Staff Council Meeting

Wednesday, December 13, 2000, 2:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Clasen Board Room

 

Present:   Diane Anderson, Pat Arkema, Kristin Baum, Ella Born, Cathy Colony Bunnell, Jenniffer Carpe, Cheryl Carter, Jan Christensen, Milind Deshpande, Charlie Eastham, Judy Elleson, Pat Kenner, Hazel Kerr, Kathy Klein, Tina Knutson, Karon Kolek, Feather Lacy, Mark Long, David Martin, Bonnie McIntosh, Dan McMillan, Sherry Pech, Sandra Reed, Christine Remmert, Barb Spence, Rebecca Stamy, Jan Warren, Michael Wichman, Al Young.

Absent:   Linda Crowley, Mary Freitag, Joy Kross, Wanda Magruder, Donna Muller, Pamela Lenz Nielsen, Juan Parales, Kathy Sayre, Carlos Serrato, Janice Simmons-Welburn, Jun Tang, Anne Tanner, Billie Townsend, Xian Wu.

Administrative Liaison: AVP Bob Foldesi.

Guests:   Mitch Overton, DeGowin Blood Center.

             Laraine Carmichael Nelson, Human Rights Charter Committee.

             Andy Stoll, UI Student Government.

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

2.           Review/approval of minutes.

a)      11/08/00 Staff Council meeting.  Approved as amended.

b)     Reviewed minutes from 11/21/00 Executive Committee meeting.

c)      Reviewed minutes from 12/01/00 Executive Committee meeting with President Coleman.

3.           Comments – AVP Foldesi.

a)      Early Retirement Program.  The program will be reviewed over the next several months.  Feedback from the UI community suggests general support for the continuation of the program.  The Board of Regents will make a final decision regarding the continuation of the program.

b)     Self-Service Options on HR Web Page.  Human Resources is developing a self-service option on their web page that will allow UI employees to securely access various account information including their flex spending accounts, current benefit enrollment, and paycheck information.

4.           Announcements.

a)      Pat Arkema reminds councilors of the new Staff Handbook, which was included in their meeting packets.  Councilors should contact Sue Buckley if additional copies are needed.

b)     Pat A. distributed copies of the 1999-2000 report, Implementing the Strategic Plan.

c)      Pat A. distributed a survey from Dan Holub of FRIC.  The questions were designed to generate UI employee feedback on current health plans.  Staff Councilors are invited to email Dan with their comments at daniel-j-holub@uiowa.edu.

d)     The Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Kick-off Celebration and Reception will take place immediately following the January Staff Council meeting at 3:00 p.m. in W401 PPB.  Speakers for the event include Eddie Moore, Jr. and Dr. Deborah Turner.

e)      Pat A. reported that several councilors attended the reception for Regent’s President Owen Newlin and that it was an enjoyable event.  Newlin encouraged those present to attend a Forum on Education with Governor Vilsack at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.  Copies of the information provided at the Forum were distributed and are available from Barb Spence.

5.           Committee Reports

a)      Education Committee.  Bonnie McIntosh reported that 27 people were awarded Staff Council Scholarships for the spring semester, for a total of $10, 532.  Staff Development has thanked Staff Council for their financial support of the incivility event and professional development.

b)     Committee on Committee.  Cheryl Carter indicated that 3 individuals are needed to serve on the Mary Jo Small Fellowship Selection Committee for the June selection.  Individuals interested would be asked to serve a 3-year term.

6.      Items from Previous Agendas.

a)   Bylaws Changes.  A motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to make changes to the Staff Council Bylaws:

1) Revise description of Article XIV, University Relations Committee,

2) Move Article X Section 7 in its entirety to become Article XV: Peer Support Program,

3) Renumber Articles XV and XVI to Articles XVI and XVII respectively,

4) Establish a Web Page Advisory Committee and add to Article XIV, and

5) Alphabetize Committees in Article XIV.

7.      Speakers.

a)      Mitch Overton, DeGowin Blood Center, presented information on their efforts toward establishing a self-sufficient blood bank, as well as the opportunity for sponsored blood drives.

b)     Laraine Carmichael Nelson, Human Rights Charter Committee, spoke on the committee’s role at the UI.  The committee assists and advises the UI with policies, educational programs and grievances that involve human rights.

c)      Andy Stoll, President of UI Student Government, explained the role of UISG at the UI.  He shared some current UISG issues, which include parking on campus, establishing an on-campus recycling program, administering the Student Activity Fee, and developing governmental relations.

8.           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

9.           Meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.

 

 

Next Staff Council Meeting

Wednesday, January 10, 2001, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

MLK Kickoff Celebration Event at 3:00 p.m. immediately follows the meeting

W 401 PBB