April 2001

 

Notre Dame Room, LaFortune Student Center 

 

 

Present: Kimberly Ault, Deb Bennett, Deb Fox, Tricia Ford, Norma Frost, Rita Grontkowski, Pam Jobin, Fred Kraus, Wanda Lansford, Stephanie Maenhout, Dee Milzarek, Nancy Mitchell, Maria Pozzi, Samantha Qualls, Valerie Schroeder, Fred Sonneborn, Kathy Stopczynski, Leona Strickland, Cyndi Sykes, Holly Webb, and Melodie Wise. 

 

Absent: Dona Coggins, Kay Herrity, Rick Kane, Bobbie McMahon, Jane Nielson, Lou Parks, Marv Pruett, and John Saylor. 

 

HR Liaisons: Sarah Misener and Pam Zarazee. 

 

Guests: Chris Carlin, Director, Administrative Services 

 

              Phillip Johnson, Assistant Director, Security/Police 

 

Melodie Wise, Chair called the meeting to order at 1:04 p.m.

Melodie welcomed all the new members to the Council. Melodie explained to the Council that the book of Roberts Rules of Order is utilized to conduct meetings. She also emphasized that the Council is a communication vehicle not a policy making body. 

 

Melodie Wise shared with the Council that Lou Parks has resigned from the Council. The district does have an alternate so a special election will not be necessary. Pam Zarazee will contact the alternate. 

 

I. Approval of the Thursday, March 8, 2001 Council Minutes 

 

Deb Bennett made a motion to accept the Thursday, March 8, 2001 minutes. Wanda Lansford seconded this motion. A vote was taken and all present Council members were in favor of this motion. 

 

II. Committee Reports 

 

- Elections Committee 

 

Deb Fox introduced and welcomed the new members. The new members include John Saylor, District #1; Stephanie Maenhout, District #9; Kimberly Ault, District #11; Rick Kane, District #13; Dee Milzarek, District #15; Jane Nielson, District #19; Fred Kraus, District #22; Holly Webb, District #23; and Tricia Ford, District #27. Deb shared with the Council the process of the elections committee. 

 

The following Council members volunteered to serve on the elections committee Wanda Lansford, Dee Milzarek, and Deb Fox. 

 

- Executive Committee 

 

 

Melodie Wise read the responsibilities of each position to the Council. Rita Grontkowski nominated Melodie Wise for the position of Chair. Norma Frost seconded this motion. A vote was taken and all Council members were in favor of this motion. 

 

Leona Strickland nominated Deb Fox for the position of Vice Chair. Rita Grontkowski seconded this motion. A vote was taken and all Council members were in favor of this motion. 

 

Leona Strickland nominated Cyndi Sykes for the position of Secretary/Treasurer. Deb Fox seconded this motion. A vote was taken and all present Council was in favor of this motion. 

 

- Promotion Committee 

 

Nothing to report at this time. 

 

The following Council members volunteered to serve on this committee Kimberly Ault, Tricia Ford, and Fred Kraus. 

 

- Parking Committee 

 

Nothing to report at this time. 

 

- Parking Appeals Committee 

 

Nothing to report at this time. 

 

- Ad-Hoc Committee on Women's Issues 

 

Rita Grontkowski shared that Teresa Ghilarducci, Associate Professor, Economics will speak on May 24th at the Joyce Center during the lunch hour. A mailing will be sent out on this luncheon in the next few weeks. Rita added that on June 16th the ad-hoc committee on women's issues will host a retreat. The person leading the retreat will be Chandra Johnson, Assistant to the President, with a suggested topic called "What Do Women Think About." 

 

Rita also reported that this committee will hold elections at their next meeting. 

 

Melodie asked for volunteers to serve on this committee. The following Council members volunteered to serve on this committee Melodie Wise, Rita Grontkowski, Norma Frost, Holly Webb, and Stephanie Maenhout. 

 

- Ad-Hoc Committee on Drug Testing 

 

Sarah Misener shared with the Council that Jill Bodensteiner, Assistant Vice President and Counsel has been appointed as the new Chair of this committee by the University. Deb Bennett gave an overview of the purpose of this committee to the Council. 

 

- Ad-Hoc Redistricting Committee 

 

Melodie Wise shared with the Council the purpose of this committee. The following Council members volunteered to serve on this committee Kathy Stopczynski, Deb Bennett, Deb Fox, Melodie Wise, Leona Strickland, and Maria Pozzi. 

 

- Web Page Update 

 

Samantha Qualls shared with the Council that the web page is currently up to date. 

 

- StaffNews Article 

 

Melodie Wise asked the Council if anyone would like to volunteer to write this each month. Kathy Stopczynski volunteered to write the monthly articles. 

 

Melodie asked the committee to read the by-laws to see if they want to recommend any changes. Melodie will create an ad-hoc committee for the by-laws at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 

 

III. Miscellaneous discussion 

 

Pam Zarazee will schedule a photographer to take a picture of the Council at the next regularly scheduled meeting. 

 

Sarah Misener shared with the Council that the University has researched the various recognition programs offered by the University. Sarah stated that based on employee feedback over the years, the following changes will be made this year: 

 

The Staff Recognition Dinner will be held in May as it has in the past. The difference will be a reception prior to the dinner held in the Main Building rotunda hosted by the Officers of the University honoring the following: 40-Year Club Members, Retiring Employees with 15 years or more of service and Honorees with 25 years or more of service, and the guests of these various honorees. In addition, the Presidential Awards will not be given out at this event. (In the future, the Staff Recognition Program may be revised to recognize employees with 25 years or more of service. If this change is made the University may also implement some form of service gift recognition program and/or departmental recognition for less than 25 years of service. In addition, exempt employees will not be invited to attend this event, unless they directly supervise one of the honorees.) 

 

In replacement of the Staff Picnic held in June, the University will have a President's Awards Luncheon for all regular full-time and part-time exempt and nonexempt staff of the University on Monday, August 20, 2001 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm in the Field House, Joyce Center. The University will basically close for these two hours except for those areas where there is a University necessity to remain open. (Food Services is working to make sure as many employees as possible are able to participate in this lunch.) 

 

This will allow the above invitees the opportunity to have an enjoyable lunch and celebrate with Presidential Award recipients as they receive their awards. 

 

Sarah Misener indicated that the intent is to try these changed events beginning this summer and at the conclusion of the August 20th luncheon, survey employees on their thoughts and reactions. 

 

IV. Parking and Shuttle Discussion 

 

Sarah Misener introduced Phillip Johnson, Assistant Director, Security to the Council to give an update on parking. Phil gave an overview of the two parking committees Security is responsible for conducting. They are the Ad-Hoc Parking Committee and the Appeal Committee. Each of these committees has representation by the Council. Phil stated that the University registers nearly 15,000 vehicles per year. In addition, the University currently has about 10,000 parking spaces on campus. Phil ended his presentation by fielding questions from the Council. He also explained to the Council that they could email him at Johnson.30 with any other questions or comments. Phil thanked the Council for inviting him and for their time. 

 

Sarah Misener introduced Chris Carlin, Director, Administrative Services to the Council. Chris shared with the Council that the University does provide a shuttle service for students and staff. 

 

Chris explained the history of the shuttle service to the Council. He stated that the shuttle began in the late 1980's early 1990's. The shuttle need continued to increase so an auxillary budget was allocated to Chris' area for the shuttle. Chris estimated the current cost to operate the shuttle on a weekly basis to the Council. The amount estimated was between $1,200 to $1,500 per week. This includes operation for approximately seven hours a day on campus and equipment overhead. The biggest two issues with an expanded shuttle service is that it could take about 20 minutes for some people to reach their building if the shuttle made a full circle of campus, when someone could walk it in less than seven minutes and the cost factor. Chris fielded questions from the Council, and stated that any further questions or comments regarding the shuttle can be directed to him via email at Carlin.1. He thanked the Council for their time. 

 

The Council had a thorough discussion regarding the shuttle service across campus. The Council will continue this discussion at the next meeting. 

 

V. Set the agenda for the May 10, 2001 meeting 

 

I. Photo of the Council 

 

II. Approval of the Thursday, April 12, 2001 Council meeting 

 

III. Committee Reports 

 

-Election Committee 

 

-Executive Committee 

 

-Promotion Committee 

 

-Parking Committee 

 

-Parking Appeals Committee 

 

-Ad-Hoc Committee on Women's Issues 

 

-Ad-Hoc Committee on Drug Testing 

 

-Ad-Hoc Committee on Redistricting 

 

-Web Page Update 

 

-StaffNews Article 

 

IV. Athletics Discussion 

 

V. Shuttle Discussion 

 

VI. Guidebook Discussion 

 

VII. Miscellaneous Discussion 

 

VIII. Set the agenda for the June 14, 2001 Council meeting. 

 

Deb Bennett made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 3:00 p.m. Pam Jobin seconded this motion. A vote was taken and all present Council members were in favor of this motion. 

 

Sincerely, 

 

Promotion Committee