OPERATING STAFF COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES 3/8/07

9 AM – Holmes Student Center, Room 406

Present: Elizabeth Buck, Judy Burgess, Gay Campbell, Marcia Dick, Linda Jennings, Glenda Jones,

Theresa Kinniry, Jay Monteiro, Nancy Schuneman, Andy Small, Alan Smith, Brenda Smith, Jesse Tellez, LaRonda Thuestad

Absent: Sara Clayton, Dorothy Razniewski

Guests: Tim Griffin, Jodi Tyrrell, Pam Rosenberg

I. Call to Order

Vice President Jay Monteiro called the regular meeting of the Operating Staff Council to order at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 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 February 8, 2007, Meeting

A motion was made to accept the minutes with a few changes. 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. Monteiro reminded members that the Council will have a table set up at the Wellness Fair. A sign up sheet was passed around so members could sign up for a time to work the table.

B. Monteiro also sent around minutes from the Secretarial Advisory Committee. The committee is still looking for members.

C. Glenda Jones reported on the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women. Highlights of the meeting include:

- A report from Dr. Hemphill from the Strategic Task Force. He said 77 people were

contacted about the new student housing. There are currently enough applications to

fill all the units and more are coming in. More units may be needed.

- March 22 – Images of Motherhood speaker.

- March 30 - Women’s Networking Luncheon. Women’s health issues will be discussed.

- A new volunteer service is being stated called NIU Cares. The group is looking for 1000 student volunteers to help with 22 local projects. Faculty and staff can also participate.

- New Director for Women’s Resource Center will be announced soon.

- Applications for nominations for the Deacon Davis award have been sent out.

D. Monteiro reminded members that the Benefits Choice Fair will be held May 3. Details to come.

VI. Committee Reports

A. Personnel/Staff Developments/Benefits – No Report

B. Elections and Appointments –

Monteiro said that he will be getting the information about the upcoming elections out in the mail soon.

C. Special Events –

LaRonda Thuestad reported that the committee is down two members if anyone is interested. The annual StaffFest luncheon will be held August 2. Thuestad said the theme and the menu will be the same as last year, and she asked Council members if they would like to change anything. She said she needs someone to be in charge of servers, tickets and the power point presentation.

D. Public Relations –

Monteiro reported that 17 nominations were received for the OSC Outstanding Service Award. He also pointed out that the awards dinner has been changed from May 3 to May 10. Linda Jennings reported that a union has been voted in at Health Services, but it is unclear when it will become official and who exactly is in the bargaining unit.

E. Visiting Committees/Guests –

Pam Rosenberg from International Programs, the OSC rep to the University Benefits Committee, provided an update on what the committee has been doing. Rosenberg said the biggest issue that has been talked about in the last several years has been the pension plans. The committee is also discussing problems with CIGNA insurance not paying claims in a timely manner. She said that the Human Resources Insurance office is putting forms on line so they are easier for employees to access. She said that HR will also have an information page that will tell employees what to do if anything in their life changes (i.e., they get married, have a child, etc.) The committee is also trying to better educate employees by hosting events such as the benefits fair. Rosenberg said that since the Benefits Fair is held in the spring, the retirement seminar has been moved to the fall to give employees the opportunity to attend both events if they want. She said the committee is looking at offering deferred compensation programs such as 403B or 457B plans. She also said the committee is looking at adding a statement to employee pay notices regarding the use of vacation time. If employee has more than 56 vacation days they lose them if they are not used. The committee is also looking at same-sex partner benefit issues. Nancy Schuneman asked if it is true that NIU employees who will work in the Monsanto building will get free membership to the YMCA? Rosenberg said she had heard nothing about that.

F. EAC – No Report.

G. UAC – No Report.

H. University Council –

Marcia Dick reported on the meeting:

- Legislation and External Affairs Audit Committee met at Hoffman Estates. Appropriated funding for the state will increase to $19.8 million. The increase for NIU will be $1.5 million.

- Stevens building is first on the list for renovation.

- No Child Left Behind will be extended.

- Some 28 NIU students are illegally downloading music from the internet. ITS is working with them to stop this practice.

- The Strategic Planning Task Force is right on schedule. They will meet again in April and will have a report of their findings in June.

- On May 5^th NIU will launch a public fundraising campaign. The university would like to raise $100 million by 2010.

VII. Old Business –

Jennings reported that she and Jones attended the Diversity Resources Committee meeting. The committee is developing a new mission statement and bylaws.

VIII. New Business -

Schuneman asked if there has been a decision made about the summer schedule. An announcement will likely be made in April. Jodi Tyrrell said she would look into it.

IX. Adjournment – A motion was made at 11a.m. to adjourn.

Respectfully Submitted,

Theresa Kinniry

OSC Secretary