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Rumor Mill separates fact from fiction Parking Fees Rumor: I heard that parking fees may go up. If it's true, when does it happen and what is the increase? Truth: Parking fees may increase some time in the future, but they are not scheduled to increase in the current fiscal year (FY2005). During the FY2006 budget development process later this year, parking revenues will be reviewed and recommendations made regarding an increase. If one is to be implemented, employees will be notified in advance. The usual start date of a parking rate increase is the beginning of the fiscal year in July. Health Insurance Premiums Rumor: I have heard that the health insurance premiums will be increased in January. Is this true? Truth: At its July 13 meeting, the Budget and Control Board approved an average monthly increase of $34.55 per employee for insurance premiums. The increase   offsets the continued rise in health care costs. The increase in premiums will be effective Jan. 1, 2005. According to the board, results of state employee surveys indicated that, given a choice, employees would rather pay higher premiums than have changes made to benefits.The board also voted to end the state's Economy Plan, which covers about 5 percent of all state employees. The plan will be replaced with the Savings Plan. The Savings Plan offers substantially lower premiums but requires much higher deductibles.The State's Employee Insurance Program will release more information about the new premiums and plan in the upcoming weeks. This information will be distributed through the university's and the Medical Center's Human Resources departments.  Exchange Server Rumor: I  heard that MUSC will be going to one e-mail system. Will it be the stable and flexible IMAP system? No. Will it be the Groupwise system already in  use on Campus? Unlikely. I heard that there is true consideration being given to the insecure, virus-laden, Microsoft Exchange/Outlook System. Please tell us that this is not the case! Truth: Consolidating e-mail systems was considered last fall. It was determined that the potential gain was not worth the costs, financially and otherwise. This issue will be revisited at a later date.  Wheelchair Ramp Rumor: Why it is so difficult for wheelchairs and carts to get from the dental school to the Waring Library. There is a walkway scored in the new driveway,but no ramp, and I hear there are no plans for one. It is very hard to get a 200- pound person in a chair over the tall curb and up on the other side.  Truth: Thank you for bringing this need to our attention. Prior to your Rumor Mill inquiry, plans were not included in the Children's Research Institute (CRI) design package for curb cuts and transitions in the new loading dock driveway to facilitate wheelchair access between the east end of the Basic Science Building and the Waring Library. As the result of your interest and comments, we will modify the project to include those necessary and appropriate curb cuts and transitions. Wachovia Bank Building Rumor: There are wooden barricades around the entire Wachovia Bank Building. I heard that they were put there because there is fear that the building is going to fall down. Is this true? Truth: The Bank Building is not in jeopardy of falling down; however, a few pieces of the stucco-like exterior recently came loose and dropped to the ground immediately below the structure. Thus, the barricades were temporaritly placed there as a precaution to keep pedestrians and automobiles a safe distance from the building perimeter should additional pieces of the exterior fall. A thorough structural analysis was completed, and we are in the process of identifying the funding necessary to repair or replace the building exterior materials. Cost of Living Raises Rumor: I heard that a cost of living raise was being given to MUSC employees. I was wondering if Authority employees were going to be receiving the cost of living raise as well? Truth: Eligible MUSC (academic division) employees were given a 3 percent general base pay increase in accordance with the State Appropriations Act and State Human Resources plan (applied to the June 13 pay period for hourly paid classified employees, and July 1 for salaried employees). The Medical Center(MUHA)is not covered by the state human resources plan. However, MUHA will award performance pay increases (2, 3, and 4 percent based on performance ratings)in January 2005, as in recent  years. Please see the Medical Center's H R compensation policy #15 (see performance pay) for additional details. Anyone needing additional information should contact their manager, business officer, Rhonda Richardson (University H R) or Susan Carullo (MUHA H R). Webserver Rumor: I heard the MUSC webserver was too old. Is that true? Truth: Cobweb is currently the primary webserver for musc.edu. It is a (Silicon Graphic Inc)SGI-Origin 200, with 256MB RAM and a 200 MHZ processor. It was brought up in September of 1998, thus is nearly 6 years old. The replacement server project for  Cobweb is well underway and  began in July with completion scheduled for Dec. 31. The replacement equipment is a pair of Dell 1550 servers configuredas a cluster for failover. They have 1GB RAM and each has a 1.2Ghz processor. Reproduced from http://www.musc.edu/rumor/.  Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.