Date: February 19, 2004
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Members Present: Amanda Canup, Jeff Carter, Jim Cooper, Sharon Hodge, Leigh Ann Holton, Bennie Houck, William Ketchum, Robert Kunig
Members Absent: Donna McPherson, Randall Scarboro
Advisors Present: Dawn Ramsey
Advisors Absent: Mary Phillips
Guest: La’ Quintera A. Hill (Quint)
The meeting was called to order. Leigh Ann Holton introduced Quint Hill from the Department of Human Resources. Quint was invited to discuss the new reporting format for staff positions that the University will be following in the future.
Quint stated that reporting by EEO categories no longer exists. The University will begin to report according to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (“IPEDS”). The University has replaced EEO categories with IPEDS codes. Quint furnished an employee listing which contains the IPEDS codes sorted in numeric sequence. IPEDS contains nine (9) employee classifications whereas EEO contained seven (7) occupational categories.
The Department of Human Resources developed this employee listing based upon information obtained from the University System Of Georgia (USG) WEB Page.
Leigh Ann suggested that this change may require a change in
the Staff Council By-Laws since representation on the Staff Council is based
upon EEO categories. William Ketchum made a motion that the Staff Council
should appoint a subcommittee to write a proposed draft of changes to the
By-Laws that will incorporate representation based upon IPEDS and everyone
agreed.
William Ketchum and Jim Cooper volunteered to comprise that committee. The
Chair asked the subcommittee to provide a draft via electronic mail to each
Staff Council member before the next meeting so that the Staff Council could
approve a draft at the March meeting. The Chair stated that the proposed By-Law
changes must be provided to our constituents for thirty days prior to a final
approval to the By-Laws by Staff Council.
The minutes of the January 15, 2004 meeting were approved.
Leigh Ann provided a budget update. Staff Council has $3,459.74 in the agency account and $114.03 in the Foundation account.
Old Business:
Regarding the dates for the Open Forum for staff, Leigh Ann stated that those dates have not been set.
Regarding job descriptions for secretaries in the academic departments, Leigh Ann stated that the committee continues to meet and has extended the dead line for bringing this issue to closure to the end of March, 2004. Ann Lay has been added as member of this committee and Sharon Hodge has rejoined the committee.
Regarding professional development funding, Leigh Ann stated that thirteen (13) applications have been received and are being reviewed. She stated that once a decision has been determined on these applications, the committee will know if additional funding is available for this program.
Regarding USG Staff Council issues; Leigh Ann stated that she, Sharon Hodge and Alberta Cook are on the List Serve. Any member of Staff Council who wants a printout of the issues from the USG Staff Council can obtain same from any of these individuals.
Regarding vacated positions on Staff Council, William Ketchum stated that he and Randall Scarboro have divided the list of constituents formerly belonging to Annette Gillespie and have notified each of them regarding their representation on Staff Council.
New Business:
Jim Cooper volunteered to serve as chairperson for the election subcommittee. Bennie Houck and Sharon Hodge volunteered to serve on that committee. Nominations for the 2004-2005 Staff Council will be held in April and elections will be held in May so that new members can attend the June, 2004 Staff Council meeting.
Regarding Service Awards, Leigh Ann stated that the ceremony and presentation will be handled by Human Resources. Staff Council will form a subcommittee to organize the election of outstanding staff members. Leigh Ann, Bennie Houck and Amada Canup will contact the four winners from last year who will serve on the committee as well.
Leigh Ann Holton announced that Donna McPherson has resigned from Staff Council citing increased family responsibilities as the primary reason. Leigh Ann stated that she will advise Donna’s constituents that Leigh Ann will be their Staff Council representative for the balance of the current term. William Ketchum moved that Staff Council accept the resignation; Jeff Carter seconded and the resignation was accepted. Everyone agreed that with the change from EEO to IPEDS and the need to re-draft the By-Laws, Staff Council members in the affected categories will represent additional constituents until the new elections have been decided.
William Ketchum announced that the Board Of Regents is considering outsourcing and consolidating the function of billing retiree’s for insurance which is now being performed on the 34 campuses. He also stated that outsourcing and combining the payroll function for the 34 campuses is not likely to occur.
The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, March 18, 2004 at 10:00 a.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.