Meeting Notes 

January 29, 2004


Attendees

Jon Rice, Chairperson, Procurement Services, Arlene Buynak, Vice Chair, Athletics/Intramural Recreational Sports, Sandy Layne, Bookstore; Ruby Hutchinson, Parking and Transportation; Betsy Thompson (alternate), Parking and Transportation; Mary Russell, Printing and Copying; Harland Harris, Major Events; Nikki Critzer, Housing Division; Keith Carter (alternate), Housing Division; Sebrina Ivey, Audit; Paulette Vining, Police Department; Diane Meeker, ITC-ISP; Trisha Gordon (alternate), ITC; Ginger McCain, Architect's Office; Andi Elledge, Business Operations; Tina Brice (alternate), Procurement Services; Georgia Grant, Office of Sponsored Programs; Missy Brads, Budget Office


Speakers
Holly Heilberg, Leadership Development

Program

The meeting commenced with Jon Rice introducing himself to the council as the new chair. Other council members in turn introduced themselves, noting their length of time on the council, as well as the area they represent.

Alan Cohn, liaison from Human Resources, addressed the council with responses to benefits-related questions received from council constituents and the proposed Charter Bill. See Monthly Reports section for details.

Holly Heilberg, of the Leadership Development Center, read the Mission Statement of her department and discussed professional and personal leadership development. She shared a story about sharpening skills and taking the time to improve what we do so that we can feel more productive and energized. To be proactive and sign-up for a class, which can give a renewed energy. There are different programs being offered. Their website is www.virignia.edu/ldc

Current programs include:

  • the Leadership Development Program for mid-level managers and front-line supervisors;
  • the Executive Leadership Program for senior administrators, which includes, deans, directors and other administrative officers;
  • leadership workshops;
  • classes in leading effective meetings;
  • leadership network events;
  • Horse Sense for Leaders;
  • the Exception Assistant Program, where an administrative assistant, office manager or support person would have to be nominated from someone who has completed the leadership development program or a senior administrator. The second annual Exceptional Assistants' Network Conference is scheduled in April. Leonard Sandridge will be the keynote speaker.

The Leadership Development Center offers opportunities to come to staff meetings, lead retreats and/or workgroup sessions.

Holly shared that priority for participating is given to the academic areas before Medical Center employees. The demographics of attendees is a cross section of the University. Only a few spaces are allocated for the local community, which is a good for networking.


Jon confirmed that meetings would continue to be held on the third Thursday of every month from 1:30pm until 3:00pm , with the locations to be determined. He then discussed working out an agenda for future meetings.

Requests for meetings are as follows:

  • Tour of the Phase II of the Aquatic & Fitness Center (possibly February meeting);
  • Historic walking tour of Grounds (possibly April meeting);
  • Tour of Special Collections Library (possibly June meeting);
  • Leonard Sandridge as guest speaker (as his schedule permits);
  • Larry Sabato as guest speaker (prior to election);
  • Tim Rose, University Foundation, as guest speaker (as his schedule permits);
  • Nancy Rivers, as guest speaker, to update on General Assembly issues;
  • Phyllis Lefler, as guest speaker, focusing on the history of UVa;
  • Tour of the Bayly Art Museum;
  • Nykki offered a walking tour of the dorms in June or July.
  • Anda Webb from ISP to speak about 11i, the student phase of ORACLE;
  • Jim Jokl from ITC to give a “virtual” tour to the council (there is a Computing Survival skills course available at ITC).

Jon will contact the potential speakers and coordinate the schedule of meetings, as well as work with the recording secretary regarding the locations of the meetings in a room large enough to hold the council members, in addition to constituents who want to attend a meeting of interest. A suggestion was made by Kathleen Jump to put information on future meetings in Inside UVa.


Other Items

Harland asked if UVa provides an introduction to the University. Jon advised that the library offers information and a basic introduction.

Tina Brice asked how information of employee council is shared. Trisha shared that the role of the representatives is to communicate the information. Minutes are shared via e-mail and the council web site at http://www.virginia.edu/employeecouncils/evp/.
The employee councils also participate at the annual employee resource fair to introduce new employees to this resource in the respective areas served (HSCS, Medical Center, Provost, EVP, and Student Affairs).

There will be a Users fair for Oracle on March 3, 2004 .

Paulette shared that Emily Bardeen of Employee Career Services is a good contact for information on employees continuing their education. Ms Bardeen attended the December 2003 council meeting.

Arlene shared that using the Cavalier Advantage to pay for parking in the garage affords a 25% discount. Andi said that there is also a discount given at Printing Services and TJs Locker for using Cavalier Advantage.

Diane shared that Antonio Rice, Manager of Training in ITC, is laying groundwork with IQ Health for a lunchtime and/or flex time exercise program. Antonio took a pilot survey in ITC, along with IQ Health to look at adding classes (i.e. yoga, aerobics, etc.) in Carruthers Hall, or the possibility of running a shuttle during certain times to the intramural facilities. Stay tuned for further details....

Jon ended the meeting and did a fine job as chair of this year's first meeting.


Old Business 
Approval of December's minutes was tabled until the February meeting.

Monthly Reports


Report from Alan Cohn

Alan Cohn spoke about questions he received prior to the council meeting. One of the questions related to the insurance benefit, if any, for Lasik eye surgery. Alan shared that he had gone through it, with positive results. The costs for the procedure can be arranged to be reimbursed through a flexible spending (Flex America) account during the open enrollment period. There are three providers in the network who give a reduced rate, and in some cases, will provide the service on a monthly payment plan for one year, interest free.

Alan discussed the Charter Bill before the Legislature on behalf of William and Mary, UVa and Virginia Tech. The Bill is asking for a certain degree of autonomy to allow for more financial flexibility, which could result in salary increases or tuition growth or to find ways to raise revenue. Employees would remain in the State retirement system. All existing employees would remain in the current system. New hires may go into a new system. The plan for benefits is that it would remain the same, but some or certain benefit costs may increase or change. This Bill allows for freedom to compensate for changes. It would still maintain state job security, following the current grievance process and code of conduct. There would be a strong need to train management for the evaluation process, which can be tied in with raises. This Bill is currently in the concept form and considered a low priority at the State level in relation to the Governor's tax plan. It will be presented as part of a budget Bill, so that the process can go forward. When it is presented again next year it will be more fine-tuned and detailed. The Board of Visitors will make the final decision on how to adhere to the Bill. The goal is to be able to make more decisions at the University level. It will not diminish what we currently have.

Another question presented to Alan was the funding “pot of money” that was set-aside during the previous pay increase (roughly $250,000 allocated to faculty and $200,000 to staff). Alan advises that Human Resources is currently doing a market analysis on how to best divvy up the funding.

Alan recommended subscribing to Headlines News mailing list through the UVa website which will keep you up-to-date on developments with the Charter Bill and other news of interest. To subscribe, visit
http://www.virginia.edu/topnews/releases/headlines.html

 


Concerns
None at this time.

Announcements
None at this time.

Next Meeting
Thursday, February 19, 2004, at 1:30 pm.
Phase II Tour of the AFC w/Mark Fletcher.
Aquatics and Fitness Center.