UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD
STAFF ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES
March12, 2014 – Woods family Classroom – 1:00 PM
Present: Jessica Abbott, Evelyne Haldimann, Jamie Harlow, Ben Ide, Sue
Landolina, Anita Marchant, Lindsey McKeegan, Eric Pavesic, Catherine Rose,
Bonnie Taylor, Connie Yoczik.
Discussion/Approval of Minutes of the February 12 meeting: Sue Landolina
moved approval and Jessica Abbott seconded. The minutes were approved as
presented.
I. University Committee Reports
Budget Advisory Team: (Eric Pavesic) reported that there has been
continuing discussion about Budget Year ’15 and how it will mesh with the
Foundations of the Future planning, but it has been hindered because there has
not been sufficient progress to date on the academic side. Similarly, planning
included in the Strategic Plan must attempt to consider five years into the future,
and its impact on such things as tuition, faculty compensation and demographics.
Wellness Committee – HRD (Lindsay McKeegan): The goal of establishing
a CSA on campus, where members can sign up for farm-raised vegetables and
fruit delivered to them at the University for the duration of the growing season is
underway. ARAMARK is being included in discussions. The University is
considering a partnership with Easy Pickin’s Orchard in Enfield for a 20 week
growing season. A full membership, feeding four people, would cost $525, while
a half membership would cost $300. Fifteen commitments needed to begin the
partnership have already been received. For more information, contact Lindsay
McKeegan, HR Generalist & Wellness Advocate at lmckeegan@hartford.edu or
X4667.
Wellness exercise classes are doing well, with about 20 members each.
Weight Watchers membership is growing. A Hawk Walk is being planned for
spring. At the request of one of those present, Lindsay will look into the
possibility of offering a Tai Chi class, something that was discussed last year.
1
Benefits Task Force (Evelyne Haldimann): The Benefits Task Force
Committee discussed the potential impact that the Healthcare Benefits Act might
have on the University, should it be left in the position of providing healthcare to
employees when other companies used by their spouses or other family members
drop healthcare. There would be a range of tiered possibilities to consider, and
decisions would need to be made as to the level of compensation and how to do
it. The University’s consultant will investigate what other insurance companies
are doing and make recommendations.
Sustainability Committee: No report.
II. Staff Association Reports
Web Advisory Committee: No report.
Faculty Senate (Ben Ide): Meeting was upcoming. No report.
Treasurer (Jessica Abbott): There has been no change in the balance since
the previous meeting: $2,303.56.
Membership Director Report (Given by Evelyne Haldimann for Anne Marie
Cirullo): There are no new members, however with the retirement of Polly Kallen,
the Staff Association membership presently numbers 156.
III. Presentation: Sue Landolina – Career Services, not just for students
The many services offered by the Career Services Department are designed for
encouraging students to navigate the field of job searches in a thoughtful and
organized way, helping with applications, interviews, resumes, career fairs, social
media, and events designed to bring prospective employers and employees
together. There is help with internships, designed to vet potential employers for
the protection of students, and including a Career Bridge on the Career Service
website where these venders can post situations. Career Services helps students
by finding internships for them, scheduling meetings with potential employers,
and by keeping track of where they are in their search. Both email and hard
letters are used in contacts and searches for potential employers.
2
V. Old Business
Staff Salary Compensation Update:
The staff salary compensation study has begun. A consultant has been engaged
and will soon visit Human Resources.
A volunteer is still needed to represent the Staff Association on 27 March
at 11:45AM at a meeting of ‘UH 101.’ This is one of a series of regular Human
Resource meetings designed to orient new employees to the University’s
opportunities, organizational structure, and personnel. A volunteer is needed to
give a brief description of the Staff Association and deliver an invitation from the
members to join.
The Chair offered an additional reminder is that volunteers are needed to
form a fund-raising committee for the Staff Association, so that activities such as
the summer barbecue and the Thanksgiving luncheon that we have enjoyed in the
past can be offered again.
Volunteers to help with either of the above roles should contact any of the
E-Board members.
V. New Business:
A discussion of e-cards, and whether there is a place for them in the Staff
Association’s relations with members had to be postponed to another date for
lack of time.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Anita Marchant
Secretary
3