USGSC MINUTES

JUNE 21, 2002

MACON, GEORGIA

Present: Teresa Leckie, GVC; Leora Myers, GVC; Joanie Greenlees, GSOU; Barbara Monnett, GC&SU; Lisa Webb, AUSU; David Baugher, KSU; Amy Phillips, KSU, Margot Peter, UGA; Tony Hughey, UGA; Alberta Cook, SPSU; Ainsley Eubanks, GC&SU; Randy N. Duncan, CSU; Erma Shooks, UWG, Clois Reese, UWG; and Paula R. Donovan, CGCC

The meeting was called to order by Alberta Cook, Chair, at 10:30 a.m.

Minutes from the February 22, 2002, meeting were approved as amended. The spelling of David Baugher’s name was corrected.

Alberta welcomed Joanie Greenlees from Georgia Southern University as a new member. Welcome to the University System of Georgia Staff Council, Joanie.

Alberta addressed the subject of PeachCare. It was noted that Brenda Keen, who was not in attendance, will send a model letter for each person to send to the federal legislators. It was reiterated that there is a federal law that precludes state workers from applying for PeachCare. Margot Peter stated that at UGA wages were being elevated for those employess who were not making $15,000 a year to that amount in hopes that it will elevate them to above poverty level.

The sick leave bank issue was discussed. It was reported that Michael Adams, UGA President, spoke to Chancellor Portch about this and received the impression from him that it had died. However, Brenda thinks that Chancellor Meredith may be interested. Russ Henson, Middle Georgia, is on the Board that is discussing this issue and believes that this is something that needs to be addressed. Alberta will check on the status from Russ Henson and report to the Council.

Margot Peter updated the Council on the Georgia Defined Contribution Plan. She stated that if we apply more pressure, it will get some attention. Again, it was suggested that we write a letter to our legislators. Tony Hughey has plans to invite candidates to talk to staff members this fall.

Council voted and our new chair-elect for 2002-2003 is Leora Myers from Gainesville College. Our new secretary will be Amy Phillips from Kennesaw. Congratulations to you both!

David Baugher reported that it appears that the pay raise issue is final and that there will be no date change. We will have our evaluations in February for our new FY budget, which begins in July and receive our pay increase in October. David Baugher will conduct a survey to see who gets evaluated, when they get evaluated and how much they receive and will report back to the Council.

Erma Shooks from the University of West Georgia talked about the October conference that is going to be held at the University of West Georgia on September 26 and 27. UWG will be going through a SACS accreditation and had to move the conference date to September. She talked about what UWG is planning and anyone having questions should contact her via e-mail eshooks@westga.edu. All USG institutions will be receiving conference announcements. Alberta will be sending the letter to the presidents. The registration fee for this conference is $55. Remember, that if your institution is not a member of the USGSC, your registration fee will be $60.00.

In discussion it was suggested/recommended that the USGSC have a representative at the Board of Regents meetings since the meetings are open. It was suggested that since David Baugher is our incoming chair, he might consider attending the meetings and report to the USGSC information that may be of interest to us as a Council.

Kudos and thanks were extended to Alberta Cook for a superb job she has done for the past two years as chair of the University System of Georgia Staff Council. She extended heartfelt thanks to Paula Donovan who served as secretary of the Council.

Respectfully submitted,

Paula R. Donovan