Meeting Minutes
October 5, 1999

Present: Jean Andrus, Gay Boydston, Emily Burgwyn, Jan Fox, Rebecca Glass, David Grebel, Nancy Grieser, Armida Guzman, Jack Hesselbrok, Elena Hicks, Linda Hillin, Darlene Housewright, Sharon Hudson, Mary Ruth Jones, Gisele Kates, Mary Kincannon, Kristin Lage, mary Lane, Joe Laster, Sharon McAteer, Victor Neil, Susan Oakley, Vince Pankey, Delia Pitts, Clyde Ridge, Becky Roach, Glory Robinson, Mike Russel, Barbara Savak, Bill Senter, John Sweet, Alison Trinkle, Gale Truitt, Connie Villela, Veronica Whatley, Debbie Zihlman, Esco Weatherspoon

Absent: Lela Cardona, Glen Hulme, Roger Ivy, Angie Larkin, Susan Layne, Peg Meroney, Beth McLaughlin, Bob Seal, Sandra Tobias, Sandra Tuomey.

Minutes were read and approved as written.

Esco Weatherspoon was introduced as a new member taking Emmit Belcha's place.

Roger Pfaffenberger, Chair of the Faculty Senate, was introduced. He mentioned how much he welcomed the opportunity to work together with the Staff Assembly and with Mary Lane on matters of mutual interest. The Faculty Senate will be considering a proposal that the RIB Committee be co-chaired with a member of the Staff Assembly, and hopes that that proposal will be approved at this month's meeting.

Larry Lauer, Associate Vice Chancellor, was introduced as Director on the Commission on the Future of TCU. The Chancellor asked him to report on the Commission's goals and organization. He then presented a detailed video presentation covering the Commission's objectives, volunteers and staff, background committees, strategic task forces, college task forces, and the schedule of events over the next year.

Committee Reports

Executive Committee Report ­ Jean Andrus of the Executive Committee moved to appoint a Parking Committee be appointed to look into the problems related to parking on campus. Nancy Grieser has agreed to serve as Chair, with Steve McGee as an ad hoc member. The motion passed.

RIB Committee Report ­ Jean Andrus reported on issues discussed and actions taken at the Sept. 16 meeting. The actions that will be proposed to the Administration from the RIB Committee are:

1) Equalizing (increasing) vacation benefits for non-exempt staff (see attached report)
2) Increasing tuition assistance-Do away with all limits on credit hours, but coordinate with the supervisor.
3) Reducing the general university fee for employees to 30% of the current fee ($55 per credit hour 1999-2000)

Policy Review Committee ­ Gay Boydston reported that the committee met and discussed the issue of reduced fees for employees. She reported some concern among committee members as to the proposed 30% general university fee schedule. With that proposal, the cost of fees would escalate each year which poses a financial burden for some employees. A motion was made and seconded that this proposal be changed to keep the general university fee at a flat rate of $50.00 per course. The motion carried.

Committee on Committees ­ Susan Oakley reported that the committee had worked on recommending names for the task force committees on the Commission of the Future to Tommy Thomason.

New Business

Mike Russell expressed a concern voiced to him by a staff member, regarding who can have access to the Faculty Center. The current policy seems to exclude certain employees. Larry Lauer and Margaret Kelly currently run the Center, but do not set the policy, and reported that there is a limited seating capacity of about 40 in the Center. Roger Pfaffenberger suggested that the Assembly might want to look at the current need for a Faculty Center at TCU. Delia Pitts said the University needs to really address the whole issue of adequate dining space on campus, in relation to a new University Center that would truly make a positive statement not only students, but to staff, faculty and visitors to campus. At the present time there really is not enough space to accommodate everyone.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.

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