THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO
SUMMARY MINUTES OF THE STAFF COUNCIL
MEETING OF
May 21, 2009
The ninth regular meeting of the Staff Council for the 2008-2009 academic year was held
at the Recreation Center, Texas Room at the 1604 Campus at 8:30 a.m. with Shirley
Rowe, Chair, presiding.
Members present: Paul Ayala, Julie Brunts, Eric Cooper, Belinda Dovalina, Robert
Garza, April Lawver, Brent League, Sherry Lindsey, Rene Lopez, Patricia Morehead,
Cheryl Nunn, Cindy Orth, Anne Rembisz, Shirley Rowe, Jamie Satterwhite (Safstrom),
Frank Segura, Brenda Tamayo, Suzette Vallejo, Donna Ware, Todd Wollenzier
Members absent: Paula Castillo, Allegra Castro (Excused), Sally Crouser (Excused),
Israel Falcon (Excused), Grace Fouts, Thomas Harper, Pat Hedelius, Sharron Pacheco
(Excused), Elba Ramos (Excused), Corinne Sabo (Excused), Anne Speights (Excused),
Lisa Talcott (Excused), Venetta Williams (Excused)
Continental breakfast provided by Frost Bank
Chair calls May meeting to order
Guest speaker, Randy Miranda, presented on the services provided to staff through the
Frost Bank UTSA branch. Other representatives present were Christopher Bueno and
Tatiana Salinas.
o UTSA’s Frost Bank financial center is a full service bank located in the
University Center. Frost Bank’s goal is to provide members of the university
community with on-campus services that meet their needs.
Guest speaker, Tatiana Salinas, presented on Frost Bank lending:
ƒ Becoming more conservative
ƒ Building long-term relationships
A San Antonio institution for 140 years, Frost is the first bank to operate at UTSA. The
financial center will tailor financial solutions for the individual financial needs of
students, faculty and staff.
Several questions were raised and addressed during the presentation:
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How does Frost Bank provide services for the Downtown Campus and UTSA
HemisFair Park Campus?
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Who is the Frost Bank contact person for the Downtown Campus and UTSA
HemisFair Park Campus? Ms. Tatiana Salinas is the contact person.
Can family members get the same benefits? The UTSA employee would be listed
as the primary member and the family member would be listed as the secondary
member on the account.
Are these services available to UTSA students? Yes, Free Checking and Saving
Is it possible to split an employee’s monthly check deposit between two different
banks? Only by transferring funds on-line; they cannot be direct deposited to two
separate accounts.
Here are the benefits for each online service.
My Frost - Manage your Frost Bank accounts for free.
• View your accounts
• Pay bills
• Transfer funds
• Service your accounts
Frost at UTSA: UTSA Faculty/Staff
As a UTSA faculty or staff member, you get all these benefits:
ƒ Free Checking
ƒ Dedicated banker attending to your financial needs
ƒ No minimum balance requirement
ƒ Unlimited transactions
ƒ Free Visa Checkcard
ƒ Free My Frost Online Banking
ƒ Free My Frost Bill Pay
ƒ Free Online Statement Delivery
ƒ Free imaged checks
ƒ Free transactions at over 160 Frost ATMs and over 250 participating HEB ATMs
ƒ Free first order of bank stock checks
ƒ Overdraft protection from another Frost account or line of credit
ƒ Saving account with no monthly service charge
ƒ Rate discount on personal loans with auto debit from a Frost account (excluding
lines of credit)
ƒ Free personal financial analysis regarding any one of the following: investments,
retirement, education funding or savings goals
ƒ $10 discount on first year’s rent of safe deposit box at select Frost Financial
centers
ƒ Free gift
Tom C. Frost is committed to educational excellence; Frost currently serves as chairman
of The University of Texas at San Antonio Development Board.
The Staff Council Chair gave thanks to the Frost Bank representatives for presenting at
Staff Council meeting.
Chair’s Report and Comments
Old business
University Heights Update:
A question had been raise on whether ARAMARK would consider opening a
convenience store for UTSA Staff at University Heights. Since the building is owned by
a private business the likelihood of providing any additional food services at this location
is very low. It was noted that the vending machines at University Heights are very
seldom used.
UTSA Recycling Program Update:
Some improvements are being made regarding enhancing the recycling programs on
campus. The Staff Council would probably have to work with other offices on campus
concerning the recycling program.
Parking and Transportation Services Issues Update:
Parking and Transportation Services is looking at different ways of providing services for
UTSA Staff. Parking and Transportation Services has information available on ASAP
regarding the park-and-ride and via transportation services.
Scratch-off Permits: The designated group driver may give their permit to another
carpooler while they are out on vacation. Scratch-offs are designed for those times when
a carpooler needs to drive themselves to campus at the same time as the carpool is
operating.
In regards to why UTSA vehicles are written up for parking violations the following
response was received. If someone blocks the roadway or parks in a fire lane they will be
issued a ticket. In other instances, Parking and Transportation staff will attempt to work
with departments to resolve concerns.
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Names Tags/pins: No Report. (Tabled)
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Committee Reports
By-laws Committee: The committee has finished all reviews. The Staff Council is
planning to review and discuss the By-Laws at the June meeting. They are currently
under review by the Staff Council liaison, VP of Business Affairs, Kerry Kennedy. The
committee will bring the by-laws to a vote at the July meeting in hopes they will be
ratified at that time.
Communications Committee: The committee has not met yet.
Employee Educational Benefits Committee: The Employee Educational Benefits is still
being looked at by the Vice President for Business Affairs and the Department of Human
Resources.
Employee Perks Committee: The Committee Chair gave an update on the new UTSA
Rowdy Rewards employee discount program to be implemented soon.
Employee Perks Report:
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New Rowdy Rewards program website is being created by Human Resources.
One place to store all information and share with staff members.
The Staff Council website can serve as a great source to refer staff members to the
program.
Recommend linking the Staff Council website to all other UTSA vice-presidential
areas or departmental websites.
UTSA is trying to replicate what UT-Austin has already implemented.
The following places offer discounts to UTSA Staff:
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EZ’s
Spring
La Quinta
Verizon
McAllister’s Deli
On Campus:
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UTSA Bookstore
ARAMARK
Rec Center (you and your significant other) – Membership $30.00 dollars (Staff)
Educational Discount
Rowdy New U Program
Athletics Season Tickets
Rent out UC Ballroom for wedding receptions, etc.
Music Department Concerts including outside musicians except fundraisers
Courtesy Patrol-free flat tire changes, battery jumps, etc.
Free flu shots on availability
Elections Committee: The Elections Committee is getting ready for the Staff Council
elections. The Committee Chair indicated that the election kick-off will begin next week.
Election Committee Report:
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The committee is working on the process for distributing the Staff Council
ballots.
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The committee will begin working on the electronic distribution (Survey Monkey)
and the paper format for those who do not have access to a computer.
Publish an article on UTSA Today.
The committee plans to begin the election process by mid June.
The election process takes approximately eight to 10 business days.
The committee plans to have the final election results by the 1st week of July.
The committee would like to have closure by mid July and to certify the newly
elected Staff Council members.
The committee will get together to formulate the electronic means of Survey
Monkey.
There are initially 1,875 UTSA Classified Employees.
The Staff Council member names are going to be listed on website by their
designated area.
It was noted that last year’s Staff Council election was administered both in
English and Spanish.
The committee is expecting to have a large pool for this September.
Fundraising Committee: The Committee Chair gave an update on the water sales for the
Spring 2009 commencement ceremonies.
Fundraising Report:
o The water sales at commencement were a success. Volunteers did not have to
stay until the end, the water sold out by the 5th commencement ceremony.
o 140 cases of bottle water were purchased for the Spring 2009 commencement
ceremonies. The total for water sales was $3,382.80. After all expenses for the
sales were paid, Staff Council made $1,700 in profit for the Staff Council
scholarship fund.
Issues Committee: UTSA Downtown food court renovations have been completed.
There are still a couple of new issues being worked on. Extreme Pita is going to be
closed during the summer. An update on the Food Services Committee meeting was
presented. The Committee is very open to feedback. The UTSA Main Campus is getting
another franchise. A question was raised regarding not having enough space on campus.
Issues Committee Report:
1. ISSUE – VIA bus top on Margaret Tobin
The Dir Bus Auxiliary Svc
Status: Protective covers installed. Location is permanent. (CLOSED)
2. ISSUE – Hazardous crosswalk between Monterey and Buena Vista Buildings
downtown. Business Operations Downtown Office
Status: Signage posted. Installation of flashing caution light expected soon.
(OPEN)
3. ISSUE – Smoking on Campus/Stricter Smoking Policy. Environmental Health,
Safety, and Risk Management
Status: A staff member asked if the campus smoking policy could be tightened up
so as to allow smoking only in parking lots. The Issues Committee will look into
this before resources are deployed to enforce the current smoking policy. (OPEN)
4. ISSUE – Shortage of bike racks on campus, particularly around the new UC
building. Facilities Engineering and Project Management
Status: Project underway to install additional bike racks (CLOSED)
5. ISSUE – Limited dining option on DT Campus, and limited healthy, low
calorie options on both campuses
Aramark representatives, Cathy Fleischacker and Al Cole, addressed the council
and provided information on changes planned for both campuses.
Downtown – The renovation of the retail food area will involve removal of one
wall in addition to other modifications. Aramark officials hope to have it
operational in time for the May mini-mester. New food options will include the
following:
o Pizza/pasta bar that will also serve rolls, and assorted breakfast items in
the morning
o Home Zone – Hot entree, vegetable starch, and mini-salad bar; rotisserie
chickens (for immediate consumption, or to take home)
o Java City – coffee bar
o Nachos and Pretzels
o Two soups
o Convenience store items
Main Campus – Summer construction plans
o Redesign of the JPL food court, including installation of a full salad bar.
o Rotisserie chickens may also be available at the convenience store next to
the Book Store. (OPEN)
6. ISSUE – Dangerous road by tennis courts: staff member reports observing
several pedestrian-auto near misses. Parking and Traffic Committee
Status – The UTSA Parking and Traffic Committee is assessing patterns of foot
traffic on the Main campus in order to design pedestrian cross-walks that will
better suit the needs of students and staff. (OPEN)
7. ISSUE – Need Sidewalk on north side of Laurel Village. Students walk in the
street which creates a hazardous situation. Engineering and Project
Management
Status – New Issues Committee member has agreed to look into facility-related
issues (OPEN)
8. ISSUE – Expansion and enhancement of VIA vanpool. Currently participants
receive 5 “scratch off” parking permits per year to use when they need to
drive to campus, instead of using the vanpool. Employee would like to see
that number increased to 10, and dedicated van pool parking established.
Director of Business Auxiliary Svc
It is the UTSA Approved Carpool Program (2008-2009 Parking and Traffic Rules
and Regulations, Section V: 1) that provides participants with five daily scratchoff permits. This program was reviewed by the UTSA Parking and Traffic
Committee, but no change was recommended. (Please see clarification mentioned
earlier in these minutes.)
9. ISSUE – Retirees pay the full price for a faculty/staff parking permit if they
return to work part-time at UTSA. Policy seems harsh in light of the
employees many years of service. Also, policy applied inconsistently: some
retirees are asked if they are current employees and some are not. Those
who are asked are charged for their permits. Those who are not asked are
not charged. Director of Business Auxiliary Svc
Status – The Director of Business Auxiliary Svc has agreed to present the request
for a reduced-price parking permit for part-time UTSA employees who are UT
system retirees to the Parking and Traffic Committee for consideration. The
reduced price permit is being sought based on their retired status, years of service,
and the valuable contribution that these knowledgeable, experienced employees
make. (OPEN)
10. ISSUE – Insufficient number of “A” parking slots in Lots 2 and 4, while
numerous 24-hour reserved slots go unused in these lots. Director of Business
Auxiliary Svc
Status – The Director of Business Auxiliary Svc agreed to assess the distribution
of 24-hour slots and redistribute them if there are large numbers of them routinely
vacant in a particular area.
11. ISSUE –Enhancement of UTSA recycling program similar to the program in
use at Trinity University (sustainability). Environmental Health, Safety & Risk
Management Web site.
Status – UTSA’s sustainability efforts are exemplary in many ways, but a few
opportunities for improvement have been identified. For example, the Pepsi cups
in the JPL food court are not recyclable. The campus soft drink vendor contract
is coming up for bid and Staff Council would like to see the requirement to
provide recyclable cups added to the fountain beverage vendor Invitation to Bid.
Aramark plans to hire a Sustainability Manager in the fall. The Sustainability
Manager will be responsible for coordinating sustainability efforts within their
operation. (OPEN)
Scholarships Committee: No Report.
New Business
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A member of the Staff Council will post a copy of the Staff Council minutes on
the Department of Facilities Services bulletin board. These are ways we can
convey information to our constituencies.
Rowdy Rewards: Coming Soon
Announcements
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Next meeting: June 25, 2009; Main Campus, Rec and Wellness Center, Texas
Room.
The By-laws will be discussed at the next Staff Council meeting.
The Staff Council Chair mentioned that a quorum is needed at each meeting in
order to vote on the minutes, etc. The By-laws indicates 30 working days before
the Staff Council can vote to amend the by-laws.
The student summer orientation programs will be held during June 2nd - August
14th. Subway, Starbucks and Taco Cabana dining facilities will be reserved every
Tuesday for the Summer orientation programs as follows:
o 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Roadrunner Café dining facility will be utilized every Wednesday by the
summer programs.
RFOC at Roadrunner Café: ARAMARK will be offering a summer special to
faculty and staff--all-you-can-eat lunch for $5 with UTSACard.
The John Peace Library Building (JPL) food court at the UTSA Main Campus
will be undergoing renovations this summer.
Motion to Adjourn
Minutes submitted by Suzette Vallejo, Staff Council Secretary/Historian