UAA Meeting
August 16, 2007
Mickelthwaite Banquet Hall

Co-Chair Ann Marie Short called the meeting to order at 10:07 a.m.

The minutes from the June 21, 2007 meeting were distributed.  Mark Moore made a motion to approve the minutes.  Tess Midkiff seconded.  Motion passed. 

New Business/Executive Committee

1)      Tuition Reimbursement

Ann Marie reported that she has gathered information from past and present policies and that she and Bill Rockwell, co-chair, will re-introduce the issue to Dr. Morris.

2)      University Closure During the Christmas Holiday

Ann Marie reported that this is still on the table and Bill reported that CWA is looking at it as well.  There was some discussion as to whether vacation time would have to be used for those three days and Ann Marie reiterated that was not the UAA’s proposal.  Chris Nourse reported that the information gathered from peer institutions on this issue, as well as tuition reimbursement, will be presented as part of the Mercer report to the Board of Trustees in September.  Tess suggested that the Executive Committee keep the UAA membership updated on BOT meeting items.

3)      Mercer Report

Chris Nourse reported on the status of the Mercer Report, which will change the administrative salary structure from a point structure to a market driven one.  Chris reported that Mercer has given HR the final report, but they are still looking over it.  HR plans to give the report to the Board of Trustees at their September meeting.  Chris also reported that there will be an appeals process, but those details have not yet been worked out.

Campus Announcements

1)      Freshmen Convocation

Angela Henderson reported that SSU’s first Freshmen Convocation will be Sunday, August 26^th at 5 p.m., with a picnic following at 6 p.m.  Angela explained that the purposes of the event are to start a new tradition, and to try to instill more SSU pride in our student body. 

2)      Information Tent

Bill reported that Student Activities will have a tent set up near the Bookstore the first day of classes (August 27^th) with information from a number of campus offices.

3)      UAA Welcome Tent

Ann Marie reported that the UAA will once again have informational booths set up to help students find their classes.  One will be located near the Rhodes Athletic Center and the other will be under the Student Activities tent near the Bookstore.  The booths will be set up August 27^th and 28^th from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Ann Marie encouraged everyone to take part and reminded them that anyone interested should sign up by contacting Vickie Crawford in UIS.

4)      Chris Kacir Research Project

Brian Saul distributed copies of a survey called “Perceptions of Community Problems” that is being done by Chris Kacir and his students.  Brian asked the group to complete the surveys and return them by campus mail to Chris.  The results of the survey should be available in January or February.

5)      Center for International Programs and Activities (CIPA)

Rita Haider shared some news items from CIPA:

a)      This week, SSU’s first student from Azerbaijan arrived.  Next week, four students from Spain will arrive.

b)      Four SSU students have been picked to student teach in China.  SSU is the first university in the United States to do this.

c)      Three SSU students will be going to Morocco next week (two for the entire year) and five students will be going to Spain the first week of September.

d)      The Portsmouth Rotary Club has funded a $1000 scholarship for an international student.

e)      The grand opening of CIPA’s new facility (in the temple building) will be September 14^th, the date of the BOT meeting.

f)        CIPA has its first alumni ambassador.  Absalom Hall is teaching English in South Korea.  CIPA is interested in hearing from other students who would be willing to serve as ambassadors.

g)      The Lending Closet will be open for international students when classes begin.  Anyone wishing to donate items can contact CIPA.

University-Wide Committee Reports

Ann Marie called everyone’s attention to the committee membership lists and asked any updates to be sent to her.

20/20 Committee Reports

1) Steering Committee

    Dave Todt reported that all of the futures teams met together and shared some      

    objectives for the 20/20 strategic plan.  Dave distributed Draft 3 of the measurable    

    objectives for the SSU Strategic Plan.  A final draft is planned for September, followed  

    by a campus-wide conversation day Tuesday, October 2^nd.  There will be two separate

    conversations to avoid the closure of classes.  Dave reported that they are trying to get

    the project done in time for the next budget.

2) Academic Affairs

    Ann Marie reported that the group is looking at new programs including a master’s  

    degree in education and a bachelor’s degree in health science.

3) Student Affairs

    Jared Shoemaker and Rita reported that the group is working on setting priorities.

4) University Initiatives

    Cathy Mullins reported that the group is also working on setting priorities.

Concerns/Other Announcements

1) New Employees

    Chris reported that the New Employee Orientation Luncheon will be Wednesday,     

    August 22^nd.  A reception will be scheduled at a later date.

2) Student Employment

a) Reduction of Hours

    Steve Gregory reported that the change in student employee hours came partly    

    as a result of the retention task force.  The task force determined that students  

    were more likely to be retained if they were employees.  It was determined that

    the reduction of hours from 20 to 16 would facilitate more employees.  The

    Cabinet has allotted 20 additional positions.  Steve also reported that the

    increase in the minimum wage also impacted the decision.

b) New Job Posting Process

    Steve reported that the new process of posting jobs online, which went live last   

    week, will be a help to students.  Departments will need to fill out the online

    job posting form, and then Career Services will provide a list of qualified

    employees.  Steve reiterated that this does not mean departments cannot hire

    who they wish.  This is meant to be a help to the departments and students. 

    Tess thanked Steve for his work on the new hiring process.

c) Discussion

    A discussion ensued concerning the reduction of hours.  Three major concerns  

    arose from the discussion:

i) Tutors have always been considered in a different category.  Will they  

    be held  to the same 16 hour rules?

ii) International students are not allowed to work off campus, so they are

    unable to supplement the 16 hours with another income.

iii) Current student employees are being asked to take a pay cut.

   Steve said he would pass on these concerns and that anyone else with concerns  

   should speak to Dr. Settle or a member of the Cabinet.

d) New Student Employment Guidelines

    Steve also reported that there are new guidelines in place for student 

    employees, including a nepotism policy and a student employee dress code.   

    Steve will distribute that information at a later date.

Tess made a motion to adjourn the meeting with Brian Saul seconding.  Motion passed.  The meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.