THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSE AT CHATTANOGA
Exempt Staff Council Meeting
Lupton Library, Room 208
Members Attending: Debra Anderson, Debbie Bell, Allison Cardwell, Jean Dake, Tom Ellis, Bill Johnson, Ellen Neufeldt, Lindsay Pardue, Mike Royster, Charles Scott, and Cynthia Wood.
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 accept the minutes of the February 18, 2003 meeting.
Guest Speaker: Dean Richard MacDougall, Vice Chancellor, Student Development
By federal mandate every state and county must develop a plan to inoculate for smallpox. The plan must be enacted if there is one confirmed case in the country. To accomplish this, the Hamilton County Health Department would operate mass immunization clinics at various locations for ten days. A total of approximately 2,500 staff will be needed.
Hamilton County Executive, Claude Ramsey, contacted the Chancellor to ask for UTC’s participation in this effort. An informational session was held on campus, in late February, with a representative of the Health Department. Volunteer duties range from someone to distribute forms, operate videos, administer vaccines, traffic manager, supply manager, triage, and clinic floater. Volunteers will have first option to have their family members vaccinated if the plan is enacted.
Dean MacDougall asked ESC members for their help in gaining volunteers from the campus. Suggestions included open meetings, a web page explaining the plan, names of volunteers posted on Raven, and more notices of the plan with details posted on Raven. Dean MacDougall is scheduled to speak to the ERC and Faculty Senate about the immunization plan.
§ University Budget Hearings
Several departments have announced cuts for 2003 – 2004 representing 9% of their budget. Academic Affairs amounts to $2.2 million; Athletics - $383,000; Student Development - $114,000. Additionally, 5% of the current budget has been returned to the state.
§ Compensation Committee
Ms. Anderson will represent the ESC at the Budget Hearing on April 5 from 3-5 p.m. Committee members Lindsay Pardue (Chair), Tom Ellis, Ellen Neufeldt, and Charles Scott will meet with Deb Anderson and Dan Webb to discuss the presentation. If Plan B of the budget were passed, there would be $150,000 for additional compensation for exempt staff. Ms. Anderson will inquire if this amount includes benefits.
Concern was raised regarding the request for additional compensation when UTC is potentially facing lay-offs. It was felt that the presentation should focus on the mission of the University and how exempt staff contribute to the mission. The Exempt Staff Council will use the By-Laws as the focus.
§ Publicity Committee
Dr. Stacy has given his support for a “meet and greet” at the Faculty Club for all exempt staff. Debbie Bell, Chair, will coordinate this event with Susan Cardwell. She will also send a list of administrators to be invited to Ms. Anderson.
§ Policy/Procedures Committee
The committee will meet soon with Mr. Webb to review some changes in policies.
§ Student Services Task Force
Ms. Neufeldt, Chair, announced that the Chancellor would host monthly breakfasts with staff and faculty, who are randomly selected each month. The goals of the Task Force are to promote the sharing of information within and between departments, focus on etiquette, develop a sense of community, and advocate process improvement.
§ Flex Year
Mr. Webb presented a summary of the flex-year program, designed to adapt to the cyclical workload of a department. The choice to enter a flex-year agreement is by mutual decision of the employee and supervisor.
§ Retirement Incentive
A retirement incentive is now at the System level for approval. The incentive must also be approved by the State. An announcement to the campus should be made soon.
§ ESC/ERC Retreat
The Exempt Staff Council has invited the ERC (Employee Relations Committee) to join in a Retreat at UTC Place on Wednesday, March 26 from 8 – 11 a.m. The Chancellor will attend along with members of the Student Services Task Force. Ms. Anderson is working with Ms. Cronin, ERC Chair, to develop an agenda.
§ Other Issues
Ms. Anderson stated that Dr. Stacy has told her she is welcome to attend all Executive Council meetings.
Ms. Anderson will discuss a Service Award program with the Provost and Chancellor. The program is currently used at the University of Central Florida.
Fannie Flagg, author of Fried Green Tomatoes, will speak at Commencement. The book was selected as the first “Tale for One City “ to encourage Chattanoogans to read.
§ Next Meeting is Tuesday, April 15 at 11:00 a.m. in Lupton Library, Room 208.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melanie Sadler
Administrative Secretary
Personnel Services