UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD
STAFF ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES
13 May 2015 – Woods Family Classroom – 1:00 PM
Present:
Jessica Abbott, Chris Adams, Ellen Crandall, Judy Denny, Lynn Galvin, Ben Ide,
Ellen Levasseur, Cheryl MacMath, Anita Marchant, Lindsay McKeegan, Cindy
Oppenheimer, Tony Robinson, Catherine Rose, Gina Signorello, Bonnie Taylor,
Linda Zigmont.
I. Discussion/Approval of Minutes of the 8 April 2015 meeting.
Ben Ide moved approval of the minutes of the 8 April 2015 meeting. Cindy
Oppenheimer seconded. The minutes, as written, were approved by those
present.
II. University Committee Reports
Budget Advisory Team – Because there had been no meeting of BAT since
the April Staff Association meeting, there was no report from its representatives.
Wellness Committee: Lindsay McKeegan: Campus opportunities for health
enhancement are continuing in the summer, with availability of exercise classes,
lunchtime yoga and weightwatchers. There will be a CSA starting later in June,
and those interested in joining should contact Lindsay McKeegan.
Benefits Task Force: The Benefits Task Force is still actively discussing how
Health Care Reform (the Affordable Care Act) will affect the University’s medical
insurance plan offerings in their current form (including such things as spousal
coverage) and the financial impact that federal mandates (including, but not
limited to, the proposed Cadillac Tax) will have on our $12+M institutional
medical insurance cost.
There was a discussion of the possibility of a vacation rollover, but it was
decided that until there is data to analyze the scope of this issue as well as
determine the financial consequences that this change might have to the
University under generally accepted accounting guidelines, the University is not
now in a position to move forward on this subject. The anticipated automated
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timekeeping system was discussed, including how it may help determine if the
vacation rollover is a viable option at some time in the future.
There was not enough time to discuss PTO, as requested by the Staff
Association. Items that do not get covered are put on the following month’s
agenda.
III. Staff Association Reports
Web Advisory Committee: No Report.
Faculty Senate: Ben Ide. President Harrison spoke at the most recent meeting,
reporting, with caution, that the University’s prospects are looking better,
although we find ourselves in an extremely competitive academic world.
Facilities reported that there are some projects it plans to carry out this
summer in its efforts to continually upgrade the campus.
Strategic Planning Goals are beginning to be implemented.
There was a discussion about the “Jail and Bail” activity promoted on
campus recently as a fund-raiser, with expressions of distaste for the project by
several Faculty Senate members.
Treasurer’s Report: Cindy Oppenheimer: The balance in the Staff
Association account stands at $476.81.
Membership Director Report: The Membership Director was unable to
attend, so no report was received.
IV. Old Business
Attention was called to the future potential meeting topics listed in the
agenda. Additional suggestions are always welcome, and will be included in the
planning discussions of the Board.
V. New Business:
Cheryl MacMath introduced the newly-elected Staff Association Board
Members and wished them well:
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Ben Ide (Chair): There was no objection raised to the plan for him to
continue on as representative to the Faculty Senate in addition to serving
as President of the Staff Association.
Jessica Abbott (Vice Chair): will be the member of the previous Staff
Association Board who will able to bridge the gap between that one and
the newly elected one.
Erica Light (Secretary)
Christine Adams (Treasurer)
Ellen Levasseur (Membership)
Linda Zigmont (Non-Exempt Staff Member At-Large)
Ellen Crandall (Exempt Member At-Large)
June Meeting: There was some discussion over whether to have a Staff
Association meeting in June. If the planned program with representatives of the
Purchasing Department is publicized, it would undoubtedly draw a number of
staff members. The program has not yet been confirmed, however, and the
consensus reached was that it would be better to plan for the Purchasing
Department presentation to be given in the September meeting, when there is a
full contingent of staff members on campus.
July: No Staff Association Meeting*
August: August 12, the second Wednesday, is planned for the annual Staff
Association Barbeque. We will look into reserving Konover Grove for this event.
Several suggestions were made, to be noted and discussed by the Board in
preparation for the barbeque:
 Open the barbeque to the whole University Community
 Charge extra to attend, and use as a fund-raiser
 Attend free if contributing a dish to the whole meal
With no more business at hand, the meeting was adjourned at 1:40 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Anita Marchant
Secretary
*At a later time, the decision was made to hold a meeting in July after all.
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