Salaried Staff Advisory Council

Minutes August 15, 2005

Please submit agenda items for the October 20, 2005 meeting to Julie Skeen by October 10, 2005.

The meeting was called to order at 2:35 p.m.

SSAC members present were:

Member	District	Member	District
Marge Hadden	1	Mark Ressler	12
Susan Katz	3	Patti Hall	13
Mayra Focht	6	Kimberly Doucette	14
Michael DeMauro	7	Charlene Mylin	15
Maggie Brumit	8	Mary Ann Brown	16
James Elfers	10	Paige Seppanen	17
Gwen RoBison	11

Members Absent: Kaci Madison-Beasley (#2), Wanda McCracken (#9), Marlene Osborne (#10)

Members Excused: Katherine Kuck (#4)

Others Present: Maxine Colm, Richie Holland, Nancy Wallace, Chris Ulrich, Chris Towers, Karena Weber, Julie Skeen

Dr. Colm opened the meeting by introducing Mercer Human Resource Consulting representatives Warren Kerper and Regina Sherwood, who will be assisting the University with its classification review project. Mr. Kerper gave a brief summary of his firm’s background and its experience in working with institutions of higher education. He stated that the purpose of meeting with SSAC was to get input regarding what is, or is not, working with the current classification system. He then outlined the review project plan which will consist of three phases: start-up, action, and recommendation for changes. He indicated that the project should be completed by November. Mr. Kerper emphasized that the goal of the review is to ensure a fair and equitable job classification structure.

Member comments solicited by Mr. Kerper touched on areas of career structures, Web access to career information, disparity in job levels among departments, advancement limitations, educational advancement opportunities, job flexibility, exposure to new technology, learning friendly environment, benefits, overlap in salaried/professional staff duties, changing job duties, and reclassification roadblocks, among others.

Dr. Colm expressed her appreciation to members for sharing their observations, noting that such feedback is vital to evaluating the current system. She said she felt gratified that so many comments reflected positively on the system as it exists. Ms. Wallace commented that there is no intent to overhaul the present system, only to enhance it.
Dr. Colm thanked Mr. Kerper and Ms. Sherwood for visiting with SSAC to outline the review plans and to hear comments from the group.

SSAC Redistricting
Mr. Holland reviewed the many changes that have occurred at UD since the last SSAC redistricting in 1995, changes that necessitate a review of the current district structure. General discussion among members led to concurrence. Mr. Holland will evaluate the current staff demographics and make recommendations.

Minutes
The June 15, 2005 minutes were approved as written.

Old Business
None

Constituent Concerns
Ms. Hadden raised the concern of those whose UD ID cards display Social Security Numbers. Mr. Holland said the IDs can be reissued without charge and without the SSN.

Mr. Elfers questioned the status of Senate Bill #14. Rick Armitage, Government Relations, reports that the bill is still in the Finance Committee

Ms. Focht expressed concern about timely payment of new student hires. It is hoped that temporary key punch staff will alleviate this past problem.

Ms. Brumit inquired if a covered structure might be provided to replace the tree that was removed from the north side of Hullihen Hall for users of the area. It was noted that benches remain available for employee use.

Ms. Brown reported a constituent’s problem with a missed savings bond payroll deduction. Mr. Holland asked that the particulars of the situation be sent to him.

Ms. Brown also reported a concern that the painted STOP line on the roadway in front of the Rust Ice Arena is much worn. Mr. Holland notified James Grimes, Public Safety, of the concern. Mr. Grimes responded that the STOP line is being repainted.

Ms. Brown spoke about a situation where a parking permit was issued in error to a student. Mr. Holland requested that she e-mail the particulars to him for resolution.

Announcements
Mr. Holland noted that approximately 100 new faculty will be going through New Employee Orientation in August and September. He noted that the annual United Way Campaign is approaching and that the annual UD/American Heart Association Heart Walk is scheduled for September 11.

The meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Thomas LaPenta

Reviewed by Marge Hadden as authorized by SSAC.