UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD
STAFF ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES
February 13th, 2013, Gengras Student Union, Room 345 – 1:00 pm
PRESENT:
Barbara Dessureau, Karen DeGrace, Tina Berrien, Denise Wagner, Sajesh Reyes,
Marlene Hall, Laurie Fasciano, Erik Pavesic, Bonny Taylor, Connie Yoczik, Ben Ide,
Bonny Stoecklin, Marsha Gaulin, Jillian Holt, Carol Courtney, Evelyne Haldimann,
Cheryl MacMath, and Nancy Fields.
MINUTES: The January, 2013 meeting minutes were approved.
GRIEVANCE OFFICER AND COMMUNITY REP VOTE
Recommended changes to the current Staff Association Bylaws for job descriptions for
both the Grievance Office and Community Representatives were unanimously approved.
The required quorum of a minimum of 17 members was met. (At the time of vote, there
were 163 Staff Association members).
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE REPORTS
BAT
Evelyne reported that the five-year plan review is now due. Budget proposals and
decisions are based upon the official University Census which will not be complete until
February 22nd. Therefore the majority of discussion was tabled until after the census is
complete.
PURE WELLNESS
Tina Berrien reported that Kathy Snow of HRD (and PureWellness coordinator) will
be leaving the University and invited everyone to attend a farewell reception for her. Tina
also reported that the University obtained another generous grant from The CIGNA
Foundation which allows the University to continue to offer wonderful health and fitness
activities such as Cardio Circuit Training, Yoga, Zumba, Smoking Cessation Programs, and
Weight Watchers on campus, at free or subsidized rates. It was also reported that the
University was recently awarded a Platinum award from the Business Council of Fairfield
County for our wellness initiatives.
BTF
The Benefits Task Force meeting was canceled. No report.
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
– No report.
STAFF ASSOCIATION REPORTS
WEB ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Barbara Dessureau reported that they will not be going forward with
Google mapping of University buildings as it has been determined to be a security issue.
FACULTY SENATE – Ben Ide reported that the Faculty Senate has been review more presentations
regarding programs slated for divestment and are continuing to vote. Provost Vasquez is
forming a working group to implement faculty compensation.
It was noted in our Staff Association meeting that we need to contact the Faculty Senate
regarding a new Faculty Senate representative for the Staff Association.
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE – No Report.
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR’S REPORT
– Most recent membership count is 163.
TREASURER’S REPORT – There was no change to the balance since the January 2013 report. The
current balance is $2,596.06.
OLD BUSINESS –
1. Membership annual verification – still needs resolution. Some strategy regarding
membership verification was discussed. Should an email be sent to all persons
currently on the membership email list asking members if they still want to be
considered members or if they would like to opt out of membership. Perhaps the email
could begin with “You are receiving this email because you are currently on the Staff
Association membership email list.” It was suggested that:
a. All existing members would receive the email allowing them to opt out if they
wanted.
b. All employees (non-members) would be notified via a “UNotes” article which
describes the Staff Association, Staff Association membership eligibility and
contact information which will allow them to opt in for membership.
c. All newly hired employees will continue to be contacted by our Membership
Director, Nancy Clubb regarding membership.
d. Community Representatives will be asked to email and personally recruit
eligible employees within their community.
e. It was further noted that we need to prepare some “marketing” materials that
will list some of our recent staff advocacy accomplishments and that will “sell”
our new approach as primarily an advocacy group.
2. There were some questions about whether or not this is a year for electing (reelecting) Executive Board Members. There needs to be a minimum of three people on
the nominating committee and only one of those members is allowed to be an Executive
Board Member.
NEW BUSINESS –
1.
Daffodil Days – selling daffodils for cancer research fund raising – is beginning.
Jillian Holt is coordinating this outreach to the University of Hartford community
again. She placed an article in “UNotes” and Community Representatives have offered
to help her get the word out and prepare/distribute the daffodils when they arrive.
March 1st is the deadline for ordering. Daffodils will be available near mid-week of
March 18th. Orders can be made directly through Jillian or on-line. Cash or checks will
be accepted. Checks should be made out to American Cancer Society. The goal for
this year is $1,500.00.
2.
Members have expressed an interest in bringing back the Bar-B-Q and questions were
asked about whether or not we have to use Aramark or if we can coordinate the food
independently.
3.
We need to start seriously considering fundraising activities and form a committee.
We are looking for committee volunteers. It is important to note that money was
spent from our budget to support the Thanksgiving dinner and we now need to
replenish the coffer. Please bring forward any ideas you may have for fundraising. A
thought mentioned last year was to sell kites to faculty/staff/students and have a
kite flying event.
Respectfully submitted by
Nancy Fields, Secretary