Butler University Staff Assembly Meeting

Minutes – Wednesday, November 14, 2007 – GH108

(Attendance – approximately 94)

Andy Ryan, chair, called the Staff Assembly meeting to order and welcomed everyone in attendance.

New Business                                                                                                                       

• The Gender Equity Commission report is completed and Dr. Fong has responded to it.
• Andy encouraged staff members to comment through the HUB Suggestion Box, the Suggestions Boxes that are located at various locations on campus, or directly to Ryan.

He reminded everyone there are mechanisms for confidentiality.

• The report indicated the concern for better faculty/staff relations.  The Staff Assembly Executive Committee is willing to work together with the Faculty Assembly Executive Committee to improve these relations.
• Dr. Fong will attend the December 19 Staff Assembly meeting.  If anyone has questions for him, it would be very helpful to submit those questions to Andy or through the HUB so Dr. Fong can review the questions prior to the meeting.
• Andy asked for more committee volunteers
• BUPD will once again be doing the Toys for Tots collection during the holiday season
• Andy will be meeting with Dr. Fong on November 27 if anyone has any questions or concerns that Andy should discuss at the meeting, please let Andy know prior to the 27th.

Committee Reports                                                                                                           

Activities & Socials – Cheryl Jensen announced the Book, DVD, CD, Magazine Swap that will be just prior and following the December 19th Staff Assembly meeting.  There will be a Euchre Club interest meeting on January 15th.

Communications – Jo Wagoner tries to put as much information on the HUB about Staff Assembly.  There are Suggestion Boxes located just outside the C-Club and the Human Resources Management & Development office.  There are still three more to be installed on campus.  The Staff Assembly News & Agenda will be started again.  There is need for two more committee members to work on this continuing project.  Perhaps it could be a sub-committee of the Communications Committee.

Employment Affairs – Greg Sharer announced that Campus Sweep is scheduled for April 29, 2008.

Faculty Relations - Jo Wagoner said the committee has several profiles for the Who’s THAT which will be starting soon.

Nominations & Elections – Patti Colip reported their committee had some concerns about the By-laws which are being addressed by the Executive Committee.

There were compliments expressed to the Activities & Socials Committee about the Craft & Hobby Show that was held on October 31.  The committee is considering a holiday bazaar and bake sale in December.

Guest Speakers                                                                                                                       

Beth Couture, Butler Women’s Basketball Coach – She gave the Assembly a preview of this year’s team.  They are young with only two seniors to provide excellent leadership, they are fun to coach as they listen and want to learn.  Her excitement and enthusiasm was contagious to all those present.  She also thanked the Staff for all they do and encouraged everyone to give to the Butler Rising campaign for which she is co-chair.

Elaine Johnson, Associate Director, Organization Development – Elaine explained the new Flex time Policy which originated in the Employment Affairs committee.  It was tweaked by Human Resources & Development and then submitted to the Senior Administrators for approval. It is a way to compress 37 ½ hours in another way than the normal five-day, 8:30 – 5:00 workweek.  Everyone is eligible for it, but it does have to work operationally within the employee’s department.

Kim Minton – Benefits Administrator, Human Resources Management & Development – Kim presented the Vacation Policy that was implemented on June 1, 2007.  The main change in the policy is the payout of vacation days if the employee leaves the university.

New staff members were introduced and welcomed to Butler.  Door prize drawings were held at the conclusion of the meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.

                                                                                    Mary Ellen Weitekamp

                                                                                    Secretary/Treasurer