Minutes
October 16,
2003
The meeting was held in Room 158 University Hall. USAC
Chair, Donna Totten called the meeting to order at 2:35.
Attendees
included:
Allan Boggs, Human Resources
Jeff Bowman, CaTS
Rita Chislaghi, University Libraries
Todd Brittingham, Registrar
Joyce Howes, College of Science and Math
Cheryl Lauricella, University Libraries
Curt Pederson, Psychology
Marianne Shreck, Research and Sponsored Programs
David Stuart, CaTS
Gary Sutton, Bursar/Student Loans and Collections
Donna, Totten, Business and Fiscal Affairs
Susan Wehmeyer, University Libraries
Rick Zech, Budget Planning
WELCOME
USAC members were introduced.
APPROVAL of MINUTES
The minutes of the USAC meeting of September 18, 2003
were approved as posted on the website.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS
Athletics
Athletics Council met Friday, 9/26.
1. Sheila Nahrgang, Softball Coach, was at Coaches Corner. She talked
about this past season, highlighted by the NCAA appearance and first
tournament win. The council congratulated her and the team on their
accomplishment on the field and in the classroom. The quarterly grade
report for Spring 03 was distributed and the softball team's cumulative
GPA leads all athletic teams with a 3.296. Student-athletes overall are
at 3.035 and the rest of the university at 2.949. For the Spring
quarter, the volleyball team had a 3.44 GPA. Overall, student-athletes
were at 3.094 and the remainder of the student population at 2.901.
2. A five-person NCAA team is due here in November to look at WSU
across four different areas in athletics: Governance & Commitment to
Rules Compliance; Academic Integrity; Fiscal Integrity; and Equity,
Welfare & Sportsmanship. WSU's internal report is done. The formal
report from the NCAA team will follow approximately six months after
their visit. The three possible ratings are: Certified, Certified with
conditions, or Not certified.
3. As noted in the March USAC meeting minutes, the NCAA has new
graduation requirements. The impact of this according to Judy Chivers,
Senior Women's Administrator for Athletics, is more student-athletes may
be taking summer classes.
4. Judy Chivers noted study tables for the student-athletes are set up
and running in 060 Rike Hall.
5. Private funding is almost fully secured to build a 25,000 square
foot pavillion at the curve opposite the Nutter Center to house a
practice gym, weight room, office spaces for coaches, and a Hall of Fame
area.
6. Not discussed at the meeting but noted in a separate email is
Howl-o-ween Hoops scheduled for 10/31 where both the women's and men's
basketball teams will be introduced.
Dining
The first meeting of the year was held today. As USAC has not
found a representative, Art Neff's minutes will be posted to the USAC
website when they become available.
Parking Services
Donna Totten reported for D.R. Fannin. The first meeting
included nothing to report.
Recreation and Wellness
Donna Totten reported for Bob Noss. The first
meeting was held October 14th. Dara Perry a new graduate assistant
in recreation who will work with the committee was introduced. Jo
Ann Numbers talked about financial planning to an audience of about 45
on October 8th. the committee was very happy with the results.
Crofford Macklin will talk about estate planning on November 4th in E156
Student Union. Lunch will be $5.00 or participants may bring their
own. Possible winter social activities were discussed, including:
a euchre tournament, WSU basketball game, and a humor in the workplace
presentation. The committee with sponsor a "holiday holdout"
during a seven week period from Thanksgiving to Christmas.
Participants will weigh in every week in an effort to keep holiday
weight gains under 2 pounds. Weights will remain private.
The next Recreation and Wellness meeting will be November 12th at 9 am.
OLD BUSINESS
Handbook
A final draft of the
handbook was expected March 11th. Pending discussion of vacation
and sick leave accrual and the 4 hour rule has caused the delay.
Donna introduced Allan Boggs who will meet with Donna to discuss how we
can get the handbook to print as quickly as possible. Allan will
also return as a guest speaker to USAC in November.
NEW BUSINESS
Election Issues
The balance between constituents and representatives has become a
matter of concern. Academic Support has a ratio of 1
representative for every 24.67 consitutuents. Student Affairs is 1
: 52.5, Business and Advancement is 1 : 60.5 and Academics is 1 : 87.6.
Donna asked for volunteers from among the representatives to serve on a
committee with her to review the situation and suggest alternatives.
Cheryl Lauricella volunteered. Additional volunteers are
desirable, so Donna will email the representatives who are absent today.
University Staff Council
Agenda items for the meeting of October 29th include:
- Human Resource Liaisons
- Annual Merit Evaluations
- Training Opportunities for Staff
- Formalizing the Council's
composition, format and schedule
Please let your USAC representative know
if you have any issues falling under those topics.
Dining Services Representative
A representative to the committee is still needed. USAC
representatives were asked to make a plea for volunteers. Meetings
are on the third Thursday of the month and slightly overlap the USAC
meeting.
Policy for Employees Taking Classes
This remains an open issue with the Unclassified Staff Handbook.
USAC will discuss fee waivers for part-time staff with Human Resources,
especially with regard to job-related workshops. A concern was
also raised that some supervisors are not allowing staff to take classes
during working hours because they believe that university policy forbids
this. USAC will ask H.R. to clarify this in the handbook.
United Way Campaign
The campaign is underway. Electronic donation forms have been
emailed. Paper forms are available from your United Way volunteer
if desired.
Other
A question was raised about the change in the Christmas holiday.
USAC has not discovered who initially raised the issue, but will ask at
the USC meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 3:24 p.m.
NEXT MEETING
The
next meeting of USAC will be held Thursday, November 20, 2003, 2:30 p.m.
-- Room 158 University Hall
Minutes submitted by Susan Wehmeyer, USAC Secretary,
10/20/03
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