USM Faculty Senate 
http://www.usm.edu/fsenate/resolutions/2008.htm

Resolution supporting adjustments in staff salaries (Passed November 2, 2007)

"It is our belief that staff compensation at the University of Southern Mississippi has been low historically in comparison with compensation for comparable work at colleges and universities in the Gulf South Region.

The contributions staff make to the success of USM faculty and students are notable. Staff are often the first responders to questions and concerns students may have. They attend to physical environments to assure those environments are conducive to learning and discovery. Staff provide direct support to faculty on many projects and initiatives. Succinctly put, staff are essential to the success of the University of Southern Mississippi. Members of the Faculty Senate support efforts to adjust staff compensation upward to more accurately reflect market salaries and to assure members of the USM staff receive compensation that recognizes their essential roles as members of the USM family. Further, the Faculty Senate supports upward adjustments in staff compensation to assure staff receive wages and benefits that will provide for a satisfactory standard of living.

In the context of previous paragraphs, members of the Faculty Senate urge the Administration to undertake a timely study of market compensation averages of staff in time to make appropriate and competitive adjustments for USM staff for FY 2009.

The resolution was moved by Senator Smith, seconded by Senator O=Brien, and passed without dissent."

-- Edited by Reporter at 07:18, 2007-11-19

Unfortunately, because our insurance is self-insured through the State, I do not know if much can be done to make it pay better without increasing the premiums again.

As Southern Belle pointed out, the state plan is paid for by the state. Blue Cross merely administers it. There is no insurance company to negotiate with, and the plan must balance expenditures with premiums. The university pays the premiums for employees.

Believe me, I understand the frustration with our current insurance coverage and the high costs for family members.  However, something is better than nothing.

If faculty and staff of Southern Miss could receive a decent raise, we may be able to purchase a supplemental insurance policy to offset the high deductible and none covered charges.

For those of us who have been on campus for a while, know that raises have been few and far in between.  When raises are received (and we have been grateful for each raise received), they do not cover the cost of living.  Yet as loyal employees, we have stayed on campus and still dream of a day when raises will be good.

Curmudgeon wrote:

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As Southern Belle pointed out, the state plan is paid for by the state. Blue Cross merely administers it. There is no insurance company to negotiate with, and the plan must balance expenditures with premiums. The university pays the premiums for employees.

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I know next to nothing about the business of health care except that it's pretty dirty and our health insurance is awful.  If there is no insurance company to negotiate with then who do our premiums go to?  Again, I know little to nothing about the business of health care but I do know that with as many employees that are represented by our plan it should be a bit better.