Whereas, The creation of a unified Public Employment Benefits Board (PEBB) has altered the benefits offered as compensation for service to Western Oregon University faculty; and

Whereas, The planning of benefit packages under PEBB has largely ignored the frequently expressed critical needs of the faculty of this university; and

Whereas, The current PEBB benefit system contains a structure of subsidies that discriminates against faculty-preferred benefit options (as revealed in PEBB surveys); and

Whereas, The PEBB-administered benefits represent a substantial reduction in benefits and an increase in costs for most faculty; and

Whereas, Faculty as a group historically represent a relatively low- cost pool of beneficiaries; and

Whereas, The originating legislation (SB 271) said the System "...may elect, at the discretion of the State Board of Higher Education, to provide alternative benefits be available at a lower cost...";

Therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Faculty Senate of Western Oregon University request that the Board of the Oregon University System work with due haste to develop and implement a plan to separate faculty health care benefits from PEBB control by developing a system of benefits governance that is more responsive to faculty concerns and more cost effective in meeting faculty health care needs.

Dated this 7th of December, 1999, Monmouth, Oregon