President Adams spoke for approximately fifteen minutes and then answered several questions from the floor.
A brief summary of the remarks made by the President follows:
"I really do have a deep appreciation for what you do. I know what goes on with the staff. My wife has been a staff member of three institutions."
Hank Huckaby, Vice President of Finance and Administration is working on staff issues and we will be seeing changes in the future.
Matt Winston will be the new liaison between President Adams and staff. It will be a team effort.
Four things the president wanted to address: (1) work place violence (2) health care issues (3) wife's situation and (4) salaries.
President Adams emphasized that the major part of university collegiality is how we treat one another. We need a climate of respect for each other. It is very important that all people be treated fairly and respectfully. The new policy on work place violence is just a minimum standard.
Health care and salary increases were decisions made by the legislature and the Board of Regents. The minimum pay increases and increased premiums on health care have put a burden on many of our staff. The President expressed his disappointment in the amount and timing of salary increases. He stated that there is a limited "pie" to be divided by the legislature and the governor acted responsibly.
Regarding the situation with his wife, Mary. He stated that Mary has a master's degree and has worked at three other institutions. She has been a full time volunteer for the University for the last three and one-half years. Several development departments have asked her to accept a job and not seek full time employment outside the University. The Board of Trustees of the Foundation felt she was having a good impact on development and this would set a policy for future wives. There was no request from the Adams for the stipend. It was a validation of her work and they insisted that it be disclosed. President Adams stated that, "Mary does not work for and will not work for me."
In his discussion of the salaries issue, he stated that the University was at the top of the SREB but now has fallen to fifth or sixth. He has already discussed this issue with the governor and the legislature and asked for a minimum of 5% for next year and may ask for the assistance of Staff Council.
Closing remarks included such statements as, "decisions are not made in a vacuum and not in malice. We are not always going to be first. We have been treated pretty fairly and hope to turn things around next year. Currently there is a salary survey being done. No one will ever make as much as they wish to make but I hope we will make progress."
Questions from floor:
What is SREB? SREB consists of 14 state universities from Delaware to Texas. UGA salaries rank 5th or 6th and include salaries for staff and faculty. The governor of Georgia is currently the Chair of this board. President Adams stated that he has never requested difference in pay raise between the staff and the faculty.
How to contact the Board of Regents and/or legislature? The most effective venue for contact with the legislature or the Board of Regents is face to face encounters. The Board of Regents meet two days a week, once a month in Atlanta when the legislature is in session. President Adams is a firm believer in personal relationships and the need to build personal relationships with leaders.
He reminded us that in some states there is a recession and we need to be grateful for a job. Not a scare tactic, but a national issue. Health care is a very difficult issue nationally. At the present time the state of Georgia is just trying to stabilize our health care. The needs of each individual are different and the Board has tried to make several options available for the different needs.\
When asked about a "cafeteria" type plan, President Adams responded with the fact that we are just trying stabilize the system and that there will be more changes next year. He encouraged each person to review their budget to maintain health coverage.
Regarding the question on child care, he responded that a committee had been formed to look at the feasibility, the space needed, liability cost, quality and funding. A questionnaire is being formulated to survey the needs on campus.
In answer to the question of when raises would be implemented in the future, he stated that we would continue with the October date.
As for long term salary increases, President Adams felt that the ten year projection would be 4% depending on the health of the economy and level of inflation. For the last eight years, raises have been higher than inflation.
As a parting remark, President Adams said he received an signed email that expressed their concern about his even showing up for the Staff Council meeting. He said, "I am smart enough to know that the staff is needed."
After President's Adams remarks, the regular business meeting of UGA Staff Council was called to order by Sarah Fraker.
The following representatives were present:
Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Greg Durham, Sandra McPeake for Jim Graham, Donna Kent, Patricia Smith Arts and Sciences: Robyn Ansley, LaBau Bryan Terry College of Education: Elizabeth Pape Education: Sandy Smith Environmental Design: Jane Link External Affairs: Ansley Surface Family and Consumer Sciences: Vici Decker Finance and Administration: Sharlyn Tate for Henry Bridges, Clyde Anglin for Mike Callihan, William Childs for Edwin Krasinski, Frank Patman, Joel Sorrow Forest Resources: Jenny Yearwood Journalism and Mass Communication: Cindi Johnson for Terri Bear Law School: Joyce Moss Pharmacy: Liz Stich Public Service and Outreach: Suzanne Tate, Kim Wheeler Research Services: Carolyn Morrill, Sally Kroehnke Social Work: Barbara Golvond Veterinary Medicine: Allison Wright Coordinator: Brenda Keen Parliamentarian: Margot Peter
The following representatives were not present: Academic Affairs: Margaret Stephan, Connie Christian Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Laura Alfonso, Erik Thompson External Affairs: Jeannie Ward Finance and Administration: Cindy Norton, Debbie Helsel, Deborah Jackson Legal Affairs: Melanie Andrews Student Affairs: Henry Williams, David Anderson Veterinary Medicine: Tony Hughey
The minutes of the last meeting were approved.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive Committee:
Clyde Anglin presented the University of Georgia Strategic Plan. Legislative Committee to watch the TRS as it is over funded and will be a temptation to our legislatures to try to use the funds. Recommendation made to write a letter to the Board of Regents asking for advocacy for staff .
Appointments to the University Council are as follows:
Executive - Sarah Fraker
Facilities - LaBau Bryan
Libraries - Joyce Moss
Student Affairs - Maureen Feneran
Benefits - liaison - Margot Peter
Communications Committee
The newsletter is out in its new format and has received positive comments.
Pay and Classifications
Committee had a very productive meeting today with Duane Ritter. Discussed their roll as a committee and the first step was to come up with a list of proposed changes and compare the committee's list with the list prepared from the focus group study. They will examine the proposals from the consulting firm and will be working with Duane.
New Business
Resolution to support the Strategic Plan was proposed as follows. "The University of Georgia Staff Council hereby resolves to fully endorse the Strategic Plan as written and applauds its inclusion of staff in its creation and focus."
Clyde Anglin spoke to the group giving us information on the process whereby the plan was formulated and that the staff should be supportive. The staff needs to show they care about academic goals of the university not just salaries and benefits. Many members of the staff were part of the formulation of the strategic plans from the individual colleges which were incorporated into the master strategic plan. Clyde had worked on the Strategic Planning Committee for two years.
The resolution passed unanimously.
Meeting was closed at 3:45 pm.