Ohio Staff Council of Higher Education
24th Annual Summer Conference
June 19-20, 2014 @ Columbus State Community College and
The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
Greetings from The University of Akron’s
Staff Employee Advisory Committee (SEAC)
The staff employee
advisory committee,
SEAC, serves as an
advisory body to the
president.
The committee
consists of eighteen
full-time nonbargaining unit staff
employees of The
University of Akron.
Reporting Out Points
Pay/Salary Increases:
Staff - Non Bargaining Unit and Contract
Professionals - 2%
Faculty - 1.5%
Union/Bargaining – 2%
The increases were approved after a year in which salaries
were frozen. The 2 percent increase accounts for a $1.4
million expense in the budget.
The University of Akron Board of
Trustees voted unanimously to
name Scott L. Scarborough, PhD,
the 16th President of the
University. His term will begin
July 1, 2014.
Notes - Earlier this year, the CWA Union was ratified at
The University of Akron. After several talks with
administration and the CWA, SEAC could no longer
represent union- represented staff. As a result, our
SEAC committee council decreased by three taking us
from a membership of 18 down to 15.
The University of Akron has (286) Union bargaining staff,
and (437) non-bargaining staff.
Reporting Out Points
Fall 2013 Faculty and Staff Profile
In 2012 SEAC incorporated
a Welcome Program to
greet new staff members
to campus. Since June,
2013 approximately (23)
new staff members have been
welcomed with a personal
E-mail message with helpful
links, and a greeting card.
Reporting Out Points
Change in Benefits Program: Affecting all employees
The Healthy U program was created
to encourage, support and empower
employees to make healthy lifestyle
choices. These choices over time
should increase employee morale,
quality of life, and productivity.
•
Changed Pharmacy vendors – went to CVS Caremark
•
Changed flexible spending vendors – went to
Northwest Group Services
•
Changed short term disability vendors – went to Signa
(who also has our long term disability)
–
Some classes include:
•
•
•
•
Weight Watchers
Reimbursement Program
Smoking Cessation Program
Wellness Wednesday
programs
Yoga classes on Thursday
–
•
Due to this increased line of business the rate UA pays for long
term went down and the rate for short term also decreased
compared to what we were paying
Employees saw their premium decrease (% varies depending on
age and annual salary)
Medical Coverage premium increased a 1-2% per
employee (varied by salary)
Reporting Out Points
CURRENT ISSUES / HOT TOPICS
Committee Goals:
- To create a presence in the
community.
- To continue to keep open lines
of communication with the
President’s Office.
- To continue to support our
University Council.
The Staff Employee Advisory Committee (SEAC) is requesting the
creation of a leave-bank for The University of Akron non-bargaining
unit employees. SEAC has conducted preliminary research on the
topic with other state universities and agencies.
There are a number of successful leave-bank models and the
implementation of a program like this on campus could have a
positive impact on the staff in terms of morale, staff retention, and
productivity.
This submission was sent to our University Council on June 10,
2014. Request completion by the end of the term: Spring 2015
Notes:
Thanks to all OSCHE members and institutions
that provided us with data and feedback
information.
Reporting Out Points
Our SEAC committee supports the
University Council while providing
nine SEAC members and nine AtLarge staff members who serve on
the UC standing committees.
We also have two representatives
that serve on the UC steering
committee.
-
Student Engagement & Success
- Information Technology
Budget, Finance & Benefits
Physical Environment
- Communications
- Recreation & Wellness
- Talent Development & HR
- Research
- Public Affairs & Development
“The University Council at UA is a deliberative and
representative body that makes recommendations to the
President on long-range planning and informs decisions on
other substantive matters that affect the well-being and
common interests of the university community.
Most recently, the UC has heard and endorsed a
recommendation on behalf of the Budget and Finance
Committee regarding the University’s FY15 budget.
The June UC meeting will hear a report from the Student
Engagement and Success Committee regarding a campuswide Retention and Completion Plan. Through this report,
the committee is seeking University Council endorsement.”
Reporting Out Points
Layoffs/Terminations/Furloughs
Academic Unit Reduction
FY-2014
Budget Planning (3+% reduction)
Total of colleges $6,000,000
Achieving Distinction $3,000,000
Total Reductions = $9,000,000
Another 4-8% reduction
expected for FY 2015
Our SEAC budget for the 20132014 year was $1,620
•
Six full time staff members were laid off
- Although initially more people were identified as
being laid off, many were placed in other jobs or
some (who were eligible) retired.
•
Approximately 80 staff members retired from
January 1, 2013 to July 1, 2014. Six of them are
retire/rehires. Four came back as full time and
two came back as part time.
Reporting Out Points
Parking
Faculty/Staff parking permit for the
academic year is $220. The employee
pays $120 and their department pays $100.
This charge has remained the same for many years.
UA Seeks smokers’ cooperation
A committee was formed to review the idea of
making the University smoke-free.
It was determined not to act unless the idea
was pushed by the student body.
Smoking is only permitted in designated areas.
Reporting Out Points
- Tuition Rate increase of 2% for Fall 2014
has been confirmed
There has been no change in the tuition
remission benefit for full-time faculty
and staff. It covers the total cost of
tuition, no matter how many credits are
taken. The University has capped their
scholarship awards for 2014-2015 at
$9,500.
Effective summer 2014, there will be no
refunds of UA undergraduate scholarship
awards that exceed the undergraduate
student’s expenses for tuition, fees, oncampus housing and board as reflected
on the student’s bill.
(Food plan)
Reporting Out Points
Enrollment
We have approximately
27,000 students
representing 45+ U.S. states
and 80+ foreign countries.
They're a culturally diverse
group and they come from a
broad economic spectrum.
Nearly 30 University employees
earned undergraduate and
graduate degrees as part of the
Spring Class of 2014.
Committee Accomplishments 2013-14
1. Operation Evergreen –prepared and shipped 588
ornaments to service men and women stationed in
Kuwait.
2. Annual United Way Kick-Off event – Helped raise
$214,971 to benefit the community.
3. Giving Tree donations collected for the Summit County
Children Services.
4. Staff Appreciation Day – name change to Faculty/Staff
Picnic, cost $10 pp, about 500 attended.
5. Brown Bag Luncheon/Meeting – Program hosted for
all UA staff. Served as a meet and greet, and to
encourage staff to join SEAC.
6. Baseball Night with the Akron Rubber Ducks –
discounted tickets, SEAC provided meal vouchers (@ $5
each), fireworks, bobble head and First Pitch. This is an
annual event now that replaced our annual holiday
party.
Committee Plans 2014-2015
- Assist with the Gay Games (August 6-19, 2014)
- Assist with the United Way Kick-Off
- Assist with the Faculty/Staff picnic – Homecoming 2014
- Continue with Welcome Program
- Create new ideas and ways to assist within the
Community