Draft Minutes

 

Tuesday, August 8 2006

10:00 am – 12:00 noon

Fairbanks location:  Butrovich Building 208A1

 

  • Public participation is welcome. 
  • Please do not disrupt proceedings when the meeting is in progress

 

1.          Call to order and roll call

 

Members Present:

 

Barb Rusher, President

Vince Yelmene, Vice President

Mike Molnia, Secretary

Betty Dupee

Larry McGrady

Dana Platta

Bess Rounds

Amaya Spencer

Nichole Merriman

Paloma Harbour, Alternate

Lisa Sporleder, Alternate

 

            Others Present:

           

            Jodi Bailey, Administrative Coordinator, System Governance

            Patricia Ivey, Executive Officer, System Governance

            Debra Carter, Employee Communications Specialist

            Mike Humphrey, Director of Benefits

 

2.          Adopt agenda

            http://gov.alaska.edu/saa/agendas/2006/08-08.html

            http://gov.alaska.edu/saa/agendas/2006/08-08.pdf

 

            MOTION:  Moved by Betty Dupee, seconded by Lisa Sporleder, passed without objection.

 

“The Statewide Administration Assembly moves to adopt the agenda for the August 8, 2006 meeting.  This action is effective August 8, 2006.”

 

3.          Approve minutes of July 12, 2006 meeting                                  

http://gov.alaska.edu/saa/minutes/2006/07-12.html

http://gov.alaska.edu/saa/minutes/2006/07-12.pdf

 

            MOTION:  Moved by Betty Dupee, seconded by Lisa Sporleder, passed without objection.

 

“The Statewide Administration Assembly moves to adopt the minutes from the July 12, 2006 meeting.  This action is effective August 8, 2006.”

 

4.          Chair’s Report

 

Barb Rusher informed the group that she will be doing the voter registry training following the meeting.  She also stated that she spoke with Richard Schointuch, Assistant Vice President of Facilities, regarding the landscaping issues and he vowed that he will make it a top priority and that if staff has concerns, then they should notify him by using the sybutrofacilities email.  Dana expressed that the curbs in the parking need to be repaired because it could be a risk management issue.  Nichole suggested having an employee garden where employees can plant and garden items that they choose.

 

5.          Staff Alliance Update                                                                 

            http://gov.alaska.edu/Staff/Agendas/
            http://gov.alaska.edu/Staff/Minutes/

 

Barb stated that Staff Alliance retreat is scheduled to take place tomorrow and that at the next SAA meeting she will have an update.

 

6.          Retiree tuition waivers                                                    

            http://gov.alaska.edu/staff/projects/2006-05-23-tuitionwaiver-retirees.pdf

 

Barb stated that Maia Salganek in Staff Alliance brought the issue of staff who retire young not being able to use the tuition waivers and has asked SAA to discuss the issue with Mike Humphrey and Beth Behner.  Mike stated that it doesn’t have much traction with the administration but Lisa did press for an explanation.

 

Mike also stated that the new NORP is still being worked through and Human Resources is trying to finalize the program.  He also stated that he would like all hiring managers to forward new employee questions to the Human Resources department because everyone has different needs and concerns.  He will be holding mass orientations on the Anchorage and Fairbanks campuses to inform the new hires after July 1, 2006 of the program.  The retirement committee is still working on creating a health care program for the new ORP to give a health care option for retiree’s. 

 

Mike also informed the group that they will do the $100 Wellness Program rebate for the second year to try and reflect a trend.  He also stated that the Start Walking program has been a success and is being altered to fit the winter months.

 

7.          Other SW employee relations issues                                            

            http://gov.alaska.edu/staff/2006-08-01.trainingdirectorhire.pdf

 

Barb expressed her concern that the option for staff to use the summer flex option should be distributed throughout the building via email instead of managers directly due to some staff not being aware of the option or of the program’s existence.

 

The Staff Training position has been filled and will be based out of Anchorage.  The suggestions of what kind of training that is needed should be sent directly to Beth Behner in Human Resources for her to decipher.  Barb expressed to Mike Humphrey that training on each campus is different and it needs to be standardized throughout.  Mike stated they are looking into offering e-learning opportunities for universal training to reach out to the rural campuses. 

 

8.          Covered Pavilion Account                                             

            http://gov.alaska.edu/saa/minutes/2006/07-12.pdf

 

            Barb informed the group that Richard Schointuch stated that he would be willing to draft up plans but would have to contract the construction of the pavilion.  She also stated that SAA would also have to fund the construction and all necessary expenses.  She informed the group that SAA would have to raise $250 before it can be passed to the UA Foundation to help attain more funds.  Dana suggested sending an email to the building asking what staff would like and to give suggestions.    Nichole suggested creating a survey to get help with ideas from the building which Bess offered to create. 

 

            MOTION:  Moved by Dana Platta, seconded by Betty Duppee, passed without objection.

 

            “The Statewide Administrative Assembly nominates Bess Rounds to work on the building wide survey.”

 

9.          Newsletter/communications – Mike Molnia                                  

http://gov.alaska.edu/saa/minutes/2006/07-12.pdf

 

            mike was applauded for his work on the newsletters.

 

10.        Share a Ride-MatSu – Vince Yelmene                                 

            http://gov.alaska.edu/saa/2006-07-12.matsucommute-stats.pdf

            http://gov.alaska.edu/saa/minutes/2006/07-12.pdf

 

            Vince Yelmene gave an update on the possible Mat-Su share a ride program and stated that Kim Stanford from UAA Staff Council will bring it forward to her group when they meet in October.  He stated that after their meeting he would like the issue placed back on the SAA agenda for discussion.  Mike Molnia stated that there is a possibility of the program not going through due to workers compensation issues.  This is because workers compensation does not cover employees to and from work, but only at work and if there is a shuttle being sponsored by the University then workers compensation would need to be considered.

 

11.        Agenda Items for the Next Meeting – Wednesday, September 13, 2006

 

            Guest comments, budget update, employee relations, retirement issues

 

12.        Member Comments

 

Bess requested the group to ask staff members to RSVP for the Staff Picnic to give her a better head count for catering.   

 

Barb offered to hold a registrar drive but expressed that it needed to be completed by October 7, 2006. 

 

13.        Adjourn

 

            The meeting adjourned at 11:02 AM.

 

Note: Election registrar training will be held immediately after adjournment of the meeting. 

The registrar handbook is available on line at http://www.gov.state.ak.us/ltgov/elections/forms/b06.pdf.