UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD
STAFF ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES
10 December2014 – Gengras Student Union 345– 1:00 PM
Present:
Jessica Abbott, Randi Ashton-Pritting, Anne-Marie Cirullo, Barbara Dessureau, Meagan Fazio, Valerie Gilleran, Ben Ide, Sue Landolina, Anita Marchant, Cindy Oppenheimer, Catherine Rose, Gina Signorello, Connie Yoczik.
In the absence of Cheryl MacMath, the Staff Association Chair, the meeting was conducted by Jessica Abbott, Vice Chair.
Discussion/Approval of Minutes of the October 8meeting: The minutes were approved as presented.
II. New Business
New Treasurer - Cindy Oppenheimer has accepted the position of Treasurer of the University Staff Association, replacing Jessica Abbott, who has now assumed the post of Vice Chair.
III. University Committee Reports
Budget Advisory Team - Randi Ashton-Pritting reported that enrollment is down in both Full Time Undergraduate (by 53) and Part Time Undergraduate, but is up in Full Time Graduate (by 24). Many of the University’s competitors for students, especially those on the East Coast, are also experiencing a decline in enrollment. To combat this, various strategies are being employed such as including sophomore high school students in the University’s advertising web, and also high school seniors. As part of the University community, we are all encouraged to “live the brand,” being outgoing and friendly to students coming to visit campus. The video stories on the web site are proving to be good sales vehicles for the University, and we are also benefitting from the addition of more international students.
Wellness Committee: Barbara Dessureau reported thatBiometrics is scheduled resume on January 20 and 22. Yoga At Lunch will be continued in the Spring semester, and there is a possibility that kick boxing may be offered instead of cardio, which has been discontinued. Weight Watchers will resume on 12 January, and there are plans in place for the community CSA to continue.
Benefits Task Force: Meagan Fazio, as BTF representative, reported that the discussion at the last meeting centered chiefly on faculty. Randi Ashton-Pritting suggested several questions that might be carried to the next meeting on behalf of Staff Association members:
Would it be possible to give Staff Association members a bank of hours to manage on their own? This would not include work hours such as disability that are necessarily governed by University policy, but might include personal and vacation time, for example.
Vacation time: Can vacation days be made to roll over to the following year? If an employee cannot use all of his/her vacation time, can it be taken off taxes? If an employee cannot use all of his/her vacation time, is it possible to donate it to someone else who is in need, or perhaps to a bank of hours?
Sustainability Committee: No representative.
II. Staff Association Reports
Web Advisory Committee: Barbara Dessureau. New guidelines to the University Web Site are just starting to be received by the Committee from the developer.
Faculty Senate : Ben Ide. Presentations were made at the recent meeting by President Harrison, Provost Vasquez and Anton Goff, the new Athletics Director. This was followed by a presentation by Lieutenant Christopher Lyons of Public Safety on enhancing safety at the University, a program that Public Safety has now embarked upon. Surveys of the faculty, Student Government Association, adjunct faculty members, and other groups show that many of these groups feel that the University isunderprepared for an emergency situation. Suggestions for improvement include making safety training mandatory just as sexual harassment training is, and including safety training as part of the One Stop Training for new faculty members. Phones (set on ‘vibrate’) should be encouraged in the classroom rather than discouraged, because they are a means of communication in case of a problem. There will be more information as the program develops.
Treasurer’s Report: Cindy Oppenheimer. The current balance is $1157.40.
Membership Director Report: AnneMarie Cirullo. There was a gain of four in membership, which is now at 159.
IV. Old Business
Scheduling a meeting of the Staff Association in the newly refurbished Commons Dining Room’s special meeting space will not be possible, according to the Commons scheduler. It is felt that it should be used chiefly by students and their organizations. We may be able to try again at some time in the future.
V. New Business:
Ideas for Staff Association meetings in the future include the following:
Discussion of the Invisible Support Network and how we as Staff Members can assist students in finding help there.
Information on available meeting spaces on campus, how to reserve their use, and from whom.
Taking the University Shuttle bus: where does it go, and how can we, as well as students, use it.
Elusian User Services Director, Sebby Sorrentino to talk about changes that have taken place. (This is a possibility for the February meeting.)
Work Study information: How do we read the Work Study screens and use them.
Etiquette Lunch: Experience the training that is available from Career Services for students preparing to enter the world of work and interviews. This would be offeredto the first 25 staff members who apply for an inexpensive luncheon in which up to date etiquette is explained. Details are still being developed, but it is hoped to be able to offer this as the January Staff Association meeting.
VI.Presentation: Steve Moron, Chef Manager, Commons.
Mr. Maron, Chef Manager at Commons, has a BA in Nutrition and is a graduate of Johnson & Wales Culinary Institute. He offered a talk supplemented with both nutritional information and delicious recipes, designed to encourage healthy eating and habits. His talk was well received and he fielded many questions from those present. The members thanked him for sharing his time and expertise in such an interesting way.
The meeting adjourned at 2:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Anita Marchant
Secretary
1