Dear GAAAUP,
In solidarity with Southern Polytechnical State University and the
University of Georgia University Council, the Darton College Faculty
assembly unanimously passed the following resolution:
"The Faculty Assembly of Darton College wishes to express its deep and
serious concern over the recently announced cuts in the state
contribution to the University System of Georgia Optional Retirement
Plans.
1) For the many faculty that have made the choice, their ORP is not
optional. It is their retirement plan. This cut is a real reduction in
their compensation, and they are suffering it purely because they chose
an ORP instead of TRS. It's a point of particular concern that the state
contribution to TRS is being increased as ORP is being decreased, and
these adjustments will place the ORP state contribution rate at 8.13%,
compared to 9.28% for TRS.
2) Communication with, involvement of, and consultation with those most
affected before the decision was made appears to have been non-existent.
3) The notice provided of the cuts was limited at best. Some of our new
faculty this term committed to an optional retirement plan, only to be
told shortly thereafter that the state's contribution was to be cut.
4) No explanation of the rationale for the cuts has been provided.
We request that the Chancellor and Board of Regents revisit this
decision. If allowed to stand, inequities between TRS and ORP will
jeopardize the function the ORP's were designed for: to recruit and
retain highly qualified faculty.
Further we request a one time open enrollment period for all USG
faculty in ORP or TRS be granted the option of changing their retirement
plans."
I hope that all GAAAUP Chapters will follow these examples and make
their voices heard throughout the University System whether through
Senate Resolutions, Chapter Resolutions, or other means.
Thanks,
Roger Marietta
President, Georgia Conference of AAUP