The University System of Georgia Staff Council Meeting
February 17, 1997

Chair Linda Dudley opened the meeting at 10:15 a.m. at Georgia College's Macon Center and asked everyone to introduce themselves.

Present: Linda Dudley (University of Georgia), Ruby Heaton (University of Georgia), Ainsley Eubanks (Georgia College & State University), Pam Johns (Georgia College & State University), Sandra Denson (Valdosta State University), Beverly Sharpe (Valdosta State University), Bill Filtz (Valdosta State University, LaVonne Perske (North Georgia College & State University), Ricky Pilcher (North Georgia College & State University), Pat Paulson (North Georgia College & State University), Cheryl Harris (Gainesville College), Diane Carpenter (Gainesville College), Brenda Johnson (August State University), Cheryl Player (Augusta State University), Ramona Hasan (Georgia State University).

Old Business

§ An overview of the October, 1996 State-wide Staff Conference was given by Diane Carpenter of Gainesville College, site of the October conference. One hundred and twelve people attended the conference from across the system. Following a welcome from GC's President, Dr. Watkins, there were three concurrent workshops in the morning session: Employee Support Program given by Lois Morrison and David Robinson (UGA); Career Management given by Linda Bryant (Georgia State); and Alternate Dispute Resolution given by Dr. Helen Ridley and Karen Ohlsson (Kennesaw State University). Lunch was provided and the afternoon session followed which was devoted to Employee Rights given by David R. Sweat and Jeffrey Johnson (Alumni from the UGA School of Law). Mini reports from individual institutions were given during the closing session and there was a drawing for door prizes. These were donated by the institutions attending. Feedback from all who attended has been very positive, including a letter sent by Augusta State University in recognition of the efforts of the Gainesville College Council to provide an excellent and informative conference.

§ The next item under old business was E-mail access to GASTERERS (listserve for USGSC members). Valdosta State University would like to be added. Cheryl Harris explained the procedure and plans were made to add those interested individuals to the listserve.

§ The Tuition Remission Plan was discussed with concerns raised about wording, interpretation, and reimbursement plans. Ramona Hasan noted that the President of Georgia State formally expressed his concerns about the Reimbursement Section for the Implementation Guidelines under Choice A, suggestion that the business would no longer requires this and that he was uncomfortable with the concept as well.

Georgia College & State University has been doing a pilot program; however, it appears that they may have combined the Faculty and Staff Development recommendations from the Chancellor with the Tuition Remission Plan. A copy of their plan was distributed.

The discussion revolved around the problem interpretation can bring when administering either plan (i.e., Staff working 3/4 being ineligible vs. 9 month faculty being eligible; job-related/career related interpretation by supervisors who must submit their approval). There were other concerns raised and discussed (i.e., requesting uniformity across the System, funding for the Tuition Remission Plan being other than the 1% for Faculty and Staff Development, and clarification of "part-time"). The motion was made to write a letter to Dr. Davis (our liaison to the BOR), with a cc to Dr. Dunning and perhaps the Chancellor, voicing our concerns and asking for clarification in these and other areas of concern. Linda Dudley will draft and distribute the letter to Council members once completed.

LaVonne Perske form North Georgia College shared a memo form Dr. Day, Interim President, regarding the Staff Development Program on their campus. Included was a copy of a letter sent from Dr. Dunning to Dr. Day explaining the program. This is a beginning for getting the program underway by the Chancellor's September 1997 deadline and an effort to solicit input from staff for which projects and activities should be offered at NGC&SU.

§ The question was raised about when we would be meeting with Dr. Davis. Ramona Hasan said she would like to meet with him as soon as possible, but would like to send him a packet about the USGSC before the meeting. She also invited all who could to join her at this meeting once a date is set.

§ Linda Dudley suggested that the Committee on Membership should start contacting those institutions who have not attended the USGSC quarterly meetings. She will post a list by institution with the name(s) of the institution(s) they are responsible for contacting.

§ Linda Dudley reminded those present that the local councils at each institution should amend their bylaws to provide for representation to the USGSC. Those institutions present shared how it was written into their bylaws for those who were new to the Council. The best idea is to also have your local Council written into the institution's Statues to legitimize it as an official organization. She encouraged the Chairs of each Council to investigate the process to be included in the Statues for their institutions. Another recommendation was to have the USGSC recognized by the BOR in a formal manner. This will be investigated further and perhaps discussed with Dr. Davis.

§ There was a discussion of who is considered "staff" - those present shared with the newcomers how it is clarified on their campus. The majority suggested that anyone who does not hold faculty status (this excludes many administrators who have faculty status although they may not teach) is considered staff.

§ The dental plan was discussed. It appears that the existing one which is self-funded by those who pay premiums may not be in existence too many more years. It appears that there will not be future open enrollment opportunities except for new employees. There also appears to be different plans available at different institutions.

§ Creating a pool for sick leave to be available for those in need of additional time due to hardship was discussed. Georgia College & State University has an existing plan which has worked well.

§ GC&SU also had a Bereavement Leave plan which had to be terminated because of the payment for ineligible days away from work which were not covered by ones which are currently eligible (sick leave and annual leave days). The Georgia State University Staff Advisory Council is pursuing the option of a three-day bereavement leave that would not be charged against accrued sick leave or vacation. A memo form the GSUSAC to the USGSC was distributed for discussion. The Board of Regents would have to initiate a change in policy that would allow for this additional benefit. This too may be a topic to discuss with Dr. Davis.

New Business:

§ Cheryl Harris was asked to share what she remembered about a Board of Regents Reciprocal agreement - an internship where individuals would b invited opt see how his/her position is done at the Regents' level to give them a better understanding of how it works there. A suggestion was made by Ramona Hasan that it was possible that this referred only to those who were in certain positions which had a need for that type of exposure (i.e., financial offices). This will be brought up in the meeting with Dr. Davis.

§ There were four institution represented at this meeting who were going through a search process for Presidents. The Search committee process and whether it included a staff representative was discussed by these institutions. It is was noted that it is not just the President's position, but all positions of importance that impact staff which should have representation form staff members.

§ The next topic was the re-direction initiatives being taken at each institution as directed by the Chancellor. There were staff members present who were unaware of any of the re-direction efforts on their campuses; however, it was stated that each and every institution was re-directing whether they knew of it or not. This was discussed further with typical example given.

§ Pam Johns of Georgia College & State University asked if there were any other institutions who made it mandatory that you take sick leave/vacation time in one-hour increments rather than something less (i.e., 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc.). There were no other institutions represented who also had this stipulation. This concern will be further researched.

§ Debbie Hardin of Darton College distributed information about staff development workshops which have been initiated on her campus. They included, "Budget Workshop" (December 1995), "Expanding Horizons (September 1996 for staff and faculty), "An Afternoon of Fun and Fashion" (March 1996), and "Searching the Internet" (January 1997).

There was a motion to adjourn at 12:40 p.m; however, it was noted that the minutes of the meeting in September 1996 had not been formally approved and placed into the record. The meeting was re-opened and there was unanimous vote to accept the minutes as written. The motion was made to adjourn and was passed at 12:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted: Diane Carpenter

USGSC Secretary