Approved Minutes For Meeting On December 15, 2010

Date: December 15, 2010

Program:

1. The meeting was called to order by the Chair, JP Dunn. Visitors and guests were welcomed and introduced.

2. Roll Call

Members Present: Steve Buhman, JP Dunn, Pat Eckert, Jon Geiger, Alfred Jackson, Mike Reiman, Amy Rose, Charlotte Sarao, Lori Stettler, Meredith Thomas.

Members Absent: Tuesday Ashner, Layla Murphy, Sue Tin, Gloria Yuncker.

Proxies: Steve Buhman for Janet Douglas; Pat Eckert for Natalie Branca; Mike Reiman for Rod Sievers; Charlotte Sarao for Sarah Olson.

Visitors and Guests: Jake Baggott, Tracy Bennett, Amanda Phillips.

3. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting on November 17, 2010, were approved as presented.

4. Adoption of Meeting Agenda: L. Stettler moved to adopt the agenda as presented; seconded by P. Eckert. Motion carried.

5. Reports

5.1 Chair 
JP Dunn reported that he attended the November 19 Chancellor's Planning and Budget Advisory Committee meeting on behalf of Patty Cosgrove. It was reported that they were unsure what will happen for FY12, but it does not look good. The University was still owed $5 million for FY10, and at that time was owed $129 million for FY11. The University has since received $110,000 for FY11. There was also discussion on allocation of funding and the RAMP document. There are two different pieces to the RAMP; one is for faculty and staff salary increases, and the other is the Simmons Cancer Institute. Additionally, there will be funds for the renovations to the Communications building. JP Dunn also reported that he attended the constituency heads meeting with the Chancellor.

5.2 Board of Trustees 
JP Dunn reported on the December 9 Board meeting: i) the demolition of McAndrew Stadium was approved. It should be gone by February, although the track will remain. The outdoor track season will still take place on that track. It will eventually be moved and a new track built by the baseball fields. The Student Services building will be built at the site of the current parking garage. There should be no lost spaces. The new alumni building will be built where McAndrew now sits; ii) special fees for distance learning courses were approved. All items were approved on an omnibus motion, although Trustee Tedrick recused himself on three items because he has a direct relationship with each; iii) during the public comments portion of the meeting, concerns were raised about the closure of the Student Health access center.JP Dunn reported the Chancellor expressed thanks to the A/P Staff Council for approving the resolution in support of the administrative closure days. A. Jackson asked if a decision has been made regarding the civil service unions. J. Baggott responded that discussions are continuing with those unions. He noted that any layoffs that may occur will not [impact those employee groups] who are in agreement with the administrative closures.

5.3 Human Resources (HR) - None.

5.4 Representatives to University Committees

5.4a SURS Members Advisory - Jake Baggott 
J. Baggott reported that at the fall meeting, most of the discussion centered around the new executive director for the retirement system, Bill Mabe. The new director will be reviewing the entire agency and looking at their customer service to be sure those needs are being met. He has also identified that a large portion of the staff are within five years of retirement, so there will be a need to develop some succession plans. J. Baggott reported that the committee received an update on the financial picture; they performed or outperformed their benchmark in almost every area. SURS continues to be a good steward of its assets. At the end of the meeting, there was discussion, but no action taken, on the current economic condition. There is no real expectation that benefits will be enhanced. The meeting concluded with the election of officers, at which time J. Baggott was again elected to serve as chair. He reported the SURS Board of Trustees met last week and is only now becoming well organized with all the changes that have taken place and the election of new members. Jeff Beaulieu from this campus is very involved in what is happening. The Board is also interested in membership experiences in terms of customer service and the kinds of things that can be improved upon. Much time was spent discussing [the Board's] draft goals. He will share those with the Council once they are finalized. J. Baggott added that he was there for the governmental affairs part of the discussion; that subcommittee will meet in January to work on the legislative platform, something there has not been much of recently.

5.4b Ombudsman Advisory Panel - Carl Ervin 
A. Phillips (for C. Ervin) presented and reviewed his report (included appendix 1 to the minutes).

5.4c Recreational Sports and Services Advisory - Paul Bennett 
P. Bennett submitted his report (included as appendix 2 to the minutes).

5.5 Standing Committees

5.5a Executive Committee 
JP Dunn reported the Expanded Executive Committee met and made some adjustments to the minutes, as well as reviewed the Board of Trustees agenda.

5.5b Committee on Committees - No report.

5.5c Constituency Relations - No report.

5.5d Operating Paper - No report.

5.5e Staff Benefits - No report.

5.5f Staff Welfare 
A. Jackson reported there are concerns that will be raised regarding the composition of the Council and the Judicial Review Board as a result of the recent changes being made in Student Affairs. JP Dunn responded that the composition of both groups will need to be examined before the spring elections. It was noted that a change would be needed in the Council's operating paper, which likely will not occur before the elections take place.

6. Old Business - None.

7. New Business - None.

8. Announcements - None.

9. Adjournment