Miami University

Unclassified Personnel Advisory Committee
June 3, 2008

Present:  Melanie Hoffman, Chair; Mary Bausano, John Burke, Janet Cox, Doug Curry, Stephen Gordon, Scott Lessing, Marsha McIntosh, Karen O’Hara, Ted Pickerill, Amy Poppel, Barry Zaslow
Guests:  New members (Effective July 2008): Pete Haverkos, Sarah McNitt, LaTania Thomas, Frances Yates

The minutes of the May meeting were approved.

Academic Personnel (Janet Cox)

• The transition to an online personnel form is on target.  Two departments will use the product for the reappointment of new faculty in the fall.
• Personnel announcements:
  • Michael Dantley, Associate Provost (Effective 7/1/2008)
  • John Kist, Chair of Botany
  • Donald Ucci, Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Steven Nimis, Chair of Classics
  • James Shiveley is returning as chair to the Department of Teacher Education

Human Resources (Marsha McIntosh)

• David Creamer, Vice President of Finance and Business Services started June 2, 2008.
• The WOW orientation program for new employees will not be held in June but will resume in July.

Benefits (Ted Pickerill)

• The Benefits Committee has recommended that Miami University offer the choice of a traditional PPO  or a high deductible Health Savings Account to employees.  The committee is now working on the contributions schedule.  One of the ideas being considered is calcula- ting employee contributions based on a percentage of salary rather than the current system.

Comunications (Steve Gordon)

• The next issue of the newsletter will feature the WOW program.  Anticipated publication date is June 2008.
• The first issue of the fall will feature Christine Taylor, Associate Vice President for Institu-tional Diversity.  Steve asked that any other news or events that need to be publicized be forwarded to him.

Old Business

• Melanie Hoffmann and Matt Boaz met with Steve Snyder to discuss the UPAC proposal recommending the reinstatement of the honorific “emeritus/a” to eligible unclassified staff upon retirement. Steve suggested the proposal also include more criteria to guide the awarding awarding of emeriti status.  Matt will pass along his notes from the meeting to Doug Curry, who agreed to shepherd the proposal through the next stage of development.  Melanie will send out information about the proposal to UPAC members.

New Business

• The following officers were elected for 2008-2009:
  • Chair – Doug Curry
  • Vice-Chair – Melanie Hoffmann
  • Secretary – Karen O’Hara
• UPAC extended its thanks to Mindy Stephens and Mark Walker for their help on special projects and to Dr. John Skillings for his support over the years.

Next meeting:  Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Respectfully submitted

Mary Bausano