Present:

Augusta State – Lisa Webb

Costal GA Community College – Mary Nevill

Columbus State University – Randy Duncan & Teneka Wilson

Darton College – Jon Sizemore & Betty Sue Story

Gainesville College – Cheryl Harris & Leora Myers

GA College & State University –Rose Murner

GA Southwestern – Mike McNeely

GA State University – Shelia Bradley

Kennesaw State University – David Baugher, Mike McGehee, Amy Phillips & Chris Ward

State University of West GA – Erma Shooks

University of GA – Tony Hughey & Margot Peter

After calling the meeting to order, David Baugher (Chair) introduced the Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, Bill Wallace. Mr. Wallace proceeded to address questions that had been collected from the body via the list serve and given to him ahead of time.

1. Can the employee costs of benefits be kept steady in light of the fact that there will be no raises this year and the prospects for next year are probably not good?

The cost of benefits will be increasing this year possibly as much as 20%; the state merit employees are in an even worse situation.

2. Has there been any further discussion of a sick leave “sharing” or “pool” policy? The USGSC strongly supports this.

Mr. Wallace has been directed by Chancellor Meredith to look at enhancing employee benefits such as system wide access to an EAP (Employee Assistance Program), supplemental cancer policies, short-term disability and long-term care.

3. Considering the salaries of some of the staff on our campuses, how can we lobby to change the rules for Peach Care so that state employees, or at least Regents employees, can take advantage of this program and would the BOR support us on this issue?

There are federal guidelines that mandate eligibility for Peach Care. There has been some discussion that part time and temporary state employees may be eligible.

4. Please explain why the Georgia Defined Contributions Plan is in place as opposed to just having participating individuals pay into Social Security and retirement. What is happening with the unclaimed money that is accumulating? What are the advantages and disadvantages to this practice both for the employee and the BOR?

Bottom line seems to be that Def Con saves the state money and, in the middle of an economic downturn, the legislature is not likely to make any changes.

5. What are the new rules on being hired back after retirement regarding pay
(there appears to be some discrepancy between old rules and current payment options - perhaps just confusion, but it would be nice to have clarification)?

According to the BOR minutes from April of 2002 and BOR policy 802.0903, retirement benefits plus new salaries cannot exceed salaries prior to retirement. Reemployment after retirement must be approved by the BOR. There must be a minimum break of 30 days. They must be less than half time employees. Salary must be less than 50% of base benefits compensation prior to retirement. Salaries must be consistent with work commitment. These employees are a benefit to the USG because of the job knowledge they provide. They prevent the need for training new employees. There benefits are as retirees so they eliminate the need for benefits to be budgeted. And they can be rehired at less salary than a new employee.

6. Can we have an explanation of the “comp time” policy?

There is a committee currently looking at a comprehensive policy manual along with the procedures manual. The current policy does not address comp time. Procedure manual section 3A subsection 3 does, however, define workweek and overtime regulations. It also states that comp time “may be granted” in lieu of overtime. It is up to the discretion of each institution to determine whether or not they will grant the use of comp time.

7. One concern that was voiced is wanting the raise date to go back to July, will there ever be any hope of this happening?

No. The decision was made by the legislature and is not likely to be reversed.

8. Along the lines of #5 above, if we do not receive our raises until October, is there not a way that performance evaluations can be done closer to the raise date to provide some meaning to the evaluation. Currently, many schools evaluate in February but staff doesn’t see the monetary result until 8 months later.

9. Is there a policy in place, and being enforced, requiring that all institutions evaluate all employees on a yearly basis, with the evaluation being kept in personnel?

We were referred to section 3A of the process manual. There are no specifications about when evaluations have to be held.

10. What does USGSC have to do to be recognized by the BOR to be a viable committee/group? This would help relieve the tension on some campuses, from the administration, that we are “just trying to get out of work”, when we are actually trying to work collaboratively for a better work environment, which should make the campus more productive.

Skipped to #11 since he was running out of time.

11. Can you provide us with any updates to any proposed changes in TRS (increasing benefit factor, reducing time for vesting, reducing years of service to retirement, etc.)?

House Bill 233 is currently in the actuarial review process. This bill would allow for a full 2.0 benefit calculator for those retiring with 25 years of service. 2.1 for 26 years, 2.2 for 27 years, 2.3 for 28 years, 2.4 for 29 years and 2.5 for 30 years. Also currently in review is House Bill 546 which would reduces the vesting period from 10 years to 5 years based on membership service.

Mr. Wallace thanked the body for the opportunity to meet with us and thanked us for our attentiveness. He excused himself to return to Atlanta for an important meeting.

Business proceeded with the approval of the minutes with one spelling correction. Treasurer report showed the same balance as the previous meeting, which was $419.33. Lisa Webb announced the details regarding the fall conference and provided the web site at Augusta State for everyone’s reference. Instead of the traditional door prizes, Lisa suggested that each institution should come with a basket of goodies, which represents their school. Her suggestion was applauded and accepted.

UGA updated the body on their pursuit of sick leave sharing. Effective 9/1/03, there will be directed sharing for individual cases. A 2-year sunset provision was included in case the policy is not a success. The sick leave pool committee (headed by Andy Brantley, HR Director) will define the process and determine what will be considered catastrophic.

GA State’s representative was welcomed back after a long absence. Shelia excitedly explained that they had accomplished electronic elections for staff council members and since they have become a part of the new employee orientation process, they have had an influx of new blood. They also now have 10 representatives on the university senate.

CGCC’s rep asked if anyone had heard the talk about fiscal constraints causing rumors about the BOR regionalizing the payroll process as a cost saving measure. No one had heard much about it but the consensus was that this would cause drastic changes across all our campuses and would not be received favorably among staff and faculty alike.

Darton College was applauded for their success in establishing a Staff Council Scholarship program. Darton also completed a compensation study, which resulted in some salary adjustments for staff. They have also established a new system, which ensures that every employee is evaluated. They are still working on getting to wear shorts on Fridays and the possibility of flex schedules.

An intense discussion ensued regarding access to the list serve. Should access to the list serve be limited? Do open records regulations apply? It was suggested that each institution’s representatives to the USGSC be listed to the USGSC website, which is housed at GA State (specifically by Mary Nell Stone). UGA currently houses the list serve (specifically by Elizabeth Pate).

Elections for the upcoming year were held. The incoming chair Leora Myers took nominations. The results are as follows:

Chair Elect – John Sizemore from Darton

Secretary – Amy Phillips from KSU

Treasurer - Mary Nevill from CGCC

The meeting was adjourned and all were reminded to register for the fall conference at Augusta State.