April 15, 2004
The basic purpose of the Employee Council shall be to provide civil service employees with a forum for sharing timely information and facilitating employee recognition. The Employee Council does not perform any function of organized labor and is not intended in any way to supplant collective negotiations or employee organizations provided for in WAC Chapter 251-14. http://www.cwu.edu/~hr/minutes/purpose.doc
1. Call to order
2. Approval of the Agenda and Minutes
3. Selection of Employee of the Month for February, March, and April
4. Employee of the Year
5. Parking Advisory Committee
6. Campus Community Building Program
7. For the Good of the Order/New Business
8. Adjournment/Next Meeting
9. Report on the discussion of 1999 NASC Recommendation and 2001 NASC
Commendation Regarding Administration, Governance, and Communication
10. HR Announcements
The Employee Council of Civil Service Employees meeting in Black Hall, room 228-19, was called to order at 2:10 p.m., on April 15, 2004.
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA/MINUTES
The March minutes were approved as written. To view current and previous minutes, please visit: http://www.cwu.edu/~hr/minutes/index.html.
Selection of EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY, MARCH AND APRIL
Sandra Bach, Continuing Education, was named employee of the month for February. Sandra contributes to the successful implementation of continuing education programs through her dedication, attention to detail, and most importantly, her warm and caring personality.
Eileen Stokes, Human Resources, was named employee of the month for March. Recently, when a new employee was hospitalized very shortly after being hired, Eileen went to great lengths to work with the employee, the Health Care Authority, the hospital and the pharmacy to get the employee’s insurance coverage in place immediately. This is the kind of exemplary service Eileen provides her customers.
Alex Mandujano, Biological Sciences/Science, was named employee of the month for April.
Alex’s vital role in our department is akin to a keystone, that critical element in a medieval archway that, if removed, results in the collapse of a supporting arch – or even an entire building. His positive action and attitude are interwoven throughout almost everything we do in biology. We owe much of our ability to function to the competence, attitude and work ethic of Alex Mandujano. Alex’s competency is matched by a refreshingly helpful attitude that transcends his job description. The term “willing” does not do him justice.
Civil Service Employee of the Month Nomination Forms can be found at the Human Resources website: http://www.cwu.edu/~hr/forms/EOTMnominate.doc. You can also call Human Resources at 1202 to obtain a nomination form. Anyone may nominate a civil service employee that has worked for Central Washington University for at least two years.
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
The Employee of the Year for 2003 was announced at the annual staff service award program on May 4. The winner, Jim Thomson, Engineering Technician III in the Psychology department was selected by the Employee of the Year committee from a field of 9 candidates, all honored as employees of the month during 2003.
Parking Advisory Committee
A motion was made to suggest to the Parking Advisory Committee to wave parking permit enforcement during intersession (i.e. spring, summer, and winter breaks). This motion was tabled to our next meeting.
The next Parking Advisory Committee Meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2004 in the SUB, Room 209.
For information on parking, please view their website at: http://www.cwu.edu/~parking/
Campus Community Building Program
“The purpose of the program is to give members of the university community who are concerned about improving the university’s climate a positive way to direct their energy and an opportunity to connect with other university members who also want to take action to improve their community.” http://www.cwu.edu/~ccbp/
The Employee Council has selected the winter quarter winner of the CCBP Project, the Extra Special Over The Top Team of The Term Award. The announcement and presentation date has yet to be determined.
The Employee Council encourages everyone to participate in this valuable program. If you are interested in joining or if you have any questions about the Campus Community Building Program, please contact Linda Garcia at garcial@cwu.edu.
For the good of the order/new business
The Employee Council is asking for volunteers to help Wanda Waldron put up the new employee of the month and employee of the year picture board located in the Bouillon Hall foyer. If you are interested in helping Wanda, please send her an e-mail at wandrowa@cwu.edu.
Adjournment/NEXT MEETING
The Employee Council meeting was adjourned at 3:41 p.m. The next Employee Council meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 20, 2004, in Barge 412.
Present
Brad Sparks, Facilities Management
Dorothy Tenney, Facilities Management, Vice Chair
Crystal Whitaker, Information Technology Services, Employee Council Secretary
Lisa Stowe, Instructional Support: Unit A
Obie O’Brien, Library Services and Academic Computing
Wanda Waldron, Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
Peggy Eaton, Student Affairs & Enrollment Management
Melanie Palm, University Centers
Rob Lowery, University Relations & President, Publicity Coordinator
Absent
Laury Berner, Facilities Management, EC Chair
Lori Wheeler, Business Support
Monica Wallace, Business Support
Judy McNeil, Dining Services
Kelly Minor, Financial Services
Laurie Stehle, Instructional Support: Unit B
Also Present
Ona Youmans, Human Resources
If you have any questions regarding Employee Council or the Employee of the Month program, please contact your Employee Council Representative (http://www.cwu.edu/~hr/ec/delegates.html), or Human Resources at 1205.
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Report on the discussion of 1999 NASC Recommendation and 2001 NASC Commendation Regarding Administration, Governance, and Communication
Drs. Libby Street and Linda Beath attended the regular meeting of the Employee Council on March 18 to discuss the upcoming NWCCU (formerly NASC) five-year interim report and visit. The specific topic of discussion was the 1999 NASC recommendation and 2001 NASC commendation regarding Administration, Governance, and Communication. Employee Council members who were present at that meeting received a copy of the 1999 recommendation and the 2001 commendation. They commented on the university’s progress on these matters since 1999. One or more of those present:
Commendations
Complimented the administration and the BOT for ensuring that classified staff have a seat at the table for meetings of the BOT and PAC.
Praised the administration for reducing the number of interim appointments for executive and administrative positions. This has given a greater sense of permanence to university function.
Applauded the work that has been done to standardize and streamline CWU's web presence. Although people praised the more professional look, some expressed the sentiment that it was easier to find things on the "old" version stating that the current web page is not very friendly.
Praised improvements in CWU's implementation of PeopleSoft and the student information module. Particularly noted was the successful implementation of and communication about SAFARI. There was a sense that the university had learned from its mistakes during the implementation of FRS and HR.
Were pleased that the campus is kept apprised of planned changes to the campus including building, remodeling, and grounds work.
Complimented the president's engaging and friendly style, particularly that she knows people by name, makes eye contact with them, and says hello.
Expressed optimism about the implementation of Resource 25 are hopeful it will solve long-standing calendaring and scheduling problems that particularly affect classified staff.
Praised the heightened inclusion of civil service staff on campus committees.
Expressed appreciation about the number and quality of memos from President McIntyre and other cabinet members, keeping employees informed about important initiatives on campus. They also liked VP Corona's quarterly newsletter that praises individual contributions of staff.
Questioned the process for changing the name of units and suggested that whatever benefit the name change may achieve often is offset by the disruption it causes.
Pointed out that climate has improved under President McIntyre's leadership and attitude and that students also appreciate her attitude.
Clarified that the emotional climate has improved since 1999. People feel more acknowledged than before. One person said, "I don't hear complaints about working here like I used to. I do, however, hear comments about wages and benefits."
Appreciated letters from administration including President McIntyre and Rich Corona. In addition, voiced appreciation for Vice President Corona's quarterly newsletter with highlights about the division and stories about what individuals are doing.
Appreciated the opportunity to provide input into the accreditation report process.
Concerns
Expressed concern about the policy manual, its availability, and its utility. There was a sense that we have written a large number of policies, but many administrators and other employees who are new to the university are unaware of them. They suggested that a lot of people don't know how to access the electronic copy of the policy manual and that those who do have trouble finding particular policies. There was general agreement that a search engine for the policy manual would be particularly helpful. The specific instance that was mentioned was the recent weather crisis in which there was a fairly substantial misunderstanding of existing policy and breakdown in communication. Suggested that new employees should be trained in how to find the policies.
Voiced displeasureover the HR 2005 implementation, although everyone recognizes that this is a state-level not a university-level problem. They particularly cited the cost burden on employees and the impact on department budgets. In fact, there was a sense that our own HR department is doing a great job of keeping CWU staff apprised of the state's activities. From the staff perspective that was voiced at the meeting, HR Reform 2005 appears to be nothing more than rewriting civil service laws to take things away.
Voiced concern over increased fees: parking, insurance, larger share of benefits coming out of paychecks. Civil service staff has not only not gotten raises, they've taken a pay cut. Felt they were asked to do more with less.
Voiced concern that there are very few pats on the back for work well done.
Expressed concern about the breakdown in communication from the level of the cabinet to the level of the "bourgeoisie." They contend they eventually hear things, but it's somewhat like the game "Gossip." By the time information gets to them, it has changed significantly.
Expressed a concern that they never get reports from Ann Anderson about happenings in Olympia.
Expressed frustration about university scheduling and calendaring, specifically with too many separate components scheduling without talking to one another.
Indicated that the climate was somewhat worse than it had been in previous years primarily because of title changes and raises for administrators, the increased number of administrative positions, and the ballooning of middle management positions at the same time that classified salaries are topped out.
Voiced concern that the manner in which the early retirement program was communicated was dishonest and deceptive. It was not clear that this was a budget-cutting strategy where positions would not be filled.
Employees wishing to add other comments are asked to send them to Libby at streetl@cwu.edu with a copy to Crystal at crystal@cwu.edu or mail stop 7436 by
June 11.
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