Present:  Elizabeth Buck, Judy Burgess, Gay Campbell, Sara Clayton, Michele Crase, Marcia Dick, Ada Hetland, Linda Jennings, Glenda Jones, Theresa
                Kinniry, Joe Koch, Jay Monteiro, Andy Small, Donna Smith, and LaRonda Thuestad.

Excused:  Dena Olson

Guests:   Tim Griffin and Jodi Tyrrell
 

I.     Call to Order

        The meeting was called to order by President Sara Clayton 8:40 a.m.

II.     Approval of Agenda

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

III.    Approval of Minutes of November 14, 2002, Meeting
 
        A motion was made to accept the minutes as amended with a few grammatical changes.  The motion was seconded and passed.

IV.     Treasurer’s Report

        Elizabeth Buck distributed copies of the Treasurer’s report for the five-month period ending 11/30/02 and explained the one expense for coffee to the
        Council.  A motion was made to accept the report.  The motion was seconded and passed.
 
V.     Announcements/Correspondence

        1.     Clayton passed announcements around the room for the entire Council to peruse.  Those announcements included the following:
                · Christmas card from the Office of the Ombudsman,
                · Employee Mail Privacy Standards memo from Steve Cunningham,
                · 2002/2003 Holiday Season and New Year Schedules memo from Steve Cunningham,
                · Items from November Secretarial Advisory Council memo,
                · 2002 Holiday Insurance Procedures and Payroll Distribution Schedules memo from Steve Cunningham,
                · Severe Weather Closing Procedures memo from Steve Cunningham,
                · Invitation to the Finance & Facilities Annual Holiday Open House on December 12, 2002, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. in Lowden Hall 109,
                · Invitation to the ITS Information Services party honoring Bernie Tallman upon his retirement from NIU on Friday, December 13, 2002, 2:00 –
                  4:00 p.m. in the Clara Sperling Sky room at Holmes Student Center,
                · Invitation to the retirement party for Lyn Pinne on December 18, 2002, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the Clara Sperling Sky Room at Holmes Student
                  Center.

        2.     Donna Smith passed around a copy of the ISU Newsletter for each Council member to  examine.

        3.     Jay Monteiro announced the Blood Drive to be held at HRS on Friday, December 13, 2002.

        4.     Glenda Jones announced that the Bursar’s office is moving back to remodeled offices in Swen Parson on Wednesday, December 18, 2002.

        5.     Jodi Tyrrell announced that the day was a great success and that the HRS Open House will  become an annual event.  Joyce Chaney won the
                television that was given away.

        6.     Tyrrell announced a new customer service initiative that Human Resource Services has started which will allow callers to talk to a “real” person when
                they call 753-6000.  Kim Hensley wants to hear from people and find out if they think customer service is improving.  She also reminded the Council
                members that the January meeting would be held at HRS.

        7.     Tyrrell reported on the first meeting of the Human Resources Directors Advisory Committee at  the State Universities Civil Service System office.
                Director Morelock presented a very ambitious  agenda of items for discussion regarding current SUCSS issues including concerns with the  new
                secretarial exams, proposed changes in a number of SUCSS reporting requirements,  business processes, and statute and rules interpretations, in an
                effort to allow the  universities/agencies the opportunity to assist in the overall modernization of the entire CS  system.  The HR Directors Advisory
                Committee will meet periodically to review and discuss the  proposed changes and Tyrrell will keep the Council informed as she receives updates.

        8.     Tyrrell informed the Council that the Civil Service Pilot Program for hiring interested and  qualified candidates in a timely manner is working very well
                at Northern Illinois University.  It has  been used in a search at Founders Library and went smoothly.

        9.     La Ronda Thuestad distributed handouts of information on the State Universities Retirement  System Members Advisory Committee [SURSMAC]
                that Larry Sallberg mentioned when he  visited the November 2002 Council meeting.

VII.  Committee Reports

    A.     Personnel/Staff Development/Benefits.

            Ada Hetland reported that the committee did not meet this past month but that she has contacted Scott Mooberry, Civil Service representative on the
            University Benefits Committee, to find out if Thuestad could serve as the OSC representative on the Ad Hoc Committee.  That committee will put
            together a survey to be sent to university employees regarding dental benefits.

    B.     Elections and Appointments.  No report.

    C.     Public Relations

             Joe Koch announced that the committee met for a short meeting.  They looked at the new Campus Campaign 2002 brochure and were pleased with the
            final version.  Michele Crase distributed a copy of the Outstanding Service Award form and the letter that will go out soon to all departments asking them
            to post the announcement.  She asked Council members to check the document for correct dates.  The sub-committee also asked the Council if they
            wanted to print the form in full color or in black and white.  The motion was made to print the form in full color.  Motion was seconded and passed.

    D.     Visiting Committee.   No report.

    E.     EAC.  No report.

    F.     UAC.  No report.

    G.     University Council

            Koch reported that this was a very short meeting and that President Peters was out of town lobbying for NIU.  The Provost gave an overview of his past
            18 months on campus and on living in Student Housing.  The Provost felt student housing was a positive on this campus.  He also commented on the
            Shared Governance system in place at Northern Illinois University and how impressive it is compared to the other three universities where he has
            worked.

            No committees had reports to give, but it was announced that the President’s Committee on Sexual Orientation has been changed to the President’s
            Commission on Sexual Orientation.  A discussion occurred on the possibility of a Fall Break and on having an academic closure for NIU on the
            Wednesday before Thanksgiving, but was sent back to committee.

    H.     Special Events Committee.    No report.

VIII. Old Business

    A.     IEA-NEA Union Status

            Marcia Dick and Judy Burgess reported on the organizing meeting held November 20, 2002, at Pagliai’s Restaurant in DeKalb.  They attended the
            meeting to help keep the Council members informed of the process of possible unionization.  Education is this union’s only focus and it is the largest union
            representing education in the United States.  Dick distributed copies to all Council members of the first letter sent to Civil Service employees at Northern
            Illinois University, the Survey of Issues page, a copy of the October 2002 letter sent to employees telling of survey responses, a copy of the Union
            Authorization/Representation Card, a copy of union vs. non-union weekly earnings taken from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and a synopsis of
            what was discussed at the IEA/NEA meeting.

            The Council discussed each handout and again felt that as a governance group, it is important for OS Council members to get information and stay as
            educated as possible on this issue.  The Operating Staff Council serves as an advisory council for Civil Service employees, just as a Union would do, and
            needs to be of help to employees that come for direction and/or resolution.  They want to stay as proactive as possible.  A sub-committee was put
            together to discover how to educate fellow employees on the benefits of the shared governance system we work under at NIU and how we can
            distribute that information.  That committee will hold its first meeting January 6, 2003, at 10:00 a.m. in the Blackhawk.

IX.   New Business

    No new business.

X.     Adjournment

    A motion was made to adjourn the meeting at 10:00 a.m. The motion was seconded and passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Gay Campbell
OSC Secretary