The Faculty Fringe Benefits and Welfare Committee (FFBWC) met 3 times during the fall term of the 2005-2006 academic year. The meetings were held jointly with the Employee Benefits Committee (EBC), an administrative committee chaired by Tom Hay. The Committees’ (FFBWC and EBC) energy was directed toward the annual review of medical, dental, and life insurance in preparation for the January 1, 2006 renewal. At the first two meetings, Furman’s benefits consultant discussed the premium increase that would be required to renew Furman’s 2005 medical insurance plan with CIGNA. Then, he presented various ways of changing the 2005 plan to try to minimize the increase in premium. All of the proposed changes involved a loss of benefits due to increased co-pays and/or increased deductibles. Therefore, after much discussion, the Committees (FFBWC and EBC) expressed the opinion that Furman’s employees would be best served by paying the increase in premium required to keep the 2005 medical insurance plan for 2006. However, there was one positive change for Furman’s retirees. CIGNA agreed to remove the lifetime cap on medical benefits for the retirees at no additional cost.
The benefits consultant took Furman’s dental insurance out to bid. The Committees (FFBWC and EBC) subsequently discussed the proposed dental plans and their costs. Ultimately, Furman’s dental carrier was changed from the Guardian to the Standard for 2006. The change seemed to provide somewhat better coverage at lower premiums. The life insurance was also moved to the Standard to get better rates and equal benefits.
The Committees (FFBWC and EBC) would like to thank Tom Hay, Giselle Williams, and Mary Williams of the Human Resources Department for their guidance and hard work on behalf of the Committees. The FFBWC also appreciates the work of the EBC members Jean Adams, Todd Duke, and Ray Kuhne. Finally, the chair would like to thank the other members of the FFBWC for their diligent work on the committee.

Rhett Bryson, Theatre Arts
Sofia Kearns (after January 1), Modern Languages and Literatures
Shelly Matthews, Religion
Savita Nair (before January 1), History
Cheryl Patterson, Business and Accounting
Jeff Petty, Chemistry
Nancy Shell (Chair), Mathematics