Minutes of March 22, 2002 Administrative Assembly Meeting
President Kulp called the meeting to order at 12:10pm.
The following were present: Charles Olszewski, Rosemarie Kulp, Robert DeMartino, Lisa McCorkle, Barbara Nolan, Rob Toth, Doug Reichert, Anneliese Grasemann, Sydell Spinner, Pat Grove, Carol Bradley, Shirley Pettiford, Sue Beaudrow, Eddie Manning, Mary Ann Cancio, Marcia Milgrom, Carol May, John Blendowski, Rose Farias, Orlando Rodriguez, Uta Vorbach, Charlotte Fuller
The December minutes were approved.
President Kulp announced new delegates and welcomed those that were present, Janice Davey, Rose Farias, Charlotte Fuller, Lisa McCorkle
Charles O. made a motion, in place of Gloria Meyer, to accept the above named as new delegates for the 2002-2003 Administrative Assembly year beginning July 1, 2002.
Motion was passed.
Charles O. made a motion to approve them to assume duty immediately, seconded by Anneliese Grasemann. Motion passed.
The Assembly listened to a presentation by Michael McKay, Executive Director of RUCS. Mr. McKay did an overview of how RUCS started and where it has evolved to over the last 60 years. He spoke about RUCS’ Mission: To provide university-wide leadership in information technology and quality IT services in support of the university’s mission of instruction, research, and service. Future plans include: efficient operations, keep IT cost down, integrated planning, continue RUNet, RIAS, maintain network, new technology (wireless, voice over IP, streaming audio and video)
How can the AA help RUCS fulfill its vision?
Encourage staff to provide feedback to RUCS
Encourage staff to take advantage of IT training
Increase security awareness
Find out if your department has an IT plan and if not, encourage development of one
Find out if your department does life cycle planning for computer equipment and if not, encourage investigation of such planning
Assist in identifying areas for improvement for RUCS
Sandy Russell from HR gave the following report:
Budget reduction plans are not yet complete, some departments are not complete or haven’t turned them in yet. Administrative budgets got a higher percentage cut than Academic departments. Salary money is usually the highest percentage of budget money. No jobs are being posted unless they are a true grant account. If layoffs happen, counseling, benefit options, resume’ development, job skills and identifying appropriate vacancies elsewhere will be offered to the effected employee. Unemployment reps are brought in to speak with people. Labor ed reps are also brought in. We should be encouraging anyone who has been layed off to use HR’s services.
P4P – The process has been done. Departments have received their financial allotments. Things are moving on the same schedule as last year.
The President’s Award has presently been put on hold until the new President has been identified. It is being looked into revamping the award a bit.
Benefit Issues- Regarding the early retirement program, HR knows nothing more than what is being written in the papers. There could be as many as 1500 people eligible, it is expected that Rutgers will be included.
Long Term Care- The state is offering it through Prudential. Rutgers will offer it Jan. 1 in alignment with the new benefit cycle.
Green sheets are being done away with in the next few weeks as a money saving plan. Postings will be done through a weekly email digest subscription which employees can sign up to receive.
President’s Report – President Kulp thanked the Camden delegates for attending since the meeting could not be televised.
She suggested that new delegates check out our website to get a feel for what we have done in the past.
Charles O. made a motion to suspend the 30 day rule. The exact motion reads as follows:
Whereas, the Administrative Assembly has a Standing Rule requiring that all motions being placed before the body must be introduced at an Assembly meeting at least one month prior to the one at which the motion is to be discussed and voted upon; and Whereas, the Bylaws of the Administrative Assembly have been modified to require meetings only once every three months; and Whereas, the new meeting schedule, in combination with the Standing rule, requires at least a two-month delay before action can be taken on a motion, a period too long to permit expeditious response to urgent issues, therefore, Be it resolved, that the Standing Rule requiring introduction of all new business at a prior meeting is hereby suspended until further action by the Administrative Assembly.
The motion was seconded by Sue Beaudrow .
Discussion:
Charles O. suggested that if someone does plan on presenting a motion at a meeting that they try and inform delegates of it prior to the meeting via email so that people are aware of it before it is brought to the floor for passage.
The motion to indefinitely suspend the 30 day rule passed.
Charles O. presented a motion to send a statement to the Administration regarding the handling of budget cuts. The motion read as follows:
Whereas, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey is confronted with the necessity of educing its Fiscal 2002 budget by five percent of the total annual State funding; and Whereas, the time in the fiscal year at which this reduction is to be imposed causes the reduction to be more correctly an amount equal to twenty percent of the remaining State contribution for the year; and Whereas, such a reduction in funding may make it necessary to reduce the salaried work force of the University, including Administrative, Professional, and Supervisory personnel; Be it resolved , that the Administrative Assembly of Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey supports the senior administration in seeking to resolve the budget reduction in the least damaging manner to the University and all of its members; and thus makes the following recommendations:
That every reasonable effort to absorb the budget cuts by reduction and elimination of below-the-line expenditures be effected before a determination is made as to whether staff must be reduced, and by how many lines such a reduction must be made;
That any necessary reduction in force be addressed first by attrition, that is, by not filling vacated lines of those who leave University service. It is understood that some lines must be filled due to acute need on the part of the University. All others should be left vacant for the duration of the budget emergency.
That serious efforts be undertaken to use job sharing, reduced hours (in the case of hourly employees), temporary furloughs, and other means to absorb the budget cut without permanently diminishing the workforce, and
That for those to be separated permanently from the University every available resource for outplacement counseling and other measures to reduce the severity of impact of the loss of employment be made.
That all employees who are terminated while in good standing with the University be assured that they will have priority for re-employment when the budget situation permits, should they wish it.
Sue Beaudrow seconded the motion.
Discussion:
Doug Reichert wanted to include a statement about bonus money not being dispersed if it could go to saving jobs. After some thought, Doug decided to withdraw that suggestion and wait to hear what the governor has to say on March 26.
Sandy Russell pointed out that the university needs to make permanent reductions and that bonus money savings wouldn’t really save permanent money.
A furlough plan was suggested, but that also would only be temporary savings unless the employee agreed to take the same furlough length of time every year.
The motion passed.
Presidential Search-
President Kulp received a letter form someone telling her that for the last presidential search, the Assembly had a rep on the search committee. Rose sent a request to Gene O’Hara for the Assembly to be represented. She has not heard back from him.
A discussion was held regarding how we should let the Board of Trustees know that the Assembly should be represented on the search. Rose said that she will write another more diplomatically worded letter.
Lambert Jackson Tribute-
Rose announced that we will be presenting a Rutgers mantle clock to his widow.
Silver Knights report-
Sue Beaudrow reported that the Silver Knights arev actively meeting and planning activities for their members. Sue was specifically asked to bring up at the next Assembly meeting that years ago Rutgers had a Representative on the state PERS Board and that we haven’t had a rep in years. Considering how many of our staff and retires are members of this pension system, we really should have some representation on the board.
Charles O. talked about the Executive Officer elections that need to be held at our June 14 meeting. The following positions are open:
Vice President – President Elect
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Treasurer
If anyone is interested in running for any of these positions, please contact Rose Kulp or Gloria Meyer.
It was mentioned that we might try and piggy back our info fair with the HR Benefits Fair in the fall.
Sue Beaudrow made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Charles O. The meeting was adjourned at 2:00.
Next meeting Friday, June 14
Minutes respectfully submitted by Sue Beaudrow