UBAC has a long-standing history at UVM and was reinstituted in 2023 to focus on healthcare benefits and the potential impact of higher healthcare premiums. The council advises university leadership on benefit programs for both current employees and retirees and operates under an established set of guiding principles focused on protecting current employees and retirees from undue financial burden. 

UVM’s benefits are designed to align with our desire to recruit and retain top employees and reflects the University’s commitment to its Our Common Ground principles. The benefit programs are rooted in UVM's commitment to connecting its core values with the evolving needs of a diverse workforce within institutional constraints of projected budget allocations and available re- sources. 

The specific charge to the UBAC is as follows:

• To review and evaluate the University's benefits programs and to make recommendations to the President and Provost with regard to the modification of existing employee non-bargainable benefit plans and the design of any new non-bargainable benefit programs.
• To review annually, on a rotating schedule, a report and analysis from Human Resources, complete with appropriate data and comparative information regarding:
  • Responsiveness of the benefit plans to the needs of faculty and staff, with attention to the needs of UVM's lowest-paid employees
  • Competitiveness of the benefit plans with plans of peer and aspirant institutions
  • Cost effectiveness of UVM's benefit plans
• To advise its constituent groups whenever appropriate of changes being contem-plated, in advance of decisions to finalize them. To submit a report to the University Community and other interested parties at the end of each academic year.

In addition, a Health Insurance Working Group (HIWG) will be established as a standing subcommittee of UBAC. HIWG will include at least three (3) voting members of the UABC. The HIWG will develop recommendations to the UABC for changes in the University's non-bargainable health insurance offerings, in an effort to manage costs, while continuing to provide outstanding benefits.

The HIWG will suggest and advise on both short-term strategies and long-term initiatives, working cooperatively with insurers and providers to provide and preserve choice, access, equity, and value for employees. In addition to the University Controller and the Director of Benefits, the HIWG would seek participation from faculty and staff members with relevant professional expertise in the fields of economics and trend analysis as these relate to health care delivery and insurance.

There shall be at least fifteen (15) voting members on the UBAC with members from selected various constituencies of the University. At least two (2) of the voting members shall be from the bargaining unit. The UBAC will elect a Chair at its first meeting. 

Council Members:

• Genevieve Anthony, Assistant Dean, Patrick Leahy Honors College, UBAC Chair
• Caitlyn Sisler, Director of Benefits, UBAC Facilitator (non-voting)
• Chris Lehman, Chief Human Resources Officer, Administration (non-voting)
• Lindsey Donovan, Associate Controller, Financial Services Representative
• Carrie Hopkins, Senior Budget Analyst, FAB Representative
• Cara Hancy, Employee Wellness Manager, Osher Representative
• Wade Carson, Clinical Professor & Director, Radiation Sciences Program, FT Faculty Representative
• Andrey Ukhov, Associate Professor of Finance, Grossman School of Business, FT Faculty Representative
• Katherine Elmer, Lecturer and Health Coach, PT Faculty Representative
• Thomas Nash, NEPBA Representative
• Jane Knodell, Professor of Economics, College of Arts and Sciences, Faculty Senate Representative
• Richard Cohen, Assessment Coordinator, Officer of Institutional Research, Staff Council Representative
• Mara Saule, Retiree, Retired Faculty and Administrative Officers Representative
• Ruth Farrell, Retiree, Retired Faculty and Administrative Officers Representative
• Holly Zanes, Retiree, Retired Staff Representative
• Vacant, United Electrical Representative
• Vacant, UVM Staff United Representative

If you have questions, please contact Caitlyn Sisler, Director of Benefits in Human Resources.