Minutes - July 17, 2003

Members present: Pat Alfano, Vickie Amidon, Mack Andrews, Jan Ballard, Karis Beasley, Janet Bensman, Philemon Brown, Helen Burnette, Alanna Burney, Julie Cunniff, Marlis Dagg, Phillip Dubov, Margaret Evans, Phil Gavenda, Royce Gehrels, Andrew Gordon, Christy Habecker, Bert Herigstad, Vicki Heydron, John Hibbitts, Gayle Hight, Thomas Horn, Marcus Horton, Kim Johnson, Steve Johnston, Noah Lowenstein, Jim McElroy, Frank McIlhaney, Kim Montroy, Peggy Mueller, Greg Murphy, John Nelson, Sam Owens, Chuck Pearson, Amy Pinkston, Jorge Puig, Ana Raley, Leslie Saucedo, Jennifer Scalora, William Sederholm, Sandra Sleeper, Didi Smith, Stella Smith, Sheril Smith, Joe Sosler, Jerry Spillar, Bruce Volbeda, Erin Waneck, J. R.Watson, Shane Williams, Leslie Wood, Glen Worley

Members absent with notification: Michael Acuna, Alison Louise Brown, Joni Burks, Melba Catchings, Augustin Collazo, Johnnie Conley, Laura Davis, Patrice Fox, Sandra Godfrey, Kathy Guajardo, Dora Hilgart, Margaret Hill, Elizabeth Korves, Mary Beth Mercatoris, Ann Seago, Frank Simon, Kitty Villa

Members absent: Oscar Carmona, Rick Garza, George Hughes, Earl McMannis, Jr., Kay Randall, J. R. Schlesinger

Guests: Delaney Hall, Daily Texan; Sarah Kleiner, Daily Texan

Human Resource Services: Debra Kress, Monica Reed

Welcome:

Chair Glen Worley called to order the regular meeting of the UT Staff Council at 2.35 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2003 in Main 212. 52 UTSC representatives were present.

Announcements:

Glen welcomed and introduced James R. (J.R.) Watson, ARL-Engineering Services Division, as the interim representative from 610.3. Shannon Palmquist, PRC-Physical Plant, District 502, resigned effective July 9, 2003. Peggy Mueller, General Libraries, District 130.2, was appointed to the Police Oversight Committee.

There will not be a UTSC meeting in August. All UTSC committees should meet at least once and elect committee chairs. Names of the committee chairs should be reported to Vice Chair Phillip Dubov no later than September 1. The next regular meeting of the UTSC is Thursday, September 18, 2003, Main 212, from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Minutes from the previous meeting:

The minutes of the June 19, 2003 meeting were approved.

Chair's report:

Chair Glen Worley reported the UTSC officers (Glen Worley, Phillip Dubov and Ann Seago) met with Kyle Cavanaugh, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, on June 26, 2003. Topics discussed included the effect of Senate Bill 1370 which is effective September 1, 2003. The bill impacts retiree eligibility for health coverage, part-time workers, ability to continue local benefit supplement, 90-day wait period and graduate student workers.

Under SB 1370 State of Texas newly hired employees after September 1, 2003 will not receive paid health benefits for 90 days. However, UT Austin will use local funds to provide health care benefits for new UT Austin employees during the first 90 days of employment.

Under SB 1370 employees working less than 40 hours per week will lose half of the State contribution for premium sharing at the individual level and for dependents. The University has designed a strategy to cover current part-time employees, but part-time employees hired after September 1, 2003 will only receive one-half of the State's contribution for premium sharing. UT Austin is the only UT System component that we are aware of that is protecting current employees. See the Texas A&M web site for comparison.

Changes in retirement criteria for continuation of health benefits were discussed. See the HRS web site for additional information. As soon as HRS knew this information from UT System and the Board of Regents, HRS communicated with employees through ECS Dispatch, e-mail and the HRS web site.

There will be salary supplements to offset health premium increases so there should be no decreases in salaries for full time and/or part-time staff, faculty and graduate student workers; however, there are increases in some co-pays. Everyone is urged to attend July benefits orientations and benefits fairs [http://www.utexas.edu/hr/irg/enroll/fairs03.html].

The UT System Employee Council (EAC) meets today and Friday. Glen Worley and Phillip Dubov are UT Austin's delegates by President Faulkner's appointment as the chair and vice chair of the UTSC; Ann Seago serves as the alternate [http://www.utsystem.edu/eac/]. They reviewed the EAC presentation to the Board of Regents made in February 2003. New issues include orientation for new EAC members, function of the Communications Committee and progress on alternatives to use of SSNs in UT documents and records.

UTSC Executive Committee met on July 11 and voted to consolidate the Communications and University and Public Relations committees, based on recommendations by these two committees. The responsibilities will continue as the standing Communications Committee. Phil Gavenda (Chair, Communications Committee) summarizes UTSC meetings and then sends information to UTSC representatives and campus media contacts. UTSC representatives are encouraged to take advantage of Phil’s work to inform their constituents of Staff Council activities. Phil is also the expert on the use of Group E-mail; contact Phil if you wish to use this Group E-mail in your district.

Any supervisor may nominate employees for the Exemplary Service Award. See the HRS web site for guidelines and the appropriate form [http://www.utexas.edu/hr/admin/exemplary/index.html].

Issue 2001-1: Restructure of the Grievance Policy. Copies of draft grievance policy and a comparison chart were distributed. Send comments to Ann Seago (aseago@mail.utexas.edu) by August 1. The comments will be submitted to President Faulkner along with the draft of the grievance policy.

Glen reminded UTSC members of the information included in the UTSC Bylaws concerning the Staff Council and the media.

"Section VI-I: Media Privileges - Only officers may take a public stand or voice an opinion on an issue in the name of the UTSC. Issues pending in committee will not be discussed with the media until the issue has been reported upon by the committee to the UTSC membership."

Advance copies of committee reports should not be discussed publicly until the report is actually presented in the UTSC meeting. This policy should also apply to drafts of working documents distributed in advance of a Council meeting. This is the responsibility of all representatives.

Vice Chair's report:

Vice Chair Phillip Dubov distributed a list of committees and members. He called for additional volunteers for the Bylaws and Nominations and Elections Committees. Names of committee chairs should be sent to Phillip after the initial meeting.

The new UTSC web pages have been moved from test to the official site [http://www.utexas.edu/staff/council/]. Work is underway to update the site with current officers, committees and other information.

Committee Reports: (see Committee Reports, July 17, 2003)

Issues Committee: Didi Smith, Chair, presented the following issues.

Issue 2003-14: Recreational Sports benefits
Representative: Kitty Villa
Action: accepted and referred to the Miscellaneous Benefits Committee

Issue 2003-15: Eligibility to vote in Staff Council elections
Representative: Gayle Hight
Action: accepted and referred to the Bylaws Committee

Issue 2003-16: Maternity/paternity leave
Representative: Gayle Hight
Action: not accepted

Committee on Committees: Ana Raley, Chair, discussed the process to provide names of staff members for appointment to University Committees. A letter and nomination form will be mailed to eligible University staff and will ask for interest in serving on theParking and Transportation Appeals Committee, the Recreational Sports Committee and for other ad hoc committees which might be appointed during the year.

Compensation and Classification Committee (see Committee Reports): Joe Sosler presented information for the committee on Issue 2003-6: Guidelines for vacation requests.

The UTSC accepted the committee's report and will forward the information and recommendation to President Faulkner for consideration.

Miscellaneous Benefits Committee (see Committee Reports):
Amy Pinkston presented information for the Miscellaneous Benefits Committee and gave an update on Issue 2003-2: Staff Educational Benefit [dissertation hours]; and Issue 2003-7: Staff Educational Benefit [summer semesters].

Issue 2003-5: Child care at UT-special needs (specifically, second shift workers, single parents, low-income families)

The UTSC accepted the Miscellaneous Benefits Committee report and established an ad hoc Committee, Child Care at UT-special needs. UTSC representatives serving on this ad hoc committee are Philemon Brown, Alanna Burney, John Hibbits and Stella Smith.

New Business:

Committee chairs and/or conveners were introduced. Each committee meet briefly to discuss an appropriate first meeting time.

Adjournment:

The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the UTSC is Thursday, September 18, 2003; 2:00-3:30 p.m., Main 212.

Minutes prepared by Peggy Mueller
UTSC representative, District 130.2
July 21, 2003