CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE PERSONNEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Roll Call

• Voting Members:
• Genevieve Burmeister, Chair
• Michelle Larsen, Chair-elect
• Matt Blazicevich
• Dan McGuire
• Ray Byerly
• Kristine Mashaw
• Sheron McIlhattan
• Non-voting Members:
• Darcy Halpin (representing Human Resources, Personnel and Payroll)
• Sue Martin
• Mark Reinholz
  joining the meeting at 10am for committee reports:
• Carol Shannon
• Jodie DeLay
• Others Present:
• Ron Ramsfield
• Beth Littlefield
• Christina Riffle
• Sara France, CEPAC Administrative Associate

Minutes of the Last Meeting

Apologies for Absence

Old Business

1. Shared Governance - Genevieve Burmeister reported that Shared Governance partners have been using UGC Steering Committee - a forum designed for planning around faculty issues and affairs - for Shared Governance discussion. Faculty Council had wished to keep the dialogue of both interests in one meeting but there was seldom enough time to cover every topic on the agenda. Commencing last week, Shared Governance partners will now meet weekly for an hour separate from UGC Steering Committee.
2. Board of Regents Meeting, March 2 2006 - Genevieve Burmeister, Michelle Larseon and Sara France represented CEPAC, with other MUS Staff Associations (MUSSA), at the March Board of Regents meeting in Dillon. Discussions both with MUSSA, and with the Board, were very fulfilling. Steps towards creating a Pooled Resources facility for classified professional development and training are proceeding, and MUSSA research and suggestions were well received by everyone. Please see CEPAC's report of the day.
3. CEPAC Activity Update - specifically issues of Salary / Gallatin County Living - Sara France had previously circulated a draft executive summary to the findings of CEPAC's recent Supplementing Staff Salary survey. CEPAC members discussed the outcomes of the survey and authorized the publication of the executive summary and supporting data.

   Salary issues have been a priority for CEPAC for the last several years as has, more recently, the extraordinary cost of housing etc in Gallatin County. Among other things, CEPAC and other MUS Staff Associations have delivered data to the Board of Regents and the Legislature, with good effect. CEPAC has also led some Shared Governance practices (such as the recent meeting with Regent Barrett and Regent Foster on February 1) and, of course, we are working closely with our Shared Governance partners to pursue the avenues of most benefit to our employees. We have been aware of Administrator, Faculty and Professional support for some time and, recently, have received very much appreciated approaches from individuals. CEPAC outreach activity has provided a wealth of information to support our presentations, and our collaboration with MUSSA (MUS Staff Associations) has been invaluable, providing other campus perspectives. The latest Supplementing Staff Salary survey is, of course, another example of CEPAC's efforts to collect and disseminate meaningful data. At the CEPAC meeting today, CEPAC's best course of future action was discussed. The increased, cross-campus support shown to the classified staff was acknowledged and very positively appreciated, and CEPAC's efforts to work in a well-researched, data-driven, collaborative manner were commended. Members recommended that CEPAC continue in this fashion, fulfilling its charge and mission. Sara France reported having slightly reorganized the CEPAC web page pertinent to activity in this area in the hope that readers would find it more accessible. She will attempt to do more as time allows as, while CEPAC has been very active in pursuing salary and "cost of living" issues, communication of these activities could perhaps be enhanced.

CEPAC Administration, Budget and Accounting

1. CEPAC Membership Elections - Sara France reported that the nominations phase, via paper ballot, for Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance is complete. Final ballots will be delivered to the printer tomorrow for arrival in mail boxes on March 20th. The electronic election for Technical Paraprofessional will commence March 20 (nominations) and conclude March 28, which is also the deadline for paper ballots.

2. By Laws - Sara France reported on an electronic exchange between CEPAC members last week resulting in submission of an addition to the CEPAC By Laws stating:
   "If for any reason, during a member's term of appointment, that member's employment category changes (e.g. as a result of a change in existing job duties or acceptance of a different position), but they remain a classified employee, that member may choose to complete the term, representing the category of employees that elected him/her, rather than resign his/her membership. Subsequent eligibility for re-election of such a member would fall within his/her actual employment category at the time the election process commences.

   "If, during a member's term of appointment, that member's employment changes such that they are no longer a classified employee, that member shall resign from CEPAC effective at commencement of his/her employment status change. The resulting vacancy will be filled through usual channels (230.60 CEPAC Vacancies)".
   This results from such an employment category change for a current CEPAC member.

3. Communications With Constituents - A recommendation has been received that, while the parking garage proposal has been placed on hold, consideration of parking issues generally should not be suspended. CEPAC members agreed with the comment, and our representative on the Parking Task Force, Sue Martin, will follow through with the Task Force.

Committee Reports

• UPBAC - CEPAC is interested in being updated on MUS, Regent, and MSU budgetary issues and will invite Craig Roloff to share the latest information.
• Employee Recognition, 2006 - CEPAC has received a request for committee members. The short deadline does not permit CEPAC the liberty of soliciting volunteers from the staff as a whole and, therefore, everyone present at today's meeting was invited to volunteer.
• University Facilities Planning Board (UFPUB) - Sheron McIlhattan reported on the last UFPUB meeting (her notes will be published via this UFPUB link in due course). Topics included the proposed exciting remodel of the EPS lobby, with plasma screens and student study stations; also, the expiration of the pay telephone contract on campus, and the conversion of most of the existing service to campus pay phones.
• Benefits Committee and IUBC - Carol Shannon reported on the last meeting of the MSU Bozeman Benefits Committee (notes to follow via this link). Three issues will be voted upon at IUBC tomorrow:
  • next year's proposed premium structure
  • managed care options for retirees
  • debit cards for flex accounts
  Recent public forums indicate the staff are in agreement with adoption of these items (some logistical issues were discussed).

  Carol also reported on the progress of the recent CHOICES survey. Results will be offered to CEPAC for publication on the web, but preliminary findings have been sent to IUBC. Carol intimated there are no startling outcomes from the survey.

  Jodie DeLay reported that, barring any last minute events, she will vote in favor of the three issues, as Carol just described, at IUBC tomorrow. In other IUBC business, Jodie reproted that Glen Leavitt is retiring at the end of the month and IUBC has requested to be involved in hiring his replacement. Further, the RFP process to receive bids on the third party administration of the MUS health care plan is due to begin again (the current contract with Allegiance expires summer, 2007. Finally, Jodie mentioned wanting input into how to promote under-utilized mail-in prescription opportunities, and she will ask for CEPAC's feedback in due course.

• Long Range Campus Planning - Walt Banziger returned to CEPAC, seeking further input. 1,400 comments had been received via stakeholder meetings in January, and eight guiding principles have been drawn up. Today, Walt asked for those present to comment on physical environment issues. Various views were expressed from the need for service corridors and central delivery points, through the pros and cons of departmental urbanization, maximizing the student experience and public impression, to refurbishing existing buildings and the durability of new construction. Walt requested that CEPAC consider a further meeting to continue discussion of topics which our time constraints disallowed today.

At 11:00 am, the meeting adjourned.