WCU Staff Forum Meeting Minutes
Hinds University Center – Catamount Room
April 27, 2004, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Present:
Keith Ashe, Dennis Benson, Cory Causby, Judy Revere, Arthur Stephens, Bill
Studenc, Will Putman, Lisa Frady, Dawne Coward, Kathy Wong, Debbie Justice, Julie WaltersSteele, Gloria Rogers, Terry Riouff, Michele Sutton
Absent:
Phyllis Bolick, Ronnie Deitz, Larry Hammer, Dianne Lynch, Scott Powell, Kay
Turpin, Nancy Wheatley
Guest:
Bob Orr
Members and guests were welcomed and the meeting was called to order by Dennis Benson.
Approval of Mintues: The minutes from the April 8, 2004 meeting were approved as
submitted.
Information Items: The next Staff Forum meeting will be held on Thursday, June 10, 2004,
8:30-10:30 a.m., place to be determined. Dennis Benson reported that Phyllis Bolick has had
a job change and as a result is unable to continue as secretary. He asked for volunteers to take
minutes for this meeting. Alicia Estes from Academic Affairs volunteered to keep minutes for this
meeting. Kathy Wong reported that Lori Allison had accepted a job as Director of Employee
Services with Chapel Hill effective May 1st. There will be a drop-in reception on Wednesday from
2-4 p.m. in the HR office. Kathy also spoke about the EPA/SPA Advisory Board. This board has
been disbanded and there is now a new HR Council that involves all 16 HR directors and EPA
administrators from each campus. The first meeting will be held on April 30th. Topics to be
addressed include career banding, the 2004 legislative agenda and rewriting the State Personnel
Act.
Campus Committee Reports: Cory Causby of the University Advisory Council reported that
Debbie Beck gave a presentation about Health Services at the last UAC meeting. There is a
proposal to designate a training space that is being considered. Currently Chris Dahlquist has to
move from location to location and needs to set up & break down presentations. This is very time
consuming and inefficient.
SF Committee Reports: No report from the Human Resources Committee. Gloria Rogers
reported for the Resource & Environment Committee. They did not have a meeting this month.
This committee is very frustrated by the lack of resources. Due to the costs, the benches and
picnic tables will have to wait until the new master plan is in effect. Will Putman reported that the
Public Relations Committee did not meet this month. The combined campaign brochures are just
now being distributed. This will allow for payroll deducted contributions to the Staff Scholarship
fund. Keith Ashe of the Governance Committee reported that the e-ballot process went fairly
smoothly and that participation was good across campus. The proposed amendment to the
bylaws regarding the past Chair to hold a non-voting chair status of the Executive Committee was
opened for discussion. Issues considered included that the amendment would mandate an
additional year of service from a past chair possibly over the second year of one's term.
Continuity can be maintained by staggered election terms, as well as former members'
willingness to assist. There was concern about this requirement acting as a deterrent. This
amendment was voted on and was not approved. It was suggested that Staff Forum hold
elections in January so newly elected members will have time to get acquainted with fellow
employees and forum members and for IT Services to prepare for the electronic election ballots.
Kathy Wong pointed out that in the four months between the elections and the beginning of the
service term, there are many changes in staff. It was suggested to hold elections in March, with
preparatory work happening earlier. Also, new members would have additional opportunity for
observing. Nominations would happen earlier with the election coming in March. This issue was
forwarded to the Governance Committee.
Issues Status Report: As presented in the meeting.
Old Business: Statewide video conference included topics of pay, insurance, and benefits. It
was a good first conference and it is planned that they will be held regularly. There are only 10
spaces available for participation, although all are invited to participate.
New Business: The Jackson County Board of Commissions issued a proclamation commending
WCU great staff, faculty, and students. Bob Orr reported that Steve Lusk, State President of
SEANC will be on campus on May 24th. Discussion regarding an open session Town Hall meeting
ensued. Decision was made to tentatively plan for Mr. Lusk to give a presentation and
question/answer session from 8:00-10:00 a.m. in the theater of the University Center. Bob gave
an update on state employee salary increase proposals. SEANC has joined with NCAE to
recommend a 5% salary increase each year for the next three years. The governor is
recommending a 2% raise, with no anticipated changes in the state health plan. Also a bill is in
committee that mandates funds allocated for retirement must be there. This bill may be
introduced in the House during the short session.
Election of Staff Forum Officers & UAC representatives:
Elections: A quorum was present at the meeting. The floor was opened for nominations for Chair
of the Staff Forum. Keith Ashe accepted the nomination for Chair and was unanimously approved
to serve as Chair. The floor was opened for nominations for Vice-Chair. Terry Riouff accepted the
nomination and was approved. Dawne Coward accepted the nomination for Secretary and was
approved. The floor was opened for nominations for the UAC representative. Cory Causby
accepted the nomination and was approved.
New Officers:
Keith Ashe – Chair
Terry Riouff – Vice-Chair
Dawne Coward – Secretary
Cory Causby – Representative to the UAC
Bob Orr, Keith Stiles, and Fred Wright will serve as at-large members of the UAC.
Other Members:
Ronnie Deitz
Alicia Estes
Larry Hammer
Michele Sutton
Debbie Justice
Linda Beja
Scott Powell
Ronnie Amster
Bill Studenc
Marvin Bumgarner
Irene Welch
Clifton Fisher
Dawne Coward
Julie Walters-Steele
Glenna Young
William Frady
Phyllis Bolick
Bob Orr invited everyone to the May 20th District I picnic beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the WCU
picnic area. This is an opportunity to meet with the candidates for the district office and plan for
the Raleigh trip. Everyone is welcome. Judy Revere pointed out that since staff forum initiated the
student mentoring program it needs to have strong staff support. Staff are strongly encouraged
to serve as mentors.
The meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
Respectfully submitted: Alicia Estes