Staff Advisory Council

General Meeting Minutes
October 7, 2008 - 3-5pm
Parking & Transportation, Rm 201

Present: Grace Aranda, Claudia Arias, Sharon Bouck, Cori Cashen, Joyce Childers, Mandrake Flores, Angela Gomez, Eddie Gomez, James Hicks, Maria Ionescu, Phyllis Kabins, Deborah Kimball, Robin Kruse, Kevin Law, Randy Livingston, Shana McClelland, Lorelli Panico, Marcy Remington, Diana Rix, Lilian Schwartz,

Excused: Eva Gonzales, Lupe Jacobo, Robin Kruse, Jean Mason, Ana Rodriguez, Jannelle Weakley

Absent: Nancy Chilton, Elvia Gandara, Norma Gaviria (withdrew), Jacqueline Siquieros

Guests: Michael Brunke, COSSAC; Monica Franco, Brite ideas

Agenda

The Annual Crossroads Conference. 3:45 - 4:00
Committee Reports. 4:15 - 4:30
New Items. 4:30 - 5:00

Opening Announcements – Randy Livingston

Paul Mitchell from Shared Governance wants to know what involvement staff has been included in departmental transformation plans/whitepaper planning.

• College of Science has had lots of activity with some town halls with COS dean...will be merging tree ring/atmospheric sciences/geosciences, etc and submitting whitepapers. Dean of atmospheric sciences is responsive and is letting staff know as plans are made. Want to take a big active part in the process.

• Chemistry dept head returning to Tucson and chemistry plans to merge with biochemistry but not much involvement of staff in process as yet. Layoff is a concern and would like mandatory 90 day notice for transformation layoffs. Don’t feel empowered and doesn’t seem that processes will be changing...feels like the faculty in charge so far.

• College of Medicine already doing downsizing with no staff involvement in the staff transformation process.

• Vet science not replacing those retiring and loading others with more work causing poor morale. May combine Animal Science and Vet Science departments.

• College of Agriculture have posted on their website their white papers. Meeting with dept head this week.

• UA South is hearing items from transformation in emails. Poor morale is occurring.

• Atmospheric science/astronomy may be merging.

• College of Nursing reduction through attrition already occurring. Deans meeting and big cuts coming with a lot of action after the election. Submitting a white paper though can be changed with the entrance of a new dean. Some of those already laid off have retaliated through destruction of records. Backfilling with student employees.

• Parking & Transportation is an auxiliary unit so not on state funds. Continuously trimming and backfilling with students.

• Dean of students submitting white paper.

• Student affairs combined with provost changes earlier in the year and most changes through attrition.

• Education is getting everyone’s input. He has been very good about getting the word out.

Provost Hay explained whitepaper system more clearly than President Shelton at APAC. All areas are in same state of fear: APAC, faculty, etc. Deans plans due this week. Whitepapers due next week. SPBAC and others will review for benefits and actual savings to university.

SAC has received emails from concerned staff members that staff is not being included in the process. Administration is serious about getting the word out on the process with presidents availability of staff through town halls, his availability via email and the provosts website on the process. There seems to be a confusion about how staff is being involved SAC need to let staff know what we are doing.

APAC rumors circling that when APAC is laid off they are paid for the rest of their contracted salary, but this is not true. They are able to get 90 days paid not entire contract as rumored.

The subject was raised that SAC needs to meet with the provost. We would need to come prepared if we are meeting with provost. How can SAC be involved in the process of the planning. We are looking to ensure staff has a voice. Might have an opinion on the seniority as an issue in layoffs. Staff would like some notification time assured in the layoff process. We can create and provide another platform for whitepaper review.

Mr Valdez has asked for The Bright Ideas Program program to be taken over by SAC. Some past ideas were the color coded shuttles on campus. We would provide a greater marketing and possibly include it in our Employee Recognition Week events. Link to website. Monica told us of the program. If it is to be included Valdez’ office will need to provide some funding for materials, etc.

Life & Work Connections looking for wellness steering committee member from SAC. Lili Schwartz offered to cover this.

UA Cares kickoff is on Oct 14 in student union. SAC plans to be a presence and will need volunteers for covering the event.

The issue of whether or not to hold this years Crossroads conference was raised due to the current financial outlook on campus. We feel that employees need the personal and professional development but the funds may not be available to attend and employees may not want to take the time away from the office. Will attendance be affected by the transformation process? Registration will likely need to be $65-70 to cover meal costs, etc. Vendors and business outlook could also be a factor. If we are going to do it we definitely need staff involvement. If do we continue the conference we need to see about topics like those that HR is currently working on transformation, resilience, etc. Lili and Leslie Porter from HR will look into the possibilities of collaboration.

Committee Reports -

Standing:

Tri-University Classified Staff Executive Board – SAC Executive Committee - Joyce, Grace, randy, ASU never had APAC but have combined their forces into one committee. NAU is using their HR for appraisal oversite.

Communications - Maria Ionescu - need to do some communicating, working on plans for a completely electronic newsletter in a different format, also working on getting an analysis of the website.

Emily Krauz Staff Endowment Fund – Shana McClelland - Nov 1^st due date then meeting to review submissions
Employee Recognition - Grace Aranda - Forms have been updated and are up on the website. Due date is Feb 6.

Legislative – Phyllis Kabins - We have received word that the Advocats annual training is Oct 18. Those interested in the training need to call us at 602-212-1717.

Membership/Liaisons – Shana McClelland - New members are Deb Kimball and Deb Buenger. A third person had to back out. Angie Gomez is back.

Activities – Claudia Arias - Blood drive Oct 16, checking in folks and has backup. Making Strides walk for Cancer Oct 26 with SAC team. We need more member to sign up. Dback game went well. Upcoming spring Suns game possible. Will be sending out reminder via SAC Announcements that we will not be holding a Halloween party this year.

Conference – Lilian Schwartz - need something localized and partnered with HR. There may be a possible time change from Spring break and venue difference with cost. Resiliency as an issue of interest. Ballroom and cantina with their catering, with 3-4 breakouts at College Place was a suggestion.

UA South – Maria Ionescu - Will share their staff survey results. Looking into a retreat with HR issues on issues that have been raised. HR may facilitate in some way.

University Committees:

Campus Advisory Council (CAC) – Grace Aranda - cancelled

Campus Emergency Response Team Committee (CERT) – Claudia Arias - hosting some training Nov 12-14. What is the best way for staff to be notified on UAalert.

Campus Recreation Advisory Council 2007-2008 (CRAC) - Jim Hicks - waiting to hear on meetings

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) – Lorelli Panico, Phyllis Kabins - has fall retreat and looking at goal setting. Intersections conference registration opening.

Diversity Coalition – Randy Livingston - How do we create diversity in transformation? Range of employees that will be included.

Faculty Senate – Randy Livingston - Shana - Provost and Presidents talked, formed and signed constitution, concerned as staff about transformation. Concerned about 15 credit per semester but if you have less than 15 for a freshman, and up from there. Bond of 100,000 dead in the water

Life and Work Connections – Grace Aranda - Lili Schwartz will be on the Wellness steering committee

Parking and Transportation Advisory Board – Marci Remington - approved change in raising parking fees for next year. Wont proceed to another garage though agreed on

Shared Governance – Randy Livingston - Paul Mitchell asked about the staff on transformation

Strategic Planning Budget Advisory Committee (SPBAC) – Ana Rodriguez, Lorelli Panico - will be reviewing whitepapers.

S.U. Advisory Board - Claudia Arias - 2 meetings, naming who rings the bell. Problems with room use continue: no guarantees and fees high. New catering operations manager will be well versed on these complaints.

UA Retiree Organization – Sharon Bouck - Meeting Sept 9 and spoke of lots of planned activities. Lunch on Oct 11 with President Shelton. Special speaker with Parking and transportation. Renewal for the permit was new information. Retirees want to stay connected with campus and staff.

University Hearing Board – Joyce Childers - 9-1:30pm and already 2^nd meeting of year. Code of conduct behavior hearings. Was chairperson. Expect 5 hearings this year.

UA Cares Steering Committee – Phyllis Kabins - 1^st meeting in Oct - United way concerned about difficulty raising funds in a hard financial state.

New Business: Nov meeting Holly Altman will be our speaker to bring us up to the on the Day of Caring: Project YES. Need: Cabinets, stove, fridge and volunteers for painting, etc

Meeting Close
Wrap-up – Randy Livingston
Meeting adjourned at 5 pm
Respectfully Submitted by Grace Aranda

Mark your calendars for the next meeting - Col of Nursing, Rm 349 - Weds Nov 5: 1-3pm