MINUTES

May 27, 2010
9:00 - 10:30 am

339 Fawcett Hall

IN ATTENDANCE

Kiel Rottgen, Curt Pederson, Kary Brigger, Craig This, Karen Strider-Iiames, Mary Healea, Lindy Lauterbach , Jacqueline Neal, Kevin Knapp, David Bringhurst, Wendy Riddell, Vivian Mitchell, John Holm, Jason Kohlhepp, Rob Boley, Chris Wydman, Jennifer McCamis, Jerry Hensley.

USAC Members Absent: Denise Anderson, Nancy Pestian.

USAC Committee Members Absent: Melissa Vanzant, Megan Watson.

A. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Curt Pederson, USAC Chair, at 9:02 a.m.

B. Approval of Minutes for April 15, 2010.

The minutes were approved as presented.

C. USAC Committee Reports

1. Community Service - Rob Boley, Jacqui Neal, Curt Pederson - Staff Council is considering proposing a new WSU initiative to provide employees with two days of leave time to volunteer with non-profits. A Staff Council committee has been formed to pursue this idea. Plans for a project in the WSU Woods are on hold until the Master Plan is finalized.

2. Compensation, Benefits, and Equity - Denise Anderson, David Bringhurst, Mary Healea, Jerry Hensley, Kevin Knapp, Jason Kohlhepp, Kiel Rottgen - WSU is going to work with an outside vendor to develop a customized wellness program for employees. The goal is to have a program that everyone buys into. The CBE Committee is planning to have speakers meet with the group for open discussion. By next meeting, the committee's annual report will be presented. USAC discussed having meetings in July and August to provide better continuity for those transitioning on and off the council. Jacqui will pursue this idea.

3. Newsletter - Rob Boley, Kary Brigger, Wendy Riddell - A draft is ready, and the newsletter should be ready to be distributed starting next year.

4. Nominations - Denise Anderson, Rob Boley, Kiel Rottgen - The results of the nomination process are now online, as is the Election Page.

D. WSU Committee Reports

1. Athletic Council - Vivian Mitchell - Athletics would like to see more faculty and staff encouraging attendance at the games.

2. Diversity Advocacy Council - Megan Watson - No report, other than Gary LeRoy, M.D. being named interim Vice President for Multicultural Affairs and Community Engagement.

3. Parking Services - John Holm - No report.

4. Semester Conversion Committee - Chris Wydman - The faculty work stoppage has been lifted, so work continues on course approvals for semesters. The timeline has been adjusted accordingly. Ideally, all gen-ed classes will be approved by June, but that seems unlikely. The goal is to have DARS updated by April so that advising can begin. A new Semesters Conversion site has been launched.

5. Sustainability - Karen Strider-Iiames - WSU received a $118,000 rebate from DP&L for energy efficiency improvements.

6. University Dining Services - Melissa Vanzant - No report.

7. Wellness and Recreation - Craig This - Notes attached.

8. WSU Bookstore - Mary Healea - The Bookstore is gearing up for Book Buybacks.

9. WSU Staff Council - Jacqueline Neal, Mary Healea, Rob Boley, Curt Pederson, Chris Wydman - The budget was discussed, including 2.5% for staff and 5% for faculty. CSAC members expressed concern with more classified positions requiring bachelor's degrees, which would keep current staff with several years of experience from applying for these positions. Staff Council may draft a resolution to be presented to the Cabinet. Staff Council will now take the lead role in planning Staff Development Day, beginning with the Fall 2010 event. Jacqui proposed forming a new Staff Development Day subcommittee. Staff Council requested that Rec Fit offer more 40-minute classes to allow staff time to get to and from class on their lunch hour. Rec Fit responded that staff are welcome to leave classes early.

10. WSU SC President's Award for Excellence - Kevin Knapp, Chris Wydman - All nominations were reviewed and have been submitted by the committee to the President. All nominees and nominators will be invited to a special reception on June 14th. By the end of that week, the winners should be notified. The ceremony will be held on September 23rd.

11. WSU SC Human Resources Committee - Jacqueline Neal, Mary Healea, Rob Boley, Curt Pederson, Chris Wydman - No report.

12. WSU BOT Committee Reports:

• Advancement - Rob Boley - New development staff is being added and development is being reorganized in preparation for an upcoming campaign. A major outreach effort has been launched in the 16-county Raider Country area to increase visibility.
• Academic Affairs - Jacqueline Neal - Jackie McMillan has been named the new VP for Enrollment Management. We're still waiting to hear word on the approval of three new Centers of Excellence. The new Grad Dean has been hired, and the other dean searches are underway.
• Student Affairs - Jacqueline Neal - The Linus Project was a very successful service project on behalf of the students and multiple student groups. UC basketball will be playing against WSU next year.
• Bldg & Grounds - Curt Pederson - The Master Plan was discussed (see below).
• Finance & Audit - David Bringhurst - Some budget line items were discussed, as well as possible changes to healthcare premium costs. Kiel added we received about $250K back from the Pharmacy closing which will likely continue for some time.

E. Other Business

F. Adjournment and Next Meeting

The meeting was adjourned by Curt Pederson, USAC Chair, at 10:28 a.m. The next meeting is in 339 Fawcett on Thursday, June 10th @ 9:00 a.m.