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Board Approves
Contracts, Room, Board and Fees
The WIU Board of Trustees approved at its Nov.
15 meeting two employee collective bargaining contracts, a six
percent increases in room and board and a 4.8 percent increase
in fee rates for Fall 2003 incoming students. Collective bargaining
agreements with local 417 of the American Federation of State,
County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Illinois Fraternal
Order of Police (FOP) Labor Council were approved. The University
and AFSCME four-year agreement calls for the same base hourly
rates currently in effect for the first year of the contract.
In the event funding becomes available or another employee group
receives an increase the parties agree to meet and bargain. The
second year of the agreement calls for an across-the-board wage
increase based on the percentage appropriated for general and
supplemental salary increases in FY04. There are approximately
155 employees covered by the agreement.
The FOP agreement covers approximately 20
employees in public safety positions at the University. The agreement
will maintain the pay schedule currently in effect during the
first year with the understanding that in the event funding becomes
available or another employee group receives an increase, the
parties agree to meet and bargain.
The Board approved residence hall room and
board rates for students entering the University in Fall 2003.
The double occupancy room and board rate for students entering
Western in Fall 2002 was increased by $304, from $5,062 to $5,366
annually in Fall 2003. The Board approved an increase in mandatory
student fees from the Fall 2002 rate of $516.45 to $541.20. The
room and board rates are part of the Western four-year cost guarantee
to incoming students. Students who enter Western are guaranteed
they will pay the same rate for tuition, fees and on-campus room
and board for their four years of continuous enrollment.
Western's Board heard reports on the cost
guarantee program including survey results which indicated 76
percent of the parents and families of currently enrolled freshmen
surveyed said the cost guarantee program was at least somewhat
important in their child's decision to enroll at Western. Almost
100 percent of those parents and students surveyed felt the cost
guarantee program should be continued.
The Board heard first reading of a change
in bylaws that would include domestic partners of employees in
University benefits regarding use of employee leave, educational
benefits and other categories under the jurisdiction of Western's
Board of Trustees. University benefits provided to employees by
Board policy are separate from those employee benefits determined
by the State of Illinois. First reading was also heard of a bylaws
change regarding the accumulation of additional sick leave by
administrative professionals.
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