University of Georgia Staff Council

Room J Law School

Staff Council President Brenda Keen called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m..

Melanie Andrews called the roll and it was determined that a quorum was in attendance.

The following representatives were present:

• Academic Affairs:Annette Hatton, Margaret Stefan
• Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Laura Alfonso, Greg Durham, Patricia Smith
• Arts and Sciences: LaBau Bryan (for Robyn Ansley), Larry Peter
• Education: Becky Hendren (for Sandy Smith)
• External Affairs: Bonnie Norwood
• Finance and Administration: William Childs, Kathy Hines, Tommy McCommons, Joel Sorrow
• Forest Resources: Bob Ratajczak
• Journalism and Mass Communication: Danna Williams
• Legal Affairs, etc.: Toni Stone
• Pharmacy: Stephanie Borrett
• Research Services: Beverly Chalk, Carolyn Morrill (for Donna Huber)
• Social Work: Barbara Galvond
• Student Affairs: 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:

• Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: Joan Boalch, Sandra McPeake, David Jennings
• Environmental Design: Marsha Grizzle
• Family and Consumer Sciences: Vici Decker
• Finance and Administration: Henry Bridges, Tonya Carter, Tom Kopp, Frank Patman
• Graduate School: Katie Dirr
• Law School: Joe Johnson
• Public Service and Outreach: Tameka Allison
• Student Affairs: Nancy Ferguson
• Immediate Past President: Sarah Fraker

The minutes for April 3, 2002 were approved.

*Dexter Fisher, a manager with UGA’s Physical Plant, was one of the guest speakers at the meeting. Dexter noted that there are some misperceptions about management at the Physical Plant. He said that he views UGA as a small city-and customer-that relies on the Physical Plant to keep it running. He praised the Physical Plant’s staff and noted that, over the years, he has worked to get 6-10% raises for custodians.

Some concerns addressed by Dexter were security (uniforms for custodians) and computers for supervisors. He pointed out that the fact that 435 Physical Plant employees don’t have access to a computer might present a problem when registering for parking.

He also said that the Physical Plant pays for staff to attend classes at Athens Tech and other schools. There was discussion about past inequalities in policies affecting minority groups and males/females. Dexter has worked to encourage African-Americans and women to attend Athens Tech so that they will qualify for better paying positions. Custodians with leadership potential are given the opportunity to train, on their own time, for supervisor positions.

Dexter noted that the pay is still terrible but a least everyone currently is treated with respect.

*Executive Committee: Tony Hughey said they met on April 24th in President Adam’s office. Melanie Kirk will provide Tony with census information about the distribution of staff positions in various VP areas. Staff representatives should also provide the total number of classified staff in their VP areas. The next meeting is May 15^th at 2:30pm in the Staff Council Office.

*Communications Committee: Maureen Hetrick is currently working on the newsletter. Send submissions to maureen@arches.uga.edu.

*Health and Safety Committee: It was reported that Annette Hatton attended the Pedestrian Safety meeting in April. Allison Wright suggested that the Council work toward getting all handicapped parking fees on campus capped at $20.00 per month. A motion was made to send a letter to President Adams recommending the $20.00 cap. After a good deal of discussion, the majority of the Council voted to defeat the motion.

*Needs and Concerns: Bob Ratajczak said that the they didn’t meet this month but he has been answering specific questions submitted by staff. Brenda requested that everyone thank Bob for his hard work.

*Facilities Committee: Greg Durham reported that the memorial at the new Student Learning Center has been approved.

*UGARA: Kathy Hines attended the April 8^th meeting and reported that the group was preparing for the April 23^rd banquet.

*Nominating Committee: Elizabeth Pape read the names and bios of the nominees for next year’s Staff Council Executive positions: Brenda Keen, President; Tony Hughey, Vice President; Melanie Andrews, Coordinator; Carol Bishop, Recording Secretary. Nominations are still open until the elections at the June 5^th meeting. Also, new representatives will attend June’s meeting with the old representatives.

*Old Business: Brenda attended the University Council Meeting and said parking issues were discussed. Also, President Adams will be in Asia from mid-August to mid-September and during this time Karen Holbrook will be in charge. Also, Andy Brantley invited Brenda to join him in Washington D.C. during May to address a House subcommittee on the subject of staff comp time.

Brenda also posted information about Public Safety’s policies regarding the ticketing of people parking on sidewalks. The letter addressing Staff Council concerns over GDCP will be tabled until August. Also, Maureen Hetrick discussed the revised Student Conduct policy concerning obscene and profane behavior.

*New Business: Our second guest speaker was Nannette Garrett from the Green Party. She discussed the Green Party’s stand on issues that effect staff.

*The meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m.

Respectively submitted by Carol Bishop, Recording Secretary, June 5, 2002.