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Unclassified Personnel Advisory Committee
July 7, 2009

Present: Stephen Gordon, Chair; Amy Carito, Lindsay Carpenter, Janet Cox, Vanessa Cummings, Marlene Diers, Sarah Frye, Sarah McNitt, Karen O’Hara, Kelly Phillips, Ted Pickerill, Mark Walker

Special Guest: Robin Parker, University Counsel

The meeting was called to order by Steve Gordon at 9am.

After brief introductions of members, the minutes of the June business meeting were approved.

Special Guest: Robin Parker
Robin announced that the voluntary retirement incentive will be offered again to reduce some of the need for involuntary reductions. This incentive will be similar to the earlier one, consisting of a $10,000 cash incentive for 100 slots, which will be offered to approximately 290 eligible employees who agree to retire on or before December 31, 2009. In the event more than 100 persons apply, those employees with more continuous full-time Miami service have the right to participate before those with less.

As before, there are no guarantees that positions that are vacated due to retirement will be eliminated; layoffs are still likely, even if all 100 slots are taken. Eligible employees who receive position elimination notices will have the option to take the retirement incentive instead.

A draft of the retirement incentive application was distributed to UPAC members. Members agreed to support the plan, which is expected to be announced around July 13. If there are any questions in the meantime, Robin offered to answer via e-mail (parkerrl@muohio.edu). Members were asked to keep information confidential until the official announcement of the retirement incentive is made.

Academic Personnel Update (Janet Cox)
Recent news from Personnel and Academic Affairs:

• Dr. Jeanne Hay has agreed to serve as interim dean of Middletown Campus for 2009-10.
• Training for classified position management on the PeopleAdmin system is expected to be offered this summer.
• As of July 1, the background check policy is in place. This policy will be applied only to the final candidate for a position, excluding candidates who are already employed by Miami.

Personnel Update (Kelly Phillips)

• Kelly elaborated on the background check policy, noting that there will be BMV checks for employees who operate a university vehicle (mainly PFD and Parking Services.) There are also some current Miami staff (Rec Sports, Goggin, and Mini U) who already undergo background checks due to their work with children
• The benefit audit conducted by HCS is ongoing. Although this audit is new for Miami, it is accepted practice in industries such as health care. Employees can contact HCS or Benefit Services with any questions.
• As announced in the H.R. Announcements listserv message of July 6, supervisory training will be offered soon. See www.muohio.edu/staffdevelopment for details.
• Summer Sensations is also ongoing. This program offers discounts for local attractions.
  

Marlene Diers noted that EHWB programming will pick up next month and into the fall semester.

Senate Representative (Anne Schauer)
No report

Academic Policy Representative (Pete Haverkos)
No report

Benefits (Ted Pickerill)
Ted reported that an employee health and well-being questionnaire is available for purchase. The Benefits Committee is working with a consultant to prioritize how to redistribute health care costs to employees. It is hoped that this can be done without increasing premiums.

Networking (Sarah McNitt)
No report; Sarah hopes to revisit the end-of-year networking event, perhaps as a ‘back to school’ get together.

Communications (Steve Gordon)
Steve noted that it was suggested that UPAC and CPAC combine forces to host an event at the end of the year, perhaps in the Heritage Room. Steve asked for assistance with the UPAC newsletter and reminded members that articles for the website can be submitted to Mark Walker.

Old Business
Open Forum recommendation: Steve reminded members of the recommendation to set up some open forums to address employee issues. Since this type of communication is supported by the President and Provost, Steve will contact Carol Hauser to work out a schedule.

Climate Study. The University Multicultural Council (UMC) has completed reviewing the executive summary of the Climate Study. Dr. Taylor will report to UPAC soon.

New Business
Orientation for new members. Steve plans to contact new UPAC members to provide orientation on UPAC’s recent activities and to gather new ideas for the year.

Priorities for upcoming academic year. Members were asked to poll their co-workers to gather some (realistic) possibilities for UPAC priorities in the coming year.

Anita Sackenheim-Holiday Project. A UPAC member is needed to serve as a representative on the CPAC annual Holiday Project. UPAC has agreed to work on this project for the coming year, with an option to reevaluate participation at the end of the year.

Members should expect a calendar proposal for the working meeting scheduled for July 21 in the Benjamin Harrison Room.

Other Items:
Working meeting: July 21

 

Respectfully submitted

Karen O’Hara