Sarah Fraker opened the meeting at 2:00. Present were David Levenson and Teresa Taylor from Academic Affairs; Laura Alfonso, Greg Durham, Alice Gowens, Jim Graham, and Donna Kent from Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Robyn Ansley and LaBau Bryan from Arts and Sciences; Elizabeth Pape from the Terry College of Business; Sandy Smith from the College of Education; Leisa Seabolt from Environmental Design; Henry Bridges, Mike Callihan, Debbie Helsel, Melissa Stoker, Joe Cochran for Sharlyn Tate, and Wanda Thaxton from Finance and Administration; Jenny Yearwood from Forest Resources; Merrill Edens from the College of Journalism and Mass Communication; Joyce Moss from the School of Law; Loretta Campbell for Jeannie Johnson representing Legal Affairs, the Office of the President, and the Equal Opportunity Office; Liz Stich from the College of Pharmacy; George Russell and David Lynn for Kim Wheeler from Public Service and Outreach; Don Bullard from Research; Jody Hall and Sherrie Patrick from Student Affairs; Tony Hughey from the College of Veterinary Medicine; Clyde Anglin, Parliamentarian; and Brenda Keen, Secretary. Also present at the beginning of the meeting was David Williamson from Human Resources.
Absent were Rachel Peavey from Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; Jennie Ward from External Affairs; Susan Wilson from Family and Consumer Sciences; Leroy Carruth and Frank Patman from Finance and Administration; David Knox from the Graduate School; Sally Kroehnke from Research; Jeanell Muckle from Social Work; and Allison Wright from the College of Veterinary Medicine
Before the business of the meeting began, David Williamson, Benefits Director from Human Resources, reported the deadline for open enrollment had been extended from December 1 to 5:30 p.m. on December 10. The earlier-than-usual deadline was set to counter possible Y2K problems, but apparently caught many employees unaware and so was extended to accommodate their needs. David apologized for any confusion the date change may have caused.
The minutes from the November 3 meeting were approved.
Reports of Standing Committees
At its last meeting, the Executive Committee discussed representation on University Council and which committees would be appropriate for staff participation. Sarah contacted Clifford Smith, but had to cancel her meeting with him because she had to go out of town. He seems favorable toward staff representation on the Council..The Communications Committee has a web version of The Staff Voice ready and will announce its publication via the ugastaff listserv after some finishing touches. The Health and Safety Committee had no report. Sarah noted there was a post on the listserv that signs had been posted on Brooks Drive. The Needs and Concerns Committee had no report; neither did the Classification and Pay Committee. George reported the Faculty/Staff Parking Appeals Committee had to postpone its last meeting, but it will meet in January.
President's Report
Sarah reported University Council minutes are sent out via e-mail; anyone who wishes to get on the mailing list should contact the Registrar. University Council has been discussing religious holidays and decided they would not establish an official policy but would recommend an approach of tolerance and disseminating information. The UC Facilities Committee has been discussing children under the age of six attending the Ramsey Center and ensuing liability issues. The Council voted on the dates for Spring Break 2001. Clarke County representatives did not attend a meeting which had been scheduled to coordinate dates with the school system, so the Council had to vote without that information. The dates set are March 5 through March 9, 2001. Someone asked why the dates are so early, and Sarah replied students want the break in mid-semester. About 50 students were at the meeting and some spoke against coordinating UGA's break with local schools. Sarah pointed out this demonstrates that important issues are decided in University Council. She is proposing five staff representatives be added to University Council.
New Business
Liz reported a rumor that Parking Services is proposing to reduce the number of parking classifications to simply Premium and Nonpremium, and that Premium parking would cost around $200 per year and would compete with students who pay less for parking. Sarah said she had tried to contact Jimmy Linstrom but had been unable to reach him. She would like to get more information and ask someone from Parking Services to speak to Staff Council. Elizabeth said she thought students, who have options such as living on campus and access to city buses, should not get a reduced rate for parking.
Liz brought up the dangerous loop around the Ramsey Center. Sarah noted the Master Plan, if implemented, will remove it. Clyde reported a project to improve pedestrian safety is out for bids. Sarah said drivers should stop at crosswalks. Clyde pointed out that Memorial Day is a paid holiday during 2000. Greg said someone in his SRG asked why sick leave is not posted on check stubs and advisements. Sarah replied the present font size and design leaves no room, but that information should soon be online. Greg said he told the person to go to the department secretary. Jenny reported she had tried the new employee software for online orientation and it was easy to use and required users to pay attention. Clyde said it is also possible to go through it without doing much. Liz asked if UGA would be Y2K compliant. Sarah replied there doesn't seem to be any official policy, but special hotline numbers have been set up.
The meeting adjourned at 2:45. The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 11, 2000 at 2:00 in Room R of the Georgia Center for Continuing Education.
Submitted by Brenda Keen, Secretary
President Sarah Martyka Fraker Sr. VP for Academic Affairs and Provost David Levenson Teresa Taylor College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Laura Alfonso Greg Durham Alice Givens Jim Graham Donna Kent Rachel Peavey Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Robyn Ansley, Vice President LaBau Bryan Terry College of Business Elizabeth Pape College of Education Sandy Smith School of Environmental Design Leisa Seabolt Sr. VP for External Affairs Jennie Ward College of Family and Consumer Sciences Susan Wilson Sr. VP for Finance and Administration Henry Bridges Mike Callihan Leroy Carruth Debbie Helsel Frank Patman Melissa Stoker Sharlyn Tate Wanda Thaxton Warnell School of Forest Resources Jenny Yearwood Graduate School David Knox College of Journalism and Mass Communication Merrill Edens School of Law Joyce Moss, Treasurer Office of Legal Affairs, Office of the President, Equal Opportunity Office Jeannie Johnson College of Pharmacy Liz Stich VP for Public Service and Outreach George Russell Kim Wheeler VP for Research Services Don Bullard Sally Kroehnke School of Social Work Jeanell Muckle VP for Student Affairs Jody Hall Sherrie Patrick College of Veterinary Medicine Tony Hughey Allison Wright Secretary and Representative to USG-SC Brenda Keen Immediate Past President Jim Graham Parliamentarian Clyde Anglin