Staff Assembly Meeting Minutes
May 4, 2004 - Unapproved Minutes

Members:  Chris Arreguin, Ruben Ayala, McLeod Baker, Gay Boydston, Emily Burgwyn, Jackie Callanan, Alice Carter, Terri Chanlatte, Rafael Chavez, Randy Cobb, Carlene Coover, Brad Davis, Dan Dehart, Kay Edmondson, Craig Elders, Marilyn Eudaly, Ervey Garcia, Rocio Garcia, Rebecca Glass, David Grebel, Nancy Grieser, Josh Harmon, Kay Higgins, Sharon Hudson, Pam Hughes, Mary Kaszynski, Mary Lane, Tommy Love, Debbie Mar, Valeria McDougle, Amy McDurham, Kevin O’Connell, Gabriel Perez, Paula Perez, Tara Pope, Melinda Rubenkoenig, Barbara Savak, Tracy Syler-Doctson, Hao Tran, Robert Vann, Shawn Wagner, Esco Weatherspoon, David Yale, and Richard Yantis.

Guests:  Chancellor Victor Boschini, Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources John Weis, and new members Ann Bailey, Martha Barron, Karen Bowerman, Marc Evans, Rebecka Guzmán, Barbara Hawkins, Shelton Riley, and Mark Sample.

Absent:  Ross Bailey, Lois Biege, Jonathan Brown, Nancy Carter, Roger Fisher, Julie Graver, Mesina Gray, Dorothy Holland, John Householder, Joe Laster, Maria Leyva, Donna Shepherd, Emily Sullivan, DeVonna Tinney, Darron Turner, Juan Varela, and Paula Work.

Welcome:  Chair David Grebel called the meeting to order at 3:40 p.m.

Minutes:  The April minutes were approved as submitted.

Announcements:

Introductions:  Incoming Chair Emily Burgwyn asked all new Staff Assembly members to introduce themselves.

Chancellor’s Inauguration:  Staff Assembly members had an opportunity to see the photograph of the Clark brothers statue that was presented to Chancellor Boschini at his inauguration.  The plaque accompanying the photo stressed that the chancellor and the staff are partners sharing the same mission.

Healthcare Insurance:  Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources John Weis announced that the healthcare consortium described at the April meeting has been created and TCU is a member.  Our new healthcare coverage will begin January 1, 2005.

Election of Officers:

Nancy Grieser, chair of the Committee on Committees, introduced the nominees for officer positions recommended by the committee:

• Chair-elect:  Randy Cobb and Hao Tran

• Secretary:  Lois Biege and Shawn Wagner

• Assistant Secretary:  Craig Elders

There were no nominations from the floor.  Members of the 2004-05 Assembly voted by ballot for officers.

Chancellor’s Report:

Chancellor Boschini opened by thanking the Staff Assembly representatives for their service.  He feels that it is a useful organization and values the conversation that exists between employees and the administration.  He then highlighted activities of the past year: 

• A large and accomplished freshman class

• Facilities improvements and the upcoming construction of the apartments on Berry Street

• The retirement of Provost Dr. Koehler and the promotion of his successor, Dr. Donovan

• The success of many programs, including the James A. Ryffel Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, the first graduating class of community scholars, the Latin American Arts Festival, the choir’s trip to New York, the hiring of Dr. Gregg Cantrell in Texas Studies, our strong study abroad program, the new BS in ranch management, the nursing anesthesia program, and the online master’s in nursing program

• The many notable speakers who were on campus throughout the year

• The announcement of a change in athletics conferences

Chancellor Boschini reported that he was pleased that TCU employees had a 3% merit pool increase for 2004-05.  The compensation task force has been appointed and plans to recommend a comprehensive compensation policy by this fall.  Chancellor Boschini announced that 104 nominations were made for the Chancellor’s Staff Award for Outstanding Service, and the winner will be announced at the opening luncheon in August.  He thanked the representatives for their work this year, especially their involvement in community service, and thanked David Grebel for his work as chair.  The chancellor remarked how much he appreciates the good morale of TCU employees, and he wants us to know that our opinions are heard and respected, even if we do not always agree with the decision. 

He looks forward to next year.  The Vision in Action study groups will present their findings during the fall, which will help with planning. 

Chair’s Annual Report:

Chair David Grebel reviewed his annual report of the accomplishments of the Staff Assembly during 2003-04.  He believes we made a significant advance in the compensation issue this year with the formation of the compensation task force.  He is pleased by the new healthcare consortium and hopes that it will lessen the rate of increase to healthcare costs.  The Assembly’s response to the proposed changes in benefits allowed dependents denied admission to TCU to attend their local community college.  The Assembly heard regular reports by the traffic regulations and appeals committee and provided advice and support during the creation of the university-wide suggestion program.  The Assembly collaborated with the Student Government Association and Faculty Senate to address the establishment of an honor code.

Other accomplishments were

• Appointed two people to the Budget Advisory Committee and recommended that it become a permanent university committee.  Submitted nominations of staff members for other university committees.

• Transferred administrative responsibility for the Chancellor’s Staff Award for Outstanding Service to the chancellor’s office.

• Provided staff representation at the chancellor’s inauguration and on the inaugural committee, and on the search committees for the Provost and University Minister.

• Held two professional development sessions for staff.

• Helped staff become involved in numerous community service opportunities, including Reading Frogs, minority dependent dinner, Christmas and Easter events with KinderFrogs students, Race for the Cure, a clothing drive, and RAD class for children.

Change to Athletic Ticket Pricing for Faculty and Staff:

Athletic Director Eric Hyman reviewed the change in ticket pricing for employees in 2004-05.  He explained that athletics is attempting to increase its revenue and decided to increase the rate employees are charged for tickets.  He contacted several other schools and found that our cost was significantly less. 

The cost of a reserved season football ticket increased from $50 to $60.  The cost of a general admission pass to basketball, soccer, baseball, and volleyball, formerly free, is now $25.  (The original price listed in the ticket renewal form was $50, but it has since been changed to $25.)  The location of the general admission seating will remain the same.  The cost of a reserved season ticket for men’s basketball, women’s basketball, or baseball is $50 per sport, the same as last year.

Hyman feels that this is a modest cost for employees to see successful athletics teams, and he acknowledged that the ticket prices for the public have increased dramatically.  The additional revenue will help offset costs, and the athletics department is also seeking increased marketing revenue. 

Presentation of New Officers:

David Grebel announced the results of the election for 2004-05:  assistant secretary is Craig Elders, secretary is Shawn Wagner, and chair-elect is Hao Tran. 

Grebel thanked the committee chairs and members of the executive committee, including John Butler, chair-elect who resigned last fall due to health reasons.

Grebel presented two gavels to incoming chair Emily Burgwyn:  the original gavel, which represents the past, and the new gavel presented by Chancellor Boschini at his inauguration, which represents the future.

Burgwyn then presented Grebel with a pen as a gift of appreciation for his service.

Adjournment:  Emily Burgwyn invited representatives to bring up issues as needed during the summer.  The next meeting will be in September.  She encouraged new members to read the by-laws at http://www.staffassembly.tcu.edu/bylaws.html.  The meeting adjourned at 4:32 p.m.

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