February 2006

 

1:00-3:00 p.m., Notre Dame Room, LaFortune                                                                                                                                    

 

Present:  Maureen Marnocha, Lorie Marsh, Penny McIntire, Jennifer Ihns, Christy Miller, Bobbi McMahon, Joy Schosker, John Mackowicz, Shannen Mears, Patricia Smith, Sharon Konopka, Frederick Sonneborn, Diana Singleton, Kathy Stopczynski, Kevin Jones, Peggy VanKirk, Linnie Caye, Kathy Troth, MaryEllen Fetherolf, George Young

Excused:  Michael Huffer, Paul Hendershott  

Unexcused:  None. 

Visitor: Denise Murphy, Tammy Freeman, both from Human Resources

HR Liaisons:  John Whelan, Jessica Lambourne

 

I. Call to Order

 

The meeting was called to order at 1:02 p.m. by Kathy Stopczynski.  All representatives, new and continuing, introduced themselves.

 

II. Approval of the January 12, 2006 Council Minutes

 

The minutes were approved with two amendments – moving of MaryEllen Fetherolf from “unexcused” to “excused,” and correcting a misspelled word. Motion to approve by Bobbi McMahon; seconded by Linnie Caye.

 

III. Elections

 

Thank you to the Elections Committee for a job well done.  Some previously unfilled districts now have representatives.  Elections for Executive Officers will be held at next month’s meeting.

 

IV. Committee Reviews

 

Information was presented regarding the different committees.  Next month, SAC members will be able to volunteer to serve on committees where there are openings.

 

Parking Appeals Committee

Lisa Buckland was the SAC member serving on this committee and has been asked to stay on until the end of the term, which will be in August.  She is no longer a member of SAC, but will report back with any pertinent information.  There is nothing to report this month.

 

Benefits Committee

Jennifer Ihns serves on this committee.  It is not a SAC committee, but rather a university-wide committee that a SAC member serves on.  Jennifer gave a quick update as to who serves on the committee but had no information to share.

 

Elections Committee

New members will be needed for this committee.  

 

Redistricting Committee

A committee will be formed to work on updating the districts.  The committee will work on coming up with an easier system.

 

Promotions Committee & Web Page 

The brochure was a big accomplishment for this committee.  Members will be needed for these two committees.

 

V. New Members Orientation

 

All members in attendance were given a hard copy of the by-laws

 

All members in attendance were given a year-end report prepared by the Executive Officers.  Kathy Stopczynski read through the report.  The report was reviewed at this meeting, and will be up for approval at the next meeting.  Committee members should review the document and bring any additions or changes to the meeting on Thursday, March 9.

 

All members in attendance were given a ballot that will be used to elect Executive Officers at the next meeting.  In order to be an officer, members must have served on SAC for at least one year.

 

VI. Special Presentation:  2006 Vacation Program

 

Tammy Freeman gave a presentation on the 2006 Vacation Program and the changes that will be made to how vacation time is accrued.  The changes do not impact how much is earned, but how it is earned.  Denise Murphy also attended to help answer questions.  A copy of the letter that will go out to campus next week was distributed and discussed.  Also, a PowerPoint presentation was handed out and reviewed. 

 

VII. Additional Business

 

At the next meeting, Kathy will ask for a volunteer to serve on the Women’s Committee.

Sharon Konopka shared a draft of a letter to go to President Jenkins, John Affleck-Graves, and Bob McQuade regarding the Awards of Excellence program.  A motion to submit was made by Christy Miller; seconded by Diana Singleton.  The letter will be mailed this week.   

All members will need new listservs.  Jessica Lambourne will distribute them next week.  

Jennifer Ihns explained the Benefits Committee and its purpose. 

Brochures need to be mailed to members of the districts that were not up for election.  Jessica Lambourne will get the mailing labels to Christy Miller next week.

Doug Marsh, University Architect, is scheduled to present at the next meeting.  He will be presenting information regarding the upcoming road closures and changes to roads around campus.  He is scheduled for one hour, so there should be plenty of time for questions.

Tuition benefits for employees’ children who attend Holy Cross were discussed.  The benefit is the same as for other schools outside of Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s; after the employee has 10 years of service the benefit for the child is 30% of Notre Dame’s tuition.  Holy Cross is not currently under the agreement with Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s.

Some employees are upset about the $15 they were charged to be told that they would not be getting ND bowl game tickets.  A letter will be drafted to go to the Athletic Department from SAC.  This item will be included on the April agenda for further discussion.

There is some concern that an employee’s Social Security Number is required to be included on the Absence Report sent to HR.  John Whelan explained that there is a big push on campus to remove Social Security Numbers from everything that we can.  

Current SAC Executive Officers will run the meeting next month.  The new Executive Officers will take over in April 

A question was raised about unexcused absences from SAC meetings.  The By-Laws state “Council members missing more that two (2) consecutive meetings with a non-legitimate excuse, as deemed by the Executive Officers and two-thirds vote of the Council, could be removed from the Council.”

The question was raised as to why, in this age of computers, W-4 Forms did not come out until January 31st.

Another question was raised about health insurance costs going up in January and raises not happening until July.

Many companies are having a similar issue where raises aren’t enough to cover increasing health care costs.  

Which schools are included in comparisons for salary and benefits purposes?  

V. Adjournment

 

With no further topics to discuss, Diana Singleton made a motion to adjourn; seconded by Penny McIntire.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Human Resources 

 

 

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