Minutes of Staff Council
Tuesday, November 13th 2012
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
UAC 124
Attendees:
April Barnes, Lucy Benitez, Chandra Bilson, Martha Bird, Angela Brandeberger, Rafael Cordero, Sonya
Evans, Kay Hetherly, Amy Hilton, Janell Laca, Ryan McAfee, Kim Nelson, Marcus Pacheco, Jackie
Slaughter, Steve Sokup, Holly Tipton, Martin Zavala
Guests:
Human Resources Department (John McBride, Tammy Coyle, Jeff Lun, Michelle Moritz)
Absentees:
Noragene Green, LaShonda Eunice Gurley, Jen Lagrange, Xavier Lopez, Alison Mott, Scott Plough, Selma
Selvera, Joyce Wilkerson, Sharon Wilsford
Approval of October Minutes:
Minutes were approved
Call to Order and Welcome:
Ms. April Barnes, Chair of Staff Council, welcomed the council and guests to the October Council
Meeting. Furthermore, Ms. Barnes introduced the Human Resources Department to discuss updates and
changes.
Human Resources Department:
Breakdown of what HR does- separation of faculty/staff. Brief description that HR covers mainly staff
related issues.
Employment- background checks- in May 2012 EEO issued new guidelines- relevancy chart done away
with. Dealt with offenses (misdemeanors/felony) that dealt with hiring of employees. Now everything
can be used as far as reporting, promotion, and reclassification. This information is public record. The
reason behind this is because of the liability for staff and students on campus. Safety is a main concern.
Setting precedent- having exceptions for some but not for others- this can be a problem.
Labor intensive jobs will have a physical skills assessment test. Can’t pass that- you cannot be hired.
Extremely high of workers cost injuries that University is paying. As far as classifying jobs as labor
intensive- HR does not deal with that, they only deal with administering the test. If you’re capable of
doing the job, passing the test- medical history is irrelevant. They will ask for medical records however.
Benefits
Health Insurance- we have switched to Health Select. ID cards have been sent. Network is different- so
some people had to seek out new PCP. Self-insured program- state determines what benefits are as well
as copays. United is hired as third party to pay claims.
Flu Shots- covered 100% as preventative care. Before you had to go to doctor’s office, now you can go to
Walgreens, CVS, and Walmart.
Wellness fair had great attendance- 500 attendees, 290 flu shots given. Great turnout.
Bobcat Balance program is still around- marketing will step up to advertise. 5 counseling sessions free
with no copay. Open to families- do not have to be on health plan, if they live in your house it is valid.
Also work life- assisted living, wellness etc. Rose Trevino- work life coordinator. Counselors are third
party company- HR will never see names of people who accessed program, or what was discussed.
Energy Conservation Days- UPPS policy regarding leave that’s earned and used. UPPS 04.04.16 staff
encouraged to review.
Compensation
Staff regarding pay plan for staff. Every year review of University pay plan is done- in attempt to ensure
pay ranges remain market competitive. Areas from Austin and San Antonio data used. National data
from colleges across US also used. Really good market data regarding position- if no market data
available they will plug information to ensure pay range is sufficient. Presentations are available to staff
to see how pay ranges, appraisals are done. UPPS 04.04.20 changes to how positions are appraisedattendance, customer service and work behavior have been added. Track employee performance from
one supervisor to another.
Employee Relations
Helpful hints- what’s new in HR.
Working on retaliation policy- editing is in the works. Employees are encouraged to reach out to HR
before it gets out of hand. Retaliation claims have now replaced race sex and ethnicity claims in terms of
number of claims each year. Credentials 04.04.03 are needed to be present as a condition of
employment.
Every year a report is produced that says what jobs require employees to have credentials. (State or
Federal) There’s also a part that is inclusive of credentials that are not State or Federal but deemed
necessary for job. Certifications allowed before employment or within a reasonable amount of time
after employment- that’s determined by Administration. Ask for credential from candidate when hiring
into EASY system so HR can track it. Tracked outside of SAP- on excel spreadsheet.
Question regarding domestic partnerships- State of Texas has to change definition in order for Texas
State to initiate change.
HR monthly bulletin- Staff Council corner. Concerns for content included. HR bulletin got pages and
pages and pages too long. So discretion had to be used to decide what could be included and what
couldn’t.
Chair Report:
HR Staff bulletin- they will check into adding Staff Council and chair will keep us posted, there is a
concern for content. Regents meeting is today and tomorrow- anticipating funding cuts and enrollment
down. Doctorial enrollment was the only increase.
Committee Reports:
By-Laws/UPPS- Announcing UPPS reviewed so far. If any staff council members want to comment, add
or suggest anything feel free to contact the Chairs and let them know.
Compensation- Action items discussion for custodial pay, accruing comp time for EC days, bullying in the
workplace. It was suggested to review educational benefits to see what all is there, if there is anything
we can seek out.
Elections- Special election- seat that wasn’t filled in fall. Also we do not have an alternate for a member
that resigned. Also a third member has resigned- but we have a backup in place.
Fundraising- Hot Dogs, Chips, Cookie Drink suggestion for this semester. Breakfast tacos, or sausage
wraps were suggested. Waiting on vendors for donations to organize budget. Date is December 6th
tentatively. Decided to definitely deliver. Timeframe too short- committee will research options for fall
2012 (breakfast tacos, etc) and report back.
Online Technology- Doesn’t have a report but if any changes are needed please let him know. All out of
date updates will be provided. Perks will need updates as well.
Orientation- Location LBJ Student Center, Date August 13th will be the date needed to be used. Dr.
Arellano or Dr. Smith will be asked to be potential speakers. Dr. Daniel Brown was also suggested. Any
other suggestions for speakers can be emailed to chairs. $600.00 for food- seeking out vendors for the
food.
Transportation & Parking- University transportation advisory council met- new director of
Transportation. Discussion about what council does. Alkek Garage was discussed- bird droppings and
safety. Proposal made by Staff Council- car pool program, but due to meeting length was pushed to next
meeting.
Perks- No report but are going through list to see what perks are active, or what new perks are
available. Mamacita’s is back with a 10% discount.
Public Relations- HR bulletin built into structure. How can we change our image and make people aware
of what we do. Focus Staff Council corner in the monthly HR bulletin. 3 sentences focusing on an
employee at Texas State, how long they have been here, something personal about them etc. Possibly a
donated gift from a department from Athletics or Whitliff gallery. Proposed to have Staff Council bulletin
we publish every month. Will discuss with Dr. Gratz. Also plaques on 3rd floor of JCK- will check into
progress for updates on the case we ordered. New UPPS for fundraising- if you are selling things. Just
making sure we are compliant.
Scholarship/Awards- Review timeline for opening for scholarship and awards nominations. Timeframe
will be 4 weeks same as last year. People aren’t notified when they are nominated. Automated emails
notifying nominations. Facebook and social media involvement pushed. Custodial award was promised
the “Rodrigo Rodriguez Award”- it was bought to Staff Council attention that President will make award
names and decisions.
External Committee Reports:
Facilities Committee – Ms. April Barnes and Ms. Janell Laca
Wellness Fair – Mr. Ryan McAfee and Ms. Lucy Benitez
Transportation Committee – Ms. Sharon Wilsford and Ms. Carol Brauer-Dykema
Energy Conservation – Ms. Jen LaGrange and Mr. Steve Soukup almost completed to switching buildings
to metered business. Haven’t figured out final formula- goal is charge based on use.
Professional Development – Ms. Alison Mott and Ms. Jackie Slaughter
Campus Recreation Advisory Board – Ms. April Barnes Mr. Ray Cordero- good meeting not a whole lot
going on with staff. Check out re-design of outdoor center. Summer 2013 extension of Sewell Park
North. Plans not finalized.
Faculty Senate – Mr. Ray Cordero and Ms. LaShonda Gurley
University Safety Board – Ms. Kay Hetherly, Ms. April Barnes and Ms. Janell Laca
Old Business:
Wellness Fair- 500 people attended, almost 300 flu shots given. Discussion for traffic control and
standard date for wellness fair.
Campus safety- Bird droppings- there is nothing they can do. Tried a number of things in the past but
haven’t been unsuccessful.
General safety- bomb threats on campus, other events on campus. Training is available if staff would like
it- can help prepare for emergency. Individual safety concern regarding Bobcat Bobbies or 245-RIDE to
drive in a van to pick you up. Possible app to add to Texas State app that tells you the most lit areas on
campus on any given time. Bobcat Bobbies cannot cross the street. Try not to park in Stadium parking.
New Business:
Confidentiality at meetings. You cannot talk about what goes on during Staff Council. A report can be
given to supervisors, but anything stemming from issues employees raise behind closed doors. Concern
for retaliation has been raised. You will have access to employee records if any grievances arise.
Anything that will be confidential in private can be called into an “Executive Session” all visitors will have
to leave and that information cannot be signed.
Confidentiality forms were distributed and need to be signed.
Staff Council Facelift- campus is not aware of what Staff Council does. And to change any image the
council may have to ensure campus is aware of why we are here and what we do. Thinking of ways to
improve image and help staff. Any ideas regarding how to do this can be emailed any suggestions are
encouraged and appreciated.
Meeting Adjourned
The next Staff Council meeting will be December 11th, 2012 in UAC 124
Ray Cordero
Secretary
Texas State University-Staff Council, 2012-1013