At a special September meeting on Thursday, the Seminole State College Board of Regents approved one new policy regarding emotional support animals on campus, and approved revisions to two existing policies on employee insurance and retirement benefits.
During the President’s Report, Lana Reynolds discussed recent college activities and events, as well as personnel changes. She updated the Board on the College’s renewed cultural and educational exchange program with College360° in Denmark – formerly known as Silkeborg Business College. Twenty students and two instructors from Denmark will arrive in late October for a week-long stay on campus. In turn, a group of SSC students and representatives will travel to Denmark during the summer of 2019 as part of the program.
Under the first item of business, Board members approved a new policy regarding emotional support animals on campus. This policy will allow the College to determine, on a case by case basis, and in accordance with current law and regulations, whether a request to allow an animal in campus housing is a reasonable accommodation. This policy reflects discussions by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Council on Student Affairs, and implements wording of similar policies from other institutions. It has also been reviewed by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office, which serves as the College’s legal counsel.
As the next action item, the Board approved revisions to current policy II-4-17 regarding employee insurance benefits. Changes to the policy were made that will now provide employees with a set amount of money to allow them to shop around for health plans that best fit their needs, and options for employees who select not to be included on the College’s plan. Recent meetings have been held with employee groups on campus to explain and review the new changes, as well as options they will have during the upcoming enrollment period for personal selection of health plans.
Under the final item of business, revisions to policy II-4-16 regarding employee retirement benefits were approved by the Board. SSC has been one of the only institutions in the Oklahoma Higher Education system to pay health and dental coverage for full-time employees after retirement until they qualify for Medicare. Additionally, the College has also been awarding a retirement incentive payment of a percentage of the employee’s annual salary. The approved changes to this policy will eliminate both of these benefits for full-time employees hired after January 1, 2019. Everyone currently employed full-time would not be affected by these changes.
“While these modifications in benefit policies change the culture of our institution, and are difficult to make, I believe they are fair, equitable, fiscally responsible and in the best interest of Seminole State College.”
President Reynolds
Members present at the meeting were: Chair Marci Donaho, Curtis Morgan, Ryan Franklin, Ray McQuiston, Paige Sherry, Kim Hyden and Bryan Cain.The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 25, 2018.
