USGSC MINUTES FROM SEPTEBER 26, 2002

CARROLLTON, GA

Present: Cheryl Maxwell & Carolyn Ponta, ATLM; Carolyn Cannon, AUSU; Mary Nevill, CGCC; Terri Abrams & Randy Duncan, CSU; Vicki Phillips & Betty Sue Story, Darton; Terrence Wolforte, FVS; Cindy Diaz, Ainsley Eubanks, Elizabeth Harris & Barbara Monnett, GC&SU; David Baugher, Cecilia Peyton, Amy Phillips, KSU; Kimberly Bell & Alberta Cook, SPSU; Tim North, Clois Reese, Erma Shooks & Walter Todd, UWG; Tony Hughey, Brenda Keen & Margot Peter; UGA

The meeting was called to order at 5:13 p.m. Introductions were made, specifically noting the Chair, Chair Elect, Treasurer, Secretary & Parliamentarian. Minutes from the June 21, 2002 meeting were unanimously approved.

PeachCare was again discussed as a topic that the body needed to bring to the attention of the state legislature. Brenda Keen offered to draft an email to send over the list serve giving everyone the details, pertinent web links & citing applicable federal laws.

A possible sick leave pool was again discussed. UGA has been researching a leave-sharing program with no illness discrimination. Related topics: the need for ease of record keeping for HR departments, TRS sick leave credit would be a deterrent to making donations, auditing & budgetary issues regarding salary changes. GC&SU noted that they had a sick leave pool about 5 years ago and the BOR made them stop using it. Everyone was instructed to have discussions with the appropriate individuals and do research at their own institutions in order that the body might make a recommendation at the next meeting, possibly that the BOR strongly support a pilot program at UGA.

It was agreed it doesn’t appear that annual evaluations are going to move closer to increase time. Some schools reiterated that they still don’t even get annual evaluations. The body discussed the possibility of drafting a letter to the BOR requesting that the Regents stress to the Presidents the importance of annual evaluations.

Discussion moved to what should constitute a quorum for the body. It was suggested that 7 institutions represented would be sufficient representation. This would require a change in the bylaws. Possible wording for that change was submitted to the secretary after the meeting. “In order for a quorum to be called, at least 7 of the participating institutions must be represented.”

The BOR meetings in August & September did not have a USGSC member in attendance. Since the October meeting was scheduled for ABAC, the Chair said that he would check with ABAC to see if they could have someone in attendance so that he would not have to travel there. It was agreed that the USGSC should not just be listening to those meetings but should be giving feedback and presenting solutions.

Other topics: Health insurance changes for the upcoming Open Enrollment period were discussed. Alberta Cook expressed her frustration with trying to wrap up People Soft reports for FY02 and the lack of adequate support from OIIT.

News from around the campuses: UGA is scheduling a political Q&A session with local government representatives. SPSU is trying to establish “A Sense of Place.” UWG is going through SACHS.

The chair adjourned the meeting at 6:20 p.m. by stating that he would use the list serve to set a meeting date for February.