Staff Assembly Minutes
September 15, 1999
Present: Mary Lane, Sharon Hudson Emily Burgwyn, Susan Oakley, Jean Andrus, Rebecca Glass, John Sweet, Jack Hesselbrock, Armida Guzman, Nancy Grieser, Jan Fox, Kristen Lage, Joe Laster, Susan Layne, Sharon McAteer, Beth McLaughlin, Peg Meroney, Gay Boydston, Alison Trinkle, Gail Truitt, Sandra Tuomey, Connie Villela, Lela Cardona, Glory Robinson, Mary Kincannon, Barbara Savak, Mike Russel, Clyde Ridge, Sandra Tobias, Debbie Zihlman, Glen Hulme, Roger Ivy, Mary Ruth Jones, Gisele kates, David Grebel, Bob Seal, John Weis
Absent: Becky Roach, Vince Pankey, Darlene Housewirght, Veronica Whatley, Victor Neil, Bill Senter, Elena Hicks, Emmit Belcha, Angie Larkin, Delia Pitts
Minutes read and approved as written.
New Members at large were introduced: Clyde Ridge, Peg Meroney and Linda Hillin.
Mary asked that everyone present select and rank the three Standing Committees they would be willing to serve on. Mary will collate the results and assignments will be made based on the results.
Matt Stiver was introduced as the Skiff Reporter assigned to cover the Staff Assembly meetings.
RIB Committee Report: Ken Morgan was introduced as Chair of the Retirement Insurance and Benefits Committee. The RIB Committee is currently comprised of 9 Staff and 9 Faculty members. Several issues that are coming up to be aware of are:
1) He will be proposing a change to the RIB Committee structure
to have the Chair position changed to a Co-Chaired position, comprised
of a Faculty member and a Staff member. The Faculty Chair would
report to the Faculty Senate and the Staff Chair would report
to the Staff Assembly. Dr. Morgan will propose this change at
the next Faculty Senate meeting October 7th. The Faculty
Senate will vote on that change Oct. 7th.
2) The RIB Committee will be making a decision recommendation
on the medical carrier for the year 2000 for the University.
The decision has to be made before November.
3) Human Resources is currently conducting studies on several
different benefit issues including:
- equalizing vacation hours earned between exempt and non-exempt
staff
- establishing a sick leave pool
- the impact of the cost of a buy back policy of unused sick and
vacation time
- increasing the number of tuition hours covered by the University
for fulltime employees
Ken stated that the RIB Committee was willing to look at any benefit issue that is submitted in writing to the committee. His personal philosophy in regard to employee benefits is to work toward maximizing benefits and achieving parity for all employees. His remarks ended after some discussion regarding insurance premiums and co-pays in relationship to next year's insurance costs.
Mary Lane reported that the chair of the Policy Review committee would be automatically nominated as a member of the RIB Committee. Mary said any issues not appropriate for the RIB committee would be sent directly to the Chancellor for his consideration.
Unfinished Business
University Fees Committee Report Susan Layne presented information regarding fees at TCU as compared to what other employees pay at other private universities. The committee recommended that a reduced non-refundable fee of $50 per course be implemented by the Administration for fulltime employees receiving the tuition benefit. The motion carried unanimously.
ESL/GED Committee Report Beth McLaughlin reported
that her committee surveyed non-English speaking employees regarding
the need for English classes on campus. Over 40 responses were
received with a high percentage requesting that service. Several
options were presented and there followed much discussion regarding
the time classes were offered, the format and possible instructors.
A motion was made to offer through Human Resources an ESL/GED
class to employees. After one year, the need for continuing this
class should be reevaluated. The motion carried unanimously.
Parking Committee Report Connie Villela reported that parking stickers were sold this year for $20 for non-exempt employees, $25 for exempt employees and $100 for reserved parking. Reserved parking has to be approved by the unit department head and the Vice Chancellor over that department. Vice Chancellor Don Mills is over the University Parking Committee and the Traffic Appeals Committee. She suggested that the Staff Assembly have a representative on the Traffic Appeals Committee. Questions were raised as to why University Staff are given Faculty stickers, why Reserved stickers are also listed as Faculty, and why there is a cost difference between exempt and non-exempt staff, and why there isn't just one staff sticker for one price. Connie did not have the answers regarding those questions and it was suggested that those issues be given to committee for further review.
Chancellor's Report:
Chancellor Ferrari opened his report with comments regarding the need to deal with inconsistencies, such as the parking stickers, and after careful study of the issues, that this group could make a thoughtful recommendation to the Administration for their review.
Seventeen Task Force groups have been assembled and are starting to meet to look at broad issues facing TCU. These groups are comprised of faculty, staff, students and citizens of the community totaling over 600 members participating. The Commission of the Future begins their work on September 17th and will conduct several surveys. The University has not been offered an invitation to join Conference USA at this time, but is studying the issue. The 12th day enrollment report shows that enrollment is up overall with 1415 entering freshmen. Graduate enrollment is down slightly, but new transfer enrollment has increased. Parking on campus has become the biggest issue among students and staff and the University recognizes that this issue must be addressed soon.
New Business none
Announcements Reminder that Larry Lauer will speak at the next Staff Assembly meeting, Oct. 5th in the Cox C meeting room of the Alumni Center.
Meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m.