UPAC: Meeting Minutes: Sep 2008


Unclassified Personnel Advisory Committee
September 2, 2008

Present: Doug Curry, Chair; Melanie Hoffmann, Vice Chair; Janet Cox, Vanessa Cummings, Stephen Gordon, Pete Haverkos, Scott Lessing, Marsha McIntosh, Sarah McNitt, Karen O’Hara, Ted Pickerill, Anne Schauer, LaTania Thomas, Frances Yates

Absent: Amy Poppel

The meeting was called to order by Doug Curry.

The minutes of the August meeting were approved. Future treatment of confidential information was discussed.

Special Guest: None

Academic Personnel Update (Janet Cox)

  • New faculty orientation went well; the year is off to a good start

Personnel Update (Marsha McIntosh)

  • Progress continues on the implementation of the PeopleAdmin system (to manage job postings on HR site). More information is forthcoming.
  • Campus mailings on the Work/Life Expo have been sent. Another mailing will be forthcoming. Approximately 30 vendors plan to attend.
  • Marsha has added a new job assignment to her duties. She is now providing staff development & training to Physical Facilities. As a result, she has relocated her office to Cole Service Building.

Doug circulated Work/Life Expo & Benefits Fair signup sheets.

It was announced that President Hodge & David Creamer have asked to meet with Doug & Melanie on Monday, September 8 to provide details on the budget.

Senate Representative (Anne Schauer)
First meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 8.

Academic Policy Representative (Pete Haverkos)
No report; meetings begin in October.

Benefits (Ted Pickerill)

  • The changes to employee health care have been confirmed. The new coverage will take effect on Jan. 1, 2009.
    • Under the new coverage, diabetes & asthma medications will be 100% covered (no co-pay)
    • Supplemental vision and dental insurance coverage will be available for purchase, but may not be in place before January.

Networking (Sarah McNitt)

  • Members were reminded that the cost of the UPAC networking luncheon is $5.50. Inform the cashier that you are attending the UPAC luncheon so that you are charged correctly.
  • First UPAC luncheon is scheduled for September 9. Members were encouraged to attend and bring friends. A reminder will be sent to the key contacts list.

Communications (Steve Gordon)

  • Newsletter layout should be completed soon and forwarded to Mindy Stephens. It should be mailed to unclassified personnel by mid-September.
  • Space will be held for an open enrollment article from Marsha/Dawn.

Old Business

Emeriti “Final Proof”: The final proof was approved and will move forward.

Bylaws “Final Proof”: After minor edits were requested, the final proof was approved.

UPAC Goals: Doug identified three major goals for UPAC during the coming year:

  • Support a healthier lifestyle for employees. Examples include improving subsidies for Rec Center memberships and increasing emphasis on EHWB initiatives. These initiatives should also mesh well with the new health coverage.
  • Offer additional social activities, including meetings with CPAC and other campus constituencies.
  • Explore opportunities for unclassified professional development, similar to the job enrichment opportunities already offered to classified personnel. Examples include recognition for earning new certifications or continuing one’s education.
    • Historically, HR intended job enrichment to promote advancement by classified employees and to address salary disparities. Unclassified personnel were already expected to pursue professional development.
    • The recent addition of the PRIDE award targets unclassified personnel and is administered by the individual departments. HR also administers a training and development fund that can provide funds to individual departments.
    • Members discussed the complexities affecting unclassified personnel: lack of an impartial award system, limits due to size or structure of a department, and the range of job titles held by unclassified personnel (estimated at over 800, compared to approximately 100 titles for classified personnel.)
    • It was suggested that a survey and/or position paper be developed to address this topic. Additional discussion will take place at the next working meeting.
    • Doug will e-mail the goals to members.

UPAC Job description Update: tabled

Regional Campus Meeting: a spring meeting at VOA is planned. Date TBA.

New Business

  • The search committee for the VP of Information Technology position meets on September 3. Karen will have a report for the next UPAC business meeting.
  • It was decided to hold the September working meeting as scheduled, even though it falls on the date of the Work/Life Expo. Marsha offered to watch the UPAC table during the meeting time so that members could attend.
  • The member profiles (questionnaires) will be part of a quiz at the next business meeting.
  • The Staff Forum Committee at Miami Middletown has asked for CPAC/UPAC participation. La Tania will represent UPAC.

Other Items: None

Next working meeting: September 16, 9 am
Next business meeting: October 7, 9 am. 

Respectfully submitted
Karen O’Hara

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