Staff Council
August 26, 2008 Minutes
Attendance: Clyde Boone, Jr., Toi Franks, Karen Higgs, Erin Lineberger, Jen Maraziti, Stacey Milner, Mandy Peacock, Judith Sanders, Monica Starley, Lori Strawder, Lori Watson, Erin Weston, Joe Windish
Regrets: Liz Havey, Gina Peavy, Patti Weimer
Absent: Cindy Potts, Ed Tollison
Guests: Greg Brown, Dr. Paul Jones, Dr. Dorothy Leland, Barbara Monnett, Dave Terrell
Karen Higgs called the meeting to order at 3:03 – Agenda is reordered to accommodate guests. Karen introduced President Leland.
1. GUESTS
A. Dr. Dorothy Leland, President, began with thanks and emphasized the vital role of Staff Council.
In discussing the budget situation the university faces, she stressed that preserving jobs was a top priority. The state faces a $1.6 billion revenue shortfall. The state’s budget must be balanced. All state agencies face budget cuts. State schools have already taken a 6% cut this year; they have been asked to plan for another 2-4% cut. A 10% cut in a single year would be unprecedented, but we must be ready.
The university was able to
handle the first 6% due to foresight and planning. We looked at economic
indicators and saw it coming. We were able to use reserves and tuition
carry-forward to absorb that. In order to be prepared for the additional
cuts, the university instituted a freeze on hiring, an equipment
purchase cap of $250, and a travel freeze. An exemption process is in
place to ensure that mission critical spending can go forward. In
addition, all divisions and schools have been asked to present plans for
a 1% and a 3% across the board cut.
State policy makers are
discussing a variety of strategies to make up for the budget shortfall.
The situation is very fluid and we will not have clarity until the
legislature votes. That vote will probably happen in February or later.
The president stressed her solid commitment to: preserving jobs and, if
allowed, preserving merit raises (the state may withhold merit funding,
if allowed the university will uses its own funds and has included such
funding in budget planning). The president further stressed her ongoing
strong commitment to serving the students.
Q&A followed. Among the questions was whether building renovation and construction could be used against the state budget shortfall. The president explained that funding comes from bonds, a different pool, and would not help.
B. Barbara Monnett, Webmaster, explained that the printed directory would be discontinued in order to cut costs. An online directory will be maintained. She asked Staff Council delegates to gather feedback from their areas regarding whether or not the directory should include a photo, and whether to make it public or place it within myCats. Feedback should be gathered and forwarded to Karen Higgs no later than September 19.
2. Treasurer’s Report – the balance in the account is $7,619.73 (includes $1,500 being held back in reserve), the balance in the Foundation $2,545.25.
3. Chair’s Report
A. Given the financial
situation we should consider a giveback of our budget of the same size
all other university units are being asked to give back.
MOTION: Monica Starley moved that Staff Council return 10% of our annual budget ($1,000) in consideration of the budget cutbacks. Stacey Milner seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
B. It was agreed at the
retreat that Staff Development Guidelines should be reviewed and
recommendations for changes made to the full council. The following
delegates volunteered to serve on a committee Chaired by Toi Franks:
Erin Weston, Jennifer Maraziti, Bevan Burgamy (volunteer), Janey McDade
(past treasurer).
C. With the travel freeze in effect, Staff
Council applied for an exception in order for two delegates to travel to
this year’s State Council conference. Attendance was justified because
GCSU will host next year’s conference. This travel will be invaluable
for planning. The exception was granted so Karen Higgs, chair, and
Stacey Milner, vice-chair and chair of the 2009 State Staff Council
Conference Planning Committee will attend. All other delegates are
welcome to attend at their own expense.
D. Reminders:
a. Lunch with Dr. Leland in the Bobcat Dining Room is set for
Thursday, September 11 at 11:30 a.m.
b. The Staff Open Forum with
Dr. Leland is set for Thursday, September 25 at 2 p.m. in the A&S
Auditorium. Delegates should solicit questions from staff and submit to
Karen Higgs no later than 9/17. Stacey Milner agreed to coordinate
campus communication for this event.
E. Absences and Regrets –
there was discussion of the bylaws provision that states a delegate may
be removed for “non-attendance (two (2) or more unexcused absences),
unavailability of the delegate to the staff he/she represents, or
conduct injurious to the Staff Council, the University, or the purposes
of the Staff Council.” It was generally agreed that this provision
should be enforced. Consensus was that contact regarding unexcused
absences should be in written form. The executive committee will work
to develop a template to be used
4. COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. State
Staff Council – Stacey Milner reported on progress building the website.
The site should be ready in mid-September. Other planning will follow
attendance at the State Staff Council Conference in
Kennesaw.
B. Campus Connections – Lori Strawder and Lori Watson
reported that they are adjusting elements of the proposal in light of
the current fiscal reality.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. MidSouth update
– Karen spoke with Kyle Cullars regarding concerns that MidSouth is not
open during posted hours (late arrival, lunch, early close) and that
limits have been reported on the amount of cash withdrawals permitted.
Kyle was not aware of these issues and will take them to MidSouth for
discussion.
B. Website – Joe Windish reported the updated interim
website should be live by mid-September. He asked delegates to check the
delegate listing on the web to ensure accuracy.
6. NEW
BUSINESS
A. Committee restructuring and assignments – tabled.
B. Lori Strawder brought a request from Greg Brown regarding staff
representation on the following committees. It was decided that Jen
Maraziti and Maria Gordon will serve on the Parking and Appeals
Committee; Lori Strawder and Patty Weimer will continue to serve on
PTAC.
C. EMAIL LISTS – Monica reported that a number of recently
hired staff have not been automatically added to the appropriate
university listserves (Announce, Official, etc.). She raised the issue
with Neil Jones, Jay Lancaster, IT, and HR, who will be meeting to
resolve the delay. In the interim she asked that we be aware of new
employees and if we find they are NOT on the appropriate lists, report
it to Jay Lancaster.
7. Motion for adjournment at 4:35 p.m.
8. Next Meeting – September 23, 2008, 3:00 pm, Bobcat Dining Room
All regular meetings are on the 4th
Tuesday of the month at 3 p.m.
Delegates should extend regrets to
the secretary, Joe Windish, or chair, Karen Higgs, if they are unable to
attend any regular meeting of the council.