Staff Council Meeting
Wednesday, November 8, 2000, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
140 Schaeffer Hall

Present:  Diane Anderson, Pat Arkema, Kristin Baum, Ella Born, Cathy   Colony Bunnell, Cheryl Carter, Jan Christensen, Charlie Eastham, Mary Freitag, Andrew Fuhrmeister, Pat Kenner, Hazel Kerr, Kathy Klein, Tina Knutson, KaronKolek, Feather Lacy, Mark Long, Wanda Magruder, David Martin, Bonnie McIntosh,Dan McMillan, Donna Muller, Pamela Lenz Nielsen, Juan Parales, Sherry Pech, Christine Remmert, JaniceSimmons-Welburn, Barb Spence, Rebecca Stamy, Jun Tang, Anne Tanner, Billie Townsend, Michael Wichman, Xian Wu, Al Young

Absent:  Darlene Blake, Jenniffer Carpe, Linda Crowley, Milind Deshpande, Judy Elleson, Steve Fulwider, Joy Kross, Sandra Reed, Kathy Sayre, Carlos Serrato, Jan Warren

Administrative Liaisons:  AVP Bob Foldesi, Sue Buckley

Guests:  Jon Whitmore, Provost
Brian McClatchey, Cambus Director
Maile Sagen; Bernard Sorofman, Office of the Ombudsperson
Charles Anderson, Associate Professor Emeritus, Speech; Pathology and Audiology

1. The meeting was called to order at 2:30 p.m.

2. Comments - Provost Whitmore.
He distributed his annual report, which includes a list of initiatives from this past year and the progress they have made.
He highlighted a few of this year's initiatives, including:
1) private financial giving,
2) computer and information initiatives (e.g. InfoHawk, Web ISIS)
3) technology and informatics as a new field of study at the UI, and
4) revisions to the clinical track process.
He encouraged councilors to attend the Provost's upcoming event, Coffee and Conversations. The topics under discussion will be the UI Library and the initiative to increase library staff, informatics, and distance learning.

3. Review/approval of minutes.

a. 10/11/00 Staff Council meeting. Approved as amended
b. Reviewed minutes from 10/26 Executive Committee meeting.
c. Reviewed minutes from 10/30 Executive Committee meeting with President Coleman.

4. Comments/Regents' Report - AVP Bob Foldesi.
a. The Board of Regents is meeting at The University of Iowa next Wednesday and Thursday.
b. He reminded councilors that health insurance and flex benefits forms are due by November 17th.
c. The UI Wellness Fair took place on 11/02/00. Eleven hundred people attended the fair and 750 people received flu shots.
d. The Staff Development and Training report was recently released. Some highlights of the report include: 1) 143% increase in on-campus training; 2) an additional 35 different programs were offered this year; and 3) the number of financial awards given:

20 staff received MJS Fellowships $17,000 total awarded
328 staff received Staff Tuition Grants $62,000 total awarded
41 staff received Tuition Assistance $22,000 total awarded
254 staff received funds for Professional Development $35,000
He commended Staff Council for their collaborative efforts with Staff Development to make these award programs possible.
The search process for Vice President for External Relations has begun. Pat Kenner is a member of this search committee.
f. Councilor Mary Freitag reported to AVP Foldesi that her constituents have commented positively on the clarity and format of this year's health insurance information packet.

5. Announcements.
a. Campus Planning is hosting a series of open forums this week and next week. See poster in your meeting packet for details.
b. The Spring Forum with President Coleman is scheduled for March 20th on the west side campus
c. Please note the information on the UI Diversity Committee enclosed in the meeting packet.
d. Council has recently received comments from UI staff about the implementation of a new bus route due to roadwork related to the MEBRF building project on west campus. Brian McClatchey, Cambus Director, presented project and bus route information. He empathized with staff on the current bus stop arrangements and assured staff that his department will soon have shelters at these new stops. He reminded staff of the convenience of the hourly parking ramps nearby.
e. Bonnie McIntosh will be chairing the University Life Centers Review Committee.

6. Introduction of new councilors and Governmental Relations Committee members.
a. Pat Kenner introduced new MSE/C councilors Christine Remmert and Kathy Klein. 
b. Dan McMillan (Governmental Relations Committee Chair) introduced the members of the newly established Governmental Relations Committee. Members include Pat Kenner, Pat Arkema, Michael Wichman, Barbara Spence, Ella Born, and Mary Freitag. The committee will meet for the first time on 11/09/00. They will be considering ways that they can act as a conduit for staff, how they can interact and inform the UI Office of Governmental Relations, and ways they can collaborate with Faculty Senate of issues of Governmental Relations. He reminded councilors that Mark Braun would be holding a 2nd Governmental Relations School session sometime after the election of Iowa legislators.

7. Committee Reports.
a. Bylaws Committee. There was a motion to consider and accept the recommendations that were electronically distributed to councilors several days prior to the meeting. A vote to approve the motion will take place at the December Staff Council Meeting.
b. Diversity Committee. Billie Townsend announced that the Voices of Soul will perform on Saturday, 11/11/00, 7:30 p.m. at Parkview Church.
c. Other
The Executive Committee is currently working on the winter issue of the News & Views newsletter for January 2001 distribution.
Mary Freitag asked for suggestions on how the Des Moines lab could arrange for someone to come to their location and administer a flu shot to employees. Both Jan Christensen and Christine Remmert offered some suggestions.

8. Speakers. Maile Sagen and Bernard Sorofman, presented highlights from the Office of the Ombudsperson's Annual Report. Items included civility issues, the reclassification process, and UI staff participation in the Capital Campaign.

9. FYI - Reminders.
MLK Day Kickoff, January 10, 2001 in W401 PBB
Cultural Diversity Day, Field House, February 25, 2001
Prepare Our Daughters for Life, March 1, 2001
Forum with President Coleman, Tuesday, March 20, 2001, Seebohm Conference Room 283 EMRB

10. Meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.

Following the Staff Council meeting, Charles Anderson presented information on the United Way for councilors who were interested.

Next Council Meeting Wednesday,
December 13, 2000, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Clasen Board Room