Minutes - May 15, 2003

Members present: Michael Acuna, Phyllis Akmal, Pat Alfano, Jan Ballard, Glen Baum, Janet Bensman, Alison Louise Brown, Helen Burnette, Joanna Castillo, Johnnie Conley, Marlis Dagg, Michelle Dean, Phillip Dubov, Jeff Flagg, Robin Fradenburgh, Rick Garza, Phil Gavenda, Royce Gehrels, Joni Goan, Sandra Godfrey, Andrew Gordon, Kenneth Grant, Kathy Guajardo, Dora Hilgart, Marcus Horton, J. Steve Johnston, Martha King, Elizabeth Korves, Noah Lowenstein, C. W. Matthew, Alan McKendree, Earl McMannis Jr., Cheryl McVay, Peggy Mueller, Greg Murphy, Sam Owens, Shannon Palmquist, Chuck Pearson, Amy Pinkston, Ana Raley, Karen Rogers, Christopher Ruggeri, J. R. Schlesinger, Ann Seago, William Sederholm, Frank Simon, Sandra Sleeper, Didi Smith, Joe Sosler, Jerry Spillar, Sarah Supulski, Kitty Villa, Erin Waneck, Glen Worley; Vickie Amidon, Mack Andrews, Karis Beasley, Philemon Brown, Joni Burks, Alanna Burney, Oscar Carmona, Melba Catchings, Laura Davis, Margaret Evans, Patrice Fox, Bert Herigstad, Vicki Heydron, Gayle Hight, Margaret Hill, Thomas Horn, George Hughes, Kim Johnson, John Nelson, Jorge Puig, Kay Randall, Leslie Saucedo, Sheril Smith, Michael Volbeda, Leslie Wood

Members absent with notification: Julie Cunniff, Christy Habecker, John Hibbitts, Jim McElroy, Mary Beth Mercatoris, Kim Montroy; Shane Williams

Members absent: Johnny Castilleja, Mike Farmer, Schuyler Hupp, Bo Lawrence, Donna Maga, Maria Martinez, Philip Mullins, James Piper, Alicia Reffett, Jennifer Scalora, Stella Smith, Dana Springs, Mauro Torres, Elsa Villanueva, Punsom Joy Whitney; Augustin Collazo, Tina Hatla

Guests: President Larry R. Faulkner; Dr. Marvin Hackert, Chemistry and Biochemistry; Margo Hamby, McDonald Observatory

Human Resource Services: Kyle Cavanaugh, Ethan Diehl, Debra Kress, Monica Reed

Welcome

Chair Frank Simon called to order the regular meeting of the UT Staff Council at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2003 in ACE 2.302.

This was the joint meeting of elected representatives to the UT Staff Council for both the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 years. From the recent April 2003 election, there are 39 new representatives for 2003-2004. 28 of these 39 are new to the University Staff Council. 36 elected representatives continue serving on the 2003-2004 UTSC in accordance with UTSC Bylaws which provide for alternate year elections for odd- and even-numbered districts.

There are 77 total representatives for the UT Staff Council when all places are filled. Two vacancies exist, Districts 331 and 470.2.

Frank introduced our guests, Dr. Marvin Hackert, Chair, Faculty Council, 2003-2004; Margo Hamby, former UTSC representative; and from Human Resources, Kyle Cavanaugh, Associate Vice President; Ethan Diehl; Debra Kress; Monica Reed.

Guest speaker

Frank introduced our guest speaker, President Larry R. Faulkner. President Faulkner recognized the UT Staff Council as an important success for the campus. Dr. Faulkner said it was an appropriate time, during this Commencement week, for the "commencement" of the first class of the University Staff Council to pass the torch. Dr. Faulkner spoke about the real investment of the staff in the University. "You and the people you represent are very important forces in the life of the University." The Staff Council opened systematic lines of communication and looked at issues as part of the community. "The issues you bring to the Council and the changes you make will endure."

President Faulkner then answered many questions from UTSC representatives. Glen Worley thanked President Faulkner for his support of University staff.

Announcements

Frank welcomed and introduced Elizabeth Korves, the interim representative from District 282.

Janet Bensman brought fliers and brochures announcing the first University Health Services Faculty and Staff Health Fair on June 11, 2003, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Gregory Gym concourse.

Minutes from the previous meeting:
The minutes of the April 17, 2003 meeting were approved.

Chair's report:

Frank Simon thanked all UTSC representatives who served during his tenure as chair of the UT Staff Council. He expressed appreciation to President Faulkner and Kyle Cavanaugh, and to officers and committees of the UTSC. Frank gave particular notice to Ethan Diehl, Human Resource Services, for programming and technical assistance in support of the election process and to Michelle Dean and the Nominations and Elections Committee for successfully accomplishing the second UTSC campus election.

Vice Chair's report:

Phillip Dubov reminded representatives of the Staff Council web site. Some transitions for newer pages must be made before they can be placed on the UTSC web site.

Recorder/Secretary's report:

Peggy Mueller reported that by vote of the Staff Council, UTSC representatives' attendance at each meeting is shown by name in the minutes. She asked all representatives to sign in at the beginning of every meeting. Representatives who cannot attend a meeting because of work conflicts, vacations or emergencies should notify the Recorder/Secretary prior to the meeting if possible, and will be listed in the minutes as "absent with notification."

Peggy also reminded representatives to stand and identify yourself by name when recognized by the chair.

Peggy thanked several unsung heroes for their remarkable assistance in the work of the UT Staff Council: Linda Casarez, Neal Gibson and Ethan Diehl from Human Resource Services for behind the scenes web work, technical assistance and process development during the creation, organization and ongoing work of the Staff Council. She also thanked President Faulkner and Associate Vice President Kyle Cavanaugh for their support for the UTSC.

Old Business:

Chair Frank Simon reported the UTSC Executive Committee had certified the results of the April 2003 elections for UTSC representatives.

New Business:

Michelle Dean, Chair of the Nominations and Elections Committee, led the officer nomination process. Individuals nominated include:

Chair: Glen Worley, General Libraries
Vice Chair: Phillip Dubov, College of Liberal Arts
Recorder/Secretary: Ann Bottenfield Seago, School of Information

In accordance with UTSC Bylaws officers will be elected at the June meeting and begin terms at the conclusion of the June meeting. Nominations may also be made from the floor. Each candidate will be given 5 minutes to speak before the election is conducted.

Frank stated the work of the UT Staff Council was completed by its committees. He then introduced the current chairs of the Standing Committees (Bylaws; Committee on Committees; Communications; Executive; Issues; and Nominations and Elections) and Working Committees (Compensation and Classification; Grievance; Insurance; Miscellaneous Benefits; Parking and Transportation; Retirement; University and Public Relations) and encouraged representatives to contact the chairs for additional information and to volunteer for committee service.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the UT Staff Council is Thursday, June 19, 2003; 2:30-4:00 p.m.; Main 212.

Peggy Mueller
Recorder/Secretary
June 6, 2003

Minutes corrected and approved June 19, 2003