Civil Service Employees Council
MINUTES
6 September 2007
Roll Call:
Present: Suzanne Boussaard, Pam Bowman, Jim Buffalo, Laura Caldwell, Carla
Farniok, Richard Hamilton, Sheila Kirby, Ed Lavin, Sam Marlow, Greg Phelps, Lois
Retherford, Jamie Shuda, Hilary Smith, Jackie Thompson, Martha Youngmeyer
Excused: Tammy Hiel, Cerese Wright, Kevin Morgan, James Weaver
Minutes: (Jamie Shuda)
Motion to accept the July minutes was made by Greg Phelps. Motion was seconded by
Richard Hamilton. Motion passed.
Treasurer’s Report: (Kevin Morgan)
N/A
President’s Report: (Suzanne Boussaard)
The following items are from the President’s Advisory Group meeting held on August
24th:
President Goldfarb announced the state had approved the budget. It is President
Goldfarb’s goal to have all logistics completed in order for the raises to be
reflected in paychecks the first part of October. Of course, the raises will be
retroactive to July 1.
Joe Rives provided an update with regard to Zimbra migration and training. A
migration schedule and more information is available at:
www.wiu.edu/UniversityPlanning/Zimbra
Sam Pfister, President of SGA, updated the group regarding SGA’s new website.
He hopes it will be completed by mid-semester. Westernsga.com will have
podcasts capabilities, calendar events, among other informative items.
Other items announced were: The Provost Search Committee will hold their first
meeting later that day. A Chief Security Officer search is in progress. On Sept
17-18 Dean Krieder will host the design team for the Performing Arts Center.
The team will return Thanksgiving week with a draft design. Garry Johnson
provided an update on the various construction projects on campus.
Other items brought to the Council’s attention by Suzanne were:
The University Theme Committee needed a civil service employee to serve.
Jamie Shuda volunteered.
Suzanne asked for a volunteer to attend the “Higher Values in Higher Education”
Committee which she has been attending. Should someone be interested,
please contact her.
E-test for staff secretary pre-testing: Suzanne was contacted to take the staff
secretary classification exam. She was not pleased with the e-test as she felt the
test asked too many questions (33 out of 65) regarding computer operating
commands/functions. She felt the questions should pertain totally to secretarial
skills and knowledge. She has submitted written comments to Human
Resources to reflect her thoughts regarding the e-test.
Civil Service Employee of the Month: (Laura Caldwell)
September employee of the month is Peggy Roth from the Library. Her reception will
be September 7th at 1:30 at the Circulation Desk. Next month’s nominations were
handed out. Please get those sent into Laura as soon as possible.
VP for Administrative Report: (Jackie Thompson)
Jackie updated the council on raises for non negotiated employees. She will know
more on September 7th and will call Suzanne with the updates. Raises will be
retroactive to July 1.
We Care will be going on the week of September 24th – 28th. Suzanne encouraged the
council to participate in these activities. Let Suzanne know so we can get a group
together. Please contact TS-Beal@wiu.edu or 298-1834 ext 255.
Director of Human Resources (Pam Bowman)
Pam reminded the Council of the upcoming EAC rep election. She was also proud to
announce the walking trails have been marked and October 1-5 will be the kick off
dates. The walking trails are between 20 – 30 minutes in length with ipodcasts. They
will start at 6:45 am, 12:15 pm, and 4:45 pm. Maps will be handed out along with
healthy snacks. Pam encourages the council to join in this activity to.
Pam also informed the council that there will be workshops coming soon. Dates for the
workshops are as follows:
Wed, Oct 3 2007: Long Term Disability Open Enrollment, 11:00am and 1:30pm,
Horrabin Hall 1.
Thu, Oct 4 2007: How Much Is Enough Retirement Workshop, 11:00am, Sandburg
Lounge
Wed, Oct 10 2007: Social Security, 1:15pm, Sandburg Theatre, Gary Rahan from SS
will be the presenter.
Mon, Oct 15 2007: How Much Is Enough Retirement Workshop, 2:00pm, Sandburg
Lounge
Wed, Oct 24 2007: What Do You Mean I Have to Choose, 2:30pm, Sandburg Lounge SURS representative will do this presentation
Thu, Oct 25 2007: What Do You Mean I Have To Choose, 11:00am, Sandburg Lounge
– SURS representative will do this presentation
Wed, Oct 31 2007: Deferred Comp, Flex Spending and 403b options, 11:00am and
1:30pm, Sandburg Lounge – Tim Grubbs from CMS will be here to do the deferred
comp, presentation another rep from CMS will talk about flex spending and Bev and
Pam will talk about 403b options.
Also noted Flu shots will be given on November 7 and 8 from 9:00 – 3:00 in the Cardinal
Oak Room
Employee Advisory Comm. Rep. (Sheila Kirby)
Sheila reported the next meeting will be October 4 so she will not be attending the
regular CSEC meeting next month. She also indicated she had not yet received any
information regarding the Council of Councils meeting in Chicago.
WIU Quad City Campus: (Lois Retherford)
There are a couple of openings in the Quad Cities campus. One is a chief clerk in the
middle of September due to a departure, also will be looking for a Director of Student
Services with the resignation of Luis Moreno. Currently there is a search committee in
narrowing the field to hire a Director of Development and there will also be an opening
for a Tech position.
The Quad Cites version of Discover Western will be held on Thursday 9th and 20th.
SGA Block party will be held on Friday 7th.
Also, they will be having an upcoming blood drive hosted by the Society of Educators.
Representative Reports to Council:
A. Affirmative Action Internship Committee: (Tammy Hiel) None
B. Affirmative Action & Equity Council: (Martha Youngmeyer) None
C. Woman Center: (Martha Youngmeyer) Open house was held and well
attended. They had a table that was full of homemade food and gifts to be
given out.
D. Master Plan: (Suzanne Boussaard) None
E. Web Page (Kevin Morgan) None
Committee Reports:
A. Appeals (Richard Hamilton) None
B. Award Fund: (Richard Hamilton) None
C. Award Selection: (Ed Lavin)
Ed reported there will be five book awards issued. Names will be
forthcoming. He also reported that Rich, Hilary and he met with Ulysses
Tucker regarding a fund drive. As a result, CSEC will be able to design their
own form so individuals may donate to the scholarships, book awards, and/or
general budget.
D. Constitution: (Jim Buffalo)
Jim handed out the new version of the constitution to the ones who had
not yet received it.
E. Education: (Hilary Smith) None
F. Election: (Jim Buffalo) None
G. Mentoring: (Sam Marlow) Welcome to our new employees!! They are:
Sandra Huston – Staff Nurse II Beu September 18th
Troy Bates – Chief Clerk Financial Aid September 10th
Benjamin Dedjoe – Electrical Engineer II August 20th
Emille Payne – Secretary II Law Enforcement August 27th
Sandra Witting - Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs Aug 6th
H. Salary: (Suzanne Boussaard) None. However, Jackie Thompson announced
the Pay for Performance proposal has been reviewed by the President as well
as all Vice Presidents. Revisions are necessary at this point in time.
I. Social Events & Development: (Jamie Shuda, Kevin Morgan, Cerese Wright)
Jamie shared with Council members what the center piece will be for the
luncheon.
J. Committee on Committees: (Greg Phelps) None
New Business:
A. Announcements
Provost Search Committee: The members of the provost Search Committee
have been reviewing applications since July. To date there have been 70
applicants apply. The search committee is meeting on Friday, August 24th and
Monday, August 27th to begin screening the applicant pool to a manageable size.
Telephone interviews will be conducted in early September.
B. Correspondence: None at this time.
Old Business:
The subject was brought up regarding employees receiving the EOM award two
times. It was looked into and there will be a revised copy of how to qualify for the
EOM. The EOM award can be given to the same person every two years. If in
that two years a person changes offices, they are allowed to win it again. There
will be an updated handout stating how someone can be awarded.
Make sure the Thank You from the last luncheon are getting out.
Golf outing will be held on Saturday 15th. Make sure you sign up for helping if
you can make it.
Martha updated us on the Zimbra email system. About 40% of the employees
have migrated. Students will migrate later. There is training session offered.
Contact Terri North.
Group Concerns:
A question was brought to Human Resource attention. Why are some jobs being
posted and others not? Depends on how quickly the supervisor wants to fill the
position. It is good to test for as much as you can to get your name on the list.
Individuals are able to test 3 times a year and 30 days apart. Individuals who
have a score within the top three scores will be interviewed.
Adjournment:
Rich made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ed seconded. Motion passed.