TOPICS DISCUSSED
Everyone can access the minutes via the Internet. Just go to the CWU home page; click on "Administration", then on "VP Business and Financial Affairs", then on "meeting minutes." From here you will see a list, click on "Employee Council." (Past and present minutes are listed by date.)
10% BUDGET REALLOCATION UPDATE
Kari Taylor reported on the current status of the 10%
Budget Reallocation exercise. The Budget Advisory Committee has sent their
recommendations to Dr. Norton. Norton is aware that not all groups had
the same voice in the preparation of the committee’s document, and that
he is supportive of "not cutting jobs or staff." He will present his modified
version at the May 12 BOT meeting.
Employee Council reviewed a letter sent from Dale Hubbard, President of WFSE Local 330, to the Board of Trustees concerning the budget exercise process. Pam Zupan said she felt the committee process included much negotiation as each unit gave up 10% and then considered how those funds might be reallocated. She felt that the committee really had the best interests of the university at heart.
CWU’s student newspaper, The Observer, has been running articles concerning this budget exercise and its possible effects and ramifications. Marilyn Thomson reported on the BOT meeting that was televised on April 14. She said that students were very upset and vocal about cuts being considered, especially in areas of student employment. There was a recent panel discussion held in the SUB with Pappas, Norton, Corona, Gillespie, Dauwalder and Beath there to help explain the issues. Students are being encouraged to attend the May 12 BOT meeting. These are public meetings but, if you wish to attend, you will need to reschedule your workweek or take leave to do so. Can’t make it? It is televised on campus cable system Channel 60, or broadcasted on Ellensburg Community TV Channel 2, or you may view the videotapes that are available at Media Circulation in the Library. You may always write or e-mail the Board of Trustee members sharing your concerns. Their names and addresses are on the CWU homepage.
There is currently a committee charged with reviewing the administrative organization to help determine if our current structure best meets the needs of this University. With several administrative positions open, it is a good time to look at possible reorganization schemes. The committee’s report at the last BOT meeting was only that they are "working on it"; but results should be forthcoming.
No one knows what the final outcome will look like, but the budget should be settled at the June BOT meeting.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
Marilyn Thomson presented the three candidates for Employee
of the Month. Ioana Dinu, from the SeaTac Library, was selected for the
month of March. She is described as having "a perfect mix of professionalism…an
excellent work ethic. She is punctual and always focused on her job. Ioana
is our timekeeper and does extra work for all the staff, faculty and student
workers in the Library (approx. 120 people) especially since the PeopleSoft
program has been having problems. She always has a pleasant smile, a kind
word and gentle sense of humor for everyone."
This is the last monthly selection before the annual ballots for Employee of the Year are distributed. Ballots will be sent out to chose among the last twelve Employee of the Month winners. They are: Bonnie Petersen (Athletics); Margaret Taylor (Facilities Management); Kathleen McDaniel (SeaTac Center); Teri Bangs (Human Resources); Bob Guptill (Athletics); Kari Taylor (Foreign Language); Joanne Stevenson (Academic Services); Shawn Fagalde (Conference Program); Charlene Kauzlarich (College of Education and Professional Studies); Judy Paul (Student Financial Services); Barbara Hinchliff (Central Services) and Ioana Dinu (Library).
The award, including a check for $1500 from the President’s Discretionary Fund, will be given during the Honors Convocation when faculty awards are presented. The Employee of the Year recipients have their portrait on the "Honor Wall" on the third floor of Barge Hall. Past winners are Becky Baker (Human Resources) and Keith Jones (Electronic Maintenance Services). New this year for the classified Employee of the Year is a year’s parking permit.
The form for nominating a co-worker as Employee of the Month is available at www.cwu.edu/~hr Scroll down and click on Employee of the Month Nomination Form. Next month is a fresh start for a new year, so the old forms will be tossed and a new group of candidates considered. If you still have a favorite co-worker who deserves the extra recognition, now is the time to nominate him/her.
CIVIL SERVICE VOICE AT BOT
Recent controversies have again pointed out the lack
of a voice for the BOT to receive input from classified staff. While it
is true that our salaries are set by the state, circumstances such as this
budget exercise impact all aspects of the university, not just administration,
faculty and students; the civil service staff deserve a say in issues that
affect them.
Kari Taylor distributed a letter to Gwen Chaplin, Chair of the Board of Trustees, written by herself and Dale Hubbard, President of the local WFSE Local Union, addressing this issue. It encourages the BOT to establish a seat at their table for a classified staff member. This letter represents a joint dialog between the Local Union and the Employee Council. There are approximately 570 classified staff members at CWU, and the two groups have many overlapping concerns.
ANNUAL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION AWARDS
The annual Service Award Program will be held May 24,
1:30-4:30 p.m. in the Lombard Room. Classified staff is given awards for
completing 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years of service. There will be seventy-two
employees honored this year.
This year’s theme is "A Whale of a Team." Staci Layman will be the featured entertainer. Colleen Rose presented a draft copy of the program brochure prepared by Lisa Miller.
Each year Employee Council members bring homemade cookies and flowers. If you would like to contribute, let Colleen know (1205). Door prizes are beginning to come in. If the donating business needs a receipt, let Colleen know and she will include the dollar amount in the thank-you letter.
GROUP WISE TRAINING ANNOUNCEMENT
Nancy Taft is presenting "Beyond the Basics", advanced
training for GroupWise. There were sessions for PC users and for Mac users
on April 26 and 28. Additional sessions will be given in May. This is a
3-hour course, but unlike the other extended sessions offered by Nancy,
there is no fee for your department. Call Lynn Hutchins (2288) for more
details.
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY HELP
Bob Trumpy (1876), Director of Student Health & Counseling
Services, and Gail Farmer (3214) are working first and foremost for CWU
students, but if we have a concern about a drug or alcohol-dependency issue,
they will see us on a "time permitted" basis.
Employees should call on EAS (Employee Advisory Service)
for more involved service. EAS should be considered the main contact for
this type of service. Our referral office is in Spokane, 509-482-3686 or
fax: 509-482-3600.
HUMAN RESOURCES ANNOUNCEMENTS:
PERSONNEL FILE INSPECTION
An employee wishing to inspect his or her official personnel
file, or to authorize another person to inspect the employee’s personnel
file may file a request in the Human Resources office. Upon receipt of
the request, Human Resources will schedule a time for the employee and/or
the employee’s designee to come in to inspect the file. This will insure
that a Human Resources staff member will be available to answer any questions
the employee or his/her designee may have, and that the employee’s file
includes all materials received in the Human Resources office to date.
Every attempt will be made to honor the request within two workdays of
its receipt. An employee may schedule an appointment by phone and complete
the written request at the time of the appointment. Upon an employee’s
request, the Human Resources Department will provide an initial copy of
any document(s) contained within the employee’s official personnel file
at no cost to the employee. Thereafter, there will be a charge.
RETIREMENT PLAN RATE CHANGES
Members of the PERS 2, TRS 2, and LEOFF 2 retirement
plans will have lower contribution rates beginning with the May 25, 2000,
paychecks. The amount withheld from member’s paychecks will decrease as
listed below:
*PERS 2 decreases
from 1.85% to 1.54% of salary.
*TRS 2 decreases
from 2.94% to 1.85% of salary.
*LEOFF 2 decreases
from 5.87% to 5.41% of salary.
FREE HELP AVAILABLE
Do you often have more work in your department than you
can handle? Would you be interested in getting some free help? Kevin White,
a vocational rehabilitation consultant (VRC) that contracts with the Department
of Labor and Industries, currently has clients that need volunteer experiences
for entry-level office work. The company has three other VRC's and they
may have just the person you're looking for whether it is just a couple
hours per week as a volunteer secretary to a full-time on the job training
re-training program as a plant engineer (again, at no cost to your department).
If interested call Kevin White, VRC, cell # 509 961-7926, Office 509 575-1151
ext. 3, Fax 509 575-1938, Email: kwhite@vocalt.com
Before you hire anyone through this program, be sure to contact Central’s
Environmental Health & Safety office at 2252. That office can answer
any of your Labor and Industry questions.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., May 18,
2000, in SUB 209. All representatives need to attend. Alternates are always
welcome. If you are a representative and cannot make the meeting, be sure
to let your alternate know so that they will attend.
Present:
Paula Moffatt, Business & Admin Support: Unit B
Mike Posada, Business & Admin Support: Unit B
Karol Barker, Dining Services
Kevin Gentner, Dining Services
Marilyn Thompson, Housing & Residential Services
Kariann Taylor, Instructional Support: Unit A; Chair
Gene Wilson, Instructional Support: Unit A
Leona Johnson, Library Services; Secretary
Dorothy Tenney, Plant & Facilities
Ginger Linnell, Enrollment Management & Marketing
Carola Alden, Student Services & SUB
Absent:
Kim Thomas, Business & Admin Support: Unit A
Elaine Long, Business & Admin Support: Unit A
Karen Simmons, Instructional Support: Unit B
Debbie Nethery, Instructional Support: Unit B
Jeri Francisco-Porter, Plant & Facilities
Pat Devlin, Plant & Facilities
Also Present:
Pam Zupan, Human Resources
Colleen Rose, Human Resources
Jan Powell, HR: Training & Development