Northern Illinois University
Supportive Professional Staff Council Meeting
MINUTES
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Sky Room, 10:00 A.M.
Present
Nancy Apperson, Susan Armbrust, Sam Baker, Frankie Benson, Bobbie Cesarek, Kay
Chapman, Abby Chemers, Dana Gautcher, Norden Gilbert, Missy Gillis, Deborah Haliczer, Gail
Jacky, Todd Latham, Steve Lux, Jenifer Montag, Al Mueller, Jonathon Ostenburg, Lyndon
Perkins, Donna Prain, Derrick Smith, Donna Smith, Michael Spires, Rachel Turner
Guests
Tim Griffin, Jay Monteiro, Angie Vargas
Absent
Monique Bernoudy, Sabrina Hammond, Dan House, Grant Olson, Lynn Richards
I.
Call to Order
SPS Council President Cesarek called the meeting to order at 10:05 AM.
A. The agenda was approved with the following additions:
Announcements:
D. Thank You From Virginia Tech
E. Minimum Wage
New Business
F. Increments
G. Parking Garage Proposal
B. A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the May 8, 2008,
meeting. Motion carried.
Attendance was taken and a quorum was confirmed.
II. Announcements
A. SPS Sabbatical Workshop
The SPS Sabbatical Workshop will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2008, 1:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m. in the Blackhawk East Cafeteria, Holmes Student Center.
B. Benefits Choice Period
Haliczer reported that there is no news yet as to when the second choice period will
be.
C. Archives Materials
Smith announced that she is currently working on a list of materials that will be
archived for the 2007-2008 academic year for the SPSC. Once the June minutes
are approved Smith will send to archives the 2007-08 minutes and agendas, the
Virginia Tech Resolution, the survey and the executive summary of the results, the
latest version of the constitution, and Cesarek’s letter to President Peters regarding
February 14 efforts. Council members were asked to contact Smith with additional
suggestions by the July SPSC meeting.
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D. Thank you from Viriginia Tech. Cesarek reported that she received a thank you from
Megan Armbruster, recovery coordinator, Office of Recovery and Support, at Virginia
Tech.
E. Minimum Wage
Haliczer stated that a memorandum regarding minimum wage was sent out today.
As of July 1, 2008, the minimum wage in Illinois will be $7.75. On July 1, 2009
Illinois’ minimum wage rate will increase to $8.00; and on July 1, 2010 it will increase
to $8.25.
III. Committees of the Council
A. Awards
No report.
B. Communications
No report.
C. Constitution and Elections
Cesarek reported that she will be sending out a memorandum to all SPS employees
pertaining to an interest in being part of the Grievance Committee pool. Anyone who
is interested in being on the list should please let Cesarek know.
D. Finance
Chemers announced that the FY 2009 SPSC budget will be submitted on time and
that the numbers are on budget. She did mention that only minimum changes will be
made to the budget; contractual expenses will be increased to $2,080 and this
increase will be offset by a decrease in commodities by $600. Chemers stated that
this will be flexible during the year and if needed the allocation can be adjusted
accordingly between line items.
E. Legislative
Cesarek reported that members of NIU administration reported to the Board of
Trustees Legislation, Audit and External Affairs Committee regarding the state
budget, including issues on increments. At the time of this SPSC meeting, the state
budget was still unresolved.
F. Technology Resources
No report.
G. Workplace Issues
Perkins noted that there will be 12 issues from the survey brought to discussion at
the June 13, 2008, retreat.
Evaluations were discussed. Cesarek mentioned that if supervisors don’t comply with
providing employee evaluations at the stipulated timeframes, their names will be sent
to the immediate vice president.
H. Vice President
No report.
IV. Old Business
A. SPSC Orientation
Gillis announced that the SPSC Orientation is currently being reviewed. Gillis has
met with Cesarek and Spires to discuss ideas. Cesarek stated that any ideas,
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suggestions, etc., can be e-mailed to her and suggestions would be greatly
appreciated from those who have recently gone through the new member
orientation. Haliczer will be setting up a PowerPoint presentation of the new
orientation and it will be maintained by Gillis and Spires.
B. SPSC Committee Policies and Procedures
Cesarek reminded committee chairs to continue working on policies and procedures.
V. New Business
A. SPSC Retreat
Benson announced that 23 members had agreed to attend the retreat. It will be
casual attire. Benson requested that those attending think about goals, plans, etc.,
and to bring those thoughts and ideas to the retreat in order to have a more
productive discussion.
B. SPS Sabbaticals
Cesarek reported that Peters, Provost Alden, Cunningham, Spires, and herself
briefly discussed the structure of the sabbaticals during a recent meeting. Since it is
difficult for SPS employees to leave their duties for the current amount of time of a
sabbatical, a proposal is being worked on to modify the program to allow for the time
off, but still allow for jobs to be completed. Lux stated that there could be more
flexibility for SPS. The ad hoc committee, consisting of Haliczer, King, and Spires,
will continue to generate ideas for the proposal to request more flexibility for SPS
employees. Per Haliczer, the ad hoc committee will have a meeting within the next
two weeks to further discuss the issue. Cesarek noted that perhaps listing more
information on the SPSC website regarding how to apply for sabbaticals may cause
more interest. It was noted that more opportunities may arise if more individuals are
informed of the process.
C. SPSC President--Compensation
Cesarek requested the Council members’ views regarding the SPSC president
receiving compensation for the time put in due to the involvement of the position.
She noted that the Faculty Senate president receives release time and the Student
Association president receives compensation. The only presidents in shared
governance who do not receive either release time and/or compensation are the
SPSC and OSC presidents. Cesarek shared that the proposal would include that the
SPSC president would receive one month of the average SPS salary once each in
the fall and spring semesters. She added that individuals who pursue these
positions need to know that their time is valued. After a brief discussion, including
Gilbert noting that service should be expected of NIU employees, it was determined
that there was a consensus to move forward with a proposal.
D. SPS Network—2008-09 Structure
Cesarek reminded the Council that last year the network event was held in
conjunction with the “Between Hours” lunch. She asked Council members to think
about alternate and/or improved ways to provide specific information to new SPS
employees. It was suggested that the information could be provided during the
Human Resource Services orientation program. Haliczer noted that HRS is moving
towards an all-day orientation discussing benefits, etc. in the morning and
compliance, training, etc., in the afternoon, but it is for all employment classifications,
so addressing SPS-specific issues at that time is not practical. She suggested that
brown-bag lunches could be held with a specific topic discussed at each session.
Latham noted that it would be helpful if the SPS Handbook was up-to-date and
Haliczer responded that it is being worked on.
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E. Recognition of Departing Council Members
Cesarek named the departing council members. Voting members are Susan
Armbrust, Andre Crittenden, Sabina Hammond, Michelle Pickett, Donna Prain, Lynn
Richards, and Derrick Smith. Alternates are Beth Bormann, Steven Builta, Megan
Chiavini, Aline Click, Leslie Hecht, Thelma Hiland, Gail Jacky, Jack King, Becky
Lewis, Mark McGowan, Jenifer Montag, Kathy Syversen.
F. Increments
Cesarek stated that in the past with regards to increments, the Council has
suggested that any increment at or below 3% should be across the board and any
increment above 3% should be based on merit. Apperson made a motion, seconded
by Spires, to approve this proposal for increments. Motion passed.
G. Parking Garage Proposal
Baker announced that some proposals are being put together regarding parking
arrangements. Some options include an additional parking garage, built on an
existing site for parking. Baker stated that parking permits and fines are what pay for
parking structures, lot maintenance, etc., which is the reason for the increase in the
cost of parking permits. Discussion following regarding the feasibility of a new
structure and that fees are already high enough, would they increase with a new lot.
It was also noted that parking fees are considerably higher at other institutions.
Jay Monteiro, president of the Operating Staff Council, was present to discuss the
parking fees and to help work with the SPSC on gathering their support for a new
parking structure. After discussion, the SPSC decided not to support a new structure
at this time.
VI. University Committee Reports
The following reports were provided to the Council:
A. Board of Trustees--President’s e-report. The BOT committees met on June 5, 2008.
Those minutes and action items will go to the full board on June 19, 2008. Items of
note are tenure and promotions, new appointments, interim vice presidents, program
reviews, gasoline contract, Academic Advising Center relocation, and budget items.
Cesarek also noted tuition increases, especially for out-of-state students. This is of
particular concern for athletics as many of those students come from out of state.
B. Faculty Senate–President’s e-report. No report.
C. University Council–President’s e-report. No report.
VII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Angie Vargas, recording secretary, and Donna Smith, SPSC
secretary.
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