Dear Folks,

There are pending and recent activities surrounding the Optional Retirement Program.

On Friday, April 2, 2004, a staff report will be submitted to the State Board of Higher Education recommending Board approval for the submission of a legislative concept "placeholder". The placeholder will allow the OUS to file, within the required timelines, yet to be determined statutory amendments to the Optional Retirement Program for the 2005 Legislative Session.

As you may be aware, recent administrative corrections (announced March 17, 2004) resulting from extensive work by the OUS with the Office of the Attorney General will correct employer contribution reductions that affected ORP participants beginning in November, 2003. However, there are many issues left to be considered and much work to be done.

Therefore, I am calling for a meeting of the ORP Coalition as soon as the third week in April. Please check your calendars for April 22 as the first option, the 20th and 21st as secondary options. The OUS Office of Government Relations will locate a meeting room and advise you accordingly. I am also asking that you submit agenda items you would like to have included. When a meeting date has been chosen, I will send out the agenda.

Thank you all.

Lisa M. Zavala
Senior Associate Director
Government Relations
Oregon University System
(503) 373-7490
(503) 373-7813 (fax)