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Unclassified Personnel Advisory Committee
September 8, 2009

Present: Stephen Gordon, Chair; Amy Carito, Janet Cox, Vanessa Cummings, Marlene Diers, Kerri Jackson, Sarah McNitt, Karen O’Hara, Kelly Phillips, Ted Pickerill, Anne Schauer, Mark Walker
Special Guests: David Creamer, Robin Parker

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

Special Guests: David Creamer, Robin Parker
Dr. Creamer and Ms. Parker provided background on the proposed furlough policy. In July, the state legislature passed language to facilitate the university’s ability to offer furloughs to offset a “significant operating budget deficit.” Accordingly, a policy was drafted and has already been presented to University Senate. UPAC members were asked to provide feedback on the draft of the furlough policy before it is returned to Senate on Sept. 14 and forwarded to the Board of Trustees for approval on Sept. 18.

It is important to remember that this policy was written to provide a flexible, short-term solution to any budgetary issues. There are no plans to institute furloughs at this time.

The policy details the process that would be followed if it was decided to implement a furlough. Several preliminary actions would need to take place, including consultation with the Executive Committee of Senate and UPAC/CPAC leadership. It also appears that a furlough could take many forms, and achieving true equity across a large percentage of employees would prove difficult.

Later in the meeting, UPAC discussed the policy as a body and agreed to communicate to Senate via Anne Schauer that the proposed policy was reviewed and accepted with the following two suggestions:

• Paragraph 4: insert “working” after 5 consecutive_____ days.  (Robin also mentioned the option of stating 40 hours)
• Reiterate the statement in paragraph 4 that Administration will consult with UPAC prior to the implementation of furloughs.

The UPAC August Business Meeting minutes were approved.

Members then met for a group photo on the steps of Shriver Center. Thanks go to Mindy Stephens for serving as photographer.

Academic Personnel Update (Janet Cox)
Janet noted that there are several familiar faces serving in different roles, as a number of interim and acting chairs and program directors have been appointed. Deans have been asked to consider reorganization as a means to further reduce their budgets.

Personnel Update (Kelly Phillips)

• The benefit audit conducted by HCS closed on August 17. Less than 100 employees have not responded, and they are being contacted individually.
• Plans for a joint UPAC/CPAC benefits meeting were delayed due to the approval process. Members are encouraged to attend one of the open sessions. See www.muohio.edu/benefits for a full list.
• The EHWB fall schedule has been released. The schedule includes dates of seasonal flu shots, fitness room hours, blood pressure screenings, Weight Watchers at Work, the Happy Feet Walking Club, and the annual Field Day (Oct. 14, with a rain date of Oct. 21). Members were also reminded that an employee personal interest survey would be forthcoming.

Senate Representative (Anne Schauer)
No report; Anne was asked to convey UPAC’s message regarding the furlough policy at the next Senate meeting.

Academic Policy Representative (Pete Haverkos)
No report

Benefits (Ted Pickerill)
No report

Networking (Sarah McNitt)
The first UPAC Networking luncheon is scheduled for 12 noon on September 22, with guest speaker TBA.

Communications (Steve Gordon)
No report

Old Business

Open Forum Q&A compilation: Steve reported that the Open Forum meeting Q&A compilation passed a thorough review and will be posted on the website shortly.

Enrollment Issues: Steve Snyder has agreed to reschedule his visit to discuss enrollment.

Benefits Fair: Volunteers will soon be asked to staff the UPAC table at the Benefits Fair.

New Business

• UPAC vacancy: Sarah Frye is moving out of the area and a new UPAC member from MUM will be needed.

Members were reminded that the next UPAC business meeting will take place at Miami Hamilton’s Conservatory. A university vehicle will leave from Shriver around 8:30 a.m. that day. It was suggested that members plan to be out for the entire morning, as the meeting time has been moved to 9:30 and plans call for lunch at a nearby restaurant.

Other Agenda Items:
Next working meeting: September 22
Next business meeting: October 13, Hamilton campus

 

Respectfully submitted

Karen O’Hara