Law School Auditorium
Staff Council President Brenda Keen called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
A quorum was in attendance so Melanie Andrews called the roll.
The following representatives were present:
· Academic Affairs:Scott LaClaire (for Annette Hatton)
· Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Laura Alfonso, Miriam Edwards (for Joan
Boalch), Greg Durham, Sandra McPeake, Patricia Smith, David Jennings
· Arts and Sciences: Robyn Ansley, Larry Peter
· Education: Sandy Smith
· Environmental Design: Marsha Grizzle
· External Affairs: Bonnie Norwood
· Family and Consumer Sciences: Vici Decker
· Finance and Administration: Henry Bridges, Tonya Carter, William Childs, Kathy
Hines, Tommy McCommons, Frank Patman, Joel Sorrow
· Forest Resources: Bob Ratajczak
· Graduate School: Katie Dirr
· Journalism and Mass Communication: Terri Bear
· Law School: Joe Johnson
· Pharmacy: Stephanie Borrett
· Public Service and Outreach: Paul Farr, Tameka Allison
· Research Services: Beverly Chalk, Donna Huber
· Social Work: Barbara Galvond
· Student Affairs: Nancy Ferguson, Maureen Hetrick
· Terry College of Business: Elizabeth Pape
· Veterinary Medicine: Tony Hughey, Allison Wright
· Recording Secretary: Carol Bishop
· Coordinator: Melanie Andrews
· President: Brenda Keen
· Parliamentarian and Representative to USG-SC: Margot Peter
The following representatives were not present:
· Academic Affairs: Margaret Stephan
· Finance and Administration: Debbie Heisel
· Legal Affairs, etc.: Toni Stone
· Immediate Past President: Sarah Fraker
The minutes for November 7, 2001 were approved.
*Health and Safety Committee:
Allison Wright reported that Bob Wentworth of the Environmental Safety Division, forwarded her letter about the University Press building being a possible "sick" building to Eric Ansley.
A letter was also sent to the Physical Plant about diesel fuel leaking into the water table via the storm drainage system that goes directly into the Oconee River. The Committee was informed that in the early 1990s contaminated dirt was removed and liners added to the tanks. Monitoring has been done and everything is fine.
Sandy Smith was commended for doing a great job working to improve the emergency/evacuation procedures at the College of Education (Aderhold).
Another issue the Committee is looking into is potential problems involving pedestrian safety crossings on East Campus, Field Street and Carlton Street.
They also checked into getting HEPA filters for buildings but were informed by BobWentworth that the filters have drawbacks and are expensive.
In addition, the group discussed bus stop issues with the Campus Transit Manager, Ronald Hamlin. He told the Health and Safety Committee that it would be very difficult to constantly post transit updates at each bus stop. There are rider's guides available all over campus and Campus Transit's website, www.transit.uga.edu, includes updated information.
Allison mentioned that the Committee will meet after today's Staff Council meeting.
*Needs and Concerns Committee: Bob Ratajczak reported that faculty and staff can register online starting Spring semester for car-pooling. Bob will attend the Parking Services meeting on December 12th with Jennifer Tougas.
*Diversity Taskforce: Melanie Andrews reported that the Taskforce met Monday and has finished the mission statement. They are currently awaiting feedback from University Administration.
*UGARA: Kathy Hines reported that they met in Four Towers on November 12. There was little business to deal with at that meeting and there will be no December meeting.
*Executive Committee: Brenda reported that the Committee met with Andy Brantley and Opal Haley to discuss mandatory training for supervisors. As a result of the meeting, Brenda has changed her viewpoint on mandatory training. Andy and Opal feel that it is a waste of time trying to force someone into a training program they don't want to attend. Peer mentoring was suggested as one way to deal with problem supervisors.
Old Business: Brenda Keen reported that a selection committee has been formed to look for a new head of the Physical Plant. It was also reported that many building supervisors are now in the process of receiving computers.
Representatives told the Council the results of the survey designed to poll staff in their division's holiday preferences.
The final results were:
"I prefer to have Christmas Eve as a university holiday instead of Memorial Day":
2002 votes (64%)
"I prefer to have Memorial Day as a university holiday instead of Christmas Eve":
810 votes (26%)
"I have no preference.": 279 (9%)
"Other" 50 (1%)
The Council voted to have Brenda draft a letter to Dr. Adams expressing the results of this survey. Brenda will post the letter and let everyone read and approve it before sending it.
There was a vote taken to determine whether staff council wants to request representation on the Educational Affairs and Strategic Planning Committees. The Council unanimously decided to try for representation on the Strategic Planning Committee and not to try at this time for representation on the Educational Affairs Committee.
It was decided to reexamine the procedure for recognizing Administrators who support staff causes. An Ad Hoc committee, consisting of Tony Hughey, Elizabeth Pape, Margot Peter, Melanie Andrews, and Vici Decker, was formed for this purpose and will report their findings at the February meeting.
New Business: Brenda attended the University Council meeting where it was announced that the University will be able to fill 40 of the 110 vacant faculty positions.
The Health and Safety Committee will examine and draft a resolution concerning unsecured UGA websites.
The Council voted to make parking passes available to any interested person attending the February meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:45p.m..
Respectively submitted by Carol Bishop, Recording Secretary, February 6, 2002.