CSAC NEWS
October 2006
Editor: Janelle Ewen
Classified Staff Appreciation Week
The week of October 9-13 has been designated as Classified Staff Appreciation Week.
CSAC has scheduled a number of fun and informative programs during the week.
Each day during this week, the name of a
lucky Classified employee will be drawn. The
employee will receive a special visit from a CSAC
member who will present them with an
appreciation gift.
The Cardio Center is offering free Cardio and
Group Fitness for Classified Staff all week.
Just show them your staff ID. Check out their
website for more details on what they offer –
http://www/uwsp.edu/centers/groupfitness/ or
www.uwspcardiocenter.com.
Planetarium Presentation – “HUBBLE
VISION” - 11:50 a.m.
Join us in viewing the universe through
the unblinking eye of one of the
world’s premier telescopes. Since its launch in
1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has provided
incredible images in unprecedented detail to
astronomers and made an astonishing array of
discoveries – from nearby objects in the solar
system to the most distant galaxies at the limits of
the observable universe. In this production, major
themes in current astronomy and cosmology are
presented. This show looks at new views of the
planets; peeks into stellar nurseries; shows visions
of stardeath in its many forms; explorations of
star clusters and galaxies; and, has views of the
universe when the earliest galaxies first shone.
(This presentation will be about 45 minutes, so
please arrive promptly.)
CSAC Brat & Burger Sale
Come to the Specht Forum (The
Sundial) anytime between 10:30 a.m. –
1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 10th
(rain or shine!) and enjoy some brats and
hamburgers, grilled to perfection by our very own
Classified staff chefs! Socialize with your coworkers and support CSAC.
TAI CHI Presentation – 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. in
Studio B, Cardio Center
Roger Parmeter (UWSP’s Voice Mail Administrator)
will be introducing the basics of Tai Chi. Roger has
been teaching Tai Chi classes for over 10 years. Tai
Chi is a traditional Chinese mind-body relaxation
exercise consisting of exercise sequences
performed in a slow relaxed manner. Participants
should dress comfortably in loose-fitting clothes
and wear non-marking, flat shoes. (If anyone has to
leave early, that’s no problem.) There is a limit of 15
people. RSVP to Lin Vogel at lvogel@uwsp.edu.
Brown Bag Session - 11:45 a.m. –
12:30 p.m. in Room 604, LRC
The topic for the Brown Bag is “Dual
Choice - Changes To Your Benefits For
The 2007 Open Enrollment Period.” Julie Hayes,
UWSP Benefit Specialist, will discuss the changes
to the health plan, the new vision insurance and will
answer your questions. This session is limited to 25
people. RSVP to Lisa Nelson (lnelson@uwsp.edu).
Dual Choice 2007
Beautiful October has arrived and with it some
exciting opportunities for your Benefits Plans. Our
Dual Choice period will be from October 9-27, 2006
for the medical and dental plans. The open
enrollment period for ERA and Spectera, our new
vision plan, will be from October 9 - November 17,
2006. Luckily, every day is open-enrollment for TSA
and Deferred Compensation. It is a great time to
make certain that you are maximizing your benefits
package.
On Wednesday, October 18 from 10:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. there will be a Benefits Fair in the
Founders Room in Old Main. Representatives from
almost all our providers will be in attendance to
provide an opportunity to address any benefits
questions that you might have. There will be a table
of experts to check your benefits enrollment forms
when you drop them off. Please bring your forms to
the Benefits Fair with all the information that you
know (including the names and social security
numbers of your dependents) already entered. Our
“Forms Team” will make sure that every box is
checked and you can leave the fair feeling fully
confident that all things are in order from a benefits
standpoint. We will send the “It’s Your Choice” books
as soon as we get them; but in the interim, please
visit the online version http://etf.wi.gov/members/health_ins.htm
Security Health Plan
Security Health Plan is returning as the HMO
provider in our area and there is a dental component
to this plan. Most of the providers that are currently
used for medical care remain in-area with Security
however, once on the new Plan, it is extremely
important to confirm this prior to receiving care. Reenrollment is mandatory due to the fact that the SMP
still exists in other counties. If one were to forget to
fill out a new form s/he would stay in the SMP and
have to travel for hours to get to a covered physician.
Security’s toll-free customer service number to
address specific coverage questions is 800-472-2363
and their website is
http://www.securityhealth.org/visitors/pages/index.aspx.
Dental Benefits Provided
This is an open access dental plan that allows
members to use any dental provider for their dental
services. Dental benefits provided include:
•
•
Deductible -- None
Preventive Services per member: exams &
cleanings (two/calendar year), X-rays (with
frequency limits) -- 100%
•
Preventive Services per dependent child under
age 19: Fluoride (one/calendar year), space
maintainers (for non-orthodonic treatment) &
sealants -- 100%
•
Orthodontics per dependent child under age 19
-- 50% up to $1,200 lifetime limit
Dental plans offer dental insurance coverage above
and beyond any coverage that may be included in
your State Group Health insurance plan. There are
three different plans offered by the vendor DentalBlue.
One of the plans, entitled Supplemental, is only
available if you are enrolled in a health plan that offers
dental benefits. Therefore, if you are changing your
health plan, be sure to review your dental coverage as
well. For more information please visit our web site at:
http://www.uwsa.edu/hr/benefits/ins/dentblue.htm
ERA Accounts
You can set aside money in ERA accounts to pay
for medical or dependent care expenses. The money
is deducted from your earnings before taxes are
withheld. If you participated in 2006, coverage in not
automatic for 2007. You must enroll every year.
Spectera
The Spectera vision benefit pays for vision exams,
glasses, frames and contact lenses (after co-pays)
and offers discounts on refractive eye surgery. If
planning to enroll, review your participation in the
ERA program and any vision benefits offered by your
State Group Health insurance plan. For more
information on Spectera please visit our web site at
http://www.uwsa.edu/hr/benefits/ins/vision.htm.
Have fun perusing your options. It might be a good
idea to make a list of questions or concerns to
address at the Benefits Fair as there will be an expert
available from each vendor which will ensure
accurate and complete answers. Please come even
if you are absolutely certain about the elections you
will make for the New Year. You will also be able to
meet Julie Hayes, University Benefit Specialist. She
will be on hand to help with your forms and answer
your questions.
Benefits Fair
October 18, 2006 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Founders Room, Old Main
United Way
Marcia Parker, Foreign Languages, and Ron Strege, Multicultural Affairs, have been named
Chair of the 2006 UWSP United Way Campaign. Last year University employees contributed
$30,466, much of it coming from the generous pockets of the Classified employees. This year’s
goal is to reach a contribution total of $31,600.
The United Way theme again this year is “Opening Doors to a Caring Community.” The United
Way of Portage County provides support to 35 local programs that can ‘open doors’ for the people
of Portage County, and provide them with the momentum needed to get through difficult times.
Contributor forms have been distributed. You may designate your pledge to a specific United Way agency, or
to a United Way agency in a surrounding community.
For every $10 donated you will receive one raffle ticket (a maximum of 10 tickets per contributor) that will
make you eligible for several prizes including 60 gigabyte IPOD, Packer tickets, and two round trip airline tickets.
Please contact Ron at 3574 for further details.
CSAC Campus Tours
The CSAC Campus Tour committee has scheduled a Planetarium presentation for Monday, October 9.
The “Hubble Vision” show will include images taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, such as star clusters,
stellar nurseries, and new views of the planets.
The committee is working on other tours for this semester. If you have a suggestion for a tour, please
contact a CSAC member.
Attending a CSAC campus tour is an excellent way to visit many of the UWSP facilities, and a great way
to meet co-workers. The tours are open to all university employees.
Dollars For Your $ense
The Dollars for your $ense program rewards Classified employees for their suggestions and ideas that
will improve operations, increase efficiencies and improve safety conditions within the University.
A reception was held in June to honor the April quarterly winners. Marty Zblewski received a $50 gift
certificate, Mike Orella received a $25 gift certificate and JoAnne Evica and Libby Raymond received
certificates for their suggestions.
Marty noticed that when the coal is delivered to the Power Plant, the truck drivers have a hard time seeing the ramp
when they back up to the building. He suggested painting yellow lines on the ramp to make it easier and safer for the
drivers.
Mike suggested turning off the power and winterizing the restroom fixtures in the Schmeeckle Shelter during the
winter months. The building is unused from November 1 until April 1 each year and this would save approximately
$400 a year.
JoAnne suggested applying sandpaper-like strips to the floors just outside the bathrooms in the Residential Halls.
The floor is a waxed tile and is very slippery when it gets wet. The strips will create a no slip surface and increase
safety in these areas.
Libby had two suggestions this quarter. She has witnessed mailroom employees carrying the big blue “trash cans”
full of mail into buildings and suggested having mail containers with wheels. This would alleviate problems
associated with having to lift and carry heavy items repeatedly, such as sore muscles, back problems, etc. She also
suggested that instead of distributing flyers, departments utilize Message of the Day more often. This would save
departments time and money.
Congratulations to all the award winners!
Good News Network
Pat Hetzel, New Student Orientation, is a new
grandmother. Her daughter & son-in-law, Linda and
Bob Hardin of Hopkins, MN had a baby boy on June
27, 2006 - 3 months premature. Joden Lee was only 2
lbs. 2 oz. when he was born. The week of September 11,
at 6 lbs. 7.7 oz., he was finally able to go home. On
September 11, Pat’s other daughter, Amy, received the
good news that her boyfriend would be coming home
from Iraq, after serving there for a year. September 11
was a good day this year for the Hetzel family!
Deb Bemowski, Perkins Loan, was married to Todd
Hansen on September 9, 2006 at the First Congregational
Church in Wisconsin Rapids. The reception was held at
the Biron Village Town Hall.
After taking classes at UWSP for almost 30 years,
Cheryl Wachowiak, Student Rights & Responsibilities,
was very happy to graduate in May, 2006 with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in English. Most of her credits were
taken since 1993.
Michelle Schiltz, Treehaven, and her husband, Brian,
are the proud parents of their first daughter. Makayla
Ann was born on August 15. She was 7 lbs. 5 oz. and 20
inches long.
UPDC Grants
The Classified Staff Personnel Development
Subcommittee strongly encourages Classified Staff to
submit grant requests for training and development
projects. The funds administered by the University
Personnel Development Committee (UPDC) may be
granted to individuals for career development and for
some group projects.
Classified employees receiving UPDC grants
include:
•
Dick Bartosh, Environmental Health & Safety,
$550, “64th Annual Wisconsin Safety & Health
Congress/Exposition”
•
Sandy Palmgren, Safety & Loss Control,
$789, “64th Annual Wisconsin Safety & Health
Congress/Exposition”
Development grants support Classified Staff
development and training. Examples of projects that
have been funded include: sending a photographer
to a seminar on black and white photography,
sending clerical employees to a course on
developing lead worker skills, and bringing a speaker
to campus to conduct seminars on stress reduction.
One (1) copy of your proposal should be submitted
to the Grant Support Services Office no later than
12:00 noon on February 2, 2007 or March 16, 2007.
Funds that were requested in the September 22, 2006
round must be expended before June 30, 2007.
Funds requested in the February 2, 2007 round must
be expended before October 1, 2007. Funds
requested in the March 16, 2007 round must be
expended before January 31, 2008.
Classified Staff may apply for small grants at any
time during the academic year until May 1. Activities
eligible for this category must cost $500 or less, and
they require at least a $100 match from the
applicant's unit. Requests for more than that amount
should be submitted at one of the three regularly
scheduled deadlines. One (1) copy of your proposal
should be submitted a minimum of three weeks prior
to the activity, to Grant Support Services, Room 204,
Old Main.
If you have a question about submitting a grant, you
may contact either Cindy in the Grant Support
Services Office at 346-2632 or cmarczak@uwsp.edu;
or, JoAnne Evica, at jevica@uwsp.edu. Samples of
successful grant applications are available in the Grant
Support Office.
Personnel On The Move
Since May 1, 2006
Clinical Laboratory Science
Clinical Laboratory Science has changed its name
to Department of Health Sciences. In August,
the University of Wisconsin System Board of
Regents approved a new major at UWSP – a
bachelor of science in health sciences. The new
health science major will prepare students either
for admission into graduate programs in health
sciences, including physical therapy and
occupational therapy, or for entry-level positions
into health-related industries such as
pharmaceutical sales, insurance, information
system management (informatics), preoccupational therapy and pre-physical therapy.
The program was developed in response to a
regional need for health care workers following
the expansion of the three major health provider
networks located in central Wisconsin and to
meet student demand for additional options
within the health care field at the baccalaureate
level.
New Classified Employees (Permanent and
Project)
Steve Dix, IS Technical Svc Prof., Information
Technology
David Giehtbrock, Fisheries Biologist Sr.-Project, Coop
Fish
Julie Hayes, University Benefit Specialist, Personnel
Services
Casey Henrekin, IS Technical Svc Sr-Project, Natural
Resouces
Kendall Holmes, Fisheries Technician Advanced,
Aquaculture Demonstration Facility
Mandy Johnson, University Services Associate 2 (50%),
Financial Aid Office
Jeff Koziczkowski, Custodian, Academic Custodial
Theresa Michalski, Financial Specialist 1 (50%),
International Programs
Jonah Moline, Police Officer-Project, Protective
Services
Tracy Raatz, Purchasing Agent, Information Technology
Heather Tetzlaff, University Business Specialist, Library
Administration
Elizabeth Zentner, Library Services Assistant Sr.,
Library
Transfers
Paper Science
Paper Science changed its name to Paper Science
& Engineering.
Central Wisconsin Environmental Station
Ever wonder what creatures lurk when the sun
goes down? Find out what it is like to hunt,
crawl, walk, fly, eat, and hide in the dark at the
4th Annual Hoot & Howl Fest. “After the Sun Sets
on Sunset Lake” will be held at the Central
Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES) on
Friday, November 3, 2006, from 6:30 p.m. to
9:00 p.m. Guides will take you on our trails for a
night hike where you will meet many of our
nocturnal neighbors under a full moon. Learn
about night vision, evening calls and sounds, and
the advantage of sleeping in all day and staying
out late! Play games, trick-or-trick, and take part
in our costume contest. Prices are $5 per person
or $20 per family which include refreshments,
crafts, games, and parking. The event will
happen rain or shine. Please bring your own
flashlights. For more information, directions, or
if you’d like to volunteer, please call CWES at
715-824-2428, email us at cwes@uwsp.edu, or
visit our website at www.uwsp.edu/cwes.
Tina Rajski, from Financial Specialist 2 in Bursar to
Payroll & Benefits Specialist Conf., in Personnel
Services
Farewell!!
Dan Danczyk, resigned from Power Plant
Carol Hebert, resigned from Health Center (accepted a
position in the Department of Health Sciences)
Tom Hurning, retired from Biology
Carol Iwanski, retired from Financial Aid
Jon Janigo, resigned from Conference & Reservations
(accepted a position with Special Olympics Wisconsin
in Madison
Nancy LaMar, retired from Personnel/Payroll Services
Lisa Megal, resigned from General Ledger Accounting
(accepted a position at UWGB)
Sr. Rosella Reinwand, retired from Athletics
Rob Simkins, retired from UC Maintenance
Sharon Simonis, retired from Facility Services
CLASSified
AcCenT
The CLASSified AcCenT section features interviews with classified employees selected at random.
If you will note, the capital letters in the title spell CLASS ACT.
That is just what our employees are -- a class act!
∼ ∼ Dennis Church ∼ ∼
For the last 15 years, Dennis
Church has been the person to
call if there was a plumbing
problem in the Residential
Living buildings. He started
his UWSP career in May 1990
as an LTE Plumber in Physical
Plant (now Facility Services) doing repairs and
preventative maintenance on the water & steam systems in
the dorms. He was then hired as a project appointment in
Residential Living in March 1991, and became a
permanent employee in February 1995. Before coming to
UWSP, he spent 20 years with Church’s Plumbing &
Heating in Stevens Point and another 3 years with several
different plumbing contractors.
Dennis loves to see the students return each year and
enjoys conversing with the hall directors and the students.
He says “being around students keeps me up to date on
latest trends in dress, cultures and current events.”
Dennis’s most memorable experience at UWSP lasted
quite a few years! He ran the clock for the Pointer Hockey
team for 12 years, retiring from that job 3 years ago. His
most embarrassing moment is, of course, connected to his
plumbing duties. He was working on a plugged toilet, had
signs outside of the bathroom, and had a girl come into the
bathroom anyway and sit on the toilet in the next stall.
The most memorable person he has met was former
Chancellor Lee S. Dreyfus. He says “he took the time to
come and talk with the custodians and maintenance
people, one on one, and listened to their concerns. He
didn’t just listen – he came back with suggestions.”
The biggest change he has witnessed on campus is the
installation on instantaneous water heaters and solar panels
and also the renovation of all bathrooms, with all water
saving fixtures.
To the graduates entering the work force, Dennis
advises to “keep an open mind, because you may not get a
job in the field you are majoring in. But education is
good! Don’t ever lose common sense. And don’t be
afraid to make a mistake - just learn from it and go on.”
Dennis was born & raised in Stevens Point. He and his
wife of 39 years, Carol, have 2 daughters, 1 son and 1
grandson. When Dennis is not working on plumbing
fixtures, he can be found making fishing lures. He and his
family also enjoy inviting some of the exchange students
to their home for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.
His only plan for the future is to work as long as he can!!
∼ ∼ Fritz Menzel ∼ ∼
Since April 2003, Fritz
Menzel has been a Computer
Printing Technician in the
Printing & Design Department,
located in the basement of the
Science building. His job
duties are mostly to expedite the
printing of files that are emailed to the print queue at
printdesi@uwsp.edu. He also does design work, price
quoting, bindery work and customer service.
His favorite part of the job is using his experience to
help someone determine the best and most cost-effective
approach to a successful project. He also enjoys graphic
design and developing spread sheets.
This is the only position he’s held at UWSP, however he
was contracted to assist clients of the Small Business
Development Council in the late-1980s, and more recently,
he did some freelance work for the College of Natural
Resources.
The highest profile job he’s held was as vice president
of creative services at a major ‘dot-com,’ having advanced
from graphic artist up through management during their
explosive growth and IPO in the 1990s. Most recently, he
was a self-employed freelance desktop publisher. “I’ve
held seven jobs in printing, marketing and/or management,
including a 3-year stint as a production supervisor at a
local vocational rehabilitation shop. It’s much more
rewarding helping someone become employable than
helping someone become a millionaire.”
His most memorable experience at UWSP? “Seeing a
loyal, humble, behind-the-scenes guy like men’s
basketball coach Bob Semling get his just rewards ranks
right up there.”
The most memorable person he’s met here is actually
two: “the recently-graduated international students from
Indonesia — Eva and Carol. If you forgot ’em, you never
met ’em.”
His advice for graduates entering the work force: 1)
Avoid debt and you can stay true to yourself without
regard to financial cost; 2) If you really seek freedom,
demand that your government representatives support and
pursue single-payer national healthcare. Monopolies and
their politicians are deathly afraid of entrepreneurs, and
your need for their health insurance may shackle you right
when you’re at your peak; and, 3) Never sign an “at will”
employment contract.
Fritz has been married 34 years, has two married
children and one grandchild.
He notes that his most memorable vacation included a 4hour bus ride from the Mayan Coast to the temple at
Chichen Itza for the millennial spring solstice celebration,
where 54,000 people watched a shadow being cast on a
wall. “Personally, I’m more impressed by the labor and
engineering than the beliefs and rituals.”
His main interests are music, writing, art/photography
and science. His future plans are to travel and more
vigorously pursue his interests. He’s especially fond of
playing live music, which he’s always intended to be his
‘sunset’ career.
Always interested in political and philosophical discussion,
Fritz wishes to close with a thought he finds comforting:
Mighty rivers of faith will never capsize humble rafts of
knowledge. “And you can quote me on that!”
∼ ∼ Kate Reck ∼ ∼
Kate Reck, UW Program Specialist in Residential
Living, started at UWSP in April 1989 and has spent her
entire 17 years in Residential Living. Her working title is
Assignments Coordinator and her duties include managing
the housing database overseeing room assignments and
related billing; handling most of the department’s larger
publications (e.g., the viewbook/contract and handbook);
acting as webmaster for the department website
(www.uwsp.edu/resliving/); coordinating the opening and
closing the residence halls and the hall ambassador
program (tours on campus preview days); and,
determining eligibility for a waiver to the UW Board of
Regents’ on-campus residency requirement.
Kate truly enjoys the variety of people she works with
and also the complexities involved in determining how to
best assign students to rooms - from anticipating how
many rooms of each gender to how rooms in each living
option. She says it is “an annual opportunity to challenge
my organizational skills.”
What Kate likes best about working at UWSP is the fact
that “I can ‘know’ almost everyone I interact with – they
aren’t just a faceless name at the end of the telephone line
(or on my email screen). The size of the campus makes
that possible – and the fact that everyone here really works
at being open and available.”
The biggest change Kate has observed in her years at
UWSP is “oddly enough” the size of the trees around
campus. She says “their growth and maturity are symbolic
for how the rest of campus has evolved.”
Kate’s most memorable experience was the day that she
received her master’s degree and Helen Godfrey came out
to congratulate her on the platform. Her most embarrassing
moment was the time she tipped an over-full dumpster and
unfortunately, she was flattened underneath it! She says,
“no one laughed until I was ‘retrieved’ – and we all still
laugh at the memory - especially me! A good safety tip never overload a dumpster!”
Bob Baruch, former professor in Theatre Arts, is the
most memorable person Kate has met on campus. She
worked for him as an undergraduate student and says “Bob
had strong opinions, but was always willing to listen to
others. I honed a lot of my organizational skills under
Bob’s tutelage. And, I learned what conviction means and
how important it is to be true to yourself.”
Before starting her career at UWSP, Kate worked for a
variety of departments at UW-Milwaukee for 10 years.
She ended her time there as the Assistant Director for
Administrative Services in the Child Care Center.
A self-described “transplanted FIB,” Kate came to
Stevens Point from Rockford, Illinois. She attended
UWSP, receiving an undergraduate degree in water
science in 1977 and an M.A. in Communication in 1998.
She has been married to Charles McConkie for 8 years and
has one daughter, Maia (25), two sons, David (22) and
Kyle (17), one stepson, Cameron (20) and two
grandchildren, Christian (2½ years) and Declan (6
months). Her hobbies include quilting and reading. She is
also starting obedience training with their new pup, Jet,
and looking at the possibility of entering competitions
doing that. Her future plans are to “complete my tenure
with the state while working for Residential Living.”
Kate’s advice to graduates entering the work force is
“try everything that comes your way! Don’t worry that
you won’t be good enough or successful – that’s rarely the
point. The true meaning lies in the experience.”
2006-2007 Classified Staff Advisory Committee
Name
Department / Building
Extension
Email address
Janis Borski
Information Technology, LRC
2504
jborski
Judy Bushman
Military Science, SSC
3821
jbushman
Becca Franzen
Student Involvement & Employment, Nelson
2174
bfranzen
Jennifer Hess
Continuing Education, CAC
2740
jhess
Shelly Janowski
Facility Services, M&M
2552
sjanowsk
Lisa Nelson
Student Payroll, Main
4085
lnelson
John Orlowski
Parking Services, George Stien
4893
jorlowsk
Faith Sanders
Paper Science, Science
4817
fsanders
Anne Swenson
Library, LRC
4937
aswenson
Lin Vogel
Library, LRC
4428
lvogel
Gerry Zastrow
Information Technology, CAC
3997
gzastrow
University Committee Appointments
Budget Review Committee, Terri Chang, General Ledger Accounting; Classified Awards Selection Committee, Dianne
Smith, Info Tech and Nancy Stokosa, Physics & Astronomy; Classified Grants Committee, Becca Franzen, Student
Involvement & Employment; Committee on Status of Women, Eileen Gavinski, Faculty Senate; Equity and Affirmative
Action Committee, Joan Schuh, Health Services, Stacey Allen-Bannach, Natural Resources, and Alfredo Casas,
Facility Services; Facilities Naming Committee, Carol Wake; Parking Appeals Committee, JoAnne Evica, Residential
Living; Plan 2008 Committee, Kate Reck, Residential Living; University Affairs Committee, Tammy Hanson, Natural
Resources; University Technology Committee, Sheila Bannister-Gross; University Personnel Development
Committee, JoAnne Evica, Residential Living
THANK YOU to all the individuals who accepted appointments on various ad hoc and search and screen
committees. Your time and talent in representing Classified Staff is very much appreciated.
People will forget what you said; people will forget what you did;
but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Quoted by Maya Angelou