Does the UAL portion affect the normal cost portion of the employer contribution?
No, it is no way influenced by the payment owed toward the unfunded accrued liability.

Is the employer (normal cost) contribution decrease for this fiscal year caused by the economic downturn?
No, this is not influenced by any investment performance of the Teachers Retirement System.

Does LSU have a voice regarding the contribution rates that are set by the actuaries?
No, the employer contribution rates are reviewed by the legislative auditor and adopted by Public Retirement System Actuarial Committee. It is not voted upon during legislation or part of any bill where employees can lobby for.

Will the employer contribution rates change next fiscal year (July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011)?
Yes, these rates are calculated by the system actuary every year.

Does LSU have an Ombudsperson? Could you provide me contact information?
Yes, the Ombuds Office provides a confidential, neutral source for staff and faculty within the LSU community to raise issues and concerns, identify options, and request assistance to informally resolve workplace conflicts. Their office is located on the third floor (E314) of the Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex. Call (225) 578-5324, email kschwehm@lsu.edu, or visit http://appl027.lsu.edu/chan/ombudsweb.nsf/index.

How can I participate in Staff Senate?
Participation as an elected member of the Staff Senate is governed by Article III of the Staff Senate Constitution which states as follows:

ARTICLE III Organization

Section 1: Representation

The LSU Staff Senate will represent all staff who are employed at least half-time and who have been with the University for a minimum of six consecutive months. Those represented must be in one of the following groups of employees as defined in the LSU Staff Handbook:

Unclassified Employees- Administrative officers and professional staff, as well as all non-faculty employees in positions exempt from the provisions of the State Civil Service System or from the Classified Service under the State Constitution.

Classified Employees- All employees in positions covered by the provisions of the State Civil Service System.

Other Academic Employees - Part-time members of the academic staff and full-time members of the instructional staff below the rank of instructor, or equivalent; employees with academic responsibilities who do not hold faculty rank. This category includes associates, assistants, lecturer's, and coordinators not represented by the Faculty Senate, excluding students.

Section 2. Senate Membership

The LSU Staff senators will be elected by the various categories of nonfaculty employees, as defined by the University's Office of Human Resource Management.

There will be one senator representing every 100 employees, with a minimum of two senators from each category. If the final count is less than 100 but greater than 66, an additional senator will be elected from that category. No single category will have majority representation on the Staff Senate.

Re-evaluation of the representation process will take place at such a time as Staff Senate membership reaches 30.

a. Qualifications

Senators must be qualified as staff:
1. as defined under Article III, Section 1;
2. who are employed at least 75% effort;
3. who must have completed at least one year of continuous employment at LSU immediately prior to the qualifying date of the Staff Senate election.

b. Terms in Office

Senators will be elected for three-year terms. Terms of office will be staggered to ensure that one-third of the Staff Senate is elected each year.

c. Senate Officers

The Staff Senate will elect from its membership a President, a President-Elect, a Secretary, and two At-Large members. Each will be elected in accordance with the Staff Senate Bylaws.

Participation on Staff Senate committees is open to all LSU employees. To see more information about the charges and goals of the various Staff Senate committees or to participate, please visit the Staff Senate Web site at www.lsu.edu/staffsenate or call the Staff Senate Office at 578-8566.

Are Staff Senate meetings open to the public?
In accordance to Article IV of the Staff Senate constitution, regular and special meetings of the Staff Senate are open to the public, with the exception of executive sessions. For a listing of meeting dates, times and locations, please visit the Staff Senate Web site at www.lsu.edu/staffsenate or call the Staff Senate Office at 578-8566.