Minutes of the November 4, 1998 Meeting

A quorum was not present. President Stephanie Watson proceeded with the meeting but the group was unable to conduct business. Present were Sarah Fraker and Annette Hatton from Academic Affairs; Greg Durham for Freya Browning, Frances Cochran, Jeannie Dawson, Jim Graham, and Donna Kent from Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; Robyn Ansley and Beth Richardson from Arts and Sciences; Henry Bridges from Business and Finance; Alison Huff from Development and Alumni Relations; Sandy Smith for Shea Ray from the College of Education; Miranda Rains from Forest Resources; Merrill Edens from the College of Journalism and Mass Communication; Joyce Moss from the School of Law; Teresa Shirley representing Legal Affairs, the Office of the President, and the Equal Opportunity Office; Ruby Heaton and Margot Peter from Public Service and Outreach; Sally Kroehnke from Research; Sarah Douthitt from Social Work; Elizabeth Pape from the Terry College of Business; Tony Hughey and Allison Wright from the College of Veterinary Medicine; Brenda Keen, Secretary; Clyde Anglin, Immediate Past President; and Mary Cash, Parliamentarian.

Absent were Marilyn Huff-Waller from Agriculture and Environmental Sciences; Janet Bjornlie, Darlene Bradley, Annette Ferguson, Frank Patman, and Billy Walker from Business and Finance; Leisa Seabolt from Environmental Design; Shea Landers from Family and Consumer Sciences; Betty Blum from the Graduate School; Liz Stich from the College of Pharmacy; Ian Gray from Research; and Shirley Reyes and Margaret Stephan from Student Affairs.
 

Reports of Standing Committees

The Executive Committee drafted a security policy regarding the Staff Council office. The UGA-SC voice mail number is 542-7222. The group hopes to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the office in January that will be announced in Columns and The Red and Black. Stephanie reviewed the agenda for the committee's meeting with President Adams. She sent a letter to the president informing him of the resolution in support of building supervisors having access to computers.

Elizabeth Pape, co-chair of the Communications Committee, reported the newsletter will be published on the web since funds are not available for printing. The committee is investigating the cost of a one-time postcard mailing to notify staff that newsletters will be available in hard copy only on request. The committee is working on a bookmark with contact information for Staff Council that would be included in folders for new university employees. The committee is investigating the possibility of having newsletters placed in the library.

Sally Kroehnke, chair of the Health and Safety Committee, said the committee had no report, but she encouraged people to go to the meetings discussing the new Master Plan.

Tony Hughey reported the Needs and Concerns Committee wants to set up an ad hoc committee on childcare. He provided copies of a letter sent to the Executive Committee regarding establishment of a fair and consistent policy for faculty sick leave.

Annette Hatton handed out a statement drafted by the Classification and Pay Committee recommending revision of the classification system and adequate training of supervisors. In discussion, some minor changes were made.

Annette reported that in the course of publicizing committee meetings, the question arose whether a staff member who is not a Staff Council representative should have to take annual leave to attend a UGA-SC committee meeting. Although the general feeling was that an employee should not have to use leave, the reality is that leave must be taken if the employee's supervisor does not allow participation. Jeannie suggested that an employee contact his/her Staff Representative Group about being sent as an SRG delegate. Ruby pointed out if someone is interested in participation, it could be considered staff development. Stephanie said she would be willing to send a letter as UGA-SC president that would authenticate committee participation and said she would ask Dr. Adams for his perspective on the question.
 

Reports of Ad Hoc Committees

The Bylaws Committee needs representatives to join the committee as new members.
 

President's Report

Stephanie distributed packets containing UGA-SC bylaws, representative contact information, committee assignments, etc. In the future, the Communications Committee will assume responsibility for preparation of packets for members at the beginning of the UGA-SC work year. Stephanie reiterated the importance of committee chairs' attendance at Executive Committee meetings. She plans to send letters of thanks to supervisors who provided financial support for representatives attending the statewide staff conference at Valdosta State.
 

OLD BUSINESS

Sarah said she understood a resolution was sent to the president's office regarding revision of the sick leave policy so leave could be used if an employee's child is sick; she asked what its status is. She noted there are differences on sick leave policy within her department, because supervisors interpret it differently. Linda said it was sent as a suggested revision to the employee handbook. Clyde said he didn't think the president responded because the resolution did not ask him to.
 

There was no new business. The meeting adjourned at 4:00. The next meeting will be Wednesday, December 2, 1998 at 2:00 in the Green Room of the Seney-Stovall Chapel at the Vinson Institute of Government's Lucy Cobb Complex.
 
 

Submitted by Brenda Keen, Secretary