The University System of Georgia Staff Council Meeting
May 29, 1997

 

Chair Linda Dudley called the meeting to order at 10:25 a.m. at Georgia College & State University's Macon Center and asked everyone to introduce themselves.

 

Present: Shirley McIntosh and Cheryl Player (Augusta State University); Francine Dibben and Diane Carpenter (Gainesville College); Jeane Shope, Elaine Schremp, and Ainsley Eubanks (Georgia College & State University); Ramona M. Hasan and Carol S. Whitcomb (Georgia State University); LaVonne Perske, Chris Parker, and Peggy Inman (North Georgia College & State University); Linda Dudley (University of Georgia); Bill Filtz, Sandra Denson, and Beverly F. Sharpe (Valdosta State University).

 

Second item was Tuition Remission/Reimbursement update on campuses.  Georgia College & State University has a pilot program in place and had shared their policy and procedures for implementation during the February 17 meeting.  North Georgia College & State University shared their draft of the policy and procedures which they are ready to implement July 1, 1997.  They currently have two employees who are taking classes and they will become part of this plan beginning summer quarter.  Valdosta State University is ready to set up their committee and the staff council has been requested to provide representation.  Gainesville College's committee has been formed and has staff representation on it.  GC will take both Georgia College & State University and North Georgia College & State University plans and share with their committees and are well on their way to creating their policy and procedures for this plan on each of their campuses.

 

Further discussions took place about the concerns when someone needs to attend another institution; the use of an appeals committee on each campus; and how to determine the unmet demand for assurance that seats are not being taken that would go to paying students.  The admissions process was also discussed - an employee would be admitted as a regular student.  They discussed the need for a set time to be determined after registration has closed to input those who fall under the plan at each institution.  We will continue to keep each other updated on the process and progress at each of our institution.

 

The third item on the agenda for Old Business was a meeting with Dr. Don Davis, our liaison to the Board of Regents.  After some discussion, it was decided that Ramona Hasan would contact Dr. Davis and reserve a time to meet, after checking his calendar.  She would develop a letter of introduction to him about the USGSC including information about who we are and what issues of concern we have.  When the date and time have been determined to meet with Dr. Davis, one representative from each institution will be invited to attend (each institution will determine who that individual will be). Issues discussed for possible topics in the meeting were: job classification and equity studies; possible support in the form of a recommendation from the BOR to the institution presidents, encouraging the development of staff councils on each campus and having those councils written into each institution's Statutes (using a statement which parallels students rights).  During this discussion, it was brought up by North Georgia College & State University that Chris Parker (present) had designed a rough draft of a proposal for accrediting support staff on their campus, allowing further recognition of the value which staff offers on college campuses.  This is a topic of great interest to the USGSC.  Ramona Hasan moved that the Council look at the possibility of the USGSC becoming an accrediting body for staff of the 34 institutions.  It was passed and a committee will be formed to further investigate.  Chris Parker will share her draft with those on the committee.

 

The subject of the 6% raise and how this is being handled on the individual campuses revealed that we are all subject to the same set of conditions.  All raises must come out of the 6%, including promotions, completion of degrees, merit, etc.  Valdosta State University non-exempt employees were also given an equity adjustment of between $100 and $400 (apparently because the minimum wage increase collapsed the three lowest pay grades).  Linda Dudley did announce that she had sent out thank you notes on the behalf of the USGSC to legislators who were instrumental in the reconsideration and support of 6% for staff as well as faculty, which was passed.

 

A review of each local council bylaws of those present regarding a method to provide representation to USGSC was discussed.  UGA's bylaws will be brought up again in August/September (change in the bylaws must be presented at two meetings); Valdosta State University is still working on changing theirs; Gainesville College's change to the bylaws is being finalized; Georgia College & State University has written this into their bylaws; and Georgia State University has it stated in their bylaws.  GC&SU and GSU are also included in each institution's Statutes.

 

New Business:

 

Diane Carpenter announced that she would not be able to continue as a representative to the USGSC.  Current job responsibilities involving the semester conversion and the growth in position she holds limit her off campus activities.  She stated she had enjoyed this opportunity.  It was mentioned by the Chair that in the future Diane be asked to become involved once again.

 

A Nominating Committee was appointed.  As stated in the bylaws, it consisted of the current Chair, Chair-Elect, and one other member of the Council in good standing.   The Committee consisted of.  Linda Dudley, Ramona Hasan, and Diane Carpenter.  They met and presented a slate of nominees for the following positions:

 

Each candidate is asked to submit to Diane Carpenter (via email) a one paragraph introduction with a statement of ideas on how he/she would handle the position he/she is nominated for.

 

Voting will be done by email directly to Diane Carpenter (dcarpent@hermes.gc.peachnet.edu).  Diane will present the names with corresponding statements on the listserve and will receive a vote back directly to her email address from each active Council representative.  This method will provide as much privacy as possible to the voters.  She will tally the results and send it out via the listserve as soon as all representatives have submitted their votes to her.  There will be one vote per institution.  Alternates cannot vote except in the absence of the representative.  She will send out an email to the listserve requesting an update of names of representatives and name of alternates from each institution prior to sending the statements of the nominees.  There were no dates discussed for having this completed; however, as soon as statements are received and Council representatives names can be verified, Diane will proceed with the election process.

 

The next topic under New Business was an alternate site for future meetings.  The motion was made, after some discussion, that we continue to use Macon as our meeting location as lone as Georgia College & State University has the availability of their Macon Center.  This site still appears the most central location from all institutions.

 

Nest on the agenda was the location for the next annual System-wide Staff Conference.  North Georgia College & State University will host the next Conference (1997-98).  Those institutions who have hosted one will all support their efforts and communicate with them via email.  Valdosta State University has requested to host the Conference in 1998-99 and Georgia College & State University will host it in 1999-2000.

 

There was some discussion from North Georgia College & State University about the struggles they are having conducting an informal salary study.  There are open records laws in place which should make information more accessible.  There is also a job specification description book which should be available.  A motion was made for the Council to provide help to Peggy Inman in her efforts to do an informal salary study for North Georgia College & State University.  It was passed; those who have completed this type of study and/or are familiar with the resources mentioned will be in touch with Peggy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reports were asked from each of the institutions present.

 

University of Georgia:                *President of their Staff Council is on the search committee for a

               new President and on the Tuition/Remission Committee.

*They were given space for an office for their Staff Council;

               however, were denied release time for the Chair at this

               time.

 

Valdosta State University:          *They have completed a salary study comparing their salaries to

               other businesses in their area.

*They will begin to pay for parking on their campus

 

Gainesville College                    *They are creating new evaluation instruments for staff.

*They are discussing a Strategic Plan for their Council.

 

North Georgia College %

State University:            *They have created a new evaluation form for staff, using

               information from surveying their staff.

 

Augusta State University:           *They had 75% vote in the staff council election

               (An outstanding turnout).

*They issue an "Excellence Award" to a staff member each

            quarter.

               (Sample of nomination form is attached)

*The four quarter winners are eligible for an

               Outstanding employee of the Year Award and are given

               $1000 as a reward

 

Georgia College &

State University:            *The Staff Council was added to the institution's Statutes.

*Presidential search underway; however, no representation on    

               committee, but have had Council members interviewing

               candidates

*They have $6000 available for staff development.

*They provided a picnic as an employee appreciation event.

*They are redoing performance evaluation forms.

 

Georgia State University:           *Initiated a faculty/staff campaign for donations to Foundation

               in support of employee scholarships which also can be

               used for books and supplies- they had 60% participation.

*They have representation on the SACS reaccreditation

            committee.

*They have representation on the search committee for a

Librarian.

*Their Chair may be provided free parking.

*They are working on a draft for sick leave pool policy.

 

There was motion to adjourn the meeting a 1 p.m.  It was passed and meeting was adjourned.

 

 

            Respectfully submitted:              Diane Carpenter, USGSC Secretary/Treasurer