Staff Council Meeting

Wednesday, February 13, 2002, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

S401 PBB

 

Present:  Pat Arkema, Ella Born, Vicki Brown, Cathy Colony Bunnell, Jan Christensen, Susan Felker,,

Mary Freitag, Donna Hirst, Pamela Kacena, Pat Kenner, Hazel Kerr, Kathy Klein, Karon Kolek, Feather Lacy, Dongwang Liu, David Martin, Bonnie McIntosh, Donna Muller, Juan Parales,

   Sherry Pech, Cheryl Reardon, Sandra Reed, Christine Remmert, Jun Tang, Anne Tanner,

Amy Welter, Michael Wichman, Jeanette Wigim, Xian Wu, Heather Weber

 

Absent:   Diane Anderson, Jenniffer Carpe, Cheryl Carter, Milind Deshpande, Charlie Eastham,

Judy Elleson, David Fitzgerald, Tina Knutson, Joy Kross, Mark Long, Wanda Magruder,

Janice Simmons-Welburn, Rebecca Stamy

 

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

1.      The meeting was called to order at 2:35 p.m.

2.      Review/approval of minutes.

  1. 1/16/02 Staff Council meeting minutes were reviewed and approved.
  2. Reviewed minutes from 1/18/02 and 1/23/02 Executive Committee meetings.  Councilors did not raise any questions.

3.      Comments – Interim AVP Sue Buckley.

a.   Early Retirement Incentive Program (ERIP):  Initial data indicates 398 applicants have opted for early retirement.  More applications likely will be received before 6/30/02.  Of the applications received thus far, 165 people plan to retire some time between now and 6/30/02, 58 people plan to retire in 2003, and 175 people plan to retire in 2004.  In the recent past, 107 people retired in 1999, 122 people retired in 2000, and 149 people retired in 2001.

A question was raised as to when a new early retirement program might be discussed with the Board of Regents (BOR).  Sue said that this would be up for discussion at the March BOR meeting, however, the University of Iowa will not be proposing a new program at this meeting.  Another question was then raised as to whether this issue could be brought up for discussion only on a yearly basis (i.e., only at the March meetings).

b.   The search for Director of Affirmative Action is going well.  The advertisement has been released and 30 applications have been received thus far.  Plans are to begin screening the applications on 3/27/02.

c.   According to Vice President Doug True, the search for a new Associate Vice President and Director of Human Resources will begin soon.

d.   Sue discussed the time line for releasing information about the conflict resolution documents.  President Coleman will be sending a letter via email to all staff that will introduce the Ethics and Responsibility Statement.  Shortly thereafter, Human Resources (HR) will send a memo again to DEOs and VPs reminding them of the documents.  Then HR will send a letter to all staff again that will include the Ethics and Responsibility Statement and the additional three documents.  HR is currently conducting training for HR unit representatives.  HR also plans to have an article in FYI regarding the documents.

e.   Next week another feature will be added to the HR Self-Service Center on the web.  The new feature will give anyone interested the chance to provide emergency contacts information.  The information will be given totally on a voluntary basis, and only certain people with a high level of authority will have access to the information. 

4.      Issues/Reports/On-going Concerns.

  1. Bylaws motion/proposals.  Cathy Colony Bunnell read Bylaws proposal 2001-02:10 that would clarify the duties of the Secretary of Council.  Cathy asked if there were any questions.  A motion was made to approve and seconded.  The proposal will be voted on at the March meeting.
  2. Pat Arkema extended a note of thanks to Juan Parales for his part in the success of the MLK Celebration event and she also mentioned that we all were able to enjoy two really good speakers.  Pat announced that Staff Council had received a congratulatory note from Dr. Skorton.
  3. Dave Martin provided some information regarding the upcoming Staff Celebration Day.  The event will take place on May 22nd, from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the IMU.  The budget for the event is less this year, so less food will be provided.  Nancy Noyer is in the process of planning activities:  There will be a lot of fun activities and possibly a staff art show.
  4. Pat Kenner brought forward three items:

1)  She had picked up several copies of the Gazette's Iowa Legislature Guide to the 2002  79th General Assembly and offered them to any Councilors who were interested.

2)  Pat mentioned flyers were available with information regarding the Improving Our Workplace Award (IOWA) program.  Nominations for the award are due by 3/15/02.

3)  Pat said that the Budget Committee has received a request from UI Wellness for funds to purchase gloves and bags to be used during a university campus clean-up day.  The clean up is scheduled for Friday, 4/12/02, from 9:00 a.m. until Noon.  She also encouraged Councilors to participate in the clean up.

e.   A report from the Elections Committee announced that we would have a full ballot for the up-coming Staff Council election.  There are 12 Councilor seats available altogether:  6 openings for Academic/Administrative, 4 openings for Professional-Research, and 3 openings for Special Services (MSE/C).  We have received 12 nominations for A/A, 5 for Research, and 4 for MSE/C.

f.   Juan Parales said that he had picked up some flyers, "Celebrating Cultural Diversity Festival," for anyone interested in taking one to post.

g.   Pat Arkema reminded Councilors of the reception at President Coleman's house on April 10th, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. The invitation is extended to new Councilors as well as current Councilors and those Councilors who are completing their terms.

5.      Vicki Brown, chair of the Elections Committee, called for nominations for Staff Council Vice President/President Elect and Secretary.  Ella Born was nominated for Secretary.  Charlie Eastham was nominated for VP/PE.  No other nominations were made.  However, current president, Pat Arkema did mention that nominations would be accepted up until and including at the March meeting before the vote would be taken.

6.      Dave Ricketts and Linda Noble were again available to discuss proposed parking rates.  Dave handed out another set of charts which included:  "Current (FY 02) and Proposed Parking Rates for FY 03, 04, & 05,” "Proposed Parking Citation Rates for FY 03,” and "Proposed Rates for Public Cashiered Facilities.”  Dave said that they have received many comments since the last meeting.  One of the most-asked questions is:  "What are we going to do with the money?"  He said that they receive $10 million in parking revenue.  Of that revenue, $6.5 million goes to operations that include subsidizing the bus pass program, cambus, and the van pool program; and debt service (borrowed money) for Hospital ramps III and IV, the Newton Road ramp, and the North Campus ramp.  More debt may be incurred in the future with plans to expand Hospital ramps III and IV.  Reserves may be used for many things such as adding parking spots to existing lots, building a better access road to the Finkbine lot, significant maintenance on existing structures, and possibly replacing the key entry/exit system with a card system.  Dave then asked for questions and comments.  Much discussion followed.

7.      Sue Buckley and Bob Millsap, Assistant Director of Human Resources, Classification & Compensation, presented information regarding salary issues.  Specifically, they were available to discuss these documents that were included in the Councilors' meeting packets:  "Decompression Review Committee Executive Summary;” a memorandum to Ken Moore from Bob Foldesi, dated March 18, 1998, regarding the "Decompression Review Committee Report;” a "Trend Line Analysis, CUPA Data to UI Salaries, 2000-2001" and a chart entitled "2000-2001 CUPA Administrative and Mid-Level Salary Comparison.”  Sue handed out at the meeting an updated set of the "Trend Line Analysis" information that included a key for the accompanying chart.  Sue recalled the history of this issue by summarizing the Towers Perrin report, describing the decompression program created by the university, and discussing the findings of the Decompression Review Committee as reported by an executive summary and in a memorandum from Bob Foldesi to then-President of Staff Council, Ken Moore.  In essence, the committee found that the decompression program was counterproductive and the effect was that it moved the university away from paying for performance.

Bob Millsap then discussed the College and University Personnel Administrators (CUPA) handouts.  Bob also discussed briefly the current IT Compensation/Reclassification review.

A few questions were raised by Councilors.  Time was short, however, and it was decided to follow up on this discussion at the next meeting.

8.      David Johnsen and Linda Everett, co-chairs of the UIHC CEO Search Committee, were present to discuss how the search is proceeding and to encourage comments and suggestions from Staff Council.  Dr. Johnsen asked specifically what characteristics and background Staff Councilors would like to see in a candidate for the CEO position.  Some suggestions offered by Councilors were: an exceptional person, history with a large academic center, a circle of leadership in a large, successful health center, truly a team player.  Dr. Johnsen also mentioned that this search is a very public, rigorous process and that members of the committee have ten groups within the university with which to meet, including Staff Council.  Dr. Johnsen also asked how the CEO position could be made attractive to the candidates.

 

Linda Everett then said that the process is moving quickly.  The committee has met four times thus far and another meeting is scheduled for next week.  There are 19-20 people on the committee.  The advertisement has been approved through Affirmative Action and has been sent out to Professional Journals and, therefore, also is available on the web.  They had a few copies of the advertisement draft to share with Staff Council.  Pat Arkema said she would email the document to all Councilors so that those who did not receive one at the meeting could have a copy.  Linda also said that search committee members are meeting with the various university groups this week and next.

There were a few additional questions from Councilors and a brief discussion.  Dr. Johnsen again encouraged Councilors to send any comments or suggestions to him, Linda, or any of the search committee members. 

9.      Meeting adjourned:  4:35 p.m.

10.  Next Meeting:  March 13, 2002, 2:30 – 4:30 p.m., Clasen Board Room, JCP.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Ella Born, Staff Council Secretary