ACE
MINUTES – December 12, 2002 - Ah Fong Room
Present: Connie Charlton, Guen Johnson, Valencia Garrett, Gary Myers, Reida Bow, Kenny Wiscombe, Ann Winslow, Rita Nuxoll, Jeff Olson, Bob Webber, Rhonda Hughes
Meeting began at 1:32 with Connie introducing guests Gary Anderson (resident director of student housing) and Jeff Olson (Service Employees International Union)
1. Student Leadership Foundation – Gary Anderson: Anderson is on a committee that helps with leadership training with students on campus. Students and employees have an opportunity to nominate students into the leadership society. Brochures and flyers were distributed (more can be obtained from the dean of student services). For more information calls extension 2051 or email to ganders2@boisestate.edu.
2. SEIU 687 Update – Jeff Olson: Olson spoke about the benefits of joining the SEIU. In the last 15 years state workers have not had adequate representation at the statehouse, and in the last 15 years, benefits for state employees have declined. The Service Employees International Union 687 tries to protect state workers and helps with problem solving and grievances. (To date, several BSU jobs have been saved where the workers were caught in misunderstandings with supervisors). An attorney helps with cases for SEIU members for a cut rate. SEIU is politically active and is working to change things for public employees. Olson said you can’t just sit back while the current Idaho administration guts pension, vacation and sick leave to bail out the state’s financial messes. The current health insurance proposal for 2004 is a case in point: (1). maintaining current coverage while imposing a 15% premium increase; or
(2). reducing coverage while maintaining current premiums. Idaho has one of the worst situations for labor in the nation. Membership and help is needed to fight for public employees. Call him at 343-1038 any time or on his cell 890-0035 or visit http://home.velocitus.net/seiu687. Saturday, December 14 there will be a meeting at the union office for all members to help organize and strategize.
3. Benefits – Connie Charlton: Charlton circulated a letter from George A. Murgel, President of the Faculty Senate, opposing the health insurance proposals for fiscal year 2004 (mentioned by Olson above). It was MSC by Myers/Wiscombe that Charlton compose a letter opposing the health insurance proposals and forward it on to Joyce Weir, Benefits Administrator in Human Resources.
Jane Buser, director of HR, sent an e-mail to Charlton showing a 3% increase to PERSI with 62% paid by employers and 38% by employees. This money they will additionally held out of employee checks to support PERSI funds and begins on 7-1-04 with 1%. An additional 1% to be retained 7-1-05 and another 1% on 7-1-06.
4. Supervisor Evaluation – Rita Nuxoll: Nuxoll re-opened the discussion from last meeting about evaluating supervisors, and used forms from Boise City (peer evaluations and employee level) as templates. The board expressed interest in making this a reality, and noted it would be a vehicle for good comments and bad comments to go into supervisors’ files in HR. HR to be informed we want to pursue supervisor evaluations and to advise on correct protocol. After ACE and HR meet and work out the details, the matter goes to the Presidents cabinet. It was MSC by Wiscomb/Nuxoll to pursue this evaluation process and come up with a prototype. Nuxoll asked for comments on the form. The executive committee will meet to refine the process (Charlton will call the meeting and Nuxoll will make copies of the form and get it to those who didn’t get one last time.
5. ACE Open House – Committee: Comments from BSU workers on this event indicate the biggest problem is attendance. Many supervisors do not want to grant an hour release time for employees to come. Suggestion made to have it in conjunction with a day something else is going on, i.e., Boise Cascade training, Frontline training, health & benefits fair. A list of events through the course of the year needs to be looked over for ideas. BSU workers don’t want the event dropped.
6. President’s Cabinet: Charlton reported the cabinet recommended new or increased special course fees, and that some lab fees, etc., went up for fall /summer 2003. Protocol and procedures for sexual assaults on campus were approved and will be made public on December 15. Founders Leadership program was discussed. Admissions index standards will be implemented in Fall 2003 to manage growth and success rates (enrollment services has more information).
7. Committee reports: Tabled until the January meeting.
8. Other: Myers asked that any foodservice issues on campus be brought to his attention.
Hughes stated the Women’s Center was trying to get Gloria Steinem as a speaker in March.
Meeting Adjourned at 2:45.
Respectfully submitted,
Gueneth Omeron Johnson