MINUTES

Marshall University Classified Staff Council

Meeting of November 20, 2003, held in Smith Hall 263

MEMBERS PRESENT: Nina Barrett, Teresa Bolt, Angela Bradshaw (Sect.), Bernice Bullock (Vice Chair), Jill Burcham, Muhammad Chaudhry, Mike Dunn (Chair), Woody Edmonds, Ronnie Hicks, Carol Hurula, Adrian Lawson, Leonard Lovely, Kelli Mayes, Sherri Noble, Terry Olson, Jody Perry, Lu Ann South, Patsy Stephenson, Joe Wortham, Yanzhi Wu

UNEXCUSED ABSENCES: Tom Dorsey, Connie Zirkle

EXCUSED ABSENCES: Jack Blake, Charles Harless, Charlene Hawkins, Stephanie Neal, Feon Smith

GUESTS: Jim Stephens, Director – Human Resources, Dan Angel – President, Herb Karlet – Sr. VP Finance

Meeting called to order by Chairman Mike Dunn at 1:05 p.m.

Minutes from prior meeting distributed, Chairman Mike Dunn requested corrections to minutes. Minor corrections requested.

Motion to accept the October 16, 2003 Minutes with corrections made by Mr. Leonard Lovely, seconded by Ms. Bernice Bullock. Motion carried. Minutes approved.

Ms. Bernice Bullock moved to amend the agenda to allow additional time for Dr. Angel’s arrival. Mr. Leonard Lovely seconds. Motion carried. Dr. Angel’s presentation to be moved to #4 on the agenda.

GUEST SPEAKER: Mr. Jim Stephens, Director – Human Resources

- Reports on the issuance of new insurance cards and also advises of customer service phone number if card is not received (1-877-256-4680).

- Reports on cost of temporary service workers. Estimated $650,000/annually.

- Reports on Long Term Disability Insurance. Distributes Summary of Statistics on Participants. Possibly to look at age based premium. Currently talking to some LTD carriers but not at a point to request a RFP.

- Reports on the status of “sistering”. Still in pursuit of ~ issues regarding policy changes and uniqueness due to institutions operating on different fiscal years.

- Reports on the idea of Wellness/Fitness Initiatives (collaboration between HR staff and staff council ~ early talks).

- Reports on consortium. Nothing is happening yet, most likely because no deadline has been set.

- Revisits the policy of Reduction in Force and discusses payment of AEI when employment ceases.

GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Dan Angel, President – Marshall University

- Reports on anticipated $2.6M cut and the impact of such cut to Marshall University and its’ components. Advises that letter was written to request exemption from reduction (distributed to council).

- Advised on highest priority ~ to contact the Governors Office to request exemption.

- Advised that he shared Revenue proposals with the Governor but has yet to know status of such proposals.

- Advised that council should be concerned with the remaining budget of this year and of next year.

- In response to Lu Ann South’s question ~ advised that forced retirement may be a possibility.

- In response to Bernice Bullock’s question ~ advised that the Federal Education Act even though up for renewal this year will probably remain in hiatus until next year.

- Revisits comments made during September council meeting regarding the political process that is involved when discussing the closing of institutions.

- Reports on the Promise Scholarships (SWOT).

Ms. LuAnn South moves to go into Executive Session. Mr. Leonard Lovely seconds. Council moves to Executive Session.

Mr. Leonard Lovely moves to close Executive Session; Ms. LuAnn South seconds. Regular session resumes.

FACULTY SENATE COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Athletic Committee: Mr. Adrian Lawson

- Advises that committee will convene at 3:00p.m.

Budget/Academic Policy: Ms. Carol Hurula

- Advises committee convened on October 23, 2003.

- Advised committee discussed T-Course/E-Course policy; approved with amendments.

- Advised there was discussion on grade appeals process. Students had right to legal counsel at grade appeal.

- Advised that Mr. David Mills asked to step down as grade appeals coordinator.

Legislative Affairs: Ms. Jill Burcham

- Advised committee had discussions regarding TIAA-CREF.

- Advised that Rainey Duke is now President of Legislative Affairs Committee.

Physical Facilities and Planning: Mr. Terry Olson

- Advised that committee convened but was unable to attend.

Student Conduct and Welfare: Ms. Connie Zirkle (Council member not present to provide report.)

University Functions: Ms. Charlene Hawkins (Council member not present to provide report.)

ADHOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

Working Mission Statement: Ms. Patsy Stephenson

- Advises that committee convened at 8:00a.m.

- Advised that committee had unanimous agreement on verbage and wordage.

- Advised that a final draft should be available for approval the week after Thanksgiving.

RIF (Reduction In Force) Policy: Ms. Nina Barrett

- Draft of policy is distributed. Revisions reviewed for final approval.

- Changes regarding placement of content and verbage requested. Council agrees to make changes.

- Ms. Patsy Stephenson moves to accept RIF policy with changes. Mr. Muhammad Chaudry seconds. Motion carried -RIF Policy approved.

- Council agrees that Ms. LuAnn South will write cover letter to submit with approved draft.

Communication and Election: Ms. Kelli Mayes

- Reports on the electronic voting and paper ballot voting on the Staff Council’s By-Laws and Constitution.

- Reports that Wednesday, November 25^th voted as extra holiday. University will be closed.

- Reports on the status of the Classified Staff Council website.

ACCE REPORT: Ms. Stephanie Neal - (Council member not present to provide report; however, Ms. Neal provided brief summary to Chair Mike Dunn who reported to council.)

- Reported that ACCE worked on their Legislative Agenda.

- Reported that Mezzatesta Admendment finalized. (Removing Seniority Language from 2224)

- Reported that an amendment was finished regarding Series 8 - putting it back into Legislative control.

- Reported Margaret Butterick gave lengthy presentation regarding Evaluation/Performance Audits – How they worked.

- Reported that the committee is working on Legislative brochures.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS REPORT: Ms. Sherri Noble

- Reported that Board held an emergency meeting on October 24^th regarding an approval on the Conference USA invitation.

- Reported that Board met on November 12^th for their regular meeting. Minutes approved and upcoming events distributed.

- Advised on President’s Report – No PEIA increase upcoming fiscal year, anticipating mid-year and next fiscal year budget cuts.

- Advised Vickie Riley reported that she received official notification that CTC received full accreditation status.

- Advised that Board approved the audited financials performed by Deloitte and Touche, LLC.

- Advised on the approval of teaching certifications.

- Advised on the approval of adjunct faculty.

- Advised that Dr. Denman, Dr. Tarter and Craig Grooms provided presentation to Board regarding enrollment.

- Advised that Board gave President approval to rename the stadium.

- Advised that the Presidential Evaluation Committee had hopes to provide draft to be distributed at November 12^th meeting but was unable to do so. Advised that more than likely a general notification would be given. Advised committee had no deadline.

NEW BUSINESS:

- Ms. Bernice Bullock moves that staff council write letter to Governor and our constituents regarding impending budget cuts. Mr. Leonard Lovely seconds. Motion carries.

INFORMATION FROM CHAIR:

- Advised that University received additional holiday, January 2^nd.

- Advised that Dr. Ed Grose would be retiring March 1, 2004.

- Advised that Mark Rhodes would be leaving and taking a new job in Texas.

- Advised on Blood Drive to be held on campus.

- Advised that PIQ CD now available in staff council office.

- Discussion regarding donations for two children from the Salvation Army Angel Tree. Council agreed to make donations for two children for Christmas.

With no further business, meeting adjourns at 3:15p.m.

Minutes prepared by: __________________________________

Angela D. Bradshaw, Secretary

Minutes reviewed by: __________________________________

Dan Angel, President