Staff Assembly Meeting Minutes
April 1, 2003

Present: Jean Andrus, Chris Arreguin, Ruben Ayala, Victor Baeza, Karen Baker, Jonathan Brown, Emily Burgwyn, Jackie Callanan, Alice Carter, Nancy Carter, Rafael Chavez, Carlene Coover, Dan Dehart, Kay Edmondson, Laurie Fetter, Roger Fisher, Ervey Garcia, Terri Gartner, Rebecca Glass, Julie Graver, David Grebel, Nancy Grieser, Josh Harmon, Ida Hernandez, Jack Hesselbrock, Dorothy Holland, Sharon Hudson, Pam Hughes, Pamela James, Jacobo Juarez, Mary Kaszynski, Mary Lane, Maria Leyva, Tommy Love, Debbie Mar, Valeria McDougle, Tara Pope, Barbara Savak, Donna Shepherd, Kathy Smith, DeVonna Tinney, Hao Tran, Darron Turner, Juan Varela, Esco Weatherspoon

Guests: Student Government Association President Brad Thompson, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business Carol Campbell, Chancellor Michael Ferrari, Virginia Dias, Skiff reporter Sarah Chacko, Director of Human Resources John Weis

Absent: Ross Bailey, Marilyn Eudaly, Marshall Gordon, Joe Laster, Jake Martinez, Dennis Odom, Emily Sullivan, Alison Trinkle, David Yale

The meeting was called to order at 3:32 p.m. Chair Karen Baker welcomed guests and reviewed the agenda. The March minutes were approved.

Guest Remarks: SGA president Brad Thompson told representatives that the SGA theme this year is service to the community. He said there were three tasks forces working on academic advising, ethics and eating disorders. Brad also said that SGA has been instrumental in the college student for a day program. This program brings high school students to TCU for a day to shadow a TCU student. Fifty-five students have visited so far and 75 more students are scheduled to come. Brad also mentioned SGA is working on the University Retreat which will tentatively be Sept. 12 and 13.

Recognition: Karen Baker recognized Virginia Dias for her valuable contributions to the Assembly through her translation of the Staff Assembly minutes into Spanish each month. Virginia received her undergraduate degree from TCU and is currently pursuing her MLA. She works in advancement and has been at TCU since 1997. Virginia said that translating the minutes is her way of giving back to TCU.

Chancellor’s Update:  Chancellor Ferrari said that we are six weeks from commencement. The Board of Trustees meet April 10 and 11. There will be committee meetings and the nomination of a new trustee. Ferrari said the dedication of Smith Hall is coming up. Also, the Faculty Senate is working to finish the core curriculum proposal. He said the news from admissions is positive and applications are up from this time last year. Ferrari said it is good to watch closely the state legislature to see what happens in regard to student aid – particularly the tuition equalization grant. He said there might be a reduction in aid due to the state deficit. This would affect a large number of TCU students. Ferrari said May 10 TCU will be graduating the largest class ever – 1,200 students –- downtown.

Karen Baker announced there will be a farewell reception for Chancellor Ferrari at 4:30 p.m. after the May 6 Staff Assembly meeting.

Human Resources Update: John Weis, director of human resources, spoke about the wellness program. He said the wellness program will start in mid-summer. He also mentioned that Human Resources does personalized retirement seminars for small groups. For more information call Joanne at ext. 7790. He said that the Employee Assistance Program, EAP, provides three free counseling sessions for employees.

Program:  Vice Chancellor Carol Campbell gave a 2003-04 budget presentation. She first reviewed TCU’s operating revenues. She said there was a 7.9% tuition increase and 5.65% was the endowment spending rate. The 2003 budget is forecast at $218 million and the 2004 budget is projected at $230 million. She said 60% of the revenue is student-generated. Carol pointed out that the tuition has risen at a faster rate than family income though. She said TCU’s tuition is still very good compared to other schools. She pointed out one future concern. TCU calculates the endowment spending on a three year trailing average. In 2004-05, TCU will lose good quarters and pick up four more lower quarters. She said that this might translate into a $4 million shortfall.

As far as operating expenditures, she said new money went to new building operations, financial aid and health insurance increases. TCU is self-insured.  United Healthcare handles the paperwork, but TCU pays the check for employee health costs. Other expenses were retirement equalization and a 2% employee salary increase. The major areas of expenditures are salaries, plant, financial aid and goods. She pointed out a few highlights – increases in music, history, career services, library and vivarium. The breakdown for compensation is $1.6 million for salaries and $2.2 million for benefits. Carol said the buildings were a huge cost to the budget, but next year there won’t be so many costs. There are $12 million of new or added expenses, and $10 million in new revenue. So there are $2 million in budget cuts and/or deferrals. She said TCU is in wonderful position and that many private universities were cutting employees. She did warn though that next year will be tougher.

Chair’s Report:  Karen Baker said the executive committee met with Chancellor Ferrari and discussed the staff award, community service proposal, bylaws, living wage task force and broadbanding. Karen also said a followup on Staff Assembly priorities is included in representatives information. The retirement/service recognition program will be April 24. The staff award will be presented, and Karen encouraged people to attend. She said the Faculty Senate is working with the Staff Assembly on the conflict resolution policy. Karen also encouraged staff to participate in the University Leadership Retreat – the goal is to have 20 staff and 20 faculty to participate. At the May meeting, new members will attend and officers will be elected. Afterward, there will be a reception for Ferrari.

Committee Reports:
Committee on Committees – Barbara Savak said the committee is accepting nominations for officers. She said there is a handout with the duties of each elected office – chair elect, secretary and assistant secretary. Also, there is contact information for the committee members.

Community Service - Julie Graver announced Race for the Cure is Saturday April 5. Also, there is an Easter Egg Hunt at the Rise school on April 15 at 10 a.m. Julie said there are 20-25 volunteers needed for the Easter Egg Hunt. There will be an Arbor Day tree planting on April 22 at 1:30 p.m. behind Mullins Hall in Tom Brown/Pete Wright. Julie also handed out yellow ribbons to show support for the troops.

Reading Frogs - Mary Lane reported the new name is TCU Staff/Faculty Reading Frogs. They are hoping the proposal to make the volunteer time off policy permanent will be approved.

Elections/Chancellor's Staff Award - Emily Burgwyn said to encourage those with paper ballots to turn them in by Friday. She said Monday and Tuesday representatives would be notified if they won. The staff award will be represented April 24.

Professional Development - Alice Carter said Carrie Zimmerman and Ben Alexander spoke about marketing TCU at the spring development session attended by 30 people.

Web Page - Kathy Smith said representatives’ mug shots are posted. Jonathan Brown is the featured staff member.

Bylaws Review - David Grebel asked representatives to look over the proposed bylaw changes and vote. He took some questions regarding the numbering of the bylaws and changes were made. There was a verbal vote on the amendments as a whole. The bylaw amendments passed unanimously.

Question on Termination Policy:  Tara Pope said she wanted to begin a campus discussion of TCU’s termination policy as it pertains to employees with serious medical conditions. She said she became aware of this policy when coworkers were terminated after suffering medical problems. Some of the questions to be discussed are options for employees at TCU less than one year and not covered by FMLA and the possibility of medical leave without pay in addition to FMLA. Tara also asked that there be more education on what options are available to employees. This will be referred to the executive committee and they will send it to a committee.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:05 p.m.