Leafy McBride gave a short report on the work of the RFP Committee. The RFP will be released within the next month.

How soon will we know who the chosen vendor is? They hope to know that by the first of September. There was an article published recently about the way that Aetna handles medications. The company is forcing a lot of its clients to use more generic drugs.

Irene Downes said that various insurance companies make decisions about what types of medications to use. This isn't something that we need to concern ourselves with because it is already being addressed through other means. What about medications that are replaced with cheaper alternatives? What about side effects? Such replacements could be illegal and if so, would be addressed through other means.

Pat Ivey said that the President has made his decisions about who the award recipients will be. Letters have gone out to the award recipients. The awards will be presented at the June board meeting. There were 26 total nominees. One award will be presented for each MAU, for a total of four awardees.

Irene Downes said thank you to Pat Ivey for putting so much energy into the project. Pat Ivey mentioned that the design for the buttons was made by Irene Downes. The buttons were produced by her and her children.

There was no other old business.

Patti Thorne opened the floor for nominations for the position of Chair of the System Governance Council.

Irene Downes nominated Leafy McBride, who declined the nomination. Irene Downes nominated Josh Horst. Josh Horst indicated that he isn't eligible. Patti Thorne nominated Tish Griffin; she declined the nomination.

Irene Downes asked for a description of the job. Patti Thorne said that it involves some coordination. Your largest responsibility is to coordinate and chair the meeting. Pat Ivey and Brian Brubaker are a great help as staff.

Josh Horst nominated Rosie Gilbert. Rosie Gilbert accepted the nomination. Leafy McBride nominated Hilary Davies; she declined the nomination.

Rosie Gilbert was elected by acclimation.

Election of the vice chair was postponed until the September meeting of the council.

Rosie Gilbert said that she has a conflict with the meeting time of 2:30 - 4:30 on Thursdays. A new time, 1 o'clock until 3 o'clock, was chosen.

There was a discussion of whether or not to move the April 27, 1999, meeting because it falls during finals week. No decision was made. The consensus was to accept the calendar as presented.

There was no other new business.

Josh Horst said that the Coalition will have its next meeting on June 5, 1999.

Pat Ivey said that the Faculty Alliance met on May 14, 1999, with the System Academic Council. They discussed the Alaska Quality Schools Initiative. This is the new move to test students and not allow them to graduate from high school unless they pass. There are three chances to pass the test. President Hamilton has been asking how this effects the university. The faculty have been discussing it with the developmental education people.

A Common Grading System and Course Definition System is being developed; this is to facilitate ease of transfer and to ensure that new courses are put in the appropriate slot. There is still some discussion of the Student Dispute Resolution Regulation. Hopefully the Coalition of Student Leaders will consider this issue at their June meeting.

Don Cecil from UAS was elected chair of the Faculty Alliance for 1999-2000.

The Staff Alliance met on May 18, 1999. A resolution of appreciation for Patty Kastelic, who is retiring, was adopted. The charge of the workload task force, which does not have anything to do with faculty, has not been defined yet.

Patti Thorne said that David Woodley and Jason Brumley were elected President and Vice President of the UAA Classified Employee Council.

Hilary Davies gave a report for the UAA Faculty Senate. Hilary Davies will be President and Barbara Tullis will be Vice President of the UAA Assembly for 1999-2000. UAA recently held a staff development day. There was no report for student groups.

Irene Downes was elected President-elect of the UAF Staff Council. The UAF Staff Council held a picnic and longevity awards presentation. They are selling raffle tickets to raise money for a scholarship. Parking fees at UAF will be increasing this year.

Tish Griffin said that the UAS Staff Council did not meet in May 1999. They are hosting a picnic just before the 4th of July. The UAS Staff Council is hosting a going away party for Chancellor Lind. They have been working on an email list and web page. Tish Griffin and Sheri Gray will be serving as President and Vice President of the UAS Staff Council in 1999-2000.

Josh Horst said that he is the outgoing student body president. The student government has been working with the administration to lease a facility off campus to turn into a student union. They have helped get lots of letters to legislators in support of the university. Student leaders at UAS visited the local rotary club and chamber of commerce this year. Rosie Gilbert will be the UAS Juneau student body president in 1999-2000.