March 4, 2004
1 p.m., Mary Maples Dunn Room
(Submitted by Nancy Brady, co-secretary)
Approved April 1, 2004
Attending: Kim Allen, Nancy Brady,
Chris Carr Hill, Janice Cole, Karen Hebert, Marti Hobbes, Susan
Hollingsworth, Karen LeHouiller, Merrilyn Lewis, Jinny Mason, Laura
Matta, Janice McDowell, Steve Monteiro, Linda Rainville, Tara Zidonik
Excused: Adrianne Andrews, Adrian Beaulieu, Linda LaFlam, Dianne
Mikucki, Janine Nye, Laura Rauscher, Patricia Swan, Mike Washut
Guests: Sandy Bycenski
1. Minutes of the February 19th meeting were approved
2. Review and re-vote on modification to the Feb. 5 minutes
Lou Ann Krawczynski questioned the wording in the previously approved
minutes of our February 5th meeting regarding the number of positions
that could be affected by proposed cuts to the budget for this May.
Nancy proposed a new wording and some discussion followed. A vote
was taken and the changes were approved. The approved text will
be posted on the web site and is as follows: (italics = changed
text)
"Reductions in non-faculty staffing levels will equal 8.6%,
which is a total of 81.5 FTEs. Through the enhanced severance
plan, elimination of vacant positions, and lay-offs that have already
occurred, we have achieved about half of this reduction. The proposed
plan involves the elimination of 37.2 additional FTE, affecting
54 positions. The12 banked positions which will become available
later this year when the reductions are finalized. The proposed
reductions cut across college operations from 5.3% from academic
programs, 6.1% from student services and 12% from administrative
services."
3.COMMITTEE REPORTS
A. Activities– Janice McDowell spoke for
the committee. She said they were trying to consider how to promote
the upcoming April 3rd trip to Mohegan Sun during Smith's "paperless
month." Suggestions included using the e-mail digest and the
Staff Chronicle. Marti agreed to help with this. The committee is
also in need of new members due to some departures. Merrilyn mentioned
that Staff Council may want to sponsor a Rally Day skit for next
year and asked the Activities committee to put this on their agenda
to discuss.
b. Communications - Karen Hebert explained that
the committee is making good progress on both the Staff Council
brochure and the soon-to-be published Staff Council Chronicle. Examples
of both publications in draft form were distributed and suggestions
for both were made. The brochure will be finalized at the next Communications
meeting on March 23 and brought to the next Staff Council meeting
for final approval. The Chronicle will be ready by mid-March but
it was agreed that it wouldn't be distributed until after spring
break (not before 3/22). Despite paperless month, the Chronicle
will be distributed as a paper edition with electronic back-up.
c. Personnel Policy Committee - Sandy Bycenski
reported that the committee had met with Patty Kimura. They discussed
the question that Chrissie Bell had raised at the Feb. 5th meeting
regarding the differences in benefits for limited term staff and
full-time staff. Patty also confirmed that position cuts will be
announced all at one time following the Trustees meeting in May.
They also discussed the snow delay policy. Patty said the decision
to delay or close is made by Ruth Constantine, Bill Brandt, and
Lianne Sullivan-Crowley. She agreed it was a difficult decision
to make and reminded staff that the HR handbook states that staff
can opt to use their personal time if the college doesn't delay
or close and they feel it's unsafe to come to work. She also said
if staff notice areas of the college that are not cleared and safe
they should feel free to call physical plant and report this to
them. The other topic discussed was the severance package. The college
still hopes to improve on the severance package already promised
in the HR handbook but no details are yet available. Merrilyn suggested
that staff look at the handbook to read the terms already in place
which she considers generous.
d. Nominations & Elections - Kim Allen reported
that she had met with Laura Matta and Chris Carr Hill. They emailed
all staff Council members to confirm the length of terms they were
serving in order to determine how many replacements are needed.
Another issue is determining what areas are already represented
and, due to staffing changes, who now works in which areas. Bill
Sheehan will get the payroll list which will help determine this
but probably not in time to begin the search for nominees. It was
agreed that it would be OK to start the process and determine representational
areas later on. Again, paperless month will make this difficult
especially as e-mail digest doesn't accept attachments such as we
use for the nomination form. It was agreed that we will include
a nomination form in the up-coming Staff Council Chronicle and also
send out a notice through the usual Council distribution list which
can include an attachment. The nomination deadline is March 31.
Voting will follow in April and the joint meeting of the old and
new council membership is set for Thursday May 13 from 1-2:30. Marti
will try to reserve Neilson Browsing Room for this. Merrilyn encouraged
all of us to speak up at any staff gatherings to garner enthusiasm
for nominations.
e. Diversity - Steve Montiero reported that they
hadn't met since our last meeting but would be meeting on March
18th. Chris Carr Hill suggested the committee consider Randolph
Bromery as a speaker.
f. Parade Float - Merrilyn asked for a vote to
approve Staff Council donating $300 to the parade float budget that
will bring the total budget for the float to $1400. The donation
was approved. Jinny Mason requested that old tights and pantyhose
be sent to her to help create her "soft sculptured people"
for the float. Merrilyn and Gretchen Schneider who teaches architecture
will host a pizza dinner after March break for students from theater,
art and engineering who are interested in designing the float. The
float will be pulled by a new Smith truck and will be built on an
Athletic Dept. flatbed.
4. OLD BUSINESS
a. Visit to Brown University's Staff Council
March 9 will no longer work out for Brown, so the dates now being
considered are April 6 or 20. Merrilyn asked for names of those
who could go. She also asked Patty Kimura to attend as well, with
Bill Sheehan as a back-up in case Patty can't make it.
b. A Funny Thing about Life - Thursday, March 18
Merrilyn encouraged members to go to this event. She thinks highly
of the presenters, Jan Morton and Izzy Gesell, and expects we could
all use a little laughter.
5. NEW BUSINESS
a. Mt. Holyoke conference - April 15th
Merrilyn also encouraged members to take advantage of this conference
if they are interested. Information was sent out by e-mail and those
who are interested should contact Carol Bevan-Bogart directly, ASAP.
b. Other items
1) Sandy reported that Karla Borecky had inquired
about the possibility of holding a craft fair for staff to display,
sell and buy items. Some discussion followed especially regarding
the proposed Alumnae of Color "Global Market" event that
might serve as a craft fair of sorts this April. Activities was
charged to consider this a possible event for them to sponsor for
next year.
2) Steve brought up the letter sent earlier in
the day from Pres. Christ regarding dining changes. He pointed out
that the plan finally chosen was less severe in terms of cuts than
some of the other options that were considered.
6. Next meeting will be held on Thursday,
April 1 from 12-2 in the Mary Maples Dunn room. This meeting
will focus on training by Carol Bevan-Bogart regarding "Leading
through Change." If staff other than those on the Council want
to attend, they need to contact Merrilyn by March 31. Discussion
of lunch options followed. No one in attendance reported particular
dietary preferences or requirements, but if there are any, please
let Merrilyn know ASAP.
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