Rutgers
University
Administrative
Assembly

The Administrator

...the Assembly Newsletter & On-line Home Page

The views and opinions expressed in The Administrator are those of the authors identified or of the Administrative Assembly and are not necessarily those of Rutgers University.

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Twentieth Anniversary of The Administrator

As we enter our third decade of publication, expect the use of emerging technologies to enable more frequent publication and vastly improve communications between the Assembly and its constituency. The paper copy of The Administrator will contain monthly highlights, while the on-line version will be cumulative. The views and opinions expressed in The Administrator will be those of the authors identified or of the Administrative Assembly and not necessarily those of Rutgers University. The photos on p. 4 are copyrighted, 1995 Rutgers / Alan Goldsmith.

I hope you enjoy watching as The Administrator changes in appearance over this calendar year. I invite your feedback and active participation as The Administrator, now available via http://www.rutgers.edu/, evolves into a first-class, interactive home page. Email the administrator@email.rutgers.edu or fax to the editor at 445-5948.

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At the Assembly Meeting

On January 25, in New Brunswick, two weeks later than usual due to the Blizzard of '96 and the opening of the Spring Term, President D'Arcy announced the consolidation of several established Assembly Committees and some of her Chair and Liaison appointments. A complete list follows the February report. Maureen also gave a report on the Friday, January 5, all day Assembly Retreat (see pages 6 and 7).

On February 8, in Newark, President D'Arcy invited about 18 guests to introduce themselves and raise any issues they wished to have the Assembly address. She responded to several questions surrounding the voter turnout on the unionization issue

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1996 Assembly Liaison Appointments

• Organization of Black Faculty & Staff, Shirley Pettiford
• Senate, Alex Podchaski
• Silver Knights, Barbara Hoagland
• Office of Governmental Relations - Elena Buchanan
• Common Purposes, Marsha Hansen
• University Unions, Patricia McManus

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Assembly Committee Reports

Appointed chairs, abbreviated, preexisting committee charges and membership follow:

• Assembly Luncheon Committee, Gloria Meyer, Chair,

• Awards/Grants, Sonia Hamburg, Chair:

  Evaluates nominations and submits recommendations for the University President's Award for Excellence in Administration, the Assembly Presidents' the Administrative Assembly Meritorious Award program, and for special awards to notable University officials in special situations.

  Members:

  • Lambert Jackson, Vice Chair,
  • Beverly Christensen,
  • Jane Chepitch,
  • James Edmond,
  • Patrick Ferguson,
  • Patricia Grove,
  • Barbara Pleva,
  • Norma Sawyer,
  • Tina Sohn,
  • Annette Winters.

• Communications & Public Relations, Norma J.Sawyer, Chair:

  Publishes monthly newsletter to stimulate dialogue about issues and events affecting the working lives and of Assembly eligibles and to provide a forum for issues to be raised and addressed by the Assembly's constituency.

  Members:

  • Beth Binde, Vice Chair,
  • Alex Podchaski, Webmaster,
  • Carl Lahetta, Executive Editorial Assistant,
  • Maritza Baez,
  • Crystal Bembry,
  • Beverly Christensen,
  • Peter Crissatello,
  • Edith Frankel,
  • William Norville,
  • Barbara Pleva,
  • Paulette Ritter,
  • Robert Toth.

  Editorial Review Board :

  • Richard Bird,
  • Maureen D'Arcy ,
  • Charles Olszewski,
  • Lambert Jackson,
  • Margaret Klawunn,
  • Beverly Tarter.

• Elections, Membership & Member Recognition, Crystal Bembry, Chair:

  Prepares and distributes the Assembly Candidacy Ballots for September mailing to all eligible administrators for return in late October and early November. Counts votes, determines the election outcomes and announces names successful candidates in December so that they can assume office in January. Between elections, monitors attendance at meetings and recommends individuals to the full Assembly for appointment to balance vacated, unexpired terms. Vacant seats as of the February Assembly meeting,: one for Busch, two for Camden, one for College Avenue, and one for Cook/Douglass.

  Members:

  • Susan Dickison,
  • Chuck Haley,
  • Linda Hess,
  • Robert Hill,
  • Rita Wilson.

  Interested in filling an Assembly vacancy? Call Crystal Bembry at Newark Extension 5119

• Grievance Committee, Richard Bird, Chair:

  Mission is to: monitor the Problem Solving Procedure policy and practice for changes or problems; advise and assist individuals who are using the procedure, including serving as representatives in the procedure; receive requests for financial assistance at Step 4 and forward recommendations for support to the Executive Committee for final decision. As of the February Assembly Meeting, three grievances are in progress: two disciplinary terminations in New Brunswick, both approaching Step 2; a disciplinary downgrade in New Brunswick is awaiting a Step 4 Fact Finding Hearing.

  Members:

  • Maritza Baez,
  • Ruth Bennett,
  • Nina Bonnet,
  • James Edmond ,
  • Edith Frankel,
  • Beverly Tarter,
  • Rita Wilson.

• Policy & Procedures, Beverly Tarter, Chair:

  Reviews policies and policy changes relating to all aspects of APS employment, especially those related to job security and employment protection. Suggests new policy initiatives and formulates recommendations for consideration and approval by Rutgers administration. Current focus includes the dissemination of the University Regulations and Procedure Manual, professional development of administrative employees, those policies that address layoffs, annual performance appraisals, and University position appointment letters.

  Members:

  • Nina Bonnet,
  • Elena Buchanan,
  • Darryl Carrington,
  • Susan Dickison,
  • Richard Fox,
  • Marcia Hansen,
  • Shawn Rogers,
  • Alvin Schneider.

• Salary, Compensation, & Benefits, Jane Chepitch, Chair:

  Studies APS compensation issues. Develops each fiscal year salary package for Assembly action. Proposes revisions to the merit award program, eyeglass and travel reimbursement programs and the parking fee structure, when circumstances suggest. Effective 1996, monitors all benefits pertaining to APS personnel. Reviews and researches questions or benefits complaints. In advance of implementation, recommends approval or disapproval of all benefits changes under negotiation, particularly those related to the long term disability insurance program. As of the February Assembly meeting, no progress as to the previously published FY1995-96 Salary & Compensation Recommendations for APS Personnel, ratified by the Assembly and submitted to central administration April, 1995.

  Members:

  • Claudia Farris,
  • Marcia Hansen,
  • Joan Harris,
  • Lambert Jackson,
  • Robert Marguccio,
  • Patricia McManus,
  • Gloria Meyer,
  • Shawn Rogers,
  • Annette Winters.

• Training and Development, Patricia Grove, Chair:

  Members:

  • Marcia Hansen,
  • Barbara Hoagland,
  • Kevin Holman,
  • Maresa Kiger,
  • Richard Leidich,
  • Gloria Meyer,
  • Charles Olszewski,
  • Shirley Pettiford,
  • Christina Sohn,
  • George Suliali.

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by Peter Crisitello

As this century comes to a close, society increasingly runs 24 hours a day.

Hi, my name is Peter Crisitello. I am one of the less than 1% of Rutgers employees who work the off-hour shift. Commonly referred to as the swing shift or the second or third shifts, we start our workday after 5 PM and before 7 AM. Who works these almost ungodly hours? Well, the University Police and Rutgers cleaning staff do. Also, there are others who, like me, fall under a third category. We work 24 hours a day and six days a week.

For cost savings and efficiency, more and more work is done on line. We, in Computer Operations have the final tasks of transforming your CRT screens into reports, forms, or other discernible data. In the early morning hours, we print jobs such as pay checks, academic transcripts, and term bills. Then, by 7 AM, we get the systems ready so that you so that can come in and do your job without inconvenience.

As other off hour administrators can attest to, swing shift administrators are often forgotten by day shift managers when they schedule meetings. Somewhere, there seems to be an unwritten law that managers must schedule meetings to begin at either 10 AM or 2 PM. When you work from 8 AM to 4 PM, this is seldom a problem. However, if you have been at work from midnight, 10 AM is two hours after you normally leave work and 2 PM is the middle of your night. Would you like it if you had to come in at 6 AM for a meeting or if you had to stay until 7 PM for the start of another one?! Fortunately, here at RUCS they try to schedule meetings when off hour administrators are needed at somewhat convenient times, if possible!? I would like to make this column an open forum for other off hour Administrators, as well as those on day shift to voice opinions or make comments. Feel free to contact me via The Administrator using administrator@email.rutgers.edu.

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January 5, Administrative Assembly Retreat

All delegates had been invited to attend. Twenty individuals weathered the snow and ice to participate in the all day Assembly Retreat held at the home of Elena and Horace Buchanan. After brief introductions, each participant shared his or her expectations and hopes for the retreat. Learning Organization Assessment Forms were completed and the scores given by individuals to the Rutgers organization were discussed. Then a review of the Assembly Bylaws, University Assembly Codification and Our Mission statements followed.

The group agreed that, together, the three documents state what the Assembly organization is and should be. We recognized that the support, commitment and hard work of the APS staff is essential in achieving the goals of the University mission and strategic plan. We asked ourselves what is it about us as an organization "representing" the APS staff that we can offer the President and the Board of Governors as an incentive to work with us and allow all members of the University community to fully participate and be part of the success of a great University. The positive Assembly attributes or selling points we eventually listed appear below:

• The delegates represent a University-wide network, a delegation of presidential liaisons.

• We can and should be the President's support group, champions, and cheerleaders. If he sells us, we will promote and sell his administration to our constituency. Our network will ensure his success.

• We contribute substantially to the economic growth of the University and this State.

• The Assembly can move the administration towards meeting the goals and desires of APS staff.

• We conduct the front line business of the University. We are who the students see first. We are who the students and faculty depend on to get the job done. Whether a student decides to join the Rutgers family and stay with the Rutgers family is often dependent on how an administrator conducts him or herself.

• Working on the front lines as we do, we are responsible for promoting good will and harmony. We are the link that connects the members of the Rutgers community to the entity "Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey". We are the influence peddlers.

• We represent the pulse of the University. Our interfunctionality and our diverse backgrounds, interests and skills make our organization the ideal measuring stick for the President.

• The APS ranks are stacked with dedicated, loyal, talented career employees.

• We are the key to vertical and horizontal communication. Working with us is the only way to successfully adopt a strategy of TQM/QCI.

Three Assembly Focus Areas grew out of our final exercise--- identifying main subject areas and categorizing Assembly goals under those subject areas:

Building Relationships - Define representation in this context and determine to what degree we are a representative body. Work to involve our co-workers in the Administrative Assembly and increase participation. Seek a more visible and potent endorsement and commitment from the Board of Governors, President Lawrence and his representatives. Establish binding arbitration and just cause provisions in the University Policy & Procedures Manual. Expand the membership eligibility base.

Communication & Recognition of Membership - Establish credibility and professionalism through a sense of order and decorum in conducting our business. Work to involve our co-workers in the Administrative Assembly and increase participation. Increase visibility and recognition of APS staff. Recognize and applaud the accomplishments of APS staff in their jobs. Develop a forum to publicly recognize and communicate the achievements of our colleagues on an ongoing basis. Assign responsibility to a committee to make certain this happens. Seek a more visible and potent endorsement and commitment from the Board of Governors, President Lawrence and his representatives. Expand the membership eligibility base.

Achieving Practical and Specific Benefits - Determine what the body will focus on in the coming year. Develop committee charges. Encourage central administration to make training and development of employees a priority. Determine the game plan for achieving these goals and what our posture will be---pro-active and assertive versus reactive and aggressive, Plan A and Plan B. Seek a more visible and potent endorsement and commitment from the Board of Governors, President Lawrence and his representatives. Develop, debate, submit, and defend our annual salary, compensation, and benefits package in an ongoing dialog with central administration. Work with Personnel and Employee Relations to review the concept and interpretation of FLSA and the determination of NE/NL status. Establish binding arbitration and just cause provisions in the University Policy & Procedures Manual. Expand the membership eligibility base.

Assembly Delegation: Elected Assembly delegates are part an informal support system with administrators across the formal, University communications system through which to advise the President of constituent needs and concerns regarding the administration of the university, professional staff development, and employment conditions. Our participation in the formulation of University policy with appropriate University officers facilitates the early identification of potential problems associated with the administration and implementation of change process so that they can be more easily addressed. Assembly committee review of proposed policy or procedure changes or procedures often results in the thoughtful criticism and subsequent modification of existing policies and procedures, the development of new or better programs, and an improved environment.

Our Mission: The Administrative Assembly, consisting of representatives elected by eligible members of the administrative, professional and supervisory staff, exists for the purpose of representing, advocating for, and recommending appropriate action on behalf of its constituency in matters of University policies, procedures, and practices. Further, the Administrative Assembly, in an advisory capacity, assists the University Administration and the President by contributing to the revision and development of University policies, procedures, and practices of Rutgers. We next listed our short term goals for the retreat and identified the long term goals that will define the focus for the Assembly committees for the coming year. Once we reached a consensus on our goals, we looked at how the Assembly might develop the relationships that will help us achieve these goals.

University Codification Statement: The Administrative Assembly of Rutgers, The State University shall consist of representatives elected by eligible members of the administrative, professional, and supervisory staff. They shall meet periodically for the purpose of discussing issues of general concern to their constituency.

The President may from time to time seek or receive the advice of the Assembly on matters which affect members of the administrative, professional, and supervisory staff.

Maureen has forwarded a contribution to the University College Child Care Center as an expression of appreciation for the use of Elena's home on January 5, and to thank the Buchanan's for their gracious hospitality, in some meaningful way. (Elena was the driving force behind the creation of the Center.)

Checks in support of this much needed, self-supporting Center, payable to the UC College Child Care Center, University College, Miller Hall, CAC, are very much appreciated.

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ISSUES & ANSWERS - Unfinished Business:

When you consider that the unionization effort was an eight month effort on the part of a small number of APS staff and when you consider the small number of eligible voters who actually cast ballots in a presidential election, the percentage of eligible APS voters who cast ballots in December on the bargaining unit issue was notable.

74% of 1990 eligible personnel voted. Broken down by designated unit:

Please complete the Administrative Assembly Survey on pages 2 and 3. We believe that the ten issues listed are on-going priorities for Assembly consideration, but we need to know if they are your priorities, as well. Indicate in the space provided after each issue, the importance you attach to each item. Feel free to comment on the issues and to amend the list with new issues in the space provided. When you have completed the survey, email your response to administrator@email.rutgers.edu or fax the completed form to the editor 445-5948.

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