THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSE AT CHATTANOOGA

Exempt Staff Council Meeting

January 18, 2005

Fortwood Room, University Center

 

Members Attending: Nancy Amberson, Becky Bell, Jim Bowman, Jean Dake, Shirl Gholston, Jan Gould, Ellen Neufeldt, Charles Scott, Janet Spraker, Cynthia Wallace.

 

Others in attendance: Dan Webb, Director, Office of Human Resources; Melanie Sadler, Administrative Secretary, Office of Human Resources.

 

Call to Order: Ms. Dake called the meeting to order.

 

Minutes: Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2004 meeting.

                  Motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the December 14, 2004 meeting.

 

Executive Council Update

 

Dr. Obear attended the President’s staff meeting in December; items discussed included the revitalization of the UT Space Institute, THEC Master Plan, and funding of higher education. The UT Board of Trustees will meet at UTC on March 2 and 3.

 

Staff are encouraged to receive 24 hours of training a year as part of the system’s initiative for employee professional development. When asked if funding is available, Mr. Webb responded that some funds are available through the Career Development Fund (for non-exempt employees). Fee waivers may be used for classes with credit hours but cannot be used for courses offered through Continuing Education. Mr. Webb should receive more information on the initiative after attending the Human Resources Officers’ meeting next week. (He has since learned that employees will be encouraged to receive 32 hours of training a year.)

 

Dr. Petersen is considering a system-wide recognition program although each campus has its own recognition program, such as UTC’s Blue Ribbon Award and UT’s Send Roses Award. Mr. Webb added that Service Awards will continue. Another initiative of Dr. Petersen’s is pay for performance and how to systematically reward employees has yet to be determined.

 

Discussion of Professional Development

 

Monies for professional development have been included in the proposed budget for Academic Affairs. The ESC will recommend that money be set aside, in the 2005-06 budget, as a priority for professional development for exempt staff. No specific dollar amount will be requested. The ESC will also request monies to address compensation issues. Mr. Webb said he has been asked by Mr. Brown to gather data to bring exempt staff to 100% market value over a 3 -5 year period.

 

When asked if training would apply to grant funded programs, Mr. Webb responded that typically grants pay for training, insurance, equity increases and across-the-board increases. Ms. Wallace stated that 87% of the EOC’s (Educational Opportunity Center) last year was spent on pay and benefits and 13% on operating expenses.

 

Several members spoke of how they enjoyed participating in Modelnetics and inquired if the program would be offered again. Mr. Webb stated that it would be ideal to have a campus trainer if funds could be secured.  

 

Mission Statement Review

 

The Mission Statement Task Force will convene several times this month and charged the ESC with reviewing the Statement. Members said the statement should be clear to interpret in order to give others a better picture of who UTC is. The ESC will not recommend the Mission Statement at this time but request definitions of:

§         “…land-grant …”

 

§         “…national model…”

§         “…metropolitan university…”

 

Guiding Principles:

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga interprets the land-grant spirit of service for the 21st century through people, partnerships, and performance:

 

The ESC asks for definition of “land-grant spirit of service” by footnote or reference or leave out entirely because UTC was not established by a land-grant.

 

Partnerships:

§         We embrace active and collaborative learning through partnerships among students, faculty, staff, (add) alumni, and the community.

§         We encourage frequent, respectful, and collegial interaction among students, faculty, staff, (add) alumni, and the community.

 

UT Leadership Institute

 

Ms Neufeldt will be an instructor at the UT Leadership Institute in February. The institute is held every other year in Knoxville and is funded by the system. This year’s UTC participants are Yancy Freeman, Gail Meyer, Karen Adsit, Nancy Noblit and Monty Wilson.

 

Employee Relations Board Meeting

 

The Employee Relations Board was scheduled to meet December 22 in Memphis but was cancelled due to inclement weather. The meeting has not been rescheduled. This will be the first time that representatives from the exempt and non-exempt staff will meet with Dr. Petersen.

 

Greenway Project

Ms Spraker announced that a greenway pedestrian walk will extend from MLK Boulevard to East 3rd Street along the abandoned railway. The route will run from the SimCenter and Brown Academy, to SECA, between Lockmiller I and II apartments, Fine Arts Building and EMCS Building, to the Challenger Center, ending at 3rd Street.

The greenway is funded by TDOT and the city and county may eventually connect the greenway to the Riverwalk and possibly extend from MLK Boulevard to Finley Stadium. UTC will maintain the path and provide security on the greenway located on the campus.

Campus Projects

North Stadium demolition will begin Spring Break week with abatement to begin January 31. Chamberlain Field will offer space for intramurals, soccer practice field, or greenspace. Alumni will rebuild South Stadium with a two-story structure if funds can be secured. Construction on the Fitness Center will begin in one year; it will house a weight room and climbing wall. Future expansion could include a swimming pool. Fraternity housing on Collins Street will begin this summer and will face the greenway.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned.  

 

Next meeting is February 15, 2005 in the Fortwood Room, University Center.  

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Melanie Sadler

Administrative Secretary

Office of Human Resources