Skip to content.

Miami University

Website Directory

Unclassified Personnel Advisory Committee
January 6, 2009

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

Special Guest: Steve Snyder

The meeting was called to order by Doug Curry.

Request for feedback (Steve Snyder)
Steve Snyder requested feedback on how the budget cuts might affect the university’s annual recognition of employees who have given 15, 25, or 30 years of service to the university. Usually there are a few hundred eligible employees. This year’s numbers are up by 75-100 over last year.

Recognition consists of a reception and the following awards:

• a framed certificate (15 yr),
• a Miami pen set (25 yr.) and
• a Miami University clock (30 yr.).

Of the $15,000 budgeted, well over half goes toward the award items. Approximately 175 people, including friends and family, attend the reception. Employees receive the awards even if they do not attend the reception.

Members discussed several options, including offering less-costly types of awards. The general consensus seemed to be that although scaling back the food at the reception is acceptable, scaling back the awards is not recommended as a top priority or consideration if possible. Steve thanked the membership for their feedback and will seek additional input from CPAC and Senate.

The minutes of the December meeting were approved.

Academic Personnel Update (Janet Cox)

• Spring semester is about to start. The new electronic academic appointment option has been well-received and is proving to be cost-effective.
• Current projects still focus primarily on budgetary issues.

Personnel Update (Kelly Phillips)

• The latest draft of the Guidelines… document was distributed for feedback. Members were asked to keep this document confidential for approximately one more week. Deans and department heads will receive it sooner.
• Next week a cash retirement incentive offer will be tendered to a pool of approximately 140 eligible individuals.
• All three campuses will host open forums to discuss budget issues (dates TBA). These forums will consist of a general all-staff discussion of finance and budget, as well as a civil service reform session targeted toward SATSS employees.
• Humana health coverage took effect January 1. Premier Health Partners has not yet reached agreement with Humana; this primarily affects employees in the Middletown area. Those already receiving treatment can request a “transition of care” for 90 days to allow time to find a new provider. Members were reminded that true emergencies are always treated as “in-network” whether or not the hospital is part of the Humana network.
• Approximately 14% of employees selected the high-deductible (HSA) option. Unclassified staff should already have received a deposit, and classified employees should have it by the end of the week.

Senate Representative (Anne Schauer)
No report

Academic Policy Representative (Pete Haverkos)

• Discussion continues on how to implement the University Libraries’ information literacy module, eScholar (formerly known as eLiteracy).

Benefits (Ted Pickerill)
Janet noted that the committee met a few weeks ago to strategize. Other Ohio schools may combine forces with Miami to secure better rates in the future. A voluntary vision plan for Miami employees will be announced this spring.

Networking (Sarah McNitt)

• The next UPAC luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13. Guest speaker: Sarah McNitt.
• It was noted that some UPAC members have not been receiving the e-mail reminders of UPAC luncheons.

Communications (Steve Gordon)

• Dates of future UPAC luncheons are needed.
• A featured member profile is needed—Kelly may be a good candidate for this.
• Next issue of the newsletter should come out in February and is likely to include numerous budget topics.

Old Business

• The March 3 business meeting will be held at VOA. Doug will arrange transportation.

New Business
None

Other Items:
Working meetings: Jan. 20, Feb. 17, Mar. 17, April 21 and May 19.
Business meetings: Feb. 3, Mar. 3, April 7 and May 5.

(By now members should have received calendar meeting proposals for the remainder of the 2008-09 academic year. Members are asked to contact Karen if they did not receive the proposals.)

 

Respectfully submitted

Karen O’Hara