- Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Roy Ross at
10:05. The honorary chair, the Grinch, presided over the meeting with his
gavel.
- Approval of Minutes
The minutes from the November 14, 2000 meeting
at the University of Maryland, Baltimore were approved with the noted
corrections.
- Chairs Report
Roy Ross informed the Council that the
Chancellor's Council for December was cancelled. Their next meeting will be
in January, 2001. The meeting of the Finance Committee of the Board of Regents
was also cancelled.
The Board of Regents met in Full Board on
December 8, 2000 at Coppin State College. The discussion involved aspects of
their institution - location and impact on the community. They also focused
on the differences between CSC and Frostburg State University - Coppin being
an inner city institution; how they use former students as mentors and their
community outreach centers.
Collective bargaining was discussed at the end
of the BOR meeting. Vice Chancellor Joe Vivona gave a presentation about what
collective bargaining would mean to the Regents. Mr. Vivona emphasized what
collective bargaining is and encouraged comments. The Regents would be the
final say in any negotiation. Regent Nevin stated that the Regents should take
a no stand on collective bargaining. The BOR Finance Committee will meet on
December 20, 2000 at the System Office in an open meeting to solely discuss
collective bargaining.
The Council then asked questions about what a
collective bargaining bill would mean to us. What language is used? Until we
see a bill, we can't answer that. What is the position of the individual
campuses if the BOR and the Governor support the bill? Individuals will need
to make their voices heard with the legislators. How will it directly relate
to us? Unknown until we see the language. Who supported SB 245 last year? Was
it regionally submitted? There were a lot of Prince George's and Montgomery
supporters last year. We're not sure about the support from the Eastern
Shore or Western Maryland.
Other concerns were for the System. What will
be the effect on the System? It cost the State thousands of dollars for
implementation and we would expect it to run as high for System. The campuses
have been asked to estimate the dollar amount needed and the council expressed
worry that the cost would cut into merit increases, etc.
The President's wanted to have collective
bargaining by institution, but the BOR said they would want it at the System
level.
- USM Liaison Report
Donald Tynes spoke about the limited action on
collective bargaining. The agenda for the BOR Finance Committee meeting is
unknown. The Regents want an open meeting and the Finance Committee will be
working with this.
It would cost two million to implement
collective bargaining from a fiscal perspective. It would take three
representatives on average to handle the workload. Collective bargaining for
the State was a fiscal $0. Now they have 5 people working with it and it's a
separate unit.
System Human Resources Directors are concerned.
It is correct that the bill is coming from the Governor's office. The cost
will probably be similar but no appropriation was asked for yet. Take into
account adding the needed staff at campuses that will have to be hired. The
initial phase will be looking at the bill.
USM Policy on Contingent Employment for
Nonexempt and Exempt Staff Employees (VII - 1.40). Changes include:
corrections to the definitions section; clarification within the terms and
conditions; the conversion of Contingent Category II employees to a Regular
Status position after two consecutive years of service in Category II at the
same Institution and written performance evaluations under the USM's
Performance Development Program guidelines; under benefits, Contingent II
employees will be granted leave for jury duty as called to serve and access to
participate in the USM's Tuition Remission program; and a new section
requiring the CEO of each institution to report on an annual basis (August 1)
the usage of contingent employment at their institutions.
USM Building Excellence Through Staff Training
(B.E.S.T.) program covers purpose and applicability; definitions; general
guidelines; administration of program; program accountability; and
implementation procedures.
Janet Bacon, new Director of State Legislative
Affairs, has replaced Maitland Dade.
- Lunch
The Chancellor visited with the Council during
lunch. He answered questions from the Council. We also discussed getting the
CUSS listserve added to the USM Media Scan.
- Committee Reports
