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Governance Minutes ArchiveDecember 17, 1992
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY STAFF SENATE MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1992 ROOM 102 - PHASE IV - VETERINARY MEDICINE SENATORS PRESENT: Bill Aliff, Pat Ballard, Janet Bryant, Clara Cox, Marge Dellers, Patrick Donohoe, Betty Greene, Julie Hancock, Linda Haney, Diane Kaufman, Don Massie, Sherilyn McConnell, Fred Phillips, Carlile Price, Rocky Price, Bill Ranck, Peggy Rasnick, Kathy Reynolds, Widget Shannon, Buddy Shaver, Barbara Hise Shelor, Sonja Stone, Charlie Stott, Sherri Turner, Deb Williams, Pat Worrell ALTERNATES IN ATTENDANCE: Joann Miller for Eileen Keeney, Lola Yelverton GUESTS: Roy Jones - Faculty Senate representative. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by President McConnell, who welcomed senators, alternates, and guests. ANNOUNCEMENTS President McConnell announced the MSL Responsiveness Award's deadline is February 5. She has a copy if anyone would like to review. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the November 19, 1992, Staff Senate meeting were not avail- able for approval. SENATE COMMITTEE REPORTS *COMMUNICATIONS--Senator Cox, chair, reported the committee learned from Ann Spencer that all senators have been added to the official mailing list for deans, directors, and department heads. She said the committee has made some progress in identifying additional mailing lists but believes problems are created by people using outdated 3Ds lists. The committee continues to work on ongoing projects. *ELECTIONS AND NOMINATIONS--Senator Phillips, chair, reported the committee had not met. *LONG RANGE BUDGET AND PLANNING--Senator Ballard, chair, reported the com- mittee met December 8 with Pat Hyer to learn what factors would be driving the state's budget the next two years. *POLICIES AND ISSUES--President McConnell reported for Senator Murray, chair, that there were no formal minutes for that group and that the last meeting was cancelled due to snow. UNIVERSITY COUNCIL, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEE REPORTS *UNIVERSITY COUNCIL--Senator Phillips reported the council met December 7. Dr. McComas discussed the proposed State Council for Higher Education in Virginia (SCHEV) plan, which he believes could negatively impact higher ed- ucation in the state if implemented. *HUMAN RIGHTS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY--Senator Aliff reported that Minor- ity Affairs is concentrating on the recruitment of minority students and that minority groups will be surveyed about how they feel about the quality of life on campus. For a copy of the survey call Senator Aliff. Senator Aliff said the council is looking at such questions as where does the uni- versity stand in dealing with these problems and programs? How many minor- ities are being hired in staff positions? President McConnell stated the EO/AA office publishes the minority ratio at the university every October. *STRATEGIC BUDGETING AND PLANNING--President McConnell announced the coun- cil had been discussing the SCHEV draft plan and the response from the uni- versity and college Council of Presidents. *COMMISSION ON CLASSIFIED STAFF AFFAIRS--Vice President Stott reported that the academic-year classified appointment proposal has been changed to make acceptance of an AY position change voluntary and that final negotiations are in the works. The proposal for a pilot project would be implemented and evaluated over a two-year period. Vice President Stott said Roy Jones had suggested the commission hold an open hearing on campus to assess the perception of openness on campus. He also reported that the steering com- mittee for the Leadership Development Program feels a program would be an investment in short- and long-term goals of the university. Some object to the need for leadership development, Senator Stott said, but it would strengthen a shared purpose, competency would be improved, better teamwork would result, and barriers would be broken down. The Senate needs to keep the catalyst of change moving. Leadership is the responsibility of every- one, not just the higher ranks. The program must operate in conjunction with policies and procedures. *COMMISSION ON GRADUATE STUDIES AND POLICIES--Senator Haney reported the commission had not met. *COMMISSION ON RESEARCH--Senator Rasnick reported Dwight Shelton from the Controller's Office was developing new computer runs. A prototype has been made and would be revised as needed. Input from faculty/staff about any problems they experience with the computer runs would be welcomed. *COMMISSION ON UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES AND POLICIES--President McConnell re- ported the commission is scheduling the proposed 1994-95 calendar. All se- mesters would start on Mondays and would last 75 days. Senator Wheeler asked for Senate input by January 1, 1993. *COMMISSION ON UNIVERSITY SUPPORT--Senator Donohoe stated that the meeting had been cancelled and rescheduled January 11. The commission is trying to find ways to receive minutes from the Parking/Transportation Committee. *EO/AA COMMITTEE--President McConnell said the proposed membership reviewed at the meeting would consist of 32 individuals. Motions were made to add representation from Cooperative Extension and to change staff represen- tation from one staff senator to two staff senators plus one representative from the Commission on Classified Staff Affairs. The proposed membership is still subject to approval. Cornell Morton strongly supports the changes. PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE--Senator Shannon stated a re- solution would be forthcoming from the Commission of Student Affairs call- ing for the conversion of 1,000 student spaces from B-Lot, Litton Reaves, and the Coliseum to faculty/staff parking and for graduate assistants to be given the opportunity to purchase hangtags for faculty/staff lots since they work for the university. Senator Cox asked if the point had been made that undergraduates work for the university as well. Senator Rasnick stated they want staff and faculty privileges and that she thought the mat- ter was settled last year when the request was denied. Senator Ballard said the students do a good job of researching how to get their proposals approved. Faculty and staff cannot defend their position without facts and figures. Senator Haney feels most graduate teachers come from the College of Engineering so one area of parking would be most affected, yet core drilling is now going on in the Whittemore Hall parking lot as a possible location for a new building. Senator Ranck stated the new building will absorb spaces no matter where it is built. Senator Donohoe said there is a possibility a new building will be located behind Cowgill. Senator Ballard feels this issue will remain controversial because of the inadequate number of parking spaces available. PRESIDENT'S AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE--Senator Phillips stated the committee had not met. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES COMMITTEE--Senator Worrell stated the first meeting would be in January. FACULTY SENATE--Senator Rasnick reported the meeting included a report on payroll deduction for parking. New employees now have 30 days to buy a permit. Senator Williams stated the original committee decided against payroll deductions because of the confusion that would occur if people left the university. Senator Rasnick went on to say that hard times are not over for the university. Larger classes would require more streamlining. President McConnell said the SCHEV plan, which deals with such issues, is a draft. The proposal from the university and college Council of Presidents also is a draft. The increased size of classes as well as the number of classes promote the use of more televised classes. Senator Ranck requested clarification of tuition waivers for dependents. President McConnell stated it originally came up in Faculty Senate but the issue was closed. OLD BUSINESS Vice President Stott reported that the Joint Health Care Task Force is still monitoring changes in the health care program. fewer concerns are coming to members. Senator Greene reported on the Christmas service project. She said the deadlines to assist agencies that help those in need have passed, but she has learned of a needy woman about to lose her home. Senators have donated $225 so far. Senator Williams said the Salvation Army and Social Services in the counties of Giles and Pulaski could provide additional names. Senator Shannon reported she had talked to the postmaster in Pearisburg concerning confidential mail. He informed her it is only protected until it reaches the place of business. She said employees should never send confidential mail through campus mail since there is no protection. Sen- ator Rasnick stated secretaries open all mail; however, if it is marked confidential, they should not open it for ethical reasons. NEW BUSINESS President McConnell reported that copies of two memos were available at the front of the room from two representatives of the Arts and Sciences Staff Association asking senators to petition Blue Cross/Blue Shield to include coverage for bone marrow transplants in breast cancer patients. Some BCBS policies are negotiable for an additional $1.80 per premium. This issue was referred to the Policies and Issues Committee to research and possibly pass on to the Employee Benefits Committee. Senator Dellers suggested since the state is self-insured, this issue needs to be addressed both to the Employee Benefits Committee and the Department of Personnel and Train- ing. Senator Ranck stated an inclusive list for coverage is more scary than an excluded list because some things may be omitted. Vice-President Stott said many things that are considered "experimental" are excluded. Senator Dellars stated the SOURCEBOOK '92 lists experimental medical and surgical procedures but asked which unit makes that determination. For leukemia, a bone marrow transplant is not considered experimental treat- ment, but it is for breast cancer. The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m. Barbara Hise Shelor Secretary
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