OPERATING STAFF COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES 6/14/07

9 AM – Holmes Student Center, Room 406

 

Present:    Judy Burgess, Gay Campbell, Sara Clayton, Marcia Dick, Linda Jennings, Glenda Jones,

Theresa Kinniry, Jay Monteiro, Nancy Schuneman, Andy Small, Jesse Tellez, LaRonda

Thuestad

 

Absent:    Elizabeth Buck,  Alan Smith, Brenda Smith

 

Guests:     Steve Cunningham, Tim Griffin, Deb Haliczer, Donna Mathesius, Karen Smith, 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, June 14, 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 May 10, 2007, Meeting

 

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

 

IV.        Treasurer’s Report

 

No treasurer’s report was presented due to the absence of the treasurer.

 

V.         Announcements/Correspondence

 

A.         Clayton presented Council member Nancy Schuneman with a certificate of appreciation for her work on the Council.

 

B.         Clayton passed around several things including:

 

- Thank you card from LaRonda Thuestad

- ISU Newsletter

- SAC minutes

                                  - Newsletter about pension changes         

           

                        Clayton also reported that she has contacted Kris Polvsen, the alderman for the 2nd ward,

regarding the pedestrian/parking issues along Garden Road and Northern Lane.

 

C.                  Marcia Dick reported that the dean search for the library has been put on hold and the interim dean will continue for approximately another year.

 

VI.        Committee Reports

           

A.                  Personnel/Staff Developments/Benefits – No Report.

 

B.         Elections and Appointments – 

 

            Jay Monteiro passed out ballots for nominations for officers for the next fiscal year.  Those nominated are:

 

                        For President:                Monteiro, Clayton

                        For Vice President:        Clayton, Gay Campbell, Monteiro, Dick

                        For Secretary:               Theresa Kinniry

                        For Treasurer:                Elizabeth Buck

            Voting will take place at the next regular meeting of the Council.  The Council also approved the appointment of three operating staff members to various committees.  Stephen Skall was appointed to the Campus Security and Environmental Quality Committee; Jennifer Ridge was appointed to the Unity in Diversity Committee; and Rahul Thatte was appointed to the Computing Facilities Advisory Committee.

 

C.         Special Events – 

 

LaRonda Thuestad reported that about 600 responses have been received so far, which is fewer than were received by this time last year. Thuestad said a broadcast message will be going out to all operating staff reminding them of the event. She said there will also be a message on the OSC website. Glenda Jones said she is looking for party favors to help decorate the tables and would welcome any ideas.  Thuestad also said that a suggestion was made to have a live video feed at the event.  

 

D.             Public Relations – 

 

Clayton reported that she was approached at the Operating Staff Awards banquet about endowing the Dependent Award.

 

E.            Visiting Committees/Guests –

 

1.    Deb Haliczer from Employee Wellness presented a draft of a proposal from the SPS    

Council regarding university service.  The proposal seeks to establish a formal university policy to clarify the responsibilities of both employees and supervisors as they relate to serving on committees, councils, and commissions. It is hoped the policy will illustrate the importance of the shared governance system here at NIU, and will encourage supervisors to allow employees to participate.  Haliczer suggested that the OSC might want to adopt a similar policy to identify the unique needs of OSC.  Eventually, only one master policy would be adopted.  The matter was referred to the OSC benefits committee.

 

2.        Steve Cunningham from Human Resource Services was also present at the meeting. Cunningham was invited to discuss an incident where a civil service position was filled without being properly posted as required.  Many OSC staff were angry about this incident. Cunningham said this was a unique case and that he will remind Deans, Directors and Chairs about following the proper procedures. 

 

Cunningham also pointed out that since the state budget has not been approved, it is unclear whether there will be raises this year.  He said mid-year increments are in question this year.  He also said there is a great interest in re-introducing a merit component into the raise system. 

 

F.             EAC – No Report.

 

G.           UAC –  No Report.

 

H.                  University Council – 

 

Clayton attended the Board of Trustees Internal Audit Committee meeting.  Items discussed include:

 

-          The Stevens Building is 10th on the list for renovation.

-          There was much discussion about the proton therapy project.

-          NIU now has offices at 205 W. Wacker Dr. in Chicago.

 

VII.       Old Business – None.

           

VIII.      New Business  - None.

 

IX.        Adjournment – A motion was made at 11:05 a.m. to adjourn.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Theresa Kinniry

OSC Secretary