Maryland's Public System of Higher Education

The meeting was called to order at 10:10 a.m. by the Chair, Larry Lauer.

Dr. Janet Dudley-Esbach, President of Salisbury State University welcomed the council to their campus. Dr. Dudley-Esbach stated that she feels that CUSS is a very effective group and she would like to see things stay just the way they are, but things change. She spoke about how she's worried about collective bargaining and the changes it might bring (i.e., satisfaction of employees lower, more administrative red tape).

Dr. Dudley-Esbach said that the good news is that the Shared Governance Document is very close to passage. The staff of our campuses are the glue that binds. She vows to not overlook the staff in decisions.

Larry Lauer then welcomed all members of the Council and we spent a few minutes introducing ourselves.

Dr. Elizabeth Rankin, representing the USM Women's Forum then brought greetings and spoke about what the Women's Forum stands for. The purpose of the Forum being to bring together the women of the University System of Maryland to enhance the status of women, foster networking, and encourage participation in all facets of the USM.

Dr. Rankin also went over some of the goals of the Forum and entertained questions.

The Approval of the Minutes from the June meeting was tabled.

Nominated for the At-Large positions on the Executive Committee were:
Valerie Lashley (FSU) Janet Magruder (UMBC)
Starr Levine (UB) Lu Ann Marshall (UM,B)
Patrick McLane (FSU)

A vote was taken, and the new members of the Executive Committee are Janet Magruder and Lu Ann Marshall.

V. SETTING AGENDA FOR YEAR

The agenda was set for the coming year. It was also agreed that all meetings would start at 9:00 a.m. instead of 10:00 a.m. The meeting dates and locations for the coming year are as follows:

7/7/00 - Board of Regent's Meeting at UMES.

• Regents went through the Staff Award nominations which were read and approved.
• Contingent Worker Report from May requesting a reexamination of program to provide packages equal to regular employees was discussed. There should be a lot of movement on this during the coming year. The budget this year should have conversion of the remaining Contingent II employees included. This will be put before the legislation. Implementation will still need to be discussed, though the Regents are committed to it. We still need to stay involved to make sure all our concerns are addressed.

Rosario van Daalen clarified that the System has been looking into this issue since last fall, but compilation of data has been hampered due to the fact that the database of this information didn't exist, so that they were starting from scratch. She went on to say that Contingent I positions will always exist as they are the seasonal and short-term positions.

Contingent II positions, however, can be grant-funded, state or self-supported and that there are 1400 of these positions within the System. Conversion will take time, but we're probably looking at within 3 fiscal years. Human Resources is currently compiling statistical information for inclusion into the budget for this year.

The Council will continue to monitor this and Larry will continue to press for it every opportunity. Our input is imperative. Contingent II employees should only be in those positions no more than 2 years. Once converted, 2 years will count toward length of service, which is leave related, but not toward retirement.

• Strategic Plan - The Building Excellence through Staff Training (B.E.S.T.) plan is already in the budget for this year and was mentioned in the strategic plan.

7/11/00 - Nonexempt Pay Program meeting at UMB

• The 2.5 for meets expectations is still included and is no longer on the discussion table.
• The Vice Presidents realize that there are problems with the program and 2.5 needs to be the standard across the System.
• Performance Development Program - discussion about what the criteria is for: meets standards, exceeds standards, and outstanding.

8/8/00 - Nonexempt Pay Program Review

• Consideration of increases to Base for Exceeds (Base is 2.5)
• Non-cash rewards (i.e., extra annual leave, travel/training stipends, child care). One time bonuses in addition.
• Report to enhance these benefits will flow to the different groups (possibility of changing the rating procedure from meets expectations to exceeds expectations).
• Training of supervisor & employee.
• Accountability is still an issue.

7/17/00 - UMCES Staff Council Meeting - This was the first meeting of the newly formed Staff Council. Our own Fran Younger was elected Chair and ran a good meeting. Larry attended as the Council representative and for moral support.

7/18/00 - Met with Katie Ryan and Francis Canavan regarding the BOR Staff Award winners letters and awards (processing the payments). Presentation to be at the Chancellor's reception for the various councils.

7/28/00 - Rocky Gap Picnic

A wonderful time was had by all attendees. Even the rain didn't diminish the enjoyment.

8/7/00 - President's Council

• FY02 Operating Budget took up the majority of time.
• Shared Governance was given a small discussion.

8/1/00 - Executive Committee Meeting

The Executive Committee spent time setting the agenda and discussing the role of the BOR Representative. Traditionally, this has been a position filled by the outgoing Council President, but being as Larry is the returning and the outgoing, it was thought we might need an additional person. The Committee proposes that the Vice Chair, Dottie Holland, serve in this capacity when Larry is unable to attend the Regent's meetings. The Council unanimously accepted this idea.

VII. REPORT FROM USM LIAISON

Rosario spoke about the Tuition Remission Policy and the fact that some institutions are handling it differently. Specifically, the waiting period required before eligibility and the fact that the policy doesn't match the semester offerings with the new winter sessions and summer sessions. As soon as the new policy is in a readable form, the Council will be able to review it.

The B.E.S.T. program is at the implementation stage. Vice Chancellor for Finance, Joe Vivona made it one of the 13 programs integrated into the Strategic Plan for the System. We must continue to support it so that it doesn't fall through the cracks.

Larry passed out a draft of our yearly agenda. Each point was discussed and the following were agreed upon as valid for the coming year.

• Follow-up the proposed USM Staff training and development program - Building Excellence through Staff Training (B.E.S.T.).
• Work with the USM and BOR to revise policy on Contingent Employees to provide a minimum of health care benefits.
• Revise and refine the award process for the BOR Staff Awards.
• Propose revisions to the Nonexempt Pay Program that recognizes all individuals who are rated above standards
• Review the current Performance Development Program (PDP) process and provide suggestions for simplified evaluation, on-line forms, standards, accountability and training.
• Lobby for increased resources for the USM Human Resources Office.

IX. OLD BUSINESS
Sweatshop Conditions Discussion led by Andrianna Stuart

• Article by NIKE - UMCP Campus Senate has already looked at the information.
• Two UMCP Campus Senate reports; two organizations are looking into how the logo items are produced.
• Looking into the Code of Conduct for licensees.
• List of different licensing groups

There are two ways in which we can handle this. We could form an Ad Hoc committee to evaluate this or we could call for a motion looking into the conditions. It was decided to not take any action as the consensus of the group was that this doesn't directly affect staff at our campuses and that's where our concern should be. However, if the UMCP Campus senate finds out anything that might pertain to us, then Andrianna will bring it back to the floor.

Patrick McLane was requested by his campus to bring up the issue of Pet Insurance again. Also brought up was the fact that staff feel that Bereavement Days should be separate from Sick Leave, and Maternity Leave came up again.

Rosario replied to the questions. Pet Insurance is offered though Zurich as is auto, homeowners, boat, etc. These extras are available during open enrollment. We inherited these when our old insurance vendor merged with Zurich.

Bereavement Leave has 3 separate days in the new legislation, but only for State employees, not for System. Bereavement is part of our sick leave. And Maternity Leave is being looked into.

The 2000 Newsletter is working toward completion and should be to the printer by the beginning/middle of September.

The Council was adjourned at 2:25 p.m. Next meeting to be held at University of Maryland, College Park on September