UAA Meeting
December 11, 2008
Micklethwaite Banquet Hall 

Co-chair Bill Rockwell called the meeting to order at 10:11 a.m.

Bill introduced President Morris who discussed the University System of Ohio Strategic Plan and the impact of the economy on SSU.  Among the key points were:

•            The USO Strategic Plan is our future. It will determine what our job will be for the next 10 years.  It is the path for SSU to change.

• ·         Associate degrees are not going away, but they are not growing.  They will eventually migrate to bachelor’s degrees.

• ·         Dr. Morris encouraged everyone to read the Ohio Economic Development Plan because it goes with the Higher Education Plan (Sec. Note: The plan can be accessed at http://development.ohio.gov/strategicplan/.).

• ·         She invited everyone to be involved in the process and to be aware of any communication about it.

• ·         The Board of Trustees has approved SSU’s goals to comply with the plan.  Those goals include a 5% growth each year.

• ·         The University is not going to retreat from the Strategic Plan due to the economy.

• ·         The economic situation is scary for all of us, but it is even scarier for our students.

• ·         Employees need to have flexibility and pay attention to information that is distributed.

• ·         There will be a mid-year state budget cut but we don’t yet know what or when because there are a lot of variables determining it.

• ·         Planning has begun on campus to deal with the mid-year cut.  Carry-forward funds have been frozen.  The University is looking closely at all open positions and is trying very hard to not tap into our reserves. 

• ·         Dr. Morris is working with the university governance groups to distribute the necessary information so that questions can be taken to the governance chairs.

• ·         Everyone needs to be thinking about how we can reinvent ourselves.  Dr. Morris will challenge everyone in the next week or two to think of ways to do so.  Those suggestions will be reviewed after the first of the year.

Dr. Morris then opened it up for questions.  After no questions were asked, Bill thanked her for coming.

The minutes from the November 13, 2008 meeting were distributed.  Mark Moore made a motion to approve the minutes.  Rick Merb seconded.  Motion passed.

New Business/Executive Committee

1)     Congratulations

Congratulations were extended to Bill on the birth of his new granddaughter.

2)     Other Executive Committee Business

·         Bill reinforced the University’s commitment to protecting jobs and he encouraged the group to ask questions of their co-chairs (Bill and Jennifer Bailey). 

University-Wide Committee Reports

1)     ADA Compliance

No report

2)     Affirmative Action and Diversity

No report

3)     Athletic and Intramural

Bob Trusz reported that there were things happening at the conference level and that there may be a need to find a new conference in the next few years.

4)     Assessment

No report

5)     Budget, Finance and Strategic Planning

No report

6)     Campus Security Act

No report

7)     Conduct Committee

No report

8)     Enrollment Management

No report

9)     Facilities

Mark Moore reported that the group is still discussing options to save energy including PC use on campus (i.e. putting PCs to sleep when not in use).  There was also a discussion at the last meeting about athletic facilities.

10  Insurance

Chris Nourse reported that the group is looking at wellness initiatives.  The group is also looking at renewal bids for the University’s health insurance plan.  The current agreement expires in July.

Bill asked about the new cards that employees received in the mail and Chris said either those or the old ones could be used.

Bane Sylvia reported that Nexium is back on the prescription plan.

11  Personnel Development

Teresa Redoutey reported that the committee is working on a campuswide training program.  She encouraged anyone that has not responded to the training survey to do so and to encourage others to do so as well.  Teresa also thanked the committee members for their hard work.

12  Records Commission

No report

13)  Safety Committee

No report

14)  Special Events

Nikki Montgomery reported that the Holiday Luncheon is Friday, December 12^th from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts.  She encouraged everyone to bring canned food or personal hygiene items for the Homeless Shelter and also reminded everyone that the Salvation Army Angel Tree would be at the Luncheon as well.

15)  Unlawful and Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment Advisory Panel

No report

16)  UTAC

No report

17)  Distinguished Lecture Series

No report

Campus Announcements

1)     Construction Updates

Bill asked John Temponeras to give the group an update on the various construction projects on campus:

·         University Center—Footings and foundations are 85% complete.  The masonry wall is complete and the discharge lines for the chillers are 99% complete.  A major shipment of structural steel will be coming January 5^th.

·         Massie Hall—The north entry columns have been completed.

·         Facilities Relocation—This project is in the home stretch.  They will be moving soon.

·         Rhodes Center—The finishings are being done.  The project is scheduled to be completed by the Holiday Tournament December 29^th.

·         Founders Plaza—Work is scheduled to begin in late January.

Brian asked if there are plans for Third Street to close.  Butch responded that is in the Master Plan, but there are no immediate plans to do so. 

Bill reported that there is a measure before City Council now to vacate Sinton between Third and Fourth.

2)     Security

Bane reported that Security is moving in-house.  The job posting requirements are being worked out now and the jobs will start to be posted after January.  This move will save the University $100,000-$200,000 a year.

3)     Condolences

Chris asked that the group continue to keep Denise Gregory in its thoughts and prayers and he passed along Denise’s thanks for all the support she has received.  Bill also reported that Tim Culver’s father passed away.

Rick Merb made a motion to adjourn the meeting with Mark Moore seconding.  Motion passed.  The meeting adjourned at 11:05 a.m.