STAFF COUNCIL MINUTES August 3, 1994

Ruby Heaton, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 2:05 p.m.

Linda Slaney was appointed as Parliamentarian.

The June 1, 1994 minutes were amended and approved.

Karen Nunn called the roll of Staff Council representatives for
the term July, 1994 through May, 1995. Present were Annette Hatton,
Jane Kobres for Glenn Leavell, and Lauren Fancher from VP for
Academic Affairs; Dorothy Black, Peter Farina, Brenda Elrod, Jeanell
Muckle and Terry Russell from VP for Business and Finance; Margey
McQuilkin from VP for Development and Alumni Relations; Susan
Labergne for Mary Ann Locantro from VP for Legal Affairs; Ian Gray
and Sally Kroehnke from VP for Research; Jerry Harris and Ruby
Heaton from VP for Services; Bill Kemper and Karen Nunn from VP
for Student Affairs; Randall Akins, Ron Ethridge, Betty Golden,
Lynn Gillman, Stan Thain from VP for Agriculture and Environmental
Sciences; Linda Brawner and Linda Slaney from the College of Arts
and Sciences; Mary Myrick for David Robinson from the College of
Business Administration; Carolyn Johnson from the College of
Education; Rhonda Wilkinson for Mark Toomey from the College of
Family and Consumer Sciences; Lois Shackelford from the School of
Forest Resources; Libby Johnson from the Graduate School; Cindy
Clark from the College of Journalism and Mass Communication; Linda
Dudley from the School of Law; Mary Andrew from the College of
Pharmacy; Debbie Ellerson from the School of Social Work; and Tony
Hughey and Lois Morrison from the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Absent were Stephanie Miller and Tom Sartain (Business and Finance),
Danny Haire (Agriculture and Environmental Sciences), and Leisa
Baker (Environmental Design).

Ruby Heaton read the following Opening Statement from the 1994-95 Staff
Council Officers:

     "Our bylaws state that The Staff Council will participate in
the process of University governance by advising the President and
by recommending  to and consulting with the University Council in
the establishment of rules and regulations deemed necessary and
proper for the promotion of the general welfareof the University.

     With this weighty responsibility in mind, we hope to focus
all our energy this next year on several key issues which affect
all staff, such as classification and pay and tuition remission.
To effectively pursue resolution  on these and other issues we must
all strive to work together to provide one    strong united voice.
Let's promote a positive atmosphere, and a mutual consideration of
each others views and concerns. There is strength in unity that
can never be achieved by individuals alone -- clearly shown by the
past leadership and their accomplishments. The challenge before us
is to maintain the integrity and credibility that the Staff Council
has earned in the eyes of the University community.

     We owe a dept of gratitude to the past chair, vice-chair,
secretary, treasurer, and to those representatives who are now
retiring. We appreciate the commitment of the representatives
who travel considerable distances to attend these meetings,
and welcome the new representatives who are beginning their term."

ELECTION

Executive Committee: Ruby Heaton opened the floor for nominations for
three Executive Committee members. The following representatives were
nominated and accepted the nomination: Debbie Ellerson, Ron Etheridge,
Linda Slaney, Karen Nunn, Annette Hatton, Tony Hughey, and Mary Andrew.
There were no other nominations so the floor was closed. Each candidate
made a brief statement about their interest in serving on the Executive
Committee and some background on themselves. Ballots were distributed
and counted by Ian Gray and Peter Farina. Ron Etheridge, Karen Nunn, and
Annette Hatton were elected.

Olympic Planning Committee: Ruby Heaton opened the floor for nominations
for a representative to the Olympic Planning Committee. Jean Cleveland
and Cindy Clark were nominated and accepted. Following discussion, it
was decided that both names would be submitted to Dick Hudson,
University Olympic Planning Committee Chair, for consideration.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

Communication Committee: Ruby Heaton, chair, mentioned that the June
issue of the Staff Voice had been published and distributed.

Health and Safety: Peter Farina, chair, reported that the Health and
Safety Committee resolved many issues during the FY 1993-94. Issues
addressed were the smoking in buildings concerns, the problem with eye
exams and VDT's, and the creation of the YOUR CONCERNS document. The
smoking policy on campus previously read that the lead administrator in
each building would determine the smoking policy for that building. Now,
the policy indicates that input from staff occupying the building should
be considered prior to the establishment of any policy. This input would
be in an advisory form. The new policy also dictates that the smoking
policy be clearly communicated, in writing, to all employees assigned to
the building.

With the new health care plan in effect, the issue of eye exams for VDT
users was resolved. Routine eye exams are now covered under the $500.00
free exam clause in the insurance. Study of this issue by members of the
Health and Safety Committee found that there are no documented permanent
eye diseases or vision imparities related to the use of VDT monitors.

The major accomplishment was the development of the YOUR CONCERNS form.
This form was developed to help open communication lines from staff
members to the representatives on the appropriate committees. The form
also provides for anonymity.

Needs and Concerns: Julie James, chair, had copies of the committee's
annual report available.

Benefits: No report.

Classification and Pay: Jerry Harris moved that the letter to Linda
Dudley, dated March 3, 1994, recommending that the University of Georgia
implement a systematic salary system that would provide pay increases
based on productivity and longevity be forwarded to the Executive
Committee for action. The motion was voted on and approved.

Evaluation Procedures: No report.

Diversity and Equality: Lois Morrison submitted the following written
report. The Diversity and Equality subcommittee met on July 19 to
discuss the Bias-Free Workplace Initiative and The Staff Advisor
Program. In attendance were Cindy Clark, Annette Hatton, Judy Lewis,
Mary Anne Locantro, and Lois Morrison; also attending, by invitation,
were Ruth Bebko and Mary Cash.

Background on the Bias-Free Workplace Initiative. The Bias-Free
Workplace Initiative is a request for a general anti-harassment policy
statement and a request for mandatory training for all university
personnel based on a program utilized by the City of Macon to ensure
familiarity with staff rights. The proposal was presented to President
Knapp by the Executive Committee in December 1992. Dr. Knapp then
forwarded it to Vice-President Roberts. Vice-President Roberts had
concerns which the subcommittee is addressing. The purpose of the policy
was to focus discretionary decisions on work-related factors and away
from arbitrary or personal considerations. In addition, the policy
placed emphasis on the interactions in the workplace as being
professional in nature to ensure all staff were treated with dignity and
respect. Vice- President Roberts' concerns were that the proposal
intermixed legally protected groups with other categories that might be
a basis for differential treatment. There was also concern that a
anti-harassment policy would compromise freedom of speech.

The subcommittee has agreed to change its request from a policy to a
statement. Wording of this statement is being developed by Judy Lewis
and Mary Anne Locantro.

Vice-President Roberts felt a university-wide training program would be
too costly. Her suggestion was to limit training to units which were
having problems, as determined by the number of grievances filed. This
aspect of the Initiative needs to be further discussed in subcommittee.

The subcommittee also discussed the University of Vermont's Staff
Advisor Program. A subcommittee meeting has been scheduled for August 25
to prepare a proposal of a similar program for submission to the
Executive Committee.

Attached to this report was the Employee Relations Management Report for
the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 1993. Conceptually, the Staff Advisor
Program would assist staff in the same manner that Employee Relations
assists management. See separate handout for a copy of this report.

Parking Concerns: No report.

Staff Grievance Procedures: The proposed Grievance Procedure had not
been given to Staff Council for review. Was expected by February 9,
1994.

Operational Efficiency and Technology: No report.


FORMATION OF COMMITTEES

Staff Council representatives were placed on the committees they
expressed an interest in, and one person from each committee was
selected to call the initial meeting. Additional ad-hoc members may be
added later.

Lois Morrison questioned the structure of the Needs and Concerns
Committee: should it consist of all people serving on its subcommittees
instead of just the Staff Council members that request to be on that
committee? Cindy Clark suggested that the chairs of each subcommittee
compose the members of the Needs and Concerns committee. Following
discussion, Lois proposed that this be investigated further by the Staff
Council Executive Committee.

Linda Dudley recommended that an archives ad-hoc committee be formed.
Terry Russell and Jeanell Muckle volunteered to serve.

OLD BUSINESS

Sally Kroehnke asked about the employee handbook. The letter written to
Jack Podeszwa regarding the participation of Staff Council in any
revision of the Employee Handbook has not received a response. Ruby
Heaton is to check with Linda Dudley regarding the status of the letter.

NEW BUSINESS

Terry Russell mentioned the continuing problem of new hires given base
plus 10%, and the serious compression that this causes. Lois Morrison
reported that while the number of classified employees increased, the
percentage of blacks and females decreased. Terry proposed that the
Staff Council write a letter to the new chancellor regarding this issue.
Ian Gray suggested inviting the new chancellor to a Staff Council
meeting. Annette Hatton issued a reminder to consider non-classified
employees.

Stan Thain asked a question about salary caps. Mary Andrew offered to
provide more information from the Policies and Procedures manual.

Ian Gray moved that the appropriate committee investigate salary
inequities and double salary structures for all divisions. This motion
was seconded and approved. Ruby Heaton clarified that this investigation
should be conducted through the Classification and Pay committee, and
Ian volunteered to assist with the study. Jerry Harris recommended that
the committee investigate only classified employees.

Libby Johnson asked about plans for the state-wide staff conference.
Ruby Heaton responded that tentative dates had already been sent to
President Knapp for his approval.

Karen Nunn commended Glenn Leavell on his hard work to provide the Staff
Council with Gopher space. Karen also made a motion that the Benefits
committee investigate requesting that the Board of Regents waive
non-matriculation fees for university employees. This motion was
seconded and approved.

Lois Morrison passed along a suggestion that the staff listserv's name
should be changed from UGA Staff Council to simply UGA Staff List.


The meeting was adjourned by Ruby Heaton at 3:45.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Nunn, Staff Council Secretary