A quorum being present, President Clyde Anglin called the meeting of the University of Georgia Staff Council (UGA-SC) to order at 2:00 p.m. Present were Annette Hatton and Gilbert Head from Academic Affairs; Doris Bombich, Jeannie Dawson, Hector Dudley, Jim Graham, Marilyn Huff-Waller, and Donna Wyatt from Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; Robyn Ansley and Beth Richardson from Arts and Sciences; Chris Baker for Arthur Bastidas, Janet Bjornlie, Darlene Bradley, Henry Bridges, Wes Kolar, Frank Patman, and Esther Sherman from Business and Finance; Alison Huff for Peter Anderson from Development and Alumni Relations; Anita Miller from the College of Education; Leisa Baker from Environmental Design; Sue Anthony from Forest Resources; Teresa Hayes for Betty Blum from the Graduate School; Merrill Edens from the College of Journalism and Mass Communication; Linda Dudley for Kathy Burkes from the Law School; Jalna Alday from the College of Pharmacy; Ruby Heaton and Margot Peter from Public Service and Outreach; Jim Bason for Sally Kroehnke from Research; Martha Daniel from the School of Social Work; Michael Albert and Margaret Stephan from Student Affairs; Donna Gabriel for Elizabeth Pape from the Terry College of Business; Penny Gibbs for Allison Wright from the College of Veterinary Medicine; Parliamentarian Mary Cash; Immediate Past President Linda Slaney; and secretary Brenda Keen.
There being no objections, the minutes from the August sixth meeting were not read. Clyde noted his statement at that meeting regarding funds for The Staff Voice was not correct, and that some funds will come from this year's budget. He also mentioned that he and Linda Slaney would be meeting with UGA President Michael Adams at 3:45 and requested that the meeting be adjourned no later than 3:25.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Janet Bjornlie reported there was no change from last month's report.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Michael Albert reported the Needs and Concerns Committee met on
August 29th. The issue of Ramsey Center availability has been added to
a pending resolution. There was a report from the OFCCP subcommittee. Issues
they are working on include establishing a catastrophic leave pool and
extending services to insurable dependents and domestic partners. They
discussed whether there should be specific exit procedures for staff members
who leave the university and the possibility of American Sign Language
being adopted as a second language at UGA. Linda Dudley mentioned that
Georgia College at Milledgeville already has a catastrophic leave pool
in place; Tony Hughey has contacted them for information.
The Communications, Health and Safety, and Classification and Pay committees have not met.
REPORTS OF AD-HOC COMMITTEES
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Program (OFCCP) Committee
is still in existence but nothing is finalized, and they have not met recently.
The Bylaws Committee will meet on September 10 to discuss necessary changes. They suggest the bylaws be revised every two years. There will be a discussion meeting and UGA-SC will get a copy of the revised bylaws 10 days prior to meeting. There must be votes in two consecutive meetings before changes are approved.
Ruby Heaton reported the Sexual Harassment Committee is waiting to meet with Bryndis Roberts, VP for Legal Affairs.
Linda Slaney reported the Tuition Remission Committee members have not yet received a letter which will outline the official policy. Henry Bridges said the draft is ready and if a supervisor can answer "yes" to any of six questions about a course, an employee should be able to enroll. They are working on a grievance procedure to use in cases where a supervisor denies an employee access to a class. Linda Dudley asked if there is any reciprocal agreement for other institutions. Linda Slaney replied there will be a credit/debit system. Donna Wyatt asked if it will be in place for fall quarter. Henry replied only employees who are already enrolled will be eligible for fall quarter remission. Donna asked if information will be distributed to all employees. Linda Slaney replied information will be available to all council representatives, and noted at present there is a narrowly defined policy which will have to be looked at again once the program is underway. Janet Bjornlie asked when the information will be available. Linda Slaney said committee members should get their letters within two to three weeks, but they may not arrive until after classes have started.
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee sent a letter to Joe Cochran censuring
his behavior at the August 6 meeting. Michael Albert asked if the letter
to Mr. Cochran is in the public record. Clyde replied copies were sent
only to Executive Committee members, but anyone who requests to do so may
see a copy. The Committee also sent a letter to Robert Bugbee, Associate
Vice President and Director of the University Budget Office, requesting
that employees' social security numbers be removed from public budget documents.
Mr. Bugbee responded that the only budget document intended for public
access is the one in the main library and social security numbers will
be suppressed in that document in the future. (Copies of the letter to
Mr. Bugbee and his response were provided to representatives.) Ruby asked
when that document is revised; Gilbert replied the library copy is usually
picked up in July or August.
The next meeting of the Executive Committee will be Wednesday, September 17 at 2:30 in the Ecology Building conference room. Topics of discussion will include changing the time of staff council/executive committee meetings and revision of bylaws.
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Clyde said some progress has been made on the office in Hardman
Hall. The adjacent space is being renovated so the present occupants can
relocate. The office will be painted at no expense to Staff Council.
Linda Slaney, Stephanie Watson, and Clyde met with Tom Landrum from the President's Office to discuss several issues. They stressed the importance of Staff Council being included on the front end of policy issues or committee appointments without having to request inclusion. Mr. Landrum said he sometimes has trouble remembering to include the University Council, too.
Clyde said the Master Planning consultant group Ayers/Saint/Gross requested to meet with UGA-SC and he agreed their representative could address the group at 2:30 on October 1. Linda Slaney asked if there is any information to provide in advance. Esther Sherman clarified that this refers to the physical master plan and said she would make information available.
OLD BUSINESS
Linda Dudley asked whether UGA-SC had met with Dr. Michael Adams.
Clyde said the meeting later today is mostly for public relations; Dr.
Adams has another meeting scheduled 15 minutes later. Clyde noted there
will be an extended meeting with Dr. Adams in the near future, which will
include both this year's and last year's Executive Committee members. Dr.
Adams will be officially invited to address Staff Council.
NEW BUSINESS
Annette Hatton asked how something can be included on the UGA-SC
webpage. Linda Slaney replied there needs to be an established protocol
for UGA-SC approval. Annette said she would like the Sexual Orientation
Antidiscrimination Policy on the webpage; Linda Slaney said a link to the
pertinent section of Policies and Procedures should be enough.
Alison Huff said she is new to the university and would like to know who to talk to about expanding annuities. She reported she found there is no breadth of choices. She could not contribute to an existing TIAA-CREF account; the only option is the Teachers Retirement System. Clyde said someone in Staff Benefits should be able to help. Margot Peter noted faculty can contribute to TIAA-CREF but staff cannot. She noted any group of nine or more people can go through a broker to contribute. She also said Phyllis Kaiser at Staff Benefits is helpful and could offer answers or options. Penny Gibbs noted there is widespread interest in this issue. Alison said she would be happy to post a comparison of returns; the Teachers Retirement System is very conservative. Annette Hatton made a motion that Linda Dudley ask the statewide staff council to take the issue to the Board of Regents and request that staff be given the same choices as faculty. There being no objections, the motion passed unanimously. Mary Cash pointed out it would be helpful if there were a proposal or something in writing that Linda could take to statewide. Since there is another UGA-SC meeting before the statewide meeting, there would be time to approve it beforehand.
Linda Dudley had a letter from LaVonne Persky, president of the North Georgia College and State University staff council, announcing the fourth annual university system staff conference to be held in Dahlonega on Friday, October 24. The $20 registration fee includes a breakfast snack and lunch at the Smith House. Registration deadline is October 1. Dr. Arthur Dunning, Sr. Vice Chancellor for Human and External Resources for the Board of Regents, has requested that questions and concerns to be addressed at the conference be sent to him via e-mail. (Send to rwehunt@nugget.ngc.peachnet.edu by Sept. 23.) NGC&SU observes casual dress on Fridays. Linda Slaney suggested our participants could wear UGA t-shirts or sweatshirts.
Darlene Bradley asked about a rumor that retirees can be paid for sick leave. Linda Slaney advised the bill did not pass in the legislature, but State Representative Louise McBee is still working on it and an actuarial study is being done.
Frank Patman asked if the Dental Insurance program is going to collapse in November. Linda Slaney said she had called Staff Benefits around August 15 when she had heard that rumor, and they said they had not heard anything about it. It was reported that a new employee had been discouraged from enrolling in the dental plan, but Clyde noted a new employee in his area had recently signed up. Ruby Heaton suggested it might be appropriate to send a letter and get a response in writing. Clyde said the Executive Committee would draft one.
Beth Richardson asked about health insurance covering chiropractors. Penny suggested using MedFlex since our insurance doesn't cover chiropractors. The possibility has been raised with Blue Cross Blue Shield, but expanding coverage is not in their agenda. Darlene mentioned a coworker had a limited number of chiropractic sessions covered under specific conditions. An employee must work with BCBS and get special permission. A medical doctor must write a letter certifying the necessity of treatment, detailing the reason, and giving a diagnosis. Penny noted Staff Benefits had given no hint of such a possibility when she spoke with them. Margot said employees should always challenge denials. BCBS implements the University's plan and you get different answers depending on whom you speak to.
Linda Dudley said the University System Staff Council (US-SC) sent three people to meet with Don Davis, the liaison from the Board of Regents. They asked that the Chancellor write a letter to university leaders to encourage formation of staff councils. Mr. Davis suggested they make a presentation at the meeting of the Human Resource Directors of university system institutions on October 20th or 21st in Savannah. Ramona Hason, president of US-SC, wants a very professional presentation, and Linda wants the UGA portion to be likewise. She asked if anyone had suggestions. Powerpoint was suggested as a possible tool. Clyde suggested a group be formed immediately to work on UGA's presentation. Linda Slaney noted it is the fifth anniversary of the adoption of UGA-SC bylaws. Penny said the vet school could do photos quickly. An ad-hoc committee for the Regents Presentation was formed, consisting of Ruby Heaton (chair), Linda Dudley, Gilbert Head, Esther Sherman, and Janet Bjornlie. Ruby asked that ideas be sent to her via e-mail (heatonr@gacsrv.gactr.uga.edu). Beth Roberts attended the meeting as a representative of Columns and said she would search their photo archives. Linda Slaney noted The Athens Daily News or The Red and Black might also have photos. Doris mentioned there may be photos of staff meeting with Dr. Adams when he visited during the summer.
Linda Slaney reminded members that they should not use departmental letterhead when corresponding as a representative of UGA-SC.
Clyde read the list of committee assignments. Michael Albert requested that Needs and Concerns committee members meet with him immediately following the UGA-SC meeting. Leisa Baker asked if anyone had been appointed to call committee meetings. Linda Slaney pointed out that committees should have been continuing their meetings and they can elect new chairs. Robyn Ansley asked who chairs Health and Safety; the reply was Sally Kroehnke. Names of non-representative committee members were added to the list, which will be amended by the secretary.
The meeting adjourned at 3:10. The next meeting will be Wednesday, October 1 at 2:00 in Room E/F of the Georgia Center.
Submitted by Brenda Keen, Secretary