Tulane University
Staff Advisory Council
Minutes of Thursday, May 12, 2009
ATTENDEES
ATTENDEES
DOWNTOWN CAMPUS
OFFICERS
Glenda Folse
Karen Hiller
Tami Jenniskens
Excused
Excused
Present
Roxanne Johnson
Paula Lucas
Linda Miller
Cindy Stewart
Shirley Tubre
Merisa Pasternak (proxy)
Yesenia Vasquez (proxy)
Present
Present
Excused
Absent
Absent
Present
Absent
Susan Barrera, Chair
Rhonda Earles, Vice Chair
Gwen Chavez, Election Coordinator
Lisa Britton, Recording Secretary,
Present
Present
Present
Present
Member at Large
UPTOWN CAMPUS
Marty Brantley
Liz Davey
Shirley Dymond
Miriam Espinosa
Cynthia Hayes, Immediate
Absent
Excused
Present
Present
Excused
Cheryl Sterling, Corresp. Secretary
Jered Bocage, Parliamentarian
Proxy
Present
MEMBERS – AT – LARGE
Rob Platner
Present
INVITED GUESTS
Ruth Wilson, WFMO
Travis Tague. WFMO
Christina Wallace, WFMO
Present
Present
Present
VISITORS
Mike Griffith (proxy for Linda Wright)
Wendy King (proxy for Cheryl Sterling)
Jeannine Coxen
Present
Present
Present
Past Chair
Aaron Martin
Lisa O’Dwyer
Judy Vitrano
Linda Wright
Argentina Acosta (proxy)
Jenny Daigle Benoit (proxy)
Laurie Orgeron (proxy)
Present
Absent
Excused
Proxy
Absent
Absent
Present
NORTHSHORE
Eileen deHaro
Mary Little
Robert Johnson (proxy)
Present*
Present*
Present
* indicates via teleconference
All Officers are serving the Staff Advisory Council term 2008 – 2009
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May 12, 2009
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Call to Order: Susan Barrera, SAC Chair, called the May 12, 2009 meeting of the Staff
Advisory Council to order at 3:30 p.m. The meeting was held at the Lavin-Bernick
Center, the Race Conference Room on the uptown campus.
I. Review and Approval of the Minutes
Chair Barrera called for a motion to approve the April 16, 2009 minutes and the minutes
were approved.
II. Report of the Chair, Susan Barrera
Chair Barrera announced that our guest speaker, Scott Cowen sent his apology as he
unexpectedly had to attend a legislative meeting in Baton Rouge and is not able to
attend our meeting today. We will try to set up a future meeting date for him to be our
guest speaker. Also, there is no report today.
III. WFMO Liaison, Ruth Wilson
Ruth Wilson (Director, Employee Support Systems) introduced Travis Tague (Director,
Customer Relations) and Christina Wallace (Assistant Director, Employee Support
Systems)
Ms. Wilson began explaining that the Fidelity and TIAA-CREF retirement general
meetings have been held and so far the largest group to attend at any one time has
been with 10 people. It appears that the one-on-one meetings are what people prefer.
Also for future meetings, suggest to not schedule these meetings during
commencement week. This week has been very busy for everyone and can see where
it would be difficult for participants to attend the general meeting with other events
happening around the campus.
Question from the floor: In the April SAC minutes it mentions drug and alcohol testing
will begin at the Primate Center? Is this random testing?
Will not be “random” testing. Testing is for pre-employment and post-incident for labs
and select agents. Testing is necessary for bio safety level lab that is being developed
and will begin at the Primate Center for the DSL lab.
Discussion from the floor that at the last meeting it was understood testing will
eventually be for everyone and at all campuses.
Question from the floor: Anything in the works yet for offering employees in-house
training for computer software programs? Also, what about management mentoring?
No but they will take this back to WFMO and check into this for us. Regarding the
management mentoring, Chair Barrera will check with the Provost Bernstein.
IV. Officer Reports
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May 12, 2009
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A. University Senate
Rhonda Earles gave the following report on the May 4, 2009 Senate meeting.
President Cowen’s report to the senate focused on updates to his previous
presentation.
Enrollment: As of now, there are 1,516 deposits on file with undergraduate admissions.
Over the next few months, we will go through “summer melt” and waitlist options. The
pool is very similar to fall ‘08’s. Of those with deposits in, 57 percent are women—an
all-time high; all states with the exception of Vermont are represented; in contrast to
Vermont, an all-time high of 16 students are from New Hampshire.
Doctoral Programs: Scott asked Provost Bernstein to update the senate on doctoral
programs. An RFP had gone out earlier in the year, and the result was 13 proposals to
create new or to renew doctoral programs. Of those, three were selected for
implementation: French Studies, Linguistics, and Aging Studies. Some proposals are
being returned for revision and resubmission in the fall; others were rejected.
Fundraising: As mentioned at an earlier meeting, the development/fundraising staff
went from 130 staff to 60 following Katrina. A decision has been made to begin hiring in
the fall to increase the size of this department; this re staffing will occur over the next
few years. In answer to a question about why the current hiring freeze didn’t apply, the
senate was informed that if these positions would be raising the funds that would allow
the freeze to thaw. Over the next 30-90 days, there will be a reorganization of the
central function.
On-Campus Housing: One, possibly two, residential colleges are being considered,
thus increasing our ability to house students on campus. In response to a question
about graduate student housing, Scott stated that the Papillion Apartments, which the
university purchased following Katrina, had not met completely the need for graduate
housing. It is anticipated that the new residential colleges will free space in other
buildings that can then be dedicated to graduate students.
Faculty Hires: In response to a question about a freeze of faculty hiring, Scott reminded
the senate that there isn’t a freeze and faculty are being hired where needed. One
faculty senator mentioned an article that suggested that now is the time to get the
“cream of the crop” of the newest PhDs, since so few universities are recruiting. The
faculty expressed concern that an increase in faculty without an accompanying increase
in staff would cause considerable stress. Scott recognizes that problem.
Budget: Since the budget was being prepared and is not finalized, James McFarland
did not present a report on the 2010-2011 budget. He requested the senate permission
to present to the PFAC next week for approval and then to report in the fall; approval
was granted.
CEP: Hugh Long presented the purposed 2010-2011 academic calendar for approval.
Easter in 2011 falls late; this necessitates scheduling spring break around the Mardi
Gras holiday. Some discussion was held regarding 1) the number of hours during the
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May 12, 2009
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semester and 2) whether Tulane should start earlier or later due to possible hurricane
evacuations. The number of contact hours each semester is met with the proposed
calendar. The start of the school year has been examined. Earl Retif conducted a
review of the past 50 years and hurricane season; there was no trend regarding major
(Category 3 or above) storms and when they occur. Altering the schedule dramatically
would not be advantageous with regard to our peer institutions and might necessitate
returning to the quarter system when other colleges are abandoning that in favor of
semesters. The calendar was approved as presented.
B. Board of Administrators
No report, the Board meets next week.
V. University Senate Committee Reports
1. Benefits
No report.
2. Budget Review
Committee meets today so report will be given at our June meeting.
3. Information Technology
No Report.
4. Equal Opportunity
No Report.
5. Physical Facilities
No Report.
6. Social Issues
No Report.
VI. SAC Sub-Committees
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1. Election Committee
Committee chair Gwen Chavez gave the following:
Thanked Mike Griffith for creating the online nomination program. Mike was very
helpful in making this online election possible.
Elections will be held starting on May 18 through May 22, 2009.
For the uptown campus, 11 positions need to be filled and we have received 21
nominees. The first seven nominees receiving the most votes will be elected to
three year terms. The next four nominees with the most votes will be elected to two
year terms.
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For the downtown campus, 4 positions need to be filled and we have received seven
nominees. All positions will be for three year terms.
For the Primate Center campus, 2 positions need to be filled and we have received
three nominees. The first nominee with the most votes will be elected to a three
year term and the second nominee with the most votes will be elected for a two year
term.
For those individuals without access to a computer, they will be able to vote by
paper ballot. Cheryl Sterling (downtown), Anne Danos (Primate Center) and Glenny
Warzeski (uptown) will collect the paper ballots for their respective campuses.
Would like everyone to start thinking about the officer positions and who would be
interested in running for those positions. Each of the officer positions are for a one
year term. We will be voting on these positions at our June meeting.
2. Electronic Technology and Information
No report.
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3. Staff Appreciation
Co-chair Rob Platner gave the following information.
Family Fun Day Event has been moved to early spring (late February or early
March) and will tie into the Tulane baseball game.
Have it earlier than the baseball game, and end up at the field so you can have free
admission to the game.
Will partner with Wellness Committee to assist
Medical school students for the health screening and also UnitedHealth can sponsor
some things
Athletic department can help out with kid games
Will have better parking availability if held on campus near the baseball field.
Still waiting for a date (waiting for baseball schedule to be released) at which point
we can then begin for finalize the planning of this event.
Will discuss further at our meeting in July and will need everyone’s ideas and help.
4. Staff Issues
No report. Discussion from the floor regarding parking and closing of McAlister on
the uptown campus. An email from Yvette Jones stating that McAlister will be closing
on Monday and the shuttle will start in August. This will be sent to Tony Lorino asking
that the shuttle begin at the same time.
5. Health and Wellness
No report.
6. Community Service
No report.
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VI. Old Business
None
VIII. New Business
Mary Little said Bill Meneray is retiring from Tulane and his retirement party will be at
the end of May. Bill was involved in establishing SAC back in 1981. Mary offered it
would be an appropriate gesture for SAC to present him with a plaque of appreciation
for his work. Mary and Susan will work on getting the plaque to present him at his
retirement party.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at the LavinBernick Center for University Life in the Race Conference Room at 3:30 pm.
IX. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:08 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa M. Britton
Recording Secretary