STAFF COUNCIL MEETING
10:30 a.m., SEPTEMBER 13, 2001
CHAPPELL 106
Present: Cindy Diaz (presiding), Rose Murner, Alma Hall, Kenneth Manson, Bill Bloodworth, Neil Jones, Terri Pope, Ann Portwood, Barbara Monnett, Kendall Stiles, Ainsley Eubanks, and Quintus Sibley.
There was no formal agenda for this meeting and the regular meeting time was changed to avoid a conflict with the pay study committee meeting the same day.
At our last meeting, Bonnie Sims asked for more positive suggestions from staff for forwarding to the president. There was not sufficient time for staff to provide feedback by this meeting, so Cindy asked everyone to encourage feedback by our next meeting scheduled for October 18. Cindy reminded everyone that the accomplishments made by and for staff this past year were a direct result of positive suggestions made to and approved by the president.
Recently, an academic staff forum (organized and facilitated by the deans) was held to hear ideas and suggestions staff feel need to be addressed concerning the ongoing pay study. Interested staff and their supervisors attended the forum, and a proposal was drafted and sent to Dr. DePaolo. She is very interested in this pay study and staff concerns, but she has not had time to review the results of this forum yet. Staff Council is the collection body for feedback concerning this issue as well as any other issues or concerns staff may have.
The group decided it would be a good idea for Staff Council to sponsor an open forum with the president to talk about the pay study. Cindy stressed that we must have good attendance from staff, or the forum will not be successful. Deans and supervisors would need to attend also. Cindy will contact Dean JoAnn Jones about facilitating this forum. Some staff are hesitant to come forth with comments, suggestions or concerns for fear of reprisal from administration, especially in a public open setting. Cindy said she would be willing to voice the concerns of others if the concerns are made known to her. There are plenty of opportunities for staff to submit suggestions and ideas/concerns anonymously (via fax or campus box), but Cindy will voice the concerns of any who want her to do so. The forum will have to be highly publicized, and some concerns could be collected ahead of time. Questions could be written down and turned into Cindy at the beginning of the forum also. We also want to take the opportunity now to let all staff know we are collecting pay study feedback. Cindy will keep us informed of the plans for the forum as they develop.
There are several issues staff have with the pay study, such as whether or not the consultant has done different studies elsewhere, how long ago he did the other studies, are the surveys he is using to facilitate this one compiled of current info, why is he not pulling salary information from other schools, etc. Staff are certainly not saying the consultant is not trustworthy or that the pay study is not any good, we are simply voicing our concerns. Also, some areas of concern are that education and year of service will not be considered in the study. We feel these are reasonable concerns and questions.
Next, the discussion turned to the State Staff Council Conference at Kennesaw State University on October 4 and 5. Since Barbara Monnett and Ainsley Eubanks are officers, they need to be at the conference on October 4. Terri Pope made a motion and Ann Portwood seconded it to ask Staff Council to pay the hotel expense for an overnight stay for Barbara and Ainsley. The motion was carried.
Barbara Monnett said work is in progress on the staff brochure. Also, in the monthly university newsletter, there is a staff corner that highlights staff. She asked that we make suggestions about areas we can promote.
The Benefits Fair will be held on October 31. Alma Hall volunteered to solicit door prizes for the fair. The School of Health Sciences is providing lots of activities, and Staff Council will man a lemonade stand. When a little more is known about the particular events going on that day, we'll know more about what the schedule is for the day and which activities will be available.
Terri asked anyone with items for the display board to send them to her at CBX 048.
Kendall Stiles reminded everyone about National Denim Day on Friday, September 28. She will be distributing pink ribbons for us to sell with proceeds going to support our student walkers in the Avon Three Day Breast Cancer Walk. She also reminded us of the Staff Excellence Awards tentatively scheduled for December 6. More details will be forthcoming.
Plans are still underway for a Brown Bag Lunch in October, and details will follow about that as soon as a suitable location is found.
Neil Jones made a motion and Kendall seconded it to approve the minutes from the last meeting. The motion was carried.
The meeting adjourned at 11:30.
The next meeting will be on October 18 at 2:00 p.m. in Chappell 106.