October 1998

LaFortune Student Center - Notre Dame Room

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Present: Amy Belke, Deb Bennett, Jan Blazi, Dan Brazo, Emily Cassidy, Tammy Chapman, Debra Clark,  Victoria Cotton, Gina DeLaruelle, Janet Dillon, Deb Fox, Toby Green, Linda Hansen, Mike Manijak, Norma Mezykowski, Don Newsom, Sue Penrod, Diane Schlatterbeck, Doris Smuda, Fred Sonneborn,  and Melodie Wise. 

 

Absent: Rhonda Barkley, Rachel Boyd, Rita Grontkowski, Pam Jobin, Jeff Korros, Wanda Lansford,  Joshua White, and Deanna Zukowski.  District #5 is unrepresented due to no self- nominations from election. 

 

HR Liaisons:  Rich Nugent and Pam Zarazee. 

 

Dan Brazo, Chair called the Council meeting to order at 1:11p.m. 

 

I.  Parking Presentation 

Rich Nugent introduced Phil Johnson, Assistant Director in Security/Police Department to the Council.  Phil explained to the Council that he really appreciates the opportunity to hear the concerns of non-exempt staff 

regarding parking and other security issues across campus. 

 

Phil began his presentation by asking staff to read the "Campus Watch Bulletins" that are occasionally issued from Security.   The bulletins provide information to all staff regarding safety concerns.  Phil also informed the Council of the web site developed for security.  The address is www.nd.edu/~ndspd. 

 

Phil explained to the Council that within Security there is actually a Parking Office.  It is made up of two non-exempt staff, Elaine Mitchem and Maxine Wilson;  and one exempt employee, Dennis Navarre.  The Parking Office is responsible for registration for parking (approximately 14,000 vehicles per year),  processing citations, collecting fines from citations, and serving as the support staff for various committees addressing campus parking.   Phil stated that Facility Engineering actually designs and contructs the parking lots, Facility Operations maintains the lots,  and Security is responsible for the administration of the lots. 

 

Phil discussed with the Council the committees and boards related to campus parking.  The Parking Appeals Board is made up of a faculty and staff member, a graduate student, and an  undergraduate student.  This Board generally meets weekly and is assigned members by Bill Kirk, the Assistant 

Vice President, Residence Life and Student Affairs.   The Ad-Hoc Parking Committee makes recommendations for parking policy and reviews parking concerns such as  allocation of spaces, etc.  Deb Bennett from the Council is a member of this committee.  The Ad- Hoc Parking Committee meets 

infrequently. 

 

Phil explained to the Council that the Bookstore will be removed once the new Eck Center  is opened.  This means that approximately 75 parking spaces will be lost.   The area will be used for the addition of the Coleman/Morse Building for the expansion of Campus Ministry.  Also, Phil stated that currently there is construction of a parking lot for faculty, staff, and students on the golf course across from the Campus Security Building. 

 

Phil shared with the Council that the Parking Office is currently reviewing parking in existing lots and the allocation of those lots, some future issues related to the parking office, opening new lots, and the 

registration process.  Phil stated that the Parking Office is considering going to a two year renewal of parking decals and looking at having the possibility of web based registration for greater efficiency and convenience. 

 

Phil asked the Council for their opinions and comments regarding parking across campus. 

 

*On football weekends, Phil explained that traffic patterns are developed by the state, county and city police. 

 

* Council members expressed concern that gates to B lots are open after lunch on football game Fridays.  (Based on the input from the Council, B lots will be open at 2:15 pm instead of immediately after lunch.) 

 

* An above ground parking facility would be expensive (roughly $8,000 per space).  The concern is that almost all colleges and universities charge faculty and staff for parking and at this point the University does not charge a faculty or staff member for parking.  Such a facility would probably require a significant fee. 

 

Phil asked the Council for input on how communication from Security should be sent.  The Council stated that campus faxes, voicemail, website, and newsletters would be helpful.  Phil mentioned having an  "Ask Captain Baracade" article appear in a newsletter. 

 

Phil thanked the Council for inviting him to the Council meeting and for all their ideas, concerns, and suggestions. 

 

II. Approval of the September 10, 1998 Minutes 

 

Deb Fox made a motion to accept the September 10, 1998 minutes.  Melodie Wise seconded the motion.  A vote was taken, and all Council members present were in favor of the motion. 

 

Dan Brazo asked Pam Zarazee for a copy of the Drug and Alcohol Policy to be sent to all Council members. 

 

III.  Election Results from District #5, #18, and #21 

Deb Fox shared with the Council that there were no self-nominations from District #5 after the second notice was sent out.  District #5 will go unrepresented until the odd number districts have elections in January or February.   Deb stated that Wanda Lansford is the Council member from District #21 representing the North Dining Hall and was unable to attend today's meeting.  In addition, Deb welcomed Debra Clark, from District #18 who will be replacing Phyllis Campbell.  Dan Brazo, Chair officially welcomed Debra Clark to her first Council meeting. 

 

IV.  Review Council Priorities and Plan for Future Meetings 

Dan asked the Council members to prepare for an Open Forum discussion at the next regularly scheduled meeting to come up with Council priorities to be discussed at future meetings. 

 

V.  New Business 

Norma Mezykowski shared with the Council that the Women's Committee will be sponsoring another brown bag lunch at the end of October entitled,"Balancing Home and Career."  The sessions will be held Tuesday, October 27th at 11 am in the Montgomery Theatre in LaFortune Student Center.  The other sessions will be held, Thursday, October 29th at 2 pm to 3 pm and 10 pm to 11 pm in the Notre Dame Room of LaFortune Student Center and Friday, October 30thfrom Noon to 1 pm in the Notre Dame Room. 

 

Toby also shared with the Council that the Women's Committee is proud to be sponsoring on December 2nd from 7 pm to 9pm in the Hesburgh Lounge  an "Evening of Reflection" by Chandra Johnson, Assistant to the President and Assistant Director for Cross-Cultural Ministry in Campus Ministry. 

 

The Council discussed the idea of the Ad-Hoc Women's Committee becoming a full standing committee or remaining in its current status of ad-hoc.  Rich Nugent stated that he would like to see the Ad-Hoc Women's Committee continue with the good programs it has offered for female staff.  Dan Brazo, Chair asked the Council to table the final discussion of this issue until the November 12th regularly scheduled meeting.  The Council asked if the non-Council members could attend this meeting to listen to the 

discussion.  Also, Toby stated that it would also be a good idea to have Sarah Misener, Manager, Training & Development present who serves as the liaison for the Ad-Hoc Women's Committee.  The Council agreed. 

 

A Council member asked Rich Nugent about who enforces the dress code.  Rich stated that the dress code is at the discretion of the department leadership. 

 

A Council member asked Rich about the new pay advance policy.  Rich stated that the policy was sent out to officers, deans, chairs, department heads and supervisors on September 8, 1998.  The new policy will allow the payroll department to achieve their mission and not function as a bank.  Advances will still be done in the cases of extreme hardship situations and if an employee starts after a payroll deadline has been passed.  Rich stated that by having direct deposit this should help in those instances of  employees being on vacation when they receive a paycheck. 

 

Pam Zarazee reminded the Council that Open Enrollment is coming up in November and that they had mentioned having Rita Winsor come and do a presentation on the highlightes of Open Enrollment.  The Council agreed that they would like Rita to present on Open Enrollment. 

 

VI.  Set Agenda for the November 12, 1998 meeting 

 

I.   Approval of minutes from the October 8, 1998 meeting 

 

II.  Women's Committee Review 

 

III. Open Enrollment Presentation - Rita Winsor 

 

IV. Review Council Priorities and Plan for Future Meetings - Open Forum of 

all Council Members 

 

V.  Parking Committee Update - Debra Bennett 

 

VI. Set agenda for the December 10, 1998 meeting 

 

Gina DeLaruelle made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Emily Cassidy 

seconded this motion.  A vote was taken and all present Council members 

were in favor of the motion. 

  

 

Respectfully Submitted, 

Communications Committee