THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSE AT CHATTANOGA

Exempt Staff Council Meeting

June 18, 2002

 

 

Exempt Staff Council members met Tuesday, June 18, 2002 in Lupton Library, Room 208.

 

Members Attending: Debra Anderson, Debbie Bell, Jean Dake, Tom Ellis, Kimmerly Harrell, William Johnson, Ellen Neufeldt, Tonya Pace, Lindsay Pardue, Mike Royster, Charles Scott, Gwen Williams

 

Others in attendance: Dan Webb, Director, Personnel Services; Melanie Sadler, Administrative Secretary, Personnel Services

 

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

 

Minutes: Motion was made and seconded to approve minutes of the May 21, 2002 meeting.

 

The By-Laws Committee, comprised of Ellen Neufeldt, Jean Dake, Debbie Bell, Charles Scott, Tom Ellis, Deb Anderson, and Dan Webb, has met three times since the last ESC meeting. Charles Scott provided a summary of by-laws formed after the committee reviewed by-laws of the UTC Student Government Association and Exempt Staff Councils from UT campuses.  After discussion members agreed to amend Section C, Number 4 to read, “Representatives will serve two-year terms.” A motion was made and seconded to approve the by-laws as revised.

 

Different ways to promote the Exempt Staff Council amongst the University community were discussed. Bill Johnson volunteered to create and maintain a web site for the Exempt Staff Council, to include by-laws, minutes of meetings, members, etc. Ms. Anderson will inquire, from the Chancellor’s Office, if minutes from University committee meetings are required to be posted.

 

The Chancellor urged Ms. Anderson to contact standing University committees in an effort to make them aware of the Exempt Staff Council. Ms. Anderson will draft a letter to the Chairs of the committees, after a list of committees is supplied by Dr. Neufeldt, informing them of the Exempt Staff Council formation. Members expressed interest in a representative serving on the Budget Committee. Mr. Webb stated that Julia Cronin, Chair of the ERC, serves as a voting member of the budget committee and Ms. Anderson will inquire if she, as ESC Chair, is permitted to serve on the committee also. Members agreed that they would not consider serving on academic committees as an ESC representative.

 

Ms. Anderson reported on a recent meeting that she and Mr. Webb had with the Chancellor. She stated that the Chancellor expressed a sincere desire that the ESC should bring any concerns directly to him. Additionally, he has asked Ms. Anderson to be present at weekly Executive Council meetings, attended by the Provost and Vice Chancellors. 

 

The Chancellor asked Ms. Anderson for input regarding the summer Friday picnics. While the timing of the picnics in the past was problematic, occurring during Orientation, some members felt that perhaps an outside source for funding should be sought and also that six picnics were simply too many. Comments should be forwarded to Ms. Anderson to share with the Chancellor, who wishes to make a decision shortly about the picnics.

 

Dr. Stacy asked ESC representatives to consider how their unit is involved in the mission of the University.

§         Claiming the assets of technology

§         Recruiting, retaining, celebrating a diverse student body

§         Improving the potential of partnerships

§         Demonstrating accountability and return on investment to taxpayers, donors, and friends

§         Enhancing the learning environment

 

Ms. Anderson’s meeting with the Chancellor included a discussion of programs that she has participated in and would like to see offered to all ESC members. The Modelnetics workshop, presented by Dr. Francis Gross, is a “learning tool” which enables individuals to recognize knowledge and experiences already learned and then apply it in all areas of life. “Advanced Connections,” a customer service program, initially offered to a group of approximately 50 staff and faculty last month, encourages employees to recognize ways to improve service to both “internal” and “external” customers. 

 

Members are asked to suggest guest speakers for future meetings. Dr. John Friedl, Provost, will attend the September 17 meeting and the Chancellor will be invited to speak at the October 15 meeting. Both meetings will begin at 11 a.m.

 

Agendas will be distributed to members approximately one week before regularly scheduled meetings. The ESC will meet again July 16 at 10:00 a.m. in Lupton Library, Room 208. The Exempt Staff Council will not meet in August.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Melanie Sadler

Administrative Secretary

Personnel Services