Shared Governance - University Governance Council - Sara France reported that, as far as she was aware, there had been no further action on the proposed reorganization of the University Governance Council since her update to CEPAC, July 13.
GENERAL BUSINESS
- Concerns Raised via the Comments Box - Sara France reported having been asked (although not via the Comments Box) if CEPAC would circulate a classified vacancy via the classified listserv. A brief discussion ensued, but CEPAC's current policy not to do so was reinforced. It was felt that sufficient means of accessing vacancy listings were already easily accessible (including the improved PPS web site), that the upcoming portal could provide targeting capabilities, and that circulating classified vacancies would compromise the listserv's integrity. It was, however, suggested that instructions about how to find vacancies might be included in CEPAC's periodic "bulletins" (communications vehicles planned to commence in FY06).
- Using the Results of CEPAC's 360 Review, and Annual Report Feedback - Sara France read notes of support and encouragement, prompted by receipt of CEPAC's Annual Report and 360 Review, from various members of the upper Administration.
Throughout today's meeting, references were made to the content of the Annual Report and to the outcomes of the 360 Review. CEPAC agreed with Genevieve Burmeister's suggestion that today's meeting (with all the other agenda items to be handled) would not provide the best environment in which to formulate a plan for action based upon the reports' findings. Genevieve will create a subcommittee for this.
- FY06 Goals and Future Agenda Items (including speakers) - Genevieve Burmeister will create a subcommittee (separate from the 360 Review/Annual Report subcommittee) to draft general goals for FY06 as well as future agenda items (including guests and speakers).
CEPAC ADMINISTRATION, BUDGET AND ACCOUNTING
There was no new information to report.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
All committee updates may be reviewed via our Committees Page. Below are specific discussions held at today's meeting:
Parking Task Force - Sue Martin (CEPAC-nominated classified representative on the Parking Task Force) had previously posed four questions to CEPAC members intended to help the Task Force consider improving campus parking in general. Sue, and Paul Burns, Parking Director, had requested agenda time today to discuss these questions. Genevieve Burmeister suggested that, in order to consider the broader opinions of the classified staff in general, CEPAC could circulate these (or any other) questions to the constituency. Paul considered that the personal thoughts of those present today would be sufficient at this stage. There followed a lengthy discussion of parking, predominently related to the parking garage, including the following issues:
- size and location - 450-500 parking spaces, on four levels, situated near Johnstone and Hapner halls with entrances off Harrison and 8th (near Cleveland). The site was chosen for various reasons, including proximity to residence halls and the new chemistry building.
- anticipated use - improved resident parking facilities, particularly for Hapner and Hannon halls, has been a priority of the project. How the parking garage spaces will be allocated has not yet been decided (beyond the provision of 140 "E"-designated spaces, replacing those lost to the construction site) although the design intends inclusion of short-term (possibly metered), reserved, and "S and B"-type parking, reaching as many constituents as possible without diluting access in any one category.
- security - preliminary considerations include: lighting, glass stairwells, closed circuit TV, police patrol.
- services - to include elevators (which could be speed-regulated for optimum service), and automatic signs at entrances indicating when the garage is full.
- parking fees - some garage permits may be costlier than hangtags for regular parking since the facility offers improvements unavailable in existing lots.
Additional discussion focused on the logistics of fairly offering access to spaces in the parking garage. CEPAC members suggested that most methods of payment for parking (other than on a per-use basis) would entail issuing permits on a limited basis. This would obviate the frustration of having paid a higher annual premium but regularly finding the garage full. However, this effectively turns the garage into a form of reserved parking, and CEPAC members recommended that careful consideration then be given to how such parking privileges could be equitably issued. Suggestions included priority for employees with longevity (Mary Engel also suggested that longevity-based parking discounts be considered); and first-come-first-served permit purchase every year rather than the "lifetime" basis under which traditional reserved parking is currently allocated.
Paul said that there are 18-24 months in which to finalize all the necessary logistics for the parking garage, and that a team of experts has been hired to advize.
It was agreed that CEPAC members would send their answers to the Parking Task Force's original questions to Sue Martin (smartin@montana.edu), and Paul encouraged further input, on any parking issue, from any employee, at any time (pburns@montana.edu or 994 7747). (Also, the design committee will be on campus on August 26, from 9 am - noon [likely in the SUB]).
ITAC - Saralyn Sebern, the CEPAC-nominated classified representative on the Information Technology Advisory Committee attended today's meeting. Saralyn reported that two reviews of campus IT needs and services were conducted during spring 2005. The results are available on the web (http://www.montana.edu/itac/2005_IT_Reviews/2005_review_reports.html) but Saralyn had some concerns that most classified staff have not looked at the reports and thus have missed useful information on IT issues and proposed policy or procedure changes.
The smaller review recommended that ITAC be dissolved and replaced with a small body of administrators. The larger review recommended changes to ITAC. A group of MSU administrators has been charged with overseeing the reorganization. Saralyn has recommended that CEPAC be included in the process to provide important classified input into the continued administration of IT services which obviously impact a large proportion of MSU's staff. Saralyn also expressed some concern over her perception that staff may not be aware that avenues exist for the communication of their IT concerns and ideas. She mentioned that ITC also encourages maximization of information dissemination, and wondered if CEPAC could assist in this area.
Discussion ensued and these matters will be considered both in CEPAC's FY06 goal-setting, and periodic "bulletins" (constituent communications vehicles planned to commence in FY06), as will improved communications with CEPAC-nominated representatives.
OTHER BUSINESS
Genevieve Burmeister raised the subject of on-line application for classified positions and wondered whether MSU had considered implementing such a system. CEPAC members were enthusiastic about the idea. Kerry Evans referred CEPAC to Janell Barber in Personnel and Payroll Services. Sara France reminded CEPAC of the tactics (#100-#126) (http://www.montana.edu/upba/vision/fstactics.html) submitted to the Strategic Planning Committee by the Classified Tactical Team, last Fall. These include a similar idea (tactic #100 at http://www.montana.edu/upba/vision/fstactics.html), and Sara recommended CEPAC's encourgament of MSU's pursing this, and other tactics. It was agreed that electronic applications might be incorporated into the recruitment and retention work already slated for CEPAC in FY06.
Next month's meeting - Sara France reminded CEPAC that, commencing in September, the monthly meetings will be held in the SUB. The second Wednesday of the month from 9-11 am will remain the schedule, but the room is subject to change. Each month's agenda will clearly show the venue and this will also be reported in the Staff Bulletin.
At 10:55 am, Mary Engel moved that the meeting be adjourned, Janae Heap seconded and the motion passed.
NEXT MEETING: SEPTEMBER 14, 2005 IN SUB 106E AT 9:00AM
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