Staff Forum Meeting
UC Cardinal Room
March 12th, 2009
Members Present: Roseanna Belt; Lauren Bishop; Wiley Danner; Colby Deitz; Virginia
Fowler; Lisa Frady; Larry Hammer; Brenda Holcombe; Tom Johnson; Teresa Killian; Deborah
Lovern; Carrie Shuler; Jed Tate; Donna Welch
Members Absent: Anne Aldrich (excused); Jeff Hughes (excused); Akum Jamir (excused); Kim
Jamison (excused); Joe McFalls (excused); Debbie West (excused)
Ex-Officio Members Present: Dianne Lynch; Kathy Wong
Jed welcomed everyone to today’s meeting. The agenda for today’s meeting was approved as
submitted. Minutes for the February meeting were approved as submitted.
The next meeting of the Executive Committee is scheduled for May 7th, 2008 from 2:00 – 3:00
The next Staff Senate meeting is scheduled May 14th from 8:30 – 10:30 in the Ramsey Center
Hospitality Room.
Office of Human Resources Report: Kathy reported on the following:
Payroll Project – The Payroll project Steering Committee unanimously approved biweekly lag payroll for FLSA subject, hourly, and student employees. EPA, EPA
teaching, and SPA exempt would stay on month end payroll. Many details still to be
worked out. They are still looking for a Jan 2009 Pilot. GA wants 1 school to go live
this Oct; 2 more in Jan; 3 in April, and the last 3 live by July 2010.
Budget – GA has identified a “Best Practices” team made up of representatives from each
school. WCU has 6 representatives on this team representing Legal, Administration &
Finance, Academic Affairs, Human Resources, Chancellor’s Office, and Public
Relations. One of the focuses they will work on is communication best practices. They
are working on a web site.
State Health Plan – Senate Bill 287 “State Health Plan/Good Health Initiatives” will be
presented for a vote next week. It must pass before April 1 in order to be effective July 1.
Will include changes such as forcing Smokers and Obese (according to Federal BMI
standards) employees into the 70/30 plan with exceptions for those with Dr approved
plan of action. Bill shows the 90/10 plan going away entirely, co-pay’s going up,
pharmacy costs gong up, and possibly mail order requirements for maintenance drugs.
Currently, it’s a 7.8% increase for 09-10 and another 7.8% in 10-11.
Chancellor’s Office Report: Dianne reported on the following:
Budget – There is a Bill in drafting allowing for furloughing of state employees with the
flexibility to use as needed. Exemption for employees making $30,000 or less.
Furlough’s would not impact retirement amounts or timelines. SEANC is very opposed
to furloughs. Gov. Budget is not out yet. Tax revenues are not looking good.
WCU provided 3, 5, 7, 8% scenarios to BOG on campus which will be presented to then
tomorrow. Will discuss position cuts. Decisions will be released to the campus within 2
weeks after that meeting, followed by a Chancellor meeting open to all.
Staff Assembly Report: Tom Johnson reported on the following:
HR Committee has drafted a furlough position letter for Staff Assembly approval.
Assemble is recommending a system wide stance on hate speeches. Assemble is
recommending no bonus leave and no pay raises this year.
Staff Forum Committee Reports:
Human Resources – no report
Resources and Environment – Have been working to pull initiatives together for next year’s
committee.
Public Relations – Staff Senate’s new web site is up.
Scholarship – no report
Governance – Noted that many employee job classifications have changes, which changed the
make up of the Staff Senate. This also changes what categories need to be filled in
elections this year.
Old Business:
Yard Sale – Our space will be A23-24. We will accept donations the week before the
sale, and will accept all items. Anything not sold will be donated to charity. Clothing
will be donated to the Hospital Auxiliary.
Emergency Assistance Fund – UNC-CH raised (through gifts) $450,000 for support of
employees who were laid off. The purpose is for job training and such. We would like to
consider setting up something so that WCU can accept donations for this purpose. Kathy
mentioned she would look into what kind of assistance was provided through WCU’s
services for individuals severely impacted by the Hurricanes a few years back. Mardy
Ashe (Career Services) said her door is open for Staff desiring resume help or similar
services, but noted that her office was open for and to students first so they might have to
wait in line.
Jed proposed setting up an Ad Hoc committee similar to the Scholarship committee to
discuss details such as who could apply, how this would be done, what criteria would be
used to determine eligibility, and any other details required. Suggestion was made that an
employee could apply for assistance through HR, who would then strip the application of
personally identifying information and pass that application to this Staff Senate
committee.
The following people volunteered: Brenda Holcombe, Carrie Shuler, Larry
Hammer, and Wiley Danner. Kathy wants a member of her HR office to be on
this committee also.
New Business:
Meeting adjourned at 9:35.
Respectfully submitted by:
Deborah Lovern
Secretary