Minutes of the November 7, 2001 Staff Council Meeting

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:Annette Hatton
· Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Laura Alfonso, Miriam Edwards (for Joan Boalch), Sandra McPeake, Patricia Smith, Arnita Littlejohn (for David Jennings)
· Arts and Sciences: Robyn Ansley
· Education: Sandy Smith
· Environmental Design: Marsha Grizzle
· Finance and Administration: Henry Bridges, William Childs, Kathy Hines, Tommy McCommons, Joel Sorrow
· Forest Resources: Bob Ratajczak
· Graduate School: Katie Dirr
· Journalism and Mass Communication: Terri Bear
· Law School: Joe Johnson
· Legal Affairs, etc.: Toni Stone
· Pharmacy: Stephanie Borrett
· 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
· Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Greg Durham
· External Affairs: Bonnie Norwood
· Family and Consumer Sciences: Vici Decker
· Finance and Administration: Tonya Carter, Debbie Heisel, Frank Patman
· Public Service and Outreach: Paul Farr
· Research Services: Beverly Chalk, Donna Huber
· Immediate Past President: Sarah Fraker

Elizabeth Pape announced that she is resigning her position as the chairperson of the Communication Committee. Maureen Hetrick has agreed to be the new Communication Committee chairperson. Elizabeth will still monitor the listserv.

The minutes for September 5, 2001 were approved.

It was agreed that we would postpone approval of the minutes for the October 3^rd meeting until the next meeting.

*Health and Safety Committee:

The Allision Wright presented a number of recommendations Among these were that each SRG should have its own safety officer,bus schedules should be displayed at all campus bus stops and sidewalk paths are needed in Coliseum parking lot. The Health and Safety Committee has also forwarded a letter to Asa Boynton expressing concerns over the East Campus Parking Deck. It was recommended that representatives E-mail Allison to let her know if safety information is readily available at their workplace. The committee will be holding a meeting right after today's Staff Council meeting.

*Needs and Concerns Committee: Bob Ratajczak discussed the committee's report on "Parking Issues and Suggested Solutions". The committee addressed the shortage of campus parking spaces by examining ways to decrease the number of cars on campus. Some solutions they suggested were to give faculty/staff incentives for carpooling, promote alternative ways to get to campus such as biking and walking, provide better bus service, and limit freshman parking on campus. They looked at ways to increase the number of parking spaces around campus and discussed the need for better enforcement of current parking regulations. Next, the committee examined inequitable parking fees by suggesting fees might be charged according to the convenience of parking or by using sliding scales based on staff's annual salary ranges. They also looked at alternate sources of income from those who use UGA parking but don't pay for it. In addition, there was discussion about the University's need for convenient handicapped parking, particularly, adjacent to the Human Recources building. Brenda noted that Andy Brantley is aware of the problem is working to address the situation.

*Classification and Pay Committee: The committee will present a report next time concerning their meeting with Duane Ritter.

*Executive Committee: Robyn Ansley reported that Margot Peter attended a Benefits information session. As of January 1, 2002, ExpressScripts will set a cap of $100.00 per person or $200.00 per family per month on prescriptions. People may call ExpressScript's 800 number and get further information. There also was a discussion about sending postcards to Staff Council members thanking them for attending meetings or reminding them about the need to attend or send an alternate. Robyn reminded everyone that the next Executive Committee Meeting will be at 9:00am on November 16^th at the Training and Development Building. Andy Brantley and Opal Haley will address the group.

*UGARA: Kathy Hines reported that 65 to 70 retirees participated in the Oct. 8^th meeting and the next meeting will be on November 12, 2001.

*Diversity Committee: Melanie Andrews reported that the committee has been working to develop the new University position of Associate Provost of Diversity and is close to presenting their work to Dr. Holbrook.

Old Business: Brenda Keen reported there has been some progress in getting custodian supervisors computers with the custodians at the College of Education having just received new Dell computers.

Brenda and Margot Peter reported that the Statewide Staff Council Conference was a great success and recommended that everyone try to attend next year's conference. Our representatives have offered to host the 10^th annual conference at UGA. Dues are $25.00 per institution with a charge of $5.00 per individual if the institution doesn't pay.

New Business: Brenda attended the University Council meeting where Michael Adams gave a lengthy speech addressing the scaling back of positions, travel budgets etc..There are currently 111 faculty positions on hold.

There was discussion about requesting membership on two additional University Council Committees: Educational Affairs and Strategic Planning . Brenda will send council members a list of the duties of these committees and we will take a vote at the next meeting to see if we want to try for representation.

The representatives also discussed the decision made by the President's cabinet to observe Memorial Day, and not Christmas Eve, as one of the University's 12 paid holidays in 2002, 2003, and 2004. Brenda will draft a ballot, designed to elicit staff feedback, which will be posted on the Staff Council Reps Listserv and distributed by the SRG representatives to their constituents. Maureen Hetrick, as the Communications Committee chairperson, will draft an article about staff holiday preferences, which will be submitted for publication in the Red and Black.

Lastly, the Staff Council unanimously approved Brenda sending a letter to Food Services expressing concern over the fact that Snelling Dining Hall will not allow staff to take food out of the building in "to go" boxes.

The remaining T-shirts were distributed to those who were not at the last meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:30p.m..

Respectively submitted by Carol Bishop, Recording Secretary, December 5, 2001