MSU-Bozeman Classified Employees Personnel Advisory Committee Minutes

January 13, 1999

• Present:   Susan Alt, Carol Bittinger, David Eklund, Donna Gollehon, Darcy Halpin, Lloyd Hansen, Jenny Knickerbocker, Helen McFaul, Brenda York, Deb Chard and Jennifer Fennema
  

• Absent:   Jill Allison, Diane Allen, Pete Boharski, Patty Gunderson, Kathy Griffith, Connie Hupka, Roberta Kerr, Dianne Kramarich, Sharon McIlhatan, Joe Miller, Larry Miller, Bluette Phillips, Nancy Topel, Sharon Townsend and Dawn Watkins
  

I.  Old Business

• Last month's minutes were approved.
  

II.  Deb Chard (MPEA) and Carol Bittinger (CEPAC) talked about the following:

• Negotiations with the Regents:
  
  • 1st offer made by MPEA was for a 8% increase over each of the next two years; this was based on the salary history at the university level, along with the recent increases for professional and faculty staff.
    
  • The university system came back with a 3% increase each of the two years - this was rejected
    
  • The next negotiation session is scheduled for Jan. 15
    
  • Deb made a few suggestions about what we can do:
    
    • push that salaries are the responsibility of the Regents more than the legislators
      
    • actual funding seems to be higher for the university system than for other state agencies; ex: the rumor is that other agencies will be funded at 1.5% and the university system will be funded at the full 3%. If this is true, the importance of this is that the Regents would have to only make up the difference in any raise they might give us over the final state raise.
    • all of this is contingent on HB 2 (funding bill)
    • suggested to keep writing letters...to President Malone, the Board of Regents, etc.
      
  • CEPAC and MPEA (MSU campus) believe that it is important to represent the "whole" and not let unions and other non-union employees become "split". Carol asked if anyone had a problem with this ideology and everyone at the meeting agreed that it was the right approach.
    
  • There was some talk about the classification system vs. merit & competency based pay increases...there is a pilot program going on but is very slow in evolving, according to Susan Alt. Further discussion was tabled until a later date.
    
  • There will be a letter from CEPAC mailed to President Malone & the Board of Regents - Carol will e-mail a draft of the letter around for input.
    
• Carol said that the legislators went to U of M and told representatives there how professional our campus was in presenting our ideas at the meeting.
  
• Both the Faculty & Professional Council's were thanked for making support of classified wages a part of their presentations to the legislators.
  
• Further information will becoming out as to if e-mailing the legislators is okay from campus computers and accounts (addendum 1/15/99 - MSU employees may NOT use MSU email accounts to send email to legislators. They may use their CAT Connect accounts from home since they pay for them personally. MSU employees MAY email the Board of Regents using their MSU email accounts).
  
• There was information on HB 79 (retirement benefits). There was a hearing on the bill on Jan. 15 with some proposed changes in retirement options.
  
  • One of the main options would be to for the employee to decide how they want their retirement money invested.
  • to be able to take out at 55 years of age
  • after 5 years, roll it over to another retirement fund if you should leave the university system
    
  III.  Standing Committee Reports
  

  No reports were given at this meeting, due to the length of discussion of other topics.
  

  IV.  New Business:
  

  • Needed to submit the names of 3 women and 3 men to President Malone to fill 2 classified positions on the appeals committee for sexual discrimination/harassment. Volunteers were taken and President Malone will let them know who was chosen.
    
  • Specific Non-Salary Requests for President Malone:
    
    • have him check on e-mail accounts to ensure that everyone has access to e-mail
      
    • inquire if it possible to have classified employees apart of the University governance Committee (a voting part)
      
    • suggestion that the $30.00 parking coupon may be used toward bus passes which are $30.00 a semester for staff
      
    • tuition waivers for immediate family members
      
  • Vice President Tom Stump sent over a copy of the statement he was going to present for the hearing on HB 79, it was suggested that it would be an idea for President Malone to do the same on any legislation that effects classified employees that he or a MSU rep will be testifying on.
    
  • Carol brought in handouts from the Gallatin Development Organization about a study on the cost of living in Montana. The study is affiliated with ACCRA, nationally recognized by the Chamber of Commerce. One variable it did not show was wages vs. cost of living in an area.
    
  • Next CEPAC meeting is February 11 (addendum 1/21/99) in the President's Conference Room in Montana Hall.
    

  With no other concerns the meeting was adjourned at 11:00 AM.
  

  Brenda York for Bluette Phillips