Absent were Deborah Jackson, Cindy Norton, and Frank Patman from Finance and Administration; Liz Stich from the School of Pharmacy; Kim Wheeler from Public Service and Outreach; and David Anderson from Student Affairs.
The minutes from the last meeting were approved after noting there was an error in the time shown for the April meeting.
Reports of Standing Committees
George Russell reported that the Executive Committee met with Associate Vice President for Human Resources Andy Brantley on March 28 and discussed several HR issues. The Visual Basics software is still on track. It will be renamed, and will be available for individuals only, not supervisors. Employees can use the software to check on their benefits and find out how making some changes in payroll deductions would affect them.
The Deloit and Touche (D&T) contract to examine the job classification system will continue through May. Presently some salary comparisons are being made on regional, local, and institutional levels. D&T is assisting HR in testing job analysis software which may eventually be used to create job descriptions online.
Andy hopes to set minimum pay levels which will not be below the Georgia poverty level for a family of four (presently around $16,000 per year). HR is continuing to work on a standard exit procedure. A child care survey will soon be published on the web; hard copies will be available.
Express Scripts, Inc. (ESI) has distributed a new list of approved drugs and updated the list on its web site. Andy wants employees who have questions regarding specific prescriptions to call ESI, as some drug(s) may be approved but not shown on the list. Anyone having difficulties should contact David Williamson in the Employee Benefits Dept.
The committee discussed with Andy issues that were raised at the statewide staff council meeting, such as sick leave pools, Teachers Retirement investments, and early retirement. None of the early retirement bills got out of committee in this year's session of the General Assembly.
Human Resources management will switch to PeopleSoft software; financial applications will follow. This will be a gradual process spread out over the next few years. Banner will be the new student software.
The Communications Committee is working on another newsletter and would like areas to submit articles of interest.
There was no report from the Legislative, Needs and Concerns, and Health and Safety committees.
The Classification and Pay Committee provided a handout listing recommendations for changes in the current pay and classification system. There was general discussion about some points on the list. It was agreed that suggestions would be accepted for one week, then the list would be forwarded to Duane Ritter in HR.
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
LaBau reported the Facilities Committee met and recommended that the Oconee Forest site not be used for a "Greek Park."
Sarah noted there will be a vote on the proposed "War Memorial" on the 28th, and asked that members convey their opinions to her directly at a later time.
OLD BUSINESS
Sarah reminded representatives that new members will be seated at the June meeting and officers will be elected. Elizabeth Pape is chairing the Nominating Committee. Current officers do not plan to run for reelection to encourage others to get involved.
NEW BUSINESS
Allison asked why there isn't electronic notification of direct deposits of travel checks and other reimbursements. Margot replied there is presently a licensing issue regarding the E-Pay software, but the payroll department is working to get permission for all deposits. There was discussion about the benefits of direct deposit and the money it can save the university. Robyn pointed out the software is not available for Mac computers. Beverly said she thought direct deposit was mandatory for Athens-Clarke County employees. It was agreed this should be covered as an article in The Staff Voice.
Sige Burden, Employee Relations Coordinator in HR, reported the childcare survey will be available soon. As president of the Black Faculty and Staff Organization (BFSO), he discussed the search for the Associate Provost for Institutional Diversity. Five candidates were brought to campus; the one chosen by the Provost was not the choice of the Search Committee or the BFSO. That candidate initially accepted the position but subsequently withdrew acceptance. Issues of concern included credentials for tenure and the narrowing of the position's focus from one including faculty, staff, and students to one regarding students only. BFSO issued an open letter yesterday, which Sige offered to make available to anyone who is interested. He noted the newspapers might not include the full text due to space considerations. BFSO took offense at President Adams' remark which labeled them unprofessional. They are presently working with Matt Winston in the President's Office to establish a dialogue on the situation.
Doug Haines, Senator for General Assembly District 46 which includes Clarke, Oconee, and portions of Barrow, addressed the group. In his first term, he became a member of the Appropriations and Higher Education committees. He reported he repeatedly stressed the importance of raises for staff in his discussions with the governor. He noted that this year's raise pool is twice what it was last year, since last year's percentage was based on nine months and actually worked out to be less than three percent. He reported other states in the region are cutting their budgets and Auburn University is making a 15 percent cut. If Georgia's economy starts to slip the way other states' have, future raise pools will likely be smaller.
He noted several people had contacted him regarding Senate Bill 163. He reported most of the Athens delegation was opposed to the bill that would have invested Teachers Retirement funds in a wider range of possibilities. The bill never got out of committee, but since the General Assembly is on a two-year session cycle, it could possibly come out next year.
Doug asked that people keep him abreast of their concerns and gave out his contact information: dhaines@legis.state.ga.us 327 A Legislative Office Bldg., Atlanta, GA 30334 (404) 656-5095 / 369-3882
He noted it is easier to get funding for buildings than to get money to pay people. Jennie noted that the FY02 raise pool is actually based on our June 2000 salaries, not what we've been earning since October. Doug said he didn't know about that, but the Board of Regents, who make budget recommendations, would. He suggested timing reclassifications to more closely coincide with the time we get our raises; Margot responded that budget development is done in Spring, so that's not really feasible. It was agreed that a special pool of money to cover reclassifications is needed. Doug noted the biggest hurdle for funding is the shortfall resulting from the conversion to the semester system.
LaBau asked about the early retirement bills that never got out of committee. Doug noted any bill that affects the budget requires a Fiscal Note. He said he would talk with Rep. Louise McBee and find out more.
June Oliver asked if it is true that state Merit System employees can get mid-year salary increases. Doug said he didn't know. Sarah suggested it could be researched on the web.
Elizabeth noted that legislators have many misconceptions about staff salaries and benefits, and asked how we could educate them. Doug replied the legislators on the Higher Education Committee tend to be from college towns and are more aware of the realities; however, most legislators think of university system employees as all being professors. June said the UGA Fact Book has a chart showing the high percentage of employees who earn low salaries. It is published by the Institute of Research and Planning, and is available online.
Doug advised that Staff Council needs to become more powerful by organizing and getting more people involved. He also suggested we get representation on University Council; we were happy to report we have members on that body for the first time this year.
The meeting adjourned at 3:15. The next meeting will be Wednesday, May 2, at 2:00 in the Law School Auditorium.
Submitted by Brenda Keen, Staff Council Coordinator