about university compensation issues. As a Rutgers employee your voice and opinions matter. We are receptive to your thoughts, ideas and support in maintaining respectable salaries and fringe benefits.

Webmaster's Note: E-mail your comments and ideas on compensation to Pat Grove; or phone ( (908)932-1376 ) or Fax ( (908)932-1014 ) them to Gerald Thomas.

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!REMINDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Please come to the Administrative Assembly's 25th Anniversary Picnic to be held on Sunday, June 8 from 2p.m. until dusk at the Log Cabin, Cook Campus. There will be food, entertainment, games, activities, music and much more. Registration forms have been distributed on all campuses, but if you are in need of one, please call your campus liaison or contact Elena Buchanan at University College in New Brunswick, extension 2-0874.

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Another "Heartfelt Event"
The "Sprint" Heart Ride – June 1

by Edith Frankel

The flowers of Spring are bursting on the scene, the temperature is (slowly) rising to a “Springy” comfort level, and Spring fever is definitely setting in! A critical part of this Springy syndrome is to begin planning for our wonderful outdoor activities. Has it been a whole year since last Spring and the last “Rutgers Team” bicycle ride? The warm memories are still vivid in my mind.