STAFF EMPLOYEE’S COUNCIL
DATE: October 17, 2000
Melton Media Room, Journalism Building
REPRESENTATIVES PRESENT: Camilla Allen, Janis Bennett, Val Chappel, Lisa Farmer, Kristy Forbes, Curtis Funk, Judy Hamilton, Jodie Helman, Kathy Hoffman, Helen Johnson, Lisa Johnson, Nezzera Kemp, Michele Krick, Diane Krutz, Ginger Miller, Michelle Palton, Maxine Steffens, Terry Torvinen, Peggy Troupe, Susan Warren, Diane Yohey
ADVISORS: Bob Martin (present) and Stephanie Flatt (excused w/proxy)
VISITORS: Rose du Plessis (Social Work Dept), Valerie Thomas (Chemistry), John Davis (EHS)
REPRESENTATIVES ABSENT: Marianne Fuller (excused w/proxy), Liz Gadsden (excused w/proxy), Brenda Quihuis, Lucy Rice, Lori Rountree, Kendall Stagg, Linda Spezia, Emelita Weldon (excused)
I. Minutes
Val Chappel asked that the last paragraph of the September Food Service minutes be revised to reflect the following: The ground floor of the new Student Services building is designated as a new eating area similar to the Wolfs Den to accommodate everyone.
Changes to the September 19, 2000 minutes were noted and approved with revisions.
II. Guest Speaker
Carole Anderson, Employee Development Specialist with the Office of Continuous Quality Improvement at UNR, spoke with us regarding her plans and asked for the councils input on new employee orientation. Carole came to us from the University of Colorado where she created a new employee orientation lasting most of the day that provided new employees with “survival” skills for their first six months on campus. Carole believes the more informed and familiar an employee is with the system and their work environment, the more likely they are to stay. She solicited ideas from the council to help her achieve the highest quality of new employee orientation possible. When brought up that several current employees were still uninformed on employment matters and asked if they would be able to attend her orientations, Carole stated her goal included current as well as new employees and encouraged attendance by all.
While in Colorado, Carole worked with several campus employee councils. Her role was to organize retreats and to aid these councils with techniques to work together to focus on what to accomplish and set action plans. It was agreed by the SEC Executive Board (and approved by VP Ashok Dhingra) to begin next months meeting one hour early to allow Carole to come in and assist this council to do the same. VP Dhingra’s office will be sending out letters to council members’ supervisors approving the extra time to attend next months meeting.
Meggin McIntosh, Director of Excellence in Teaching Program and Karen Coe-Shirley, Program Assistant for Excellence in Teaching Program, spoke to us regarding a Time Management Workshop that Dr. McIntosh is offering on Friday, November 17th from 8:30-4:30. Dr. McIntosh, along with her assistant, attended the workshop offered by Franklin Covey. The workshop impressed Dr. McIntosh so much that she became certified to teach the workshop and will now offer them on campus to staff and soon to administrators. The cost is $125 (an education institution discount) and Dr. McIntosh encouraged the council to contact staff to solicit support from departments to pay for the training. The cost of the training will cover lunch and workshop materials. Upon being asked who were eligible at the discount price to attend the workshop, Dr. McIntosh stated she had explained the varying types of employees and volunteers on campus and indicated all were welcome to attend the seminar under the discount price.
III. Chair’s Report
Chair Helman reported on her findings as to which committees were still considered active. The Child Care Committee is active, however, the name will be changing to Working Family Task Force with the contact person being Maggie Ressel. The University Security Committee will also be changing their name, but have yet to decide or announce the new name. NCAA is not meeting at this time as they are a committee that meets approximately every 2 years. The Faculty Staff club is not currently meeting due to lack of staff and faculty interest. Chair Helman is continuing to look into the Gender Relations and Status on Women committees
IV. New Business
Committee Reports
Affirmative Action: Did not meet
Arboretum Board: Hettich Garden: Motion raised and approved to complete project. Dedication to take place on 11/3/00 in front of Frandsen Humanities. Student Services Center: Motion raised and approved to complete project. Kleiner Grove: Project on hold to compare stone pavers vs. concrete. Linskie Garden: Project on hold. Motion to pursue further design for project.
Classified Employee Recognition: Two awardees were selected for November. Bob Martin was asked to give this committee a replacement for clerical assistance as Alice from Personnel has left the university. The SEC committee was asked what they thought about the Employee Recognition Committee somehow recognizing the names of employees that did not make the final selections for Employee of the Month.
Classified Employee of the Year: Will not meet again until later in the year.
Classified Staff Development Fund:
This committee is entirely composed of new SEC representatives. Lisa Farmer volunteered to chair the committee. Marianne Fuller and Kathy Hoffman supported the suggestion. The committee briefly discussed what functions the CSDF serves. Lisa Farmer had been in contact with Debi Dearman and Teena Tuttle. She conveyed the purpose of the CSDF as told to her by the previous committee members.
Three applications were received via former Chair Pompei. After reviewing the applications, the committee approved reimbursement for two of the applications. The remaining application was denied because it could be covered under the Classified Fee Waiver in the future.
Kathy Hoffman inquired as to whether or not the committee could post the application on the SEC website. Lisa Farmer will provide a document form of the application to add to the website before the next committee meeting.
The committee is unsure about how the funds were generated to start the program and how they are replenished. Kathy Hoffman agreed to call Foundation to find out what some of the committee’s options may be. All agreed that the focus of the remaining semester for the committee should be to gain exposure throughout campus. Plans for future advertisement were discussed and will be further expanded at the next committee meeting scheduled for October 16.
Compensation:
Introduction of Committee members
Choosing of Chairperson – Ginger Miller
Overview of Committee provided by past chairperson, Joyce Duncan
Roundtable discussion of past/present/future goals and upcoming legislative session
Roundtable discussion of SNEA’s Legislative Program (Copy of program to be provided to each member by chair.)
Pay Package – Retention bonus
COLA for 2001
COLA for 2002
Increase in pay plan steps
Special pay increase for certain job classes
Insurance
Longevity
Flexible account for parking, license fees, etc.
(Requested that chair find out if membership dues for professional organizations would/could be included)
Setting of goal priorities-
Suggested that everyone think about what they feel should be the committee’s goals and then come to the November meeting prepared to discuss goals and set priorities. After goals are identified and agreed upon, they will be prioritized and each committee member will pick a priority to research, prepare background history, and present to the committee in December their suggestions and recommendations as to how to proceed in preparation for the upcoming legislative session.
Education Leave Stipend: To meet later in the week
Facilities Planning and Management:
Action Items: From the Board meeting on September 12, 2000
Sanford Center - Request of Office Space: The board reviewed a request from the Sanford Center regarding need for additional office space. Jean Perry reported that Facilities Management had looked at the old classrooms in the Nelson Building to determine if one or more of these poorly-utilized, tiered classrooms might be renovated into office space for the center. Costs have been estimated at $25 - $50,000 to renovate the room into about eight small offices, including altering or removing the tiered flooring. The board asked Buzz to have his staff take another look at the rooms. Perhaps a specific renovation plan might be developed for the board to consider to make the room usable as office space for the center. The board tabled further discussion of the request until the next meeting of the Board when a preliminary plan might be available for review.
From the Board meeting October 10, 2000
The Board is proposing that the old classrooms be converted to office space (renovated) for use by the Sanford Center, who say they still have seven people working out of their home or the trunks of their cars. Facilities Management will have more information regarding the rooms that are being requested for office space at the November Board Meeting.
Action Items: From the Board Meeting September 12, 2000
History – Request to name Mack Social Science Room 242 for John and Marie Noble: The board discussed the request from the History Department to name a classroom (MSS 242) in honor of John and Marie Noble, who have been significant financial donors to the department. The board was unclear about the review and approval process regarding such a request, or the policy regarding dedication of specific rooms to specific donor. The board asked Patricia Richard to check with the development office and bring forward any policies that might be pertinent to this issue at the next meeting of the board.
From the Board meeting October 10, 2000
Patricia Richard reported on information regarding requesting to name Mack Social Science room 242 for John and Marie Noble. The room they want to name is a classroom not assigned to the department. The Board wants the department to honor the donors in a room that “belongs” to them (assigned to them) to prevent any confusion about who has priority in the scheduling of classrooms in MSS.
Action Items: From the Board meeting October 10, 2000
Advisement Center – Request for Space: Bill Cathey from the Advising Center came before the Board requesting space. Student Affairs and Student Services are establishing and Advising Center to serve students who have not declared a major and to coordinate undergraduate advising that is done by current groups in the colleges. Staffing for the Advising Center is expected to be complete within the next few months. Space is required for offices and a reception/computer area. The plan is to have an office for the Director, and office for the full-time academic advisor, and an office to be shared by faculty when they are assisting.
The Board suggested the basement of Clark (where admissions and records were) for a temporary home for the Advisement Center. Student Services was mentioned as a home for the advisement Center. Skip Records said he thought the Student Services Center space is all accounted for. Dave Hansen, who is working with Bill Cathey on this project was not present. After hearing Bill’s and Boards concerns about where the Advising Center should be housed, it was tabled to discuss this more at the next meeting when Dave Hansen was present.
College of Education – Statue on West Lawn - American Education Week: Board tabled to discuss this issue at the next Board meeting. Need more information on what type of statue, permanent or removable.
Action Items: From Board meeting of September 12, 2000
University Police Building and Military Science Trailer – Name Change: Gary Bishop reported a request to rename these two buildings so that their name no longer reflects that of the departments that previously occupied the building. The board approved recommendations to rename the University Police Building to the Evan Street Building, and to rename the Military Science Trailer, the Evans Street Annex.
Update from September 12, 2000 Board meeting
It was reported from members of the board that NYSP has moved into its assigned space in the Evans Street Annex, and that Extension is putting together its plans to move into its assigned space in the Evans Street Building in October. Buildings & Grounds is the process of renovating the remainder of the Evans Street Building to accommodate dry storage and offices for the Facilities Management Department.
Action Items: From Board meeting of October 10, 2000
Evans Street Annex – Additional Space for Buildings & Grounds: Buzz requested to the Board for a request for additional space at the Evans Street Annex. Board approved that Buzz from Facilities Management be given ½ of the Evans Street Annex (formerly the Military Science Trailer).
Updates:
Cain Hall – Renovation and Occupancy Plan and Status – Carol Ort reported that the third phase of renovation will be completed during Christmas break and early spring semester for the Intensive English office and International Students and Scholars.
Capital Projects Status: Buzz Nelson provided the Board with copies of the monthly Capital Project Status Report Project Cost.
Discussion Items:
Signage on Campus – More Needed, Getchell Library – Use after new library is completed, and the master plan are on the next agenda.
Next meeting of the Facilities Management Planning and Management Board is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, 2000 from 2:30-4:30 pm.