Q. I recently received two mailings from UCOP, the first telling me I would soon be receiving a survey on health care and the second was the actual survey with return postage. The survey was conducted by an external firm hired by UC. My concern is the amount of money UC spent not only on the two mailings and return postage for those who completed it on paper, but also in hiring a firm to conduct the research. In these times of extreme budgetary problems for all UC campuses, I think it sends the wrong message to waste money on surveys. The money spent on the survey may be a drop in the overall budget bucket, but every little bit counts, right? Anon. UC Davis

A. The University considers employee benefits -- especially medical plan benefits --to be an important part of an employee's total compensation, and UC sets high standards for our UC-sponsored medical plans.

To ensure that UC employees, retirees, and family members receive quality care, Human Resources surveys a portion of each medical plan's UC membership every year. The results of the annual member satisfaction survey are published in the fall to assist UC employees and retirees with plan decisions in conjunction with Open Enrollment.

The medical plans reimburse UC for the cost of the member satisfaction survey sent to their members. In addition, if the survey results fall below a certain guaranteed threshold, the medical plans are required to pay UC a penalty for their lower performance. Both UC and the medical plans value the input and opinions expressed in the surveys and use the results to evaluate performance and make improvements in the plans.

Q. I just received my HRB Briefing newsletter and noticed the state has not contributed any money to the UC retirement fund over the last many years, at the same time contributing billions to the state colleges and community colleges. This is totally unacceptable! What can we do about it? G.H., Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

A. Yes, it is true that the state has not contributed to UCRP during the period from November, 1990, when UCRP contributions ended, through the present while contributing $4.5 billion (through fiscal year 2008-09) to CalPERS and CalSTRS for CSU and community college faculty.

You may want to write to your state representatives about your concern. You can also join UC's advocacy program and help the University on a variety of issues. For more information, see the UC for California website.