THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSE AT CHATTANOGA
Exempt Staff Council Meeting
Lupton Library, Room 208
Members Attending: Barbara Webb, Debra Anderson, Debbie Bell, Jean Dake, Tom Ellis, Ellen Neufeldt, Tonya Pace, Lindsay Pardue, Nate Pinkard, Charles Scott.
Others in attendance: Dan Webb, Director, Office of Human Resources; Melanie Sadler, Administrative Secretary, Office of Human Resources.
Call to Order: Ms. Anderson called the meeting to order.
Guest Speaker: Charles Hart, Sr Instructional Developer, Walker Teaching Resource Center
§ A Computer-Based-Training program has been purchased by UT for use by the entire system. Among the modules available are courses in computer skills, website publishing, project management, interpersonal skills, with different levels of advancement. The number of programs has been limited as they relate to an employee’s job description and modules are self-directed with employees learning at their own pace. Training modules may be viewed via a link from the Walker Teaching Resource Center website.
UTC’s Training Advisory Group (TAG) views computer based training as a way to reduce an employee’s stress level by increasing their skills and job efficiency. It is necessary that supervisors see the need for training and provide time for employees to attend. Mr. Hart has presented a demo to the Exempt Staff Council and at a Deans, Directors, and Department Heads Retreat in an effort to inform them of training that will be available to their staff.
Several departments have been selected to participate in a pilot program. Feedback will be solicited from them to ensure that training will be successful when rolled-out to the campus. Training will only be given in the Human Resources Computer Lab in order to provide a quiet atmosphere for employees to concentrate. Although training modules may be accessed from most computers, Mr. Hart said that the TAG does not encourage this due to the computer capabilities needed to run the software.
Other Issues
§ Compensation Committee
The University budget committee recently approved the expenditure of $75,000 for additional compensation for exempt staff. The monies are contingent and reflected in next year’s budget but would be paid out over the next eight months beginning in November.
Ms. Pardue, Chair, presented a plan for compensating 30% of employees, based upon years of service, in an effort to reduce compression. Only those employees on E accounts, full-time and part-time, were included in the plan. Debbie Parker and Dan Webb are preparing a plan that would compensate employees paid from R accounts if the grant has funds for increases.
The compensation committee’s plan used different sources of comparison, such as peer institutions, public institutions with Master’s programs, public and private institutions, and Hay points. According to Ms. Pardue, Dr. Gruetzemacher said he there is a direct correlation between Hay points and Cupa data, although he felt too much emphasis was placed on Hay points.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the format of the plan but not necessarily the number of those who would receive increases. The compensation committee will request a meeting with Richard Brown, Debbie Parker, and Dr. Stacy to review the plan and if necessary will call a meeting of the ESC to report on the outcome of the discussion.
§ Open Forum for Exempt Staff
An open forum for exempt staff was held in the University Center on October 24. Ms. Anderson will forward the Powerpoint presentation and Ms. Dake will send meeting notes to members. Several felt that it would be advisable to hold a forum once a semester. Interest was expressed in having Dr. Francis Gross attend to explain the budget process.
§ ESC Website
Ms. Webb will update the website and post minutes. She is considering developing a Blackboard to be used for discussion amongst ESC members.
§ Next Meeting is December 2 at 10:00 a.m. in Lupton Library, Room 208.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn.
Respectfully Submitted,
Melanie Sadler
Administrative Secretary
Office of Human Resources