PSAC Minutes for 2009

PSAC Meeting Minutes, January 13, 2009                                     (Carole Lapine) 

Present:  Lisa Allen-Martinez, Lynell Gardner, Diane Germond, Claire Hughes, Judy King, Carole Lapine , Brad Mortensen, Chad Mosher

Excused:  Lonna Rivera, Ramona Sessions 

1. Approval of minutes from December 9, 2008, meeting approved with changes to those in attendance.  Lynell made motion, Chad seconded the motion.
2. Lisa called the meeting to order at 2:15 p.m.
3. Lisa will be out of the office from Monday, January 20 to Monday, January 26.
4. Committee addressed the snow and ice problem on the sidewalks at WSU.  Lisa will speak with the snow removal crew.
5. Lisa gave a brief recap of Cherrie Nelson’s discussion on the layoff policy.  Cherrie will update the committee at the February meeting.
6. Update of the Board of Trustees meeting as well as the legislative recommendations for higher education.  There are two views for budget cuts, the phase cut versus the “chain saw and axe” cut that the legislature is recommending.  All-in-all there is a potential for $13 million to be cut from higher education. 
7. UHESA day is February 5, 2009.  As many committee members as possible will try to attend. This year is an important year to make our thoughts and wishes known.
8. Diane found that the PSAC committee has $1,374.24 left in the budget for the coming year.  The committee will be frugal with the budget and only spend when necessary.
9. The P’Sack’ awardee for January is Bob King, February awardee is Nancy Jarvis.  Lisa will contact Ramona, who will coordinate the awards.
10. Chad and Carole will meet next week (week of January 20) to discuss the revision of the web site. Chad is the web master for PSAC.
11. Meeting was adjourned at 3:50 p.m. Lynell/Chad

PSAC Meeting Minutes, February 10, 2009                                   (Carole Lapine) 

Present:  Lisa Allen-Martinez, Lynell Gardner, Diane Germond, Claire Hughes, Carole Lapine, Brad Mortensen, Lonna Rivera,

Excused:  Judy King, Chad Mosher, Ramona Sessions 

1. Approval of minutes from January 13, 2009, meeting  approved with changes.  Diane made the motion to approve the minutes and Lonna seconded the motion.

2. Meeting was called to order at 2:10 p.m.

3. UHESA Day at the Legislature was discussed.  Lynell Gardner, Diane Germond, Judy King, and Carole Lapine went to the Capitol on Thursday, February 5, 2009, to “lobby” for higher education.  We met with the UHESA members in the Capitol then spoke with several members of the legislature as well as Jon Greiner, senator.  UHESA creates cards to give to the senate and house members. The day was interesting and eventful.  The budget should be out by Friday, February 13, 2009. 

4. WSU will be represented at the Capitol again on Thursday, February 12, 2009.  Lynell Gardner will take a bus load of alumni to the Capitol.  The Office of Undergraduate Research and Student Involvement/Community Involvement Center will be taking a bus of students as well. 

5. Diane was asked to discuss a change in employee summer hours.  There was a discussion about working four tens, flex hours, not working on Friday or every other Friday.  WSU had a flex time policy in the past.  Cherrie will be asked to comment on the request and discuss the different types of scheduling with specific interest in summer hours.

6. Lisa and Brad discussed the Board of Trustees meeting that was held in the morning of February 10.  The financial breakdown is: 5.4 million (2.9 million and an additional 2.5 million – 5.4) has been cut this fiscal year.  The new fiscal year starts on July 1.  So far, an 11.2 percent base budget reduction has been approved for the 2009-10 fiscal year which begins on July 1. This number could change before the end of the legislative session.

7. Nancy Jarvis will be presented with her P’Sack’ award on Monday, February 23, 2009. The March awardee is Jason Francis (Library).  Lonna will schedule the award ceremony and let the committee know the time and place.  Pictures need to be taken and the awardee needs to fill out the online information form to be placed on the web site.

8. Meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m.  Lisa/Claire

PSAC Meeting Minutes, March 10, 2009                           (Carole Lapine) 

Present:  Lisa Allen-Martinez, Lynell Gardner, Diane Germond, Judy King, Carole Lapine, Chad Mosher, Lonna Rivera, Ramona Sessions

Excused:  Claire Hughes, Brad Mortensen  

1. Minutes from February 10, 2009, meeting approved by committee Diane/Ramona

2. Cherrie Nelson addressed the committee on summer hours.  The workweek starts on Saturday at WSU.  Different departments will determine adjustable hours for classified staff.  40 hours are required for full-time staff members.  WSU work day policy is 7:30 to 4:30.  Some departments stay until 5:00.

3. There are 70 applications for voluntary leave.  The WSU legislative budget for WSU is a 17% base cut, back-filled with one-time stimulus money to equal a net 9% cut for FY 2010.  FY 2011 would see a 17% cut without additional one-time money or restoration of the base. Employee tuition benefits were discussed. Changes are being made to the benefit structure.  HR will handle the process.  Papers on tax implications of tuition benefits, Recommendations for employee tuition benefits, PPM 3-42 policy and comparison of current policy and proposed policy changes were handed out.  They are attached.

4. Lisa discussed the medical benefits questionnaire sent to all professional staff members.  It was well done and well received.  A paper was handed out that shows the survey results and recommendations.  Jessica Hickmott worked on this report and is to be commended for her work on behalf of the committee. Lisa will send a thank you note to Jessica as well as a thank you gift.

5. Holly Hirst was chosen as the April nominee for the P’Sack’ Award.  Lonna will handle the award arrangements.

6. Judy King discussed the Board of Trustees meeting outcome.  Students from the Shanghai Normal University will be attending WSU.  The H. Aldous Dixon Awards Luncheon will take place at 12:00 noon on March 31, 2009, in the J. Farrell Shepherd Union Ballroom.  The Awards will be presented to Don E. Spainhower, Executive Director of Development (a professional staff member), and Richard W. Sadler, Dean, College of Social and Behavorial Science for distinguished service as members of the WSU faculty and staff, meeting the needs of students and achieving career excellence.  May 28 is the opening of the new Hurst Center.

   The meeting was adjourned at 4:25.  Ramona/Lynell
    

PSAC Meeting Minutes, April 14, 2009                              (Carole Lapine) 

Present:  Lisa Allen-Martinez, Lynell Gardner, Diane Germond, Claire Hughes, Judy King, Carole Lapine, Brad Mortensen, Lonna Rivera, Ramona Sessions

Excused:  Chad Mosher 

1. Approval of minutes from March 10, 2009, meeting approved with no changes. Ramona/Diane
2. Meeting was called to order at 2:10.
3. Brad discussed the board of trustees meeting. ( *1)A trolley system that will run from the Trax station to WSU and the MaKay hospital has been proposed.  Route has not been determined.  WSU faculty/staff/students have been asked for input.  The study is open for comments until the end of April.  The Mt. Ogden Golf course issue is still being discussed.
4. (*2)The board recognized the cheerleading team (Spirit Squad) and their leader, Summer Willis.  See the end of minutes for more information about the Spirit Squad.
5. Lisa discussed summer hours.  On matters involving issues among other professional staff members, the role of PSAC is to help direct, educate, and refer to the appropriate office, but not to advise. Therefore our role in the discussion of summer hours is to do just that, direct and educate our constituents. Lisa will meet with the appropriate department to discuss summer hours then report back to the committee.  Further discussion will take place at the next meeting.
6. Lisa reminded all to be sure to fill out the new enrollment forms that the Hartford insurance group will be sending out in the next few weeks.
7. The committee must use or lose the PSAC funds by July 1, 2009.  Judy will buy a two-year supply of P’Sack’ award material.  PSAC ideas for the coming year included: buying new web authoring software, hiring a motivational speaker, etc.
8. The 2009-10 election was discussed.  Judy will spearhead this committee.  The web site will be up and running for the nominations by April 16 and be open until April 20.  The committee will run the election from April 24 – 30.  
9. Shuttle changes for fall are being discussed.  The shuttle will run between the Dee Events Center and to a spot behind the library each day with the exception of Saturdays.  No summer service will be available.  A proposal is in the works for the shuttle to run until 6:00.  The library is the central most location and within ¼ mile of all campus buildings.
10. A new 12x20 information building will be constructed in front of the Duck Pond.  This should be completed by the end of summer.
11. The parking in A2 will be disrupted for a few weeks this summer while changes are being made to the parking area.  More parking stalls and a new configuration will be put in place.
12. A plan for renaming the university street system is in the planning stages.  This is necessary because of the closure of the street in front of the Alumni Center and Edvalson Drive to Harrison Boulevard.
13. FYI: The round-abouts are located at: 3950 and 3850 Harrison Blvd.
14. Judy is leaving the university to work for Ogden, City.  We will miss Judy and her always smiling face, her knowledge of all things related to computers, and the wisdom and expertise she had brought to the PSAC committee and the university.  The PSAC committee wishes her well in her new endeavor.
15. Meeting was adjourned at 4:45: Claire/Lonna

PSAC Meeting Minutes, May 9, 2009                                 (Carole Lapine)

Present:  Lisa Allen-Martinez, Lynell Gardner, Claire Hughes, Carole Lapine, Brad Mortensen, Chad Mosher, Lonna Rivera, Ramona Sessions

Excused:  Diane Germond 

1.      Approval of minutes from May 12, 2009, meeting approved with one change. Claire/Lynell

2.      Meeting was called to order at 2:00.

3.      The Board of Trustees meeting was short.  Tyler Latham is the WSU student body president. Hurst opening will be on May 28 at 1:30 p.m.

4.      Lynell suggested small items for professional staff members as a means of acquainting them with PSAC.  Pens, packets of sun lotion or antibacterial hand gel.  The committee recommended pens.  The professional staff

         consists of 456 members.

5.      Books for new members will be handed out at the July meeting.

6.      The July 14, 2009, no host luncheon meeting will take place at Jasoh Prime Dining and Brewpub at noon.  Jasoh’s is located at: 195 25th Street, phone 801-399-0088.  New members will be recognized and voting will take

         place to fill the positions left open by the outgoing members.  Lunch will be provided for the new members.  (Note from Lisa:  I have made arrangements with Jasoh for our group to meet and eat on July 14th.  I told them

         we would arrive between 11:45 and 12 noon.  This meeting is dedicated to thanking our outgoing members, welcoming our new members, and electing leadership for next year's committee.  I look forward to seeing you

         there).

7.      Fireworks at the university will be on July 19, 2009.

8.      Chad has a storage area for the P’Sack’ gifts as well as other PSAC supplies.

9.      Summer hours were discussed.  Regular business hours are from 7:30 to 4:30.

10.    Lisa discussed a meeting with a Mr. Miller who proposed another option for the current retirement plans.  Lisa referred Mr. Miller to the HR offices.

11.    The meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.  Claire/Ramona