OPERATING STAFF COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES 2/8/07

9 AM – Holmes Student Center, Room 406

 

Present:    Elizabeth Buck, Gay Campbell, Sara Clayton, Marcia Dick, Linda Jennings,

Glenda Jones, Theresa Kinniry, Jay Monteiro, Nancy Schuneman, Andy Small 

 

Absent:     Judy Burgess, Dorothy Razniewski, LaRonda Thuestad

 

Guests:     Tim Griffin, Jodi Tyrrell

 

I.                    Call to Order

 

President Sara Clayton called the regular meeting of the Operating Staff Council to order at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2007.

 

II.         Approval of Agenda

 

A motion was made to accept the agenda. The motion was seconded and passed.   

 

III.        Approval of Minutes of the January 11, 2007, Meeting

 

A motion was made to accept the minutes.  The motion was seconded and passed.

 

IV.        Treasurer’s Report

 

The treasurer’s report was presented for discussion. A motion was made to accept the Treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded and passed.

 

V.         Announcements/Correspondence

 

A.                  Clayton announced that the Benefits Choice Fair will be held May 3.  Clayton said volunteers would be needed from the Council to help with the event.

 

B.                  Clayton also announced the Wellness Fair will take place March 28.  Volunteers will be needed to help out.  A sign-up sheet will be passed around at the March meeting.

 

C.                  Jodi Tyrrell announced that there was a salary range minimum increase effective January 16.  The increase was 5% and those affected by the change have been notified.  

 

D.                  Tyrrell also reported that more and more civil service exams are being converted to E-tests instead of the paper version.  The typing tests and the building service worker exams are the newest to be added.

 

VI.        Committee Reports

           

A.                  Personnel/Staff Developments/Benefits –  No Report

 

B.         Elections and Appointments –

 

Jay Monteiro said he sent out forms for the special election to all operating staff to fill the three recent vacancies on the Council.  Five forms were received from interested parties.  After review of each application, the Council members voted for the new members.  Alan Smith, Brenda Smith and Jesse Tellez were elected to the Council.  By random assignment, A. Smith will complete the 6 month term left vacant by Joe Koch’s retirement, Tellez will complete the 18 month term left vacant by Julia Sober’s departure from the university, and B. Smith will complete the 2 ˝ year term left vacant by the reassignment of Rachel Turner to SPS.  Monteiro will send letters to those who were appointed, as well as those who were not. The new members will begin their respective terms next month.

 

C.         Special Events –  No Report

 

D.             Public Relations –  No Report

 

E.            Visiting Committees/Guests – None.

 

F.             EAC -

 

Clayton reported that E-testing was discussed.  She also said the bylaws were reviewed.  Clayton was also elected Vice Chair of the committee.  Tyrrell reported that she attended the HR Directors meeting.  The group continues to discuss issues of concern on all campuses, including the “Rule of 3” and employment registers.  She said many issues require legislative action to change so that makes the process somewhat difficult.

 

G.           UAC – No Report

 

H.                  University Council –

 

Marcia Dick reported on the meeting:

 

- President Peters talked about legislative activity. He said the budget process is not on time.

   

- Provost Alden gave a brief report on the Task Force.  He said the Task Force is right on schedule and has been meeting regularly.  There is a website that lists the activities of the task force.

 

- There are currently two dean searches underway – one for a dean in the College of LA&S, and one in the University Libraries.

 

- There was brief discussion about ethics testing.  More than 600 employees at NIU were required to review the state ethics guidelines because they had completed the test too quickly.

 

- It was reported that the Graduate School is now debt free.  Dick said there are also proposals for more doctoral programs on campus.

 

VII.       Old Business – None

 

VIII.      New Business  -

 

            A.         Snow Removal on Sidewalks on Campus

 

LaRonda Thuestad had received complaints from several constituents regarding snow removal on the steps and sidewalks outside of Lowden Hall.  Grounds personnel remove most of the snow, but the custodial staff for each building is responsible for removing snow up to 10 feet out from the doors of the building.  It was decided that clarification was needed as to what the university policy is regarding snow removal.

 

            B.         Additional Discussion

 

                        - Clayton said there will be a luncheon for former president Rachel Turner after the March

                        meeting.  Clayton also asked the PR Committee to get a plaque made for her.

 

- Dick said a new position has been created in the Affirmative Action and Diversity Resources office. The person in this
position will investigate employee complaints.

 

IX.        Adjournment – A motion was made at 10:30 a.m. to adjourn.

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Theresa Kinniry

OSC Secretary