Miami University

Unclassified Personnel Advisory Committee
March 5, 2008

Present:  Melanie Hoffmann, chair; Mary Bausano, Matthew Boaz, John Burke, Janet Cox, Doug Curry, Scott Lessing, Marsha McIntosh, Karen O’Hara, Amy Poppel, Anne Schauer, Barry Zaslow

Guests: Adolph Haislar, Interim Vice President for Finance and Business Services
Carol Hauser, Director of Human Resources

The minutes of the January and February meetings were approved with corrections.  Minutes are posted on the UPAC website.

In his remarks, Adolph Haislar announced that the new Vice President for Finance and Business Services, David Creamer, will begin his duties on June 1, 2008.  No major changes in the policies of Finance and Business Services are anticipated.  Dr. Creamer may wish to a meet with UPAC in the summer or early fall.  Mr Haislar responded to a number of questions from UPAC members.  He reported that the University budget is expected to be finalized in mid-summer and no freeze in hiring and/or wages is expected.

Academic Personnel (Janet Cox)

• This is an extremely busy time of year for Academic Personnel as approximately 51 faculty searches and 5 librarian searches have been approved.   Nearly 3/4 of those searches are in progress and nearing completion. 
• Academic Affairs/Provost’s Office has been refining the policy on faculty workload and has had input/discussion on the development of strategic goals for the University.

Personnel (Marsha McIntosh)

• The Employee Health and Well-Being Program will hold an Open House on March 7, 2008.
• A Retirement Forum for new employees is also scheduled for March 7.  More information can be found on the Human Resources website.
• Human Resources and the Employee Health and Well-Being Program will offer a pilot program on March 27, 2008.  Specific employees have been invited to attend the pilot program.  UPAC members interested in attending the pilot program should contact Marsha. The purpose of the program is to educate attendees about the resources available through those offices.  A representative from Anthem will also be present to answer questions.  Dawn Fahner will facilitate the two-hour program.  Eventually, the program will be offered twice     
  each month.
• The OPERS retirement seminar is scheduled for May 28.  Registration is required.

Benefits (Ted Pickerill, UPAC rep)
Janet Cox reported that an RFP is out for consulting services as a prelude to putting out an RFP seeking vendors for benefit programs.

Networking (Doug Curry)
The UPAC Meet-and-Greet with senior administrators has been scheduled for Friday, April 18 from 4-6 P.M. at the Miami Inn.
There was a good turnout for the UPAC luncheon with Jason Elwood.  The next luncheon is March 12 with Dionn Tron.  Matt Boaz is the scheduled speaker for April.

Communications (Steven Gordon)
Melanie Hoffmann reported that the UPAC newsletter will be out the first week of March.

Old Business
A motion to forward a recommendation to President Hodge requesting reinstatement of the title Emeritus/a to qualified retiring unclassified staff members was unanimously approved.

New Business

• Nomination forms for UPAC membership will be mailed in mid-March.  Nominations are due in mid-April.  Recommendations regarding new members will be forwarded to the President’s Office in mid-May.  Members leaving UPAC at the end of this academic year are Mary Bausano, Matt Boaz, John Burke, Shala Mehdizadeh, and Barry Zaslow.
• Matt Boaz shared information about a customized online program on sexual harassment that has been purchased by the University.  The goal of the program is to reduce the University’s liability and to increase understanding and awareness of sexual harassment.  Anticipated start date for the program is July 1, 2008.  Initially, the program will be required of all new employees.  Eventually, all employees will be expected to participate in the training once each year.

Next Working Meeting: March 18, 2008
Next Business Meeting: April 1, 2008

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Bausano