THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSE AT CHATTANOOGA

Exempt Staff Council Meeting

September 14, 2004

Fortwood Room, University Center

 

 

Members Attending: Nancy Amberson, Becky Bell, Tonya Botts, Jim Bowman, Jean Dake, Jan Gould, Tom Patty, Nate Pinkard, Matt Pope, Charles Scott, Janet Spraker.

 

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 minutes of the July 20, 2004 as amended: “Building Exterior Repairs…605 Oak Street…”

 

Executive Council Update

 

The Executive Council last met August 31. Dr. Obear may schedule meetings with Vice Chancellors every week and other campus representatives every other week. A chancellor search committee has been formed and a search firm may also be secured.

 

UTC ranked 43rd in the 1st tier of master’s granting institutions, according to the U S News & World Report.

Undergraduate enrollment is up but graduate enrollment is down. Provost Friedl submitted an additional peer list to THEC; current peer list ranks UTC high.

 

UTC received a $75,000 refund this year from fees paid to the system and will be disbursed to Vice Chancellors for reinstating travel. A portion of the third year of Lupton grants will be distributed, upon release of final enrollment figures, and will be used for classroom enhancements. The Chancellor announced an investment policy to better fund the Chairs of Excellence.

 

The Chancellor attended a meeting where Sylvia Davis, Vice President of Administration & Finance, announced a system-wide compensation plan available on the web; individual employee benefit statements to be mailed; disbursing system-wide career development funds for CPS training; IRIS upgrades for some non-exempt positions at UTC requiring $20,000 to fund.

 

A bill is pending in the state legislature requiring assignment of an architect to individual projects in any one building that totals over $100,000, according to Ms. Spraker. The Chancellor requested an ESC representative on two committees; Ellen Neufeldt will serve on the food service committee and Shirl Gholston will serve on the parking authority committee (not appeals).

 

Website Update  

 

Photos of representatives have been posted to the website and Mr. Bowman is working to make it available to users other than Mac. The web page includes approved minutes and a list of all exempt staff.

 

United Way Campaign

 

Richard Brown is once again spearheading the United Way campaign and has requested help from Jean Dake and Marge Fergason, ERC Chair. The campaign generally begins with a breakfast or luncheon attended by United Way representatives where a report is given and goals are set. Ms. Dake will email members with information on what would be expected of volunteers. Mr. Bowman offered help with staffing in the afternoon if an auction or sale is held.

 

 

System-Wide Compensation Plan

 

The Human Resource Officers have been formulating a plan for three years that has been reviewed by an external consultant with suggestions to move salaries closer to market, cost-of-living increases, and step increases. The plan focuses on staff salaries and Mr. Webb will provide more information at the October meeting.

 

The consultant’s report and a summary are available on the Administration & Finance website at:

https://san4.dii.utk.edu/servlet/page?_pageid=4429&_dad=portal30&_schema=PORTAL30

 

ESC Compensation Plan

 

The plan included increases for those funded through E & G money. Richard Brown and Debbie Parker are reviewing a list of individuals, meeting criteria established by the ESC, funded by athletics, income-producing accounts, or R accounts and according to Mr. Webb no action has been taken at this time. Charles Scott will chair the ESC Compensation Committee and Ellen Neufeldt and Jim Bowman have also agreed to serve. 

 

Employee Satisfaction Survey

 

A committee chaired by Dr. Arfken presented specific recommendations to Dr. Stacy in addressing concerns received from an employee satisfaction survey. Ms. Spraker serves on the steering committee and she and Mr. Webb will speak with Dr. Arfken about presenting recommendations to Dr. Obear.    

 

IRIS Audit Survey

 

A system-wide initiative requested updated PDQs of all non-exempt staff and has been reviewed by HR Officers and compensation specialists. Letters will be sent to all non-exempt employees who submitted PDQs. Mr. Webb stated that less than a dozen staff positions at UTC have been upgraded not due primarily to IRIS duties but because whole job content had changed.

 

ID Cards

 

There was discussion about a policy being applied fairly that requires a $10 payment to replace ID cards. Ms. Spraker will request a copy of the policy from Cindee Pulliam for Ms. Dake to send to members. Ms. Pulliam may be asked to explain the policy, established by Auxiliary Services, at a future meeting. There was additional discussion about requiring faculty and staff to wear Ids, how to enforce a policy, and how to retrieve cards when term and student workers terminate.

 

Guest Speakers for Meetings

 

Suggested speakers for future meetings are Verbie Prevost, Chair of Chancellor Search; Richard Rice, Chair of Faculty Senate; and Marge Fergason, ERC Chair.

 

Summer Picnic

 

Ms. Dake thanked members for their help with the picnic on August 13.

 

Adjournment: Motion was made and seconded.

 

Next meeting is October 19 at 10:00 in the Fortwood Room, University Center. Dr. Obear is scheduled to speak.  

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Melanie Sadler

Administrative Secretary

Office of Human Resources