July 9, 1998

Deadlines

July 20, 1998 is the deadline for receipt of proposals at Grant and Contract Services for proposals due on Aug. 1, 1998 at the awarding agency.

Academic Opportunity

PNASH Pilot Project

The UW Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center, funded by the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, requests proposals for pilot projects in support of the Center’s research theme. Up to three projects will be funded from Oct. 1, 1998 to Sept. 30, 1999 with a maximal amount of $15,000 in direct costs each. A Letter of Intent is due on July 31, and the application deadline is Aug. 31. Contact Marcy White, 206-616-1958 (phone) marcyw@u.washington.edu (e-mail), for application materials.
Pacific Northwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center

Other News

Parking Policy Change on Gatehouse Refunds

Currently full refunds are available to those who purchase a daily permit at a gatehouse and then purchase a permit at a Parking office. As of Aug. 1, a new refund policy will be implemented. This policy only authorizes pro-rated refunds to daily permit holders who park four hours or less. A refund schedule is posted at each gatehouse. Save yourself time and money whenever you purchase a permit (quarterly, annual or commuter tickets) from Parking Services. Go directly to our main office at 3901 University Way NE (7:30 am­5pm Mon.­Fri.). Purchasing the permit before parking on campus means you do not need to return to the gatehouse for a refund. Park free for up to 30 minutes while conducting business at our main office; use the load-zone stalls near the front entrance.
UW Parking Services

Comments for Life Insurance settlement sought

Notice of Proposed Settlement in Class Action Burbage et al. V. State (Thurston County No. 94-2-2560-8) Background: The State of Washington offers its employees two types of group life insurance. One type (“basic life”) is a $5,000 policy provided to all state employees without cost, and to retired state employees who elect to pay a monthly premium. The other type (“optional life”) is provided to state employees who elect to pay a monthly premium. Between 1986 and 1991, both types of life insurance were offered through a single contract between the State and Northwestern Life Insurance Co. The contract provided for certain reserve funds that would be available to the State depending on claims experience. Due to lower-than-anticipated claims, $8.3 million accumulated between July 1, 1986 and June 30, 1991. Of this amount, Northwestern attributed $7.9 million to optional life claims experience and $.4 million to basic life claims experience. In January 1992, Northwestern remitted the $8.3 million to the state Health Care Authority, which deposited the funds in the Public Employees and Retirees Insurance Account. Later in 1992, the Legislature appropriated $8.3 million from the Account to the General Fund. In August 1994, a class action was filed alleging that the appropriation of $7.9 million (attributable to optional life) to the General Fund was unlawful. On behalf of a class of state employees who purchased optional life between July 1, 1986 and June 30, 1991, Plaintiffs prayed that the $7.9 million be returned proportionately to class members or that class members be awarded an equivalent amount in future decreased premiums or increased benefits.

Terms of Settlement: The parties have reached a settlement that has been preliminarily approved by the Court. The settlement defines the class as follows: “All persons employed by the State of Washington at some time during the period from July 1, 1986 through the present during which they were eligible for state-contracted life insurance benefits pursuant to chapter 41.05 RCW.” Under the settlement, the $5,000 basic life benefit provided all eligible state employees would be increased to $15,000 in the calendar years 1999, 2000, and 2001, and to $25,000 in the calendar years 2002 and 2003. The estimated increased cost to the state is $17.9 million. In return, all further claims against the state would be dismissed.

Hearing: The court has ordered that notice of the proposed settlement be provided to class members and that a hearing be held to consider any comments on the proposed settlement. The hearing will be held on July 17, 1998, at 1:30 p.m., at the Thurston County Superior Court, 2000 Lakeridge Dr., Olympia, WA, Building #2, Room 208. Following the hearing, the Court will either approve or disapprove the settlement.

Rights of Proposed Class Members: By order of the court, a proposed class member may submit written comments on the proposed settlement. If a class member submits written comments, he or she also may notify the court of his or her intent to appear at the hearing, either personally or through an attorney, to testify regarding the written comments. A class member also may elect to “opt out” of the settlement, meaning he or she elects not to be bound by the settlement and not to share in relief granted to other class members. A member who “opts out” has the option of maintaining a separate action against the state. Failure to “opt out” means the class member is bound by the settlement and may not maintain a separate action against the state. If a class member wishes to present written comments, to testify at the hearing on the written comments, or to “opt out” of the class, he or she must return this notice to the court with the information requested below BY NOT LATER THAN July 16, 1998.

Further Information: Attorney for the Plaintiff class is Edward E. Younglove III, 924 7th Ave., Olympia, WA 98501, 360-357-7791. The court file is available for public inspection weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Clerk’s Office of the Superior Court for Thurston County, 2000 Lakeridge Dr., Building #2, Olympia, WA.

Your Name (Print) _______________________

Your Address (Print) _______________________________________________

RE: Burbage et al. v. State, No. 94-2-2560-8

I wish to:

[ ] Submit the attached written comments on the proposed settlement for court consideration.

[ ] Notify the court of my intent to appear at the hearing, either personally or through an attorney, to testify regarding my written comments.

[ ] Notify the court that I hereby “opt out” of the settlement.

I understand that this statement must be received by the Thurston County Superior Court, 2000 Lakeridge Dr., Olympia WA. 98502 no later than July16, 1998.

Signed: ____________________________ Date: _______________________

(NOTE: A class member is NOT required to complete this form. Not completing the form means the class member does not wish to comment on the settlement nor opt out of the class.)
Benefits Office