THE
Exempt Staff Council Meeting
Fortwood
Room,
Members attending: Nancy Amberson, Tonya Botts, Jim Bowman, Mark
Colbert,
Others in attendance:
Call to Order:
Ms. Dake called the meeting to order.
Minutes: Motion was made and seconded
to approve the minutes of the February
15, 2005 meeting.
Executive Council Update
The Executive Council has met twice since the last ESC meeting. The
Provost has requested an additional $270,800 for a projected enrollment increase
of 100-200 students in the fall. Ms Dake left the meeting early and did not
know if the request was approved. The monies would be used to provide additional
math and English classes.
The Chancellor received a memo from the Downtown Partnership regarding the
21st Century Waterfront Development grand opening, scheduled for
April 29. Employers were asked to grant employees an additional thirty minutes
for lunch in order to join the celebration. More information should be
forthcoming.
Employee Relations Advisory Board Meeting
Ms Dake attended the ERAB meeting in
President Petersen and senior-level administrators attended the meeting,
which has a pre-set agenda with members submitting items several weeks in
advance. Dr. Petersen left the meeting before
Ms Dake could present the ESC’s statement regarding merit pay; however, Ms Sylvia
Davis stated that “merit is not in the picture for 2005 and 2006” and that
administrators are working on a system-wide compensation plan to bring
employees to market value. She added that she was impressed with the Exempt
Staff Council’s compensation plan last year.
Agenda items discussed:
1.
What is
the HR Policy regarding temporary reclassification process? What is the status
of career ladder? There is no policy
governing temporary reclassification. Ms Dake reported that
2. Will the university make vision insurance
available? There are no plans at this time. Employees are encouraged to use
the flexible benefits plan to set aside pre-tax monies.
3. Does the university have separate funds set
aside to meet
4. Will the Sick Leave Bank allow use by
employees who are primary caregivers? Can sick leave be transferred between
employees for use by an employee who is a primary caregiver? Policies governing the Sick Leave Bank is
based on a TN statute. Mr. Webb stated
that eighty hours is required from an employee who wishes to make a donation to
another employee, who must be a member of the Sick Leave Bank.
5. Can additional incentives for good health be
provided to employees such as discounts on group insurance premiums and/or
campus challenges to weight loss? The state sets the rates for health
insurance and is unlikely that reduced rates would be granted. Employees are
encouraged to join the “
6.
What is
the status of the Employee Relations Plan? In September, another
satisfaction survey will be distributed system-wide with the same core
questions but a different component will be assessed. The first survey viewed
satisfaction with university benefits. Mr. Webb stated he would ask what the
target of the survey would be this year. A yearly benefits statement will be distributed
again.
Ms Dake said she felt that Dr. Petersen was interested in fairness and
consistency and is willing to listen to the opinions of others. The ERAB will
meet again in June and members may send agenda topics to Ms Dake.
Training Advisory Group
Employees, exempt and non-exempt, are encouraged to receive 32 hours of
training per year although no monies have been provided from the system for
training.
Mr. Webb stated that training need not be paid training. The UTC Training
Advisory Group met recently to discuss using several training resources, such
as Computer Based Training (at no cost to UTC), supervisory and management training
provided by system trainers. Modelnetics will not be offered this year;
administrators are investigating offering it as a for fee course taught by a
faculty member.
Ms Sadler will check the list of TAG members to see if there is
representation from the ESC. Members expressing interest in serving are Becky
Bell, Tonya Botts, and Jim Bowman and they will be invited to the next meeting.
Policies/Procedures Committee
The committee will meet jointly with the ERC’s sub-committee to discuss
hiring forms and procedures and performance review policy.
Report from Compensation Committee
Charles Scott, Chair, reported that the committee has met twice in
preparation for Monday’s presentation at the budget hearings. They are working
to formulate a plan for the next three years and the cost involved.
Budget Hearings
Ms Dake will represent the ESC at the budget hearings on March 21. The
budget planning and evaluation committee approves and makes a recommendation to
the chancellor, who will present a budget to the Trustee Advisory Committee.
The committee makes a recommendation to the UT President, who presents a budget
to the UT Board of Trustees for approval.
Other Issues
Discussion centered on the need for the university to fund the mission.
Members stressed compensation, professional development, and student retention
as issues they would like the administration to focus on. They also cited the
lack of freshman classes and a decrease in graduate student enrollment.
The meeting was adjourned. Next meeting is April 19, 2005 in the Fortwood Room,
Respectfully Submitted,
Melanie Sadler
Administrative Secretary