The meeting was called to order by President Nina Barrett at 1:05 p.m.

Minutes of the August meeting were discussed. Motion was made by Parliamentarian Jill Chapman, seconded by Douglas Franklin, that we accept these minutes. Council agreed.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Barrett requested that those who can please go to hear Senator Lloyd Jackson, author of Senate Bill 653.

In the month of November our regular Classified Staff Council meeting will be at the Graduate School in South Charleston. Two vans will be provided and President Barrett will drive her car. Drivers are Jill Chapman and Joe Wortham. Our guest speaker for this meeting will be Margaret Buttrick and Bruce Walker. President Barrett mentioned that this is an extraordinary chance to find out how SB653 is affecting Mercer, JEC and all the other issues that affect us. President Barrett will take care of the release time that will be needed.

Mr. Stephens thanked Council for the opportunity to visit for a few minutes. He hopes that we feel the relationship between classified staff and the HR service is improving. He stated they were trying to be very diligent about being responsive, friendly, courteous and taking good care of confidential information. He has not heard any feedback in the last month. He desired to bring three items of information.

First, he followed up on mandatory safety training and finally got an opportunity to speak to a former OSHA inspector who is now a consultant. If we use equipment covered under OSHA regulations, training is required in the use of the equipment. He stated a workshop is scheduled October 18 for evening shift employees on chemical safety and personal protective equipment. Kirk Gillenwater of Engines Incorporated will be the presenter.

Second, Mr. Stephens is very pleased to report a procedure on the HR Services’ web site that describes exactly what we will do with regard to the time-line of classification reviews. He distributed handouts. He reported that they are in compliance on requirements of SR62 with regard to classification reviews. "Policy 62 states that within 30 days from the date of the request for review of a job, the department of human resources shall report to the requestor, in writing, whether the reclassification has been denied or approved." Mr. Stephens continued to explain the procedures.

Third, he believes that HR will have a substantial opportunity to do a better job for Classified Staff in the area of informing employees about their benefits. They are going to develop an addition to the HR web site tentatively called a "Benefits Mall." Mr. Stephens handed out illustrations. The way this would work is that you would be able to choose the different benefits from the menu and look to see what is offered, change your enrollment, and what the employer has to pay as well as employee. They will have links to external sites that would have more information about that benefit. Then they will have a set of what will be called "Frequently Asked Questions". He understands that not everyone will have access to a personal computer, but they plan to have a dedicated computer in the HR office where anyone can come in, browse this material at his/her convenience and if desired, secure a printout of the information. He would like for people to be more knowledgeable about their benefits for two reasons: 1) Get the full value and knowledge of their benefits so they can make the best choices in terms of coverage and investment. Mr. Stephens will return next month with a more boarder base revision to the benefits chapter in the classified staff handbook. Question was asked when he expected the Benefits Mall Web Site to be up and running. He said they will be working on it in October. Question was raised in regard to mandatory safety training for supervisors. Mr. Stephens answered that they did have an obligation for everyone using OSHA regulated equipment to get trained. He continued to discuss this issue.

GRADUATE SCHOOL: Martha reported that she was asked to co-chair a sub-committee on staff issues and concerns. She mentioned that there are two people from the Huntington campus and two people from the South Charleston campus that were asked to sit on this committee. This sub-committee is part of the 2010 Committee that did meet this past week. The areas they considered the most important of staff concerns are the salary schedule, PEIA and staff development issues. It was left open for further discussion. Martha mentioned that one of the things Jim Stephens has done for the South Charleston campus (since they did not have a HR office and this was one of their biggest concerns) is he has set up a regular monthly meeting for the Graduate School in order to answer any questions or concerns the employees may have in regard to PIQs, benefits, PEIA, etc.

ACADEMIC CALENDAR: Jill Burcham reported on the academic calendar. They are working on the academic calendar for 2001-2002 year. They have developed three rough drafts. If we are given an extra day for the 2000-2001 calendar year only, the day before Thanksgiving or a day may be added to the Christmas Holiday break can be on the ballot. However, if students are off on July 3^rd, then possibly that day could be on the ballot. Because Good Friday is considered a religious holiday, it cannot be used as our extra day. We could use our extra day for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving or July 3^rd. President Barrett reminded Council that the calendar is based on the academic year that runs from August 1 through July 31--not a calendar year. Christmas is a national holiday--a given day recognized by the Federal Government. However, the Federal Government does not recognize Good Friday as a holiday. President Barrett explained the rules for the ballot when the Governor gives us an extra day. The rule is that classes must not be session on any of the days we put on the ballot. We cannot close school when classes are in session. It was also mentioned that we couldn't vote to use the extra day in January because of registration. Jill will report back to Council next month.

President Barrett said that this leads into the constitution, as one of the reasons we need to make a change is because of the way Christmas falls. President Barrett turned the floor over to Jill Chapman.

CONSTITUTION:

The proposed change is in Article VI under Constitution. Ms. Chapman mentioned that there is no flexibility in our meeting times. And the purpose of this change is to allow this flexibility also the opportunity to combine the July and August meetings. The August meeting is poorly attended because so many offices are so busy with student needs. Ms. Chapman read Article VI, Section I (meeting of Council), Article II, Section 4 (Officers), as it is written in the constitution as well as the proposed changes to Council.

The By-laws must be in compliance with the Constitution. There are many proposed changes in the By-laws since this Constitution was last looked at when we had the Classified Reporter (a newspaper). Everything was printed in the Classified Reporter. She read the By-laws as written as well as the proposed changes to Council under Article II, Section 4, Article III, Section 6-B, Article III, Section 7 and Article V, Section 1.

DISCUSSION/COMMENTS:

Janis Winkfield commented on Article II, Section 4 (Officer). Her concern is that there would be no time limit on the officers' seats and they could stay on the Executive Committee forever. The main reason for this proposed change is because the Charleston campus has had so many problems getting people to run for a seat. Janis feels that this is not a good idea because one can run constantly and then there would not be any new ideas or opinions.

After a considerable debate it was decided to table this until a later date.

 Douglas Franklin made a motion to accept all Articles except Article II, Section 4 (Officers) that Martha Pierson seconded and the motion carried.

LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS:

Jill Chapman reported that Ken Reffeit has been meeting with Faculty Senate. Faculty Senate has voted to support our need for an updated salary schedule that reflects a cost of living adjustment. Charles Harless mentioned that we needed to state in the resolution that the salary schedule be funded and not just have a salary schedule. Ken has proposed a resolution. A motion was made by President Barrett to accept the concept, the need for it to be in code (SB653) with funding language.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE:

David Cremeans reported that they have not met but three major issues have come up and he has worked with Mr. Jim Stephens on these issues. Also, a couple of recommendations have come up. One of the big ones is OSHA training. Mr. Stephens has been a big help.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT – Janis Winkfield reported that her committee has not met but when they do meet, their main topic of discussion will be tuition waivers. She discussed one problem with a person who went on medical leave and had a tuition waiver. She continued to discuss this issue in more detail.

FINANCIAL AFFAIRS:

David Blackburn reported that Faculty Senate notified him of his appointment. No meeting has been held.

SERVICE COMMITTEE:

President Barrett reported that one get well card, one sympathy basket and 2 sympathy cards were sent during the month of September. There have been three inquiries about the key card. President Barrett said that we needed to get the key card updated because some of the vendors on the card are out of business. Sam's will not give a discount other than what they offer. Council will check into this.

NEW BUSINESS: President Barrett requested that as many as possible go and hear Senator Lloyd Jackson speak on Senate Bill 653. He is the author of the bill and the best person available to explain it.

As previous stated in November we will go to the Graduate School to have our regular monthly Staff Council Meeting.