Staff Assembly Minutes
February 4, 2000

Present: Jean Andrus, Gay Boydston, Emily Burgwyn, Lela Cardona, Nancy Carter, Wendy Crowley, Jan Fox, Rebecca Glass, Armida Guzmon, Nancy Grieser, Jack Hesselbrock, Darlene Housewright, Sharon Hudson, Glen Hulme, Roger Ivy, Mary Ruth Jones, Mary Kincannon, Kristen Lage, Susan Layne, Joe Laster, Tommy Love, Sharon McAteer, Susan Oakley, Vince Pankey, Clyde Ridge, Becky Roach, Glory Robinson, Barbara Savak, Bill Senter, John Sweet, Sandra Tobias, Alison Trinkle, Gail Truitt, Sandra Tuomey, Connie Villela, Veronica Whatley, Sallie Wilmoth, Bob Seal, John Weis, Mary Lane, David Grebel

Absent: Elena Hicks, Gisele Kates, Victor Neil, Beth McLaughlin, Gabe Perez, Delia Pitts, Mike Russell, Esco Weatherspoon

The meeting was called to order at 3:45 p.m. Minutes were read and approved as written.

New members, Nancy Carter, Wendy Crowley, Gabe Perez, Tommy Love, Sallie Wilmoth were introduced.

Guests, Diane Lovin, John Sewell, Debby Watson, Bob Vann, and Priya Abraham, reporter for the Skiff,were introduced.

Chancellor's Report

Chancellor Ferrari reported that the Board of Trustees had met in an extra session the last weekend of January. In this meeting they reviewed revenue projections and estimated a 6% increase in revenue for the next fiscal year. The Board approved an increase in tuition and fees, after comparing data with other universities of similar size and makeup to TCU. The Board also approved an adjustment to housing costs. Within the next six to eight weeks budget planning and projections will be made with the Deans and other key budget managers. Wages and salaries will be a priority in this planning process.

The Dean searches are all progressing well. Some appointments might be possible by Spring Break.

Other concerns involve the University health care program. In an effort to provide an effective health plan for all employees, the administration is watching the change to Pacific Care closely. Anyone who experiences any problems or difficulties is encouraged to contact to Human Resources.

Plans are underway for a selective and modest growth in enrollment. A total of fifty new students will be admitted to the incoming class. Enrollment retention has gone up from 80% to 82%.

New housing and remodeling projects are progressing well. Foster dorm is now being remodeled and will hopefully be ready for use in the Fall. New graduate and Brite housing has begun and the projected completion date is January 2001.

The University's endowment continues to grow and currently represents 27% of the University's income. In an effort to be sensitive to the continued growth of the endowment, the Board of Trustees has decided to decrease support to the budget from 5.8% to 5.75% this next year.

Presentations

Mary Lane introduced David Grebel, Director of Extended Education and Bob Seal, University Librarian, who both spoke to the Assembly.

David Grebel explained that the Office of Extended Education covers a combination of credit and non-credit programs. The credit program covers non-degree admissions for people over the age of 22, taking no more than 12 hours. This program is designed for the returning student/adult learner to assess their fitness for undergraduate and postgraduate work. Other areas of the credit programs include auditing of lecture classes, concurrent enrollment with another institution, visiting summer student program, a pre-Senior program and a Ranch Management evening program.

The non-credit program covers certain certificate programs, teacher development programs, avocational studies through the new TCUglobelcenter at Alliance, summer programs in music, dance, art and a program at Starpoint School. A variety of community programs are offered through the Non-Credit program and coordinated by Diane Lovin. Faculty and staff are eligible for a 50% discount on these programs.

Bob Seal has been the University's Librarian since 1994. In his opinion, TCU's Library is one of the best academic libraries in Texas. It recently received an award for its inter-library loan program. With good increases in budget each year, the Library has been able to install computers and make over 100 databases and electronic journals available to its patrons. The Library received a $400,000 grant this year to upgrade the computer infrastructure and is currently working to perfect wireless technology to access the network. Future plans include making the Library more user friendly with new furniture and by providing coffee in the lobby area. Also the computer lab is being expanded and new copiers have been installed that use student ID cards.

Committee Reports

Election Committee Report - Rebecca Glass reported that the election committee has decided to continue using the paper ballot process for the next year. Not all staff have access to a computer at this time. Nomination ballots will go out sometime in March. The election of new officers will be during the May 2nd Staff Assembly meeting. All current assembly members should encourage all staff to participate in the nomination and election process.

Professional Development Report - Barbara Savak reported that the committee has met and plans a brown bag session on stress management which will be sponsored by the Counseling Center. March 9th is the target date for this session and reservations need to be made as there will be a limit of 80 for this event. Plans have been made in April for a Violence Prevention presentation which will be held in the Hays Theater.

RIB Committee Report - Jean Andrus will meet with the Retirement, Insurance and Benefit committee on Feb. 2nd and will have an up-to-date report next month.

Executive Committee Report - Mary Lane stated that the Executive Committee met with the Chancellor on Monday, January 31st regarding the matter of salaries, as charged by the Assembly. The Chancellor assured the committee, in this meeting, that the issue of wages and salaries will be of high priority in the budget planning over the next few months. Mary Lane introduced Gale Truitt of Residential Housekeeping who asked to speak to the Assembly. Ms. Truitt shared her frustration with the Assembly regarding the low salaries among the housekeeping staff and how it is affecting the hiring and retention of housekeepers in her area.

New Business

Bob Vann came to the Assembly to present two ideas for consideration. One idea was a "Campus-Wide Suggestion Program" that would take suggestions from employees and if implemented by the University, the employee could possibly be compensated. The other idea was a "Frognet Staff/Faculty Available Equipment & Furniture Listing." This would establish an Internet site where departments could list equipment and furniture no longer being used in their area that might be valuable to another area on campus. A motion was made to refer both ideas to the Executive Committee for further thought and study.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:57 p.m.

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