Administrative
and Professional Assembly
March 20, 2007
2:30 p.m.
Room 208 Foy
Meeting Minutes (Approved April 24,2006)
Call to Order
Drew Burgering, Chair of the
Assembly, called the meeting to order at 2:33 p.m.
Roll Call
Representatives Present: Pat Deery,
Kristen Perkins, Barnese Adair-Wallace, Mark Wilson, Julie Nolen, Katie
Mantooth, Lisa Fleming, Teresa Logiotatos, April Staton, Ellen McManus, Tony
Ventimiglia, David Hennessey, Todd Storey, Drew Burgering, Harriette Huggins
and Maria Folmar (16)
Representatives Absent: Latresha
Brady-Pinkston, Gary Wittekind, Vivian Miller, Greg Ruff, John Owen and Jane
Hoehaver
Number of A & P Members Present:
15
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the February 20, 2007
meeting were approved as posted.
Comments from the Chair
Budget Committee Meeting - Drew Burgering indicated that he and Maria Folmar had
attended the Budget Committee Meeting held on March 12. Discussion was held on
salary increases for the upcoming fiscal year. These increases would either
come from the Legislature or from a tuition increase. The next meeting of the
committee is
April 9. It is expected that
discussion on possible salary increases will continue at that meeting.
Presidential Search – Dr. Conner Bailey, Immediate Past Chair of the University
Senate and a member of the Presidential Search Committee, gave an update and
insight on the Committee’s work to date. He explained that several candidates
had been considered for the position of President at Auburn University, and
visits had been made to see several candidates, but Dr. Jay Gogue was the only
candidate who agreed to visit campus without a guarantee of getting the job.
Dr. Bailey encouraged everyone to
try to meet Dr. Gogue at one of the forums available on Wednesday and Thursday,
March 21 and 22. He also encouraged everyone to express comments by way of the
website. That “Comments” section may be reached by clicking on the Presidential
Search box of www.auburn.edu and viewing
the section entitled “Public Feedback invited.”
Drew indicated that he had recently
received a copy of a letter from Dr. Bailey and Dr. Cindy Brunner, also of the
Presidential Search Committee, explaining their thoughts on the search. That letter
is noted below:
Senators
Why just one candidate coming to
town? Because (as was clear to those at the meeting yesterday) the others
effectively withdrew their names. The search committee developed a consensus
around several names. All but one set an unacceptable recondition before
allowing their names to become public: they would only come to campus if they
were guaranteed in advance that they would be hired.
Why would people do that? Because
they have good jobs that they felt would be at risk if it became known publicly
that they were interested in jumping ship.
Would anyone have felt better if we
had invited someone with such a precondition to campus for an interview? How
about making such advance promises to two or three candidates?
In the end, only Jay Gogue was
willing to come without preconditions. The search committee worked hard to
ensure we had more than one candidate. Several search committee members flew
thousands of miles to talk with another candidate who finally declined to come
without a commitment in advance of the interview.
Yes, we both would have preferred
and had hoped for multiple interviews of top flight candidates. We all would
have learned something by interacting with such individuals and could have
offered our opinions on who would be the best choice. That is not how it
unfolded, despite our best efforts to the contrary.
In our view, Jay Gogue is an
excellent candidate and was at the top of our own lists of candidates. We hope
many of you will take the time to visit with the candidate during his campus
visit.
Please share this message with
faculty and staff within your units.
Conner Bailey
Cindy Brunner
Harriette thanked Drs. Bailey and
Brunner for their work on the Committee.
Dr. Bailey expressed his appreciation
for the hard work and professionalism shown by the Committee members.
Information Items
Child Care Survey Update – Jenny Swaim and Wendy Pechman, Co-Chairs of the University
Staff Council, were introduced. Jenny then gave an update on the child care
survey and results.
Jenny explained that discussions
have been held regarding possible child care on campus since 1995. She
indicated that she and Dr. Donna Sollie, Assistant Provost for Women’s
Initiatives, have worked together on this child care possibility. In 2005,
Jenny received numerous comments from University employees about the need for a
child care facility on campus. To further support this idea, the Fisher Report
in 2006 suggested the need for child care for University employees.
In November 2006, Jenny put a survey
together and online for University employees. Results are as follows:
287 – Faculty (15% of Faculty on
campus)
346 – A & P employees (26% of A & P employees on campus)
212 – Staff employees (7.9% of Staff on campus)
845 Participants
63% of the respondents indicated
that they will still need childcare in five years.
Survey showed the following desires
in order of priority:
·
Flexible work arrangements
·
Child care on campus (47% said very
important; 25% said important; having care available on campus was a top issue;
cost of care was of lesser concern)
·
Enhanced health care plan
·
Retirement planning assistance and
increased benefits
Jenny indicated that more specific
information needs to be gathered in order to move ahead with this concept and
stated that the following questions must be answered: How could this child care
be funded? Where would it be housed? She indicated that the child care
possibility has already been discussed with Greg Parsons, University Architect,
and John Mouton, Special Advisor to the President. Mr. Parsons has offered
ideas on possible building space, and Mr. Mouton has added this to the list of
possible facility needs.
Currently, there is a comparative
analysis taking place with other colleges and schools to gather more
information. Assembly member David Hennessey asked about the Birmingham Early
Leaning Center as a possible site to model. It was explained that the Center
had been contacted for guidance; however, it is not a traditional child care
facility and the mission and goals of the two would not be the same.
Jenny asked any who may be
interested in helping with this child care project to contact her.
Updates from A & P committees:
·
Nominations and Elections Committee –
Victoria Tate of the Nominations and Elections Committee gave the results of
the recent A & P Representative elections for the terms running from April
1, 2007 to
March 31, 2010. Those results are as
follows:
·
Place 1 - Christopher O'Gwynn
·
Place 5 - Lisa Powell
·
Place 6 - Seth Humphrey
·
Place 7 - Julie Nolen
·
Place 9 - Phillip Coxwell
·
Place 15 - Jane Hoehaver
·
Place 16 - John Folmar
Rob McKinnell was elected to serve
Place 18, replacing Todd Storey, the new Chair-elect. The term ends March 31,
2008.
Victoria congratulated those newly
elected Representatives.
On another issue, Victoria indicated
that five A & P members had expressed interest in serving on the University
Master Plan Committee. Two names were submitted to the President’s Office, and
one of those will be selected by the President’s Office to serve on the
committee.
The Nominations and Election
Committee’s full report is found below:
Auburn
University
Administrative and Professional Assembly
Nominations & Elections Committee
Auburn University , Alabama 36849
March 20, 2007
MEMORANDUM
TO : Drew Burgering, Administrative & Professional
Assembly Chair
FROM : Victoria Tate and Kimmie Webster, Co-Chairs, Nominations
& Elections Committee
SUBJECT : Annual Report – Nominations & Elections
Committee
Current committee members :
Leon Bowman, 2007
Jacqui Dozier, 2008 – moved to NC March 1
Harriette Huggins, 2009
Rob Kulick, 2008
Kevin Mullins, 2008
Michele Owsley, 2009
Jessie Shealey, 2007
Victoria Tate, 2007
Kimmie Webster, 2009 – Moving to TN
Information:
·
A Meeting was held on October 18 th
, Jacqui Dozier and Victoria Tate were named co-chairs. Another meeting was
held January 10 th Jacqui announced she would be leaving the University. Kimmie
Webster agreed to be co-chair with Victoria. The committee outlined
responsibilities for handling the election of officers and representatives.
·
Committee members managed the
election of officers at the Feb 20 th meeting of A&P Assembly.
·
Committee worked with OIT and the
election of representatives was held electronically, the following
representatives have been elected to term ending 2010:
Place 1 -
Christopher O'Gwynn
Place 5 - Lisa Powell
Place 6 - Seth Humphrey
Place 7 - Julie Nolen
Place 9 - Phillip Coxwell
Place 15 - Jane Hoehaver
Place 16 - John Folmar
Robert
McKinnell was elected to serve the unexpired term of Place 18 ending 2008.
·
Two names were submitted and one
will be selected by the President’s office to serve on the University Master
Plan Committee. Five (5) A&P employees expressed interest in the committee.
·
There are currently two vacancies
(2008. 2009) on the N&E committee. We have been involved with
representative election, but plan to submit names to the new Executive Committee
in early April.
·
We should be receiving requests from
the President’s office about A&P nominees to University committees later in
the spring.
·
During the summer we will be
receiving names of nominees to serve on A&P committees to present to the Assembly
in August.
Action item:
Nominations & Elections Committee has been informed of a
vacancy on the Welfare Committee (2008) and nominates Judith Sanders to fill
the unexpired term.
I move adoption of this
recommendation.
The Assembly voted to approve the
recommendation.
Welfare Committee – Brenda Wood, Chair, spoke on behalf of the Welfare
Committee. She explained that the Chair attends the Auburn University Insurance
and Benefits Committee. Brenda explained the recommendations for 2007-2008 by the
Welfare Committee, as noted in Section III of the Agenda below. Discussion on
this topic followed regarding a desire for the A & P group to be proactive
on promoting enhanced, and proportionately affordable, health care and wellness
opportunities for employees with respect to claims and money being spent on
illnesses. Jenny Swaim spoke on behalf of the Staff Council and said that there
is a currently a group in place on that Council to address this issue.
Welfare Committee Agenda items (and
recommendations – Section III) from the March 7, 2007 meeting may be found
below:
AGENDA
I. Introductions
II. Duties and Responsibilities of
Welfare Committee
The Welfare Committee shall consist
of nine members from the Administrative and Professional group. The Welfare
Committee shall review and make recommendations about Administrative and
Professional salaries, benefits, and evaluation procedures.
III. Review of Insurance and
Benefits Committee Recommendations for 2007‑08
·
Recommend tax deferred annuity
increase from $30,000 to $35,000. (AU currently matches retirement
contributions of 5% of gross salary up to $30,000 = $1500 annually, or
$125/mo.). An increase to $35,000 would increase match to $1750 annually, or
$145/mo.
·
Extend tuition waiver for dependents
to deceased employees, or employees killed on the job. Must have been employed
at AU for at least 10 continuous years at the time of his or her death..
·
Cover spouses in smoking cessation
program. Provide one time incentive for 3 month supply of non prescription
nicotine replacement therapy (up to $120).
·
Increase tier for health benefits
(by same percentage of average salary raises to prevent a potential salary
decrease for the lower compensated).
IV. Other Items discussed
·
Discussion about possibility of full
tuition waiver for dependents. Committee member was going to check with other
SEC schools to see how many offered full tuition benefit to dependents.
·
Sick leave bank.
·
Include Roth 403B as another
retirement option.
V. New Business
VI. Adjourn
___________________________________________________________________________
Grievance Committee – There was no representative present for the Grievance
Committee, as no grievances have been filed of late.
___________________________________________________________________________
Professional Development Committee – Drew spoke on behalf of this committee. The committee has
been responsible for the proposed Consulting Policy, which was approved by the
A & P Assembly and forwarded to Dr. Richardson for consideration. See
Memorandum below:
|
ADMINISTRATIVE
& PROFESSIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM
March
15, 2007 |
To: Dr. Edward R. Richardson
President, Auburn University
Through: Dr. Don Large
Executive Vice President
Through: Ms. Lynne Hammond
Assistant Vice President for Human
Resources
From: Mr. Drew Burgering
Chair, Administrative &
Professional (A & P) Assembly
CC: A & P Executive Committee
Re: Consulting Policy, Approved By
The A & P Assembly
At its February 20, 2007 meeting the
Administrative & Professional Assembly passed a motion to approve the
Consulting Policy that the Professional Development Committee presented. This
is a policy that has been in the works for many years and I hope the
Administration will see the need and benefits of such a policy.
I would like to not only present
this proposed policy for you to consider, but I would also like to make some
comments on behalf of the Administrative and Professional Employees that I
represent and who would be using this new policy. There has been a lot of work
put into both composing this policy and looking at other institutions and how
they handle this issue. The proposed policy does several things, one of which
is it gives back a benefit that some employees were allowed before they were
moved into the A & P group when it was formed. In fact, I think the
consulting policy these employees were previously under was allowed to be used
for a time after the new A & P group was formed.
This proposed Policy is drafted with
the Faculty policy as a blueprint. There was much discussion between all
members of the Professional Development Committee, the A & P leadership as
well as the Executive V.P. and the Assistant V.P. for Human Resources. The main
point in most all of these discussions has been centered on the allowance of up
to 16 days leave, on approval by the supervisor, to allow A & P employees
to consult. This leave would be available above the employee’s annual leave
granted by the University. After all of the discussion for or against the
additional leave, the Assembly felt a policy that was consistent with the
faculty policy that is already in place and allows a maximum of 52 additional
days off, would be the most sensible.
All University employees, faculty
and non-faculty, are granted annual leave and are required to document and
request for this time off. This information is filed and stored in the Human
Resources Office for all employees. The Professional Development Committee and
the Assembly again felt that because all of the issues dealing with leave were
consistent between all employee groups that the consulting policy also be
consistent between both employee groups. The Staff Council leadership did not
see a need to include the Staff employee group in this policy, but the Assembly
would not be against including them if this is deemed appropriate.
I would like to thank you in advance
for consideration in accepting this A & P Consulting Policy as stated and
approved by the Assembly. I look forward to hearing back from you after your
review and welcome any questions you may have in regards to any aspects of the
policy.
Intercollegiate Athletics Committee – Jimmy Stucky spoke on behalf of this committee,
explaining that the committee’s function is to recommend seating, handle
compliance, and assist the President and Athletics Department. The committee,
comprised of 14 voting members, has several sub-committees. This past year, the
committee oversaw the NCAA certification process, which was its biggest project
of late.
Jimmy explained that a change in
ticket priority is being implemented this year for seating at football and basketball
games. The memorandum explaining these changes is included below:
CHANGES
TO THE PRIORITY POINT SYSTEMS FOR
ORDERING FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL SEASON TICKETS
·
This point system is based on rank
or grade, years of continuous service and years of purchasing season tickets
for employees whose hire date is prior to July 1, 2006
·
This point system is based on years
of purchasing season tickets for employees whose hire date is after July
1, 2006.
·
Employees hired prior to July
1, 2006 will have their total points set as a threshold and they will never
drop below that level as long as they remained eligible to purchase tickets.
(Individuals serving temporarily in a position that provides increased base
points – such as interim department chair – would have their “threshold points”
based upon their permanent title.)
·
Beginning with the 2007-2008 season
employees hired prior to July 1, 2006 will be awarded four points for
each future year that they order tickets, in addition to their “threshold
points.”
·
Ticket priority for employees hired after
July 1, 2006 will be determined solely on the basis of the number of years that
tickets were ordered. Four points will be awarded for each year that tickets
are ordered.
·
In order to be eligible to purchase
employee tickets as a retiree, an employee retiring after July 1, 2006
must have been employed full-time at Auburn University as a state retirement
system employee within one year preceding the official retirement date.
·
In the event of the death of an
eligible employee or retiree who ordered season tickets in the year of his/her
death, ticket ordering privileges will be extended to the surviving spouse for
the next season only. This privilege is not transferable to any other
individual.
·
Beginning with ticket orders for the
2007-2008 season no additional employees of cooperating state and federal
agencies will be added to the list of those who are eligible to order tickets.
·
Those employees of cooperating state
and federal agencies who have not ordered tickets in any of the previous five
years will no longer have ticket ordering privileges.
·
The only retired employees and
employees of cooperating state and federal agencies who receive order forms by
mail are those who ordered season tickets the preceding year.
Executive Committee – Maria gave an end of year report for the Executive
Committee. That report is included below:
Auburn
University
Administrative and Professional Assembly
A & P Executive Committee
2006-2007
Report
to the A & P Assembly
March 20, 2007
Members:
Drew Burgering – Chair
Harriette Huggins – Past-Chair
Maria Folmar – Chair-Elect
Missy Long – Secretary (4/06 - 11/06)
Julie Nolen – Secretary (11/06 – 3/07)
At-Large Members:
Vivian Miller
April Staton
Todd Storey
The Executive Committee regularly
met on the first Wednesday of each month.
The following is a summary of items
to which the Executive Committee attended:
·
Provided Orientation for the
newly-elected Representatives on April 11 2006.
·
Organized and provided a retreat for
Representatives on June 9 2006.
·
Convened thirteen Executive
Committee meetings.
·
Convened seven regularly-scheduled
Assembly meetings and 2 called meetings.
·
Provided information sessions during
Assembly meetings.
·
Formed two ad hoc committees:
o
Fisher Report priorities and
implications for A & P
o
Grievance Policy and Procedure
·
Provided resources, information, and
support surrounding the passage of two Constitutional revisions: meeting
attendance by Representatives, removal of out-of-date Grievance Policy from the
Constitution.
·
Conducted a membership survey and
identified characteristics essential for the new AU President. Provided report
to the President and to the Board of Trustees.
·
Identified components of the Fisher
Report of interest and concern to the Assembly. Provided report to the
President and to the Board of Trustees.
·
Achieved A & P representative
membership on the AU Master Plan Committee and on the Student Academic
Grievance Committee.
·
Continued to develop and enhance
communications with other AU governance groups.
Unfinished Business – There was no unfinished business brought forth.
New Business – There was no new business brought forth.
Open Forum – Karen Rankin expressed her thanks to outgoing Chair, Drew
Burgering, for a job well done. She indicated that the three-year commitment in
this role is a big job, and she appreciated Drew’s excellent service.
Jenny Swaim expressed her thanks
from the Staff Council to Drew and the A & P Assembly for serving as a
sounding board and support unit for the University Staff Council.
Recognition of Those Completing
Service to Assembly – Drew expressed his appreciation
to all those who have completed their service on the Assembly and are rolling
off or completing a service. He presented Certificates of Appreciation to the
following:
Latresha Pinkston-Brady Place 5
2006-07
Pat Deery Place 1 2003-07
Tony Ventimiglia Place 16 2003-07
Gary Wittekind Place 6 Nov. 06 – March 07
Vivian Miller Place 9 2003-07 and At-Large Member
Julie Nolen Place 7 Nov. 06 - March 07 – Secretary
Maria Folmar Chair-Elect
Todd Storey Place 18 Now Chair-Elect
Harriette Huggins Past Chair
Final Remarks to Assembly by Chair – Drew expressed his thanks to Maria and Todd in their
upcoming roles as Chair and Chair-Elect, respectively. He also thanked
Harriette for her support as Past Chair. Drew’s parting remarks to Maria were
as follows, “Be the leader you’ve been elected to be. Make yourself known to
the people.” Drew was then presented with a gavel/plaque in appreciation for
his service. With that, he handed the meeting over to new Chair, Maria Folmar.
Adjournment – There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned
by Maria at 3:56 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julie Nolen, Secretary