CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEES COUNCIL
April 1, 2009
Library Room 180
Minutes
I.
Roll Call
Present: Suzanne Boussaard, Jim Buffalo, Laura Caldwell, Hilary Churchill, Carla Farniok, Richard Hamilton, Ed
Lavin, Dan Rathjen, Lois Retherford, Kim Sedgwick, Jamie Shuda, Bill Ruppert, Pam Bowman, Sheila Kirby, Jackie
Thompson
Excused: Amber Dodds, Greg Phelps, Martha Youngmeyer
II.
Minutes (Carla Farniok) Richard made a motion to approve the minutes and Dan seconded. The motion carried.
III.
Treasurer’s Report (Jamie Shuda) – No Report
IV.
President’s Report (Ed Lavin) President Advisory Council – The meeting was mainly about budget. It was cut short because of the unconfirmed
threats that were received.
Board of Trustees Meeting – It was also about the budget. The state owes the University $20,000,000. We did not
receive anything in February and we received approximately $100,000 in March. We can get through summer.
Payroll is coming out of the General Revenue Fund and operations are coming out of the income fund which is
tuition and other revenue.
V.
Civil Service Employee of the Month (Laura Caldwell) - Steve Whan from the WIU-QC campus is the recipient of the
April Employee of the Month award. His presentation will be on April 6th at 10:00 in the lobby of the QC campus.
VI.
Vice President for Administrative Services Report (Jackie Thompson) – Today is Dr. Goldfarb’s birthday.
There were two notes found in Horrabin Hall and 1 found in a bathroom stall in Stipes on March 26th. This is one
year from the first threat that was received. The dogs were brought in to make sure that there were no explosives.
There is no more information available at this time. Please let students know that if they have any information that
they need to let someone know. There is usually not a note left if they were really going to do something. It is
happening in high schools and other universities. Students must work with the faculty members if they are going to
miss class. Classes went on as scheduled. Daycare staff called the parents of the children in the daycare and some
children were picked up early. Messages were sent out in a timely manner. It has to be worded to get the
information out without a huge panic. The website has a complete message of what is happening. Jackie is
checking to see if the charges that the person or persons could face if they are caught.
May 27, 2009 there will actors acting as active shooters on campus. There will be media and law enforcement on
campus. This will help the campus community know what to do if this really does happen.
Budget – The governor’s proposal is positive. There is another budget hearing on May 7, 2009 in Springfield.
Equal Opportunity and Access Search Andrea Henderson, Human Resource Manager, Western Illinois University, April13-14
Open session will be from 2:45-3:30 on April 13 in the University Union Lincoln Room, Macomb Campus
10:45-11:30 on April 14 in Room 106 for the WIU-QC campus
Aaron Sanders, Affirmative Action Officer, Purchase College, State University of New York, April 15-16
Open session will be from 2:45-3:30 on April 15 in the University Union Fox Room, Macomb Campus
10:45-11:30 on April 16 in room 106 for the WIU-QC campus
Richard Arnold, President and CEO of RE Arnold Consultants, LLC, Pennsylvania, April 21-22
Open session will be from 2:45-3:30 in the University Union Capitol Rooms
10:45-11:30 on April 22 in Room 106 for the WIU-QC campus
Upcoming Events – April 17 is the Town and Gown at the Forum
April 24 is Cathy Couza’s retirement party at the Alumni House from 4:30-7:00.
VII. Director of Human Resources (Pam Bowman) – There were 23 sessions for the Pay For Exceptional Performance
program. They were all well attended. There is a frequently asked question sheet that will be out after the Vice
Presidents and President review it.
Organ and blood donation is paid time off. It is covered by a law. There has to be a decision made on if the law is
good enough or there needs to be a policy in place so the employees have something to look at and know what their
rights are.
The Go Western Activities are going well.
Western Walks will be revamped this year to possibly include dance and aerobics.
Ed thanked Pam for putting so much into finding out about the release time for organ and blood donation.
VIII. Employee Advisory Committee Representative (Sheila Kirby) – Sheila will be attending a meeting in Dekalb in 2
weeks. She will have a report next month.
IX.
WIU Quad Cities Campus Report (Lois Retherford) - Grad Prep Day will be held here at the QC Campus next week.
The Caxton Building in downtown Moline has been rented for the new Engineering Program that will start this fall. One Engineering
Director Candidate interview has taken place and two more are scheduled for next week. The Nursing Program also begins this fall
at the QC.
Fall classes for evenings are very busy with some being scheduled at Black Hawk College and as many as possible scheduled at
the QC Graduate Center. Engineering classes will be held at the newly rented building.
An agreement with recently signed with Black Hawk College for a 2 + 2 agreement to complete courses at both locations
simultaneously to benefit transfer students and later today an agreement will also be signed with Carl Sandburg College.
The flower bulbs that were planted out in front of the building in the circle drive area are coming up and look great. Bulbs were also
planted down at the River Front Campus but I haven't been down there to see how they are doing.
X.
Representative Reports to Council
1. Affirmative Action Internship (Amber Dodds) – No Report
2. Accreditation Committee (Martha Youngmeyer) – No Report
3. Women’s Center (Martha Youngmeyer) – No Report
4. Web Page (Jim Buffalo) – Everything is going good and looks great. Jim is going to look into getting the
employee of the year on the website for 12 months.
5. Provost Advisory Council (Greg Phelps) – No Report
6. Training and Development (Carla Farniok) – No Report
XI.
Committee Reports
1. Appeals (Greg Phelps) – There are 1 current appeal. A committee needs to be established for this. This will
be taken care of when there is a new chairperson. They will also work with Human Resources to find a place to
house the files.
2. Award Fund (Amber Dodds) – No Report
3. Award Selection (Dan Rathjen) – Applications are due on April 15 and interviews will be on April 27.
4. Constitution / Election (Jim Buffalo) – Jim is waiting on the information for a change in the constitution.
Everyone needs to look over what Bill sent out.
Elections – There is one person running for Group 6 which is the Quad Cities and 1 person running for Group 4.
Kim and Bill were both put on the committee to represent Group 3. They represent these groups until their 3
year term is up. A mailer will go out to all groups by groups. Jamie made a motion to send a mailer out to all
groups by group to find out who is interested in being on the committee. Hilary seconded and the motion
carried.
5. Education (Hilary Churchill) – No Report
6. Mentoring (Kim Sedgwick) – Brian Pilger Application Programmer I
AIMS
4/13/2009
Michael Jones Assistant Director of Alumni Programs 4/20/2009
7. Salary (Suzanne Boussaard) – No Report. Suzanne wanted to thank Pam and her staff for the Pay For
Exceptional Performance sessions that were offered. Pam thinks that we came up with the best possible
product working together.
8. Social Events & Development (Jamie Shuda) – There will be an Employee Appreciation Luncheon on the front
lawn of Sherman Hall. There will be Hot Dogs, chips, nachos, and popcorn and it is free. There will be a raffle
and also some fun games. Al and Jackie will assist with the costs. Rich will take care of getting a donation
from Fun City for the raffle.
9.
Jamie has been asked to serve on the Founders Day Luncheon committee. This luncheon will be September
23, 2009.
Committee on Committees (Richard Hamilton) – No Report
XII. New Business:
Open Forum – April 2nd at 11:00-12:00 and 3:00-4:00 in the Sandburg Theater.
XIII. Old Business:
Golf Outing
1.
Group Concerns: There was a question brought up about pay raises. Pay raises have been discussed but
will not be announced until the budget comes through.
There was also a discussion about the residence halls. A question was brought up asking why they are going
to more double occupancy rooms when there are vacant rooms. The single rooms bring in more money than a
double occupancy room. It was suggested to invite University Housing and Dining Services to the next Civil
Service Employees Meeting. Jamie is checking to see if they will be available.
There was a concern that the Physical Plant will be losing an Auto Maintenance position which is Civil Service.
This is not happening. Employees will be able to fill their own state vehicles at their convenience. This position
will still be there.
2.
Announcements: Next meeting: May 7, 2009 in the Capitol Rooms in the University Union.