Miami University

Unclassified Personnel Advisory Committee
October 13, 2009

Present: Vanessa Cummings, Chair; Amy Carito, Lindsay Carpenter, Janet Cox, Pete Haverkos, Kerri Jackson, Sarah McNitt, Karen O’Hara, Anne Schauer, Mark Walker
Wilks Conference Center, Miami University Hamilton
The meeting was called to order by Vanessa Cummings at 9am.
The September UPAC Business Meeting minutes were approved.

Academic Personnel Update (Janet Cox)

• Furlough policy was approved by the Board of Trustees at their September 18 meeting.
• Three open forums were held on Oxford campus during September to address budget and staffing issues. Forums were well-attended, and staff raised many questions. There is currently an effort to compile the “Q & A” document from these forums for publication on the HR and Academic Personnel websites.
• The search for the regional campus dean is underway. Pete Haverkos is on the search committee and will be updating us on progress.

Personnel Update (Vanessa Cummings on behalf of Kelly Phillips)

• The Benefits Fair was well-attended. Members are reminded that open enrollment ends on October 31. A few open computer lab sessions are still available. See www.muohio.edu/benefits for more details.
• If a dependent’s record does not include SSN or birth date, employees will be asked to provide this information.
• The benefit audit conducted by HCS has been completed.
• Kronos will be updated to its latest version on October 24-25. Training is still available for interested staff. Supervisors will now need written documentation of employee requests for corrections of time cards. Employees will no longer be able to make these corrections on their own.
• The EHWB Field Day is Oct. 14, with a rain date of Oct. 21.
• Additional flu shot clinics will be announced soon.

Senate Representative (Anne Schauer)
At the last Senate meeting, Anne noted that the furlough policy was discussed. Senate compiled a list of concerns that were raised, including the need for UPAC/CPAC involvement in any implementation.

Academic Policy Representative (Pete Haverkos)
No report

Benefits (Anne Schauer on behalf of Ted Pickerill)
The Benefits Committee will be examining employee co-pays in the coming year. Compared to other universities, Miami’s rate appears to be somewhere in the middle. Anne also noted that college-aged students who are claimed as dependents by employees will be audited yearly to ensure that they are still eligible.

Networking (Sarah McNitt)
The next UPAC Networking luncheon is scheduled for 12 noon on October 27, with guest speaker Vanessa Cummings. It was suggested that UPAC review past speakers to ensure even coverage of university divisions, and members were encouraged to send ideas for speakers to Sarah.

Communications (Steve Gordon)
No report
Mark Walker and Kerri Jackson offered to take over communication responsibilities.

Old Business
Open Forums
Members discussed the issues raised at open forums and the President’s plans for the future of the university. Questions about the overall direction of the university and the need for open communication led members to suggest that Steve Snyder be invited to discuss these topics at a future UPAC meeting.

New Business
Parking
Vanessa Cummings discussed the new pre-tax (payroll deduction) parking permit system and asked members for feedback on ideas for generating additional revenue in the future. Ideas include tiered pricing by location, reserved parking spaces, and zone parking. No consensus was reached. Vanessa announced the “Magical Mystery Tour” (Oct. 26. 27. 28), which is designed to increase faculty and staff bus ridership. It was suggested that faculty/staff receive more information on their ability to ride the Miami Metro buses at no additional charge.

Membership
It was suggested that we consult the bylaws in order to make decisions on how to fill vacant UPAC positions.

Members ended the meeting with a Hamilton campus tour, conducted by Pete Haverkos.

Other Agenda Items:
Next working meeting: October 27
Next business meeting: November 10

Respectfully submitted

Karen O’Hara