Present: Jean Andrus, Victor Baeza, Ross Bailey, Karen Baker, Hao Brown, Jonathan Brown, Emily Burgwyn, Alice Carter, Nancy Carter, Rafael Chavez, Carlene Coover, Dan Dehart, Kay Edmondson, Marilyn Eudaly, Laurie Fetter, Roger Fisher, Rebecca Glass, Marshall Gordon, Julie Graver, David Grebel, Nancy Grieser, Ida Hernandez, Jack Hesselbrock, Dorothy Holland, Sharon Hudson, Pam Hughes, Pamela James, Jacobo Juarez, Mary Kaszynski, Mary Lane, Joe Laster, Tommy Love, Debbie Mar, Jake Martinez, Valeria McDougle, Dennis Odom, Tara Pope, Barbara Savak, Kathy Smith, Emily Sullivan, DeVonna Tinney, Alison Trinkle, Gail Truitt, Darron Turner, David Yale
Guests: Chancellor Michael Ferrari, John Weis, Amy Johnson (Skiff reporter), and Penny Woodcock
Absent: Chris Arreguin, Ruben Ayala, Jackie Callanan, Terri Gartner, Josh Harmon, Maria Leyva, Donna Shepherd, Juan Varela and Esco Weatherspoon
The meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m. After brief opening comments and introductions by Chair Karen Baker, the agenda was accepted.
The minutes were approved as written.
Chair’s Report: Karen Baker announced that Cheryl West resigned and Roger Fisher has taken her place. Three members-at-large were appointed to represent underrepresented areas - Emily Sullivan, Valeria McDougle, and Maria Leyva.
Karen noted that to submit agenda items representatives need to present a proposal to the executive committee. There will be a discussion of the proposal at a Staff Assembly meeting, then the proposal will be sent to the appropriate committee.
Delegates are responsible for attending Staff Assembly meetings, participating in committees, keeping constituents informed, and encouraging participation in their areas.
The theme for the year is "TCU: An Uncommon Community."
Miscellaneous announcements: The Staff Assembly participated in the all sports pep rally by carrying a banner. The Staff Assembly was represented at the New Student Assembly Aug. 27. Jean Andrus was appointed to the University Budget Committee. Josh Harmon and Pam Hughes were appointed to the University Daycare Committee. There will be a joint meeting with the Faculty Senate and Student Government Association Oct. 29. A paid time off presentation was made in August to the executive committee and suggestions were offered. The presentation will be made to the Staff Assembly Oct. 1. Bob Seal and Karen Baker are staff representatives on the Chancellor Search committee. Denny Alexander will make a presentation and gather opinions pertaining to the chancellor search at an Assembly meeting.
Chancellor’s Remarks: Dr. Ferrari said the overall health and vitality of the university have never been better. He said it is also important to address the challenges of the next few years. Dr. Ferrari said the economy is uppermost in our minds personally and as an institution. TCU has lost some ground in terms of contributions from the endowment falling. "If anyone can make it through these difficult times, I know TCU can," said Dr. Ferrari.
Committee Reports:
Community Service - Mary Lane said 20 employees have signed up to talk to
kindergartners on Sept. 11. The Reading Frogs program will be launched in
mid-September and there will be training on Sept. 23. This program involves
volunteering in schools by reading to kids and listening to them read. The
fall program begins the week of September 30 and runs through Dec. 10. This is
a partnership with Fort Worth ISD and utilizes the trial volunteer time off
program recently approved by the Cabinet. She asked representatives to
encourage people in their areas to participate. To sign up for either the fall
or spring, contact Mary Lane, Julie Graver, Robin Williamson, or sign up on
the Web site.
Mary clarified that the Score A Goal in the Classroom is a different program from Reading Frogs. There will be a Score A Goal event Sept. 21. The Leaps program also needs staff volunteers.
Committee on Committees - Barbara Savak reported that in June there was a request to nominate staff members to 16 university committees. The committee went through a list of people who had expressed interest through the Web site. The committee considered people’s different experiences, whether they were exempt or nonexempt and nominated 60 people for 18 different committees. The committee also raised questions about term limits for staff and ex-officio positions.
Karen Baker thanked Barbara and the committee for their hard work.
Policy Review - No report. Will be reviewing funeral leave policy.
Web Page - No report.
Professional Development - Alice Carter said the committee will be planning a workshop each semester. There were three recipients of the staff award for books and fees. The recipients for 2002-03 are Joyce E. Clay (military science), Lorna Kay Runge (school of education), and Foxie Lynn Sites (library). The next deadline is May. ESL classes are available for employees - contact Cathy Hutchinson at ext. 7485. The Spanish class for employees is full with 26 people and eight on the waiting list. There might be a second class - contact is Barbara Turner at ex. 7366.
Election - Emily Burgwyn reported that Chancellor Ferrari accepted the staff award proposal guidelines. Nominations can be made from mid-Sept. till November. Nominations will be given to the vice chancellor of each area. Vice chancellors will be encouraged to develop a committee to finalize their section’s nomination. Those nominations will be sent to Chancellor Ferrari who will present the award in April. In future years, the award will be presented in August at the Faculty/Staff luncheon.
Bylaws - No report.
Traffic - No report.
Daycare - Pam Hughes said the committee met last week. They will be interviewing companies and peer institutions with daycares to gather information. They hope by the end of October to have a proposal to present to the Staff Assembly, Faculty Senate and Student Government Association.
Roger Fisher is on the Retirement, Insurance and Benefits committee.
Human Resources - John Weis - Announced there will be a paid time off committee meeting Sept. 4 to discuss suggestions from the Staff Assembly executive committee.
Planning Session:
Penny Woodcock gave a presentation about how to set goals using the SMART
method (specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and timely). She
asked representatives to seek input after setting goal and prioritize the
goals. She suggested dividing long-term goals, seeking approval, being
positive and reviewing goals.
The Assembly then broke into committees to develop 4-5 items the Assembly should concentrate on this year. Goals were written down and then presented orally to the entire Assembly.
Karen Baker announced that the executive committee would compile and summarize the goals and present them at the next meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.