University System of GA Staff Council Meeting

June 21, 2007

Macon State College

The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Bobby Flowers, at 10:15am.

Brenda Keen gave the treasurer’s report. FY07 $1,944.33 Expenses included Macon State luncheon, 4 trips for Bobby Flowers to BOR in Atlanta (Nov., Jan., March & April). Income of $450.00 from membership. Balance on hand $1,081.36.

University Councils registration renewal beginning July 1, 2007.

Program: Shared Leave Guidelines or “Best Practice”

Presented by Ms. Kirkwood, HR Director, Georgia College & State Univ. and is a member of the HR Advisory Board at the BOR.

Ms. Kirkwood presented a handout with the plan that is from the BOR that is recommended or if your university has a plan they can keep that plan. This plan is designed to be a guideline; this proposal is adopted by the BOR and is not a policy.

There was much discussion and many questions. The councils can now go back to their respective institutions and continue the discussion with their staff and presidents.

Alberta Cook (acook@spsu.edu) from Southern Polytechnic State University updated everyone on the upcoming USG Staff Council Conference to be held on Oct. 4 & 5 of 2007 at their university. The theme is “Mission Possible” and the keynote speaker on Friday will be Chancellor Davis. Registration is now available online at www.spsu.edu/staffcouncil.

Each university is asked to bring a door prize and one to be a table centerpiece to be given at the luncheon on the 5^th. Southern Poly has sent a letter of invitation to all university Presidents to attend.

Chair Flowers opened the floor for nominations for the following offices:

Chair Elect, Secretary and Treasurer. Nominated were as follows:

Chair-Elect was Joe West, Albany State, joseph.west@asurams.edu

Secretary, Lynda Elder from Columbus State lelder@colstate.edu

Treasurer, Brenda Keen from UGA bkeen@uga.edu

There being no further nominations the election was held and those nominated were elected.

There was discussion on the USG Staff Council meeting schedule. It was decided that there will be a general session at 1pm on Oct. 4 at Southern Poly. Future meetings include one in February followed by the one in June. It was discussed to hold the June meeting earlier in the month because it was too close to year end budget work.

Each college and university has two (2) votes at any meeting. Alberta Cook asked that everyone send her an email with the two people that need to be on the list serve and to give their positions.

College and University Reports:

Albany State:

• New Director of Dept. of Communication, Sophia Glover, SPSU Grad
• Working on customer service initiative
• Opening new Early Learning Ctr in August 2007
• Held 1^st Staff Appreciation Day in March 207
• Planning a Parents Appreciation Day
• Working summer hours

Valdosta State:

• Completed a Salary Study and will bring back to the table in Oct what items for BOR
• Recommended staff write their own personal letters to the Governor and Legislators
• Problem: Salary Compression, 3% raise – no cost of living
• A letter drive was proposed to the State Staff Council

Kennesaw State University:

• KSU has a new Governance structure and name/Staff Senate
• Instituted a new program called “Feed the Future” – food drive for Health Clinic to help students in need
• Reported on the success of KSU Foundation and President’s Office supports KSU Staff Senate monetarily

Southern Polytechnic State Univ.:

• Looking forward to State Staff Council Conference October 2008
• Educating Staff on recycling
• New degree in Megatronics Engineering this Fall 2007

Gainesville College:

• Fastest growing in USGA

Gainesville State

• Addition to Student Center
• Staff Council focus last year was Shared Leave

Georgia College:

• Staff Council allotted $9700 for Staff Development Funds
• Six seats on University Senate
• New President created Exec Leadership Meeting (no cabinet meeting) and includes Staff Senate
• New Staff Excellence Award each semester from Foundation $700 cash

Valdosta State:

• Construction on new 500 bed Dormitory
• Faculty/Staff Appreciation luncheon in April 2007
• Shared Leave opens at Open Enrollment 2007
• Staff Council holds a yearly retreat for goal setting, etc. and sends yr end report to the President

Columbus State University:

• Held Faculty/Staff Appreciate Day
• CSU held 50^th Anniversary celebration

ABAC:

• New VP of Fiscal Affairs encourages Staff Council and participation
• New Women’s Soccer Team
• Scholarship Award for Staff and one for Staff Member’s child

UGA:

• Living wage report is going forward to Univ. Council to be voted on
• Child care continues to be an issue

GA Southwestern:

• First Year of Staff Council
• New President of Univ., Kendall Blanchard
• Year 2 of NCAA DIV II
• New College of Management Degree Program
• Working with new president on Flex Time vs. Vacation
• Observing summer hours and researching year round possibilities
• Hosted Kennedy Center Festival

It was recommended that the State Staff Council contact Waycross College to help them set up a Staff Council.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:15pm.

Respectfully submitted by Kathy Rechsteiner, Kennesaw State University