Staff Council Meeting

Wednesday, December 12, 2001, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

S401 PBB

 

Present:  Diane Anderson, Pat Arkema, Ella Born, Vicki Brown, Cathy Colony Bunnell, Jenniffer Carpe,

   Cheryl Carter, Jan Christensen, Charlie Eastham, Judy Elleson, Susan Felker, David Fitzgerald,

   Mary Freitag, Donna Hirst, Pamela Kacena, Pat Kenner, Hazel Kerr, Kathy Klein, Tina Knutson,

   Joy Kross, Mark Long, David Martin, Bonnie McIntosh, Donna Muller, Sherry Pech,

   Cheryl Reardon, Sandra Reed, Christine Remmert, Janice Simmons-Welburn, Rebecca Stamy,

   Jun Tang, Anne Tanner, Michael Wichman, Xian Wu, Heather Weber

 

Absent:   Milind Deshpande, Karon Kolek, Feather Lacy, Dongwang Liu, Wanda Magruder,

   Pamela Lenz Nielsen, Juan Parales, Amy Welter, Jeanette Wigim

 

Administrative Liaisons:  Sue Buckley, Interim Associate Vice President of Human Resources,

Kevin Ward, Interim Associate Director of Human Resources and Director of Employee and Labor Relations

1.      The meeting was called to order at 2:38 p.m.

2.      Review/approval of minutes.

  1. 11/14/01 Staff Council meeting minutes were reviewed and approved as amended.

b.       Reviewed minutes from 11/16/01 Executive Committee meeting.  Councilors did not raise any questions.

c.       Executive Committee did not meet with President Coleman in November.

3.      Comments – Interim AVP Sue Buckley.

a.   Sue introduced Bob Milsap, the new Assistant Director of Human Resources, Classification & Compensation.  She said that she told him that Staff Council is kind but persistent.  He made a few brief comments before leaving to attend another meeting.

b.   Sue provided information regarding five searches:

1) Director of Affirmative Action.  Sue will continue to chair the committee with membership the same as with the previous search.

2) Executive Director of the Board of Regents (BOR).  The search is complete with the hiring of Gregory Nichols.  Mr. Nichols has worked as Policy Director and Education Advisor to Governor Vilsack.  He will probably assume his responsibilities the second week of January.

3) Director of UIHC.  Dean Johnsen of the College of Dentistry will serve as chairman for this search.  A search firm will be used.

4) Dean of the College of Medicine.  This search committee will be chaired by Dr. Francois Abboud, and Kitty Buckwalter will serve on the committee as vice-chair.

5) Registrar.  Sue did not have any definitive information regarding this search.

c.   The BOR will not be meeting in December.  The January BOR meeting will be here in Iowa City.  Revisions to the P & S Grievance Procedure will be presented.

d.  Sue reminded us of the early retirement incentive program deadline.  Any staff that are eligible by 6/30/02 and are interested in participating in the program must turn in an application by 2/1/02 requesting consideration.

e.  Sue made a few comments regarding the University's budget.  The University, as a whole, seems to be managing mid-year reductions in the operating budget.  It appears that there will be very few, if any, layoffs.  The University budget office is actively asking for money back.  A councilor inquired about projections of the State Revenue office.  Sue said that the numbers change frequently, but she feels it is prudent to assume there will be additional reductions in the budget. 

4.      Issues/Reports/On-going Concerns.

  1. Bylaws motion/proposals.  Cathy Colony Bunnell again read Bylaws proposal 2001-02:7 which was then approved by the Council.  Cathy also discussed and read two additional proposals.  The first proposal (2001-02:8) would make the past president a voting member of the Executive Committee.  The second proposal (2001-02:9) would clarify the duties of the past president.  Discussion followed.  Quite a few Councilors did not agree with the first proposal and it was withdrawn from consideration.  A motion was made to accept the second proposal with the stipulation to spell out PCSI.  It was seconded and tabled to be voted on at the next Council meeting.
  2. Pat Kenner and Pat Arkema discussed some Budget Committee issues.

1) The Budget Committee met recently with VP Doug True.  There was discussion about the State Revenues report and whether the state budget crisis will turn around.  VP True mentioned that it is good news that short-term interest rates are low.

2)  Governor Vilsack seems to be more willing to consider bonding as an avenue for bringing in funds for capital improvements.

3)  The first phase of the MGT audit, to determine what areas to study, is complete.  A report will be made at the Board of Regents meeting in January.

4)  Sue Buckley talked briefly about the decompression issue.

5)  Jonathan Carlson, chair of the BPAC committee, is finalizing a report.  The committee will present their recommendations to University administration.

  1. Ella Born reported some results of the recent electronic survey which Pat Arkema sent to all Staff Councilors.  We received 31 responses out of a possible 43.  Answers to three of the five questions were quantitated.  A majority of those responding felt that the size of Staff Council was just right.  A relatively even number of those responding felt that there were either too many or just the right number of internal committees.  Almost half of those responding felt comfortable with the amount of responsibility they have while serving on Council.  Some discussion of these results followed; along with some discussion of how we do business, how to make Council more effective, and how to help new Councilors understand better what will be expected of them once they are on Council.  There also was a brief discussion of the upcoming elections.
  2. Pat Arkema mentioned that the annual reception for Staff Councilors with President Coleman at her home will be April 10, 2002.
  3. Pat Arkema also mentioned receiving a copy of Tom Bauer's report to the Board in Control of Athletics.  Pat also encouraged Councilors to contact Tom with any concerns or opinions regarding staff ticket prices, the policy for staff season tickets, and the effect that "gifts" play in determining seating priorities. 

5.      Rebecca Stamy, chair of Staff Council's Human Resources committee, introduced the speakers:  Jane Holland, Jennifer Modestou, and Nancy Williams.  They shared three handouts entitled, "Draft Parental Leave Proposal", "Draft Adoptive Leave Proposal", and "Adoptive Leave Benefit, Surveying Universities and Colleges, December 2001".  Jane offered an explanation of each handout and the group encouraged discussion of the drafts.  They seek Council's approval of the Adoptive Leave proposal.

6.      Other Business:

None presented.

7.      Meeting adjourned:  4:23 p.m.

8.      Next Meeting:  January 16, 2002, 2:00 – 4:30 p.m., W401 PBB.  The Martin Luther King Celebration Kick Off will begin immediately following the business meeting at 2:30 p.m.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Ella Born, Staff Council Secretary