Annual Report of the University Staff Council
For the period June 2003 through May 2004

The University Staff Council became an established and respected member of the University of Texas at Austin community during the third year since its establishment in May 2001. Staff Council representatives addressed various concerns of their constituents including everything from expansion of the Staff Educational Benefit, parking issues, insurance issues, and food selection at remote campuses. Staff Council representatives also relayed important information to their constituents concerning the difficult budget situation that occurred in 2003. Staff Council committees researched issues and worked with University departments to resolve concerns affecting all staff, and they established a reputation for thoroughness that has not gone unnoticed by the University community.

Major Accomplishments over the last twelve months

• Progress towards a new Grievance Policy – The Staff Council approved a draft of a new Grievance Policy and submitted it to President Faulkner. This draft policy then was presented for comment to Dean's Council and University of Texas at Austin vice presidents. These groups approved the policy, and President Faulkner announced to the Staff Council in February that he had sent the draft policy to UT System for review. UT System approved the Grievance Policy in May 2004 and it will become effective September 1, 2004.
   
• UT Share Pass – As a direct result of an issue submitted to the UTSC, the UT Parking and Administration implemented UT Share Pass, described on their Web site as "a low cost parking alternative for those who just need occasional access to one of the University garages. … We believe the UT Share Pass offers a great benefit for many University employees. We would like to acknowledge and thank the University Staff Council for participating in the concept and testing of this new service."
   
• Extension of Staff Education Benefit (SEB) – Staff Council's recommendation to extend the SEB to summer semester was made effective summer session 2004.
   
• UT Handbook of Operating Policy changes as a result of UTSC recommendations
• Bereavement leave policy – Policy revised to: Funeral of a Coworker. With supervisor approval, an employee shall be granted up to four hours of leave to attend the funeral of a coworker.
• Guidelines for vacation requests – Policy revised: The supervisor must review the employee's request based on university and departmental guidelines and approve/disapprove within 5 working days of receipt of the request. (Previously there was no such time limit for supervisor approval)
   
• Participation on University wide committees and task forces – Several Staff Council members served on committees such as the Parking and Transportation Policy Committee, University Police Oversight Committee, UT System Employee Advisory Council, and the Committee on Campus Community.
   
• Improvements to Staff Council Web page – UT staff can now easily find out who their Staff Council representative is by accessing the Who is my representative? link https://utdirect.utexas.edu/pnsc/my_rep.WBX [UT EID required].

During the last year the Staff Council reviewed thirty-one issues submitted to the Council. Of those thirty-one issues, two were not accepted, four have been resolved, two withdrawn and one tabled. The remaining issues were accepted by the Staff Council and assigned to appropriate Staff Council committees for research and recommendations for action.

I particularly wish to point out the excellent work done by all the various Staff Council standing and working committees throughout the last year. These committees took their assignments very seriously and conscientiously researched any issue assigned to them. The conclusions and recommendations made as a result of these efforts were reasonable, insightful, and, as mentioned above, provided improvements for all staff. The committees' diligent efforts are responsible for the continuing success of the Staff Council.

Glen Worley
Chair, UT Staff Council