Meeting Minutes
December 7, 1999

Present: Jean Andrus, Gay Boydston, Emily Burgwyn, Lela Cardona, Jan Fox, Rebecca Glass, Nancy Grieser, Armida Guzman, Elena Hicks, Darlene Housewright, Sharon Hudson, Glen Hulme, Roger Ivy, Mary Ruth Jones, Gisele Kates, Mary Kincannon, Mary Lane, Joe Laster, Susan Layne, Sharon McAteer, Beth McLaughlin, Victor Neil, Susan Oakley, Vince Pankey, Clyde Ridge, Becky Roach, Glory Robinson, Barbara Savak , Bill Senter, John Sweet, Alison Trinkle, Gale Truitt, Sandra Tuomey, Debbie Zihlman, Vernoica Whatley, Esco Weatherspoon, Bob Seal, Will Stallworth, John Weis

Absent: Jack Hesselbrock, Elena Hicks, Linda Hillin, Kristen Lage, Angie Larkin, Peg Meroney, Mike Russel, Sandra Tobias, Connie Villela, David Grebel

Mary Lane asked for a few moments of silence in respect of Loretta Pierce who died in November of cancer. Loretta worked at TCU for 17 years in the School of Education, for Coach Wacker in Athletics, and in Advancement.

Minutes were read and approved as written.

Chancellor Ferrari's report included:

The Commission on the Future has had a successful start with over 400 people having met in different task forces and committees. Their reports can be found on the web.
The Board will meet in January to start the budget process for the 2000-01 year. They will focus on next year's tuition and fee structure, and expected income, which includes approximately 5.8% from endowment. They will also be studying different budget forecasting models to see different financial outcomes. With the large number of projects on campus that require funding, it will be important to prioritize and decide which budget model will appropriately position the University for the future.
The fall semester has been an active one culminating in a successful Homecoming and many alumni events.
Wage and salary issues have been brought to his attention. This issue is a serious one and will definitely be given high priority in the budgeting process.
Carol Campbell will join TCU in late February to become the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business. She brings a broad background of university financial experience, as well as a national presence and reputation. Her arrival will bring added strength and leadership to TCU.

Will Stallworth, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Plant Management was introduced. He presented an overview of current projects and future plans in progress by his division. Included was an explanation of the University's Master Plan. This plan will be published in early spring and will be available for viewing in the Library. Approximately $15 million is spent each year on special projects. In addition to those projects, the Physical Plant receives over 100 work orders per day for maintenance type work. Some of the special projects current being started or developed are:

Construction on the Brite Housing Complex is now ready to begin.
The Tandy Technology Center design is in place and once funding is complete construction will begin sometime late in the summer or early fall.
Foster Dorm is scheduled to be remodeled and reopened by August 2000.
Construction on the Justin Athletic Center will begin in July 2000.
The athletic track has been completed and the soccer stadium seating is in progress and scheduled to be done by the end of December.
The Coliseum now has three platforms for handicapped seating installed. An elevator has also been installed and will be operational by February. Restrooms are also being modified to accommodate the handicapped. Extra removable seating has been added down near the playing floor to make up for the seating taken by the handicapped platforms.
Design and budget estimates for remodeling of the Student Center and the Rickel Building will be completed in the spring.
The Health Center will be renovated by the fall of 2000.
New sprinkler systems will be installed in Reed, Sadler, and Winton Scott.
Plans are in place for one of the Sid Richardson lecture halls to have a technology upgrade over the summer.
The Payroll area of Financial Services has been moved to a temporary building beside Human Resources. The Human Resource building will be modified to accommodate the Payroll department.
The old Colonial Cafeteria is being remodeled. Work will be completed in early March. Eventually this area will provide more departmental office space.
The Miller Speech and Hearing building will be having an ADA upgrade.
New landscaping is being done around the Social Work and IBR trailers.
An outside consultant has been hired to investigate possible sites for a parking garage. A report is due by Dec. 17th.

Committee Reports

RIB Committee Report - Jean Andrus reported that the RIB Committee's recommendation for a reduced fee rate for full-time employees went to the Cabinet. The Cabinet approved a $25.00 per semester hour charge for full-time employees starting spring, 2000.

Policy Review Committee - Beth McLaughlin made a detailed report concerning the current TCU sick leave policy in regard to the maternity/paternity leave as it applies to non-exempt staff, exempt staff and faculty. A motion was made and approved to accept the committee's proposal which reads:

"The Policy Review Committee proposes (for purposes of maternity and paternity) that staff members, male and female, be permitted to use accrued sick time, as well as vacation time, before being placed in a leave-without-pay status." This proposal will now go to the RIB Committee for their review.

Unfinished Business

Non-exempt wage issue - After some discussion, the Chancellor assured the Assembly that the University will strive to bring salaries into a competitive status, and this will be one of the items of priority in the Board's budget planning process. How much they can do over the next few years in light of their commitment to equalizing benefits and beginning major construction projects will be a challenge. He has asked John Weis to provide statistical information on wages and salaries for study. Debbie Zihlman moved that the Executive Committee continue the conversation regarding the wage and salary issue, and keep the Staff Assembly informed as to the progress or changes in this area. The motion was seconded and approved.

New Business

A concern was raised regarding an employee who was denied admission due to low grades. He inquired about tuition compensation at TCC and was told that only employee dependents and spouses were eligible for tuition coverage at another institution once they were denied admission. While this is the policy, TCU does allow employees to be admitted as limited enrollment students for a maximum of 12 hours through Extended Education. After successful completion they can reapply for regular admission.

A question came up as to how appointments are made for the Deans' search committees and if the Staff Assembly Committee on Committees is being utilized. The Chancellor suggested that since the Staff Assembly is so new, administrators might not know of the Committee on Committees existence. Mary asked Susan Oakley, the Committee's chair, to send a memo stating the Committees purpose and availability.

Clarification was asked regarding the policy on participation in academic procession. Recent wording exclude non-exempt staff who hold master's degrees and above. The Chancellor suggested asking the Provost about current policy.

The policy on funeral leave seems to be unclear as stated in the current University Staff Handbook. It does not state the number of days allowed or defines who qualifies as a close relative. John Weis stated that this Handbook was written primarily for exempt staff and faculty and does not spell out where policies are different for non-exempt staff. Until the handbook can be revised, Human Resources encourages non-exempt staff to check with them on the policies that need clarification. There is still a separate handbook for non-exempt staff.

Criminal background checks - Background checks on applicants for non-exempt positions began in May. Concern was raised that background checks were not being done on all applicants. John Weis explained that this was just for a testing period. Data will soon be provided to the Cabinet on how effective this screening has been. A decision will then be made as to whether screening will be done on all potential and/or current employees at TCU, based on cost and the effectiveness of the trial program.

Mary Lane reported the following items:

She made a report on the Staff Assembly to the Board of Trustees as requested by the Chancellor at the Board's fall meeting. It was well received and is available on the TCU Staff Assembly web page under Links.
Eric Hyman, Athletic Director, will be speaking at the January meeting.
Minutes of the Staff Assembly meetings will now be published and sent out to all staff in both English and Spanish.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:20 p.m.


Return to Minutes index