July 1998

 

LaFortune Student Center - Notre Dame Room

 

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

 

 

Present: Debbie Bennett, Amy Belke, Jan Blazi, Rachel Boyd, Dan Brazo, Phyllis Campbell, Emily Cassidy, Tammy Chapman, Victoria Cotton, Gina DeLaruelle, Deb Fox, Toby Green, Rita Grontkowski, Linda Hansen, Mary Anne Hoebeke, Jeff Korros, Mike Manijak, Norma Mezykowski, Don Newsom, Sue Penrod, Michael Purnell, and Diane Schlatterbeck.

 

Absent: Rhonda Barkley, Janet Dillon, Pam Jobin, Chuck Klein, Doris Smuda, Fred Sonneborn, and Deanna Zukowski.

 

HR Liaisons: Pam Zarazee and Lori Morgan.

 

Dan Brazo, Chair called the Council meeting to order at 1:03 p.m.

 

I Approval of the June 11, 1998 Minutes 

Jeff Korros made a motion to accept the June 11, 1998 minutes. Gina DeLaruelle seconded the motion. A vote was taken and all Council members present were in favor of the motion

 

Photograph of the Staff Advisory Council 

Linda Dunn, Photographer took a photograph of the Council.

 

Election Results from District #3 

Deb Fox announced that Joshua White, Communication & Theater was the only self-nomination for District #3. Joshua White will replace Scott Uekert, who accepted a position outside of the University. Joshua White will be seated at the August 13, 1998 Council meeting.

 

IV Discussion of the Promotion/Transfer and Resume Feedback from Council Members

 

The Council shared the feedback they received from their districts regarding the need to provide training on how to fill out a promotion/transfer form and resume writing. The Council agreed that there seems to be a need for some kind of training on the promotion/transfer process and resume writing. Pam explained that the Council at the June 11, 1998 meeting, invited Doug Hemphill and a representative of the Training & Development group to attend the August 13, 1998 meeting to hear the specific areas for a training program. The Council agreed to go back to their districts to solicit input on what type of training is necessary, for example, how to properly complete the promotion/transfer form, how to write a resume, etc... and bring this information back to the August 13, 1998 meeting.

 

 

Pam explained that the Training & Development group has tentatively scheduled the fall 1998 and spring 1999 training programs. Pam stated that the calendar is not being distributed at this point due to the development of a Training Catalog. The Department of Human Resources is currently having a Training Catalog printed that will include a detailed description of the training and development programs offered by Human Resources. The Training Catalog will be given to all regular full-time and part-time staff in September. Pam shared with the Council that after the meeting any Council member could review the tentative training calendar.

 

 

Old Business 

Diane Schlatterbeck from the Student Health Center shared a letter from a staff member of her district addressed to the Council regarding shift differential. Other Council members expressed a need to revisit the issue of shift differential. The Council asked Pam to invite Rich Nugent and Rita Winsor, to the August 13, 1998 meeting to update the Council on shift differential.

 

 

Another Council member discussed the possibility of having supervisor evaluations by staff. Dan stated that this discussion came up in the grievance procedure discussion. Pam added that at the current time the focus is to get performance reviews completed by supervisors. Human Resources is interested in the idea of having supervisor evaluations at some future point, but the current focus is on getting an evaluation on each employee at the University.

 

Another issue discussed at the Council meeting was hire date versus anniversary date for benefits. Rachel Boyd read from past minutes that Rita Winsor stated the University is interested in changing the employee's benefit eligibilities date from July 1 of every year to the anniversary of the employee's hire date, however, it may take many years to implement.

 

Rita Grontkowski noted to the Council that she will contact the selected alternates for the Ad- Hoc Committee on Women's Issues and explain to them that they are alternates and will be called upon if needed. 

 

VI New Business 

The issue of overtime pay during a holiday was briefly discussed. Pam indicated that in order to receive overtime in a holiday week the employee must physically work over forty hours. The Council member mentioned the "Garcia" case or law and Pam stated she would look into it for the Council member.

 

A Council member brought up the issue of having paid maternity leaves for non-exempt employees. Pam explained to the Council that the University does not have a "Maternity Leave" policy, but does however use the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for the birth or adoption of a child. Pam briefly explained the FMLA policy to the Council. In addition, the Council explained that Rita Winsor had explained the FMLA to the Council during the January 1998 meeting. 

 

VII Set the agenda for the August 13, 1998 meeting 

I. Approval of the minutes from the July 9, 1998 meeting

 

II. Promotion/Transfer Feedback from Districts

 

III. Benefits Fair Booth Planning

 

IV. Shift Differential

 

V. New Business

 

VI. Set the agenda for the September 10, 1998 meeting

 

Dan thanked the Council for coming and told the Council he was pleased with the turnout.

 

Deb Fox made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Gina DeLaruelle seconded this motion. A vote was taken and all present Council members were in favor of the motion.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Communications Committee