UAA Staff Council Audio: 786-6755 | PIN: 284572| Agenda

Thursday, December 7, 2017

9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

LIB 302

Link to Live Skype Meeting

I. Call to Order

II. Introduction of Members

[P = Present X = Absent C = Call In]

2017-2018 UAA Staff Council Membership

Term: H/S

Term: H/S

Ryan Hill (Co-President) Residence Life

17-19 CP: 16-18

S Kalynn Irwin (Kodiak) Fiscal Tech, Business Office

17-19 H

Brenda Levesque (Co-President) College of Health

17-19 CP: 17-19

H Teresa Kimmel Human Services

17-19 S

John Moore (Co-Vice President) College of Arts & Sciences

17-19 S Liz Winfree Center for Human Develop.

16-18 H

Kathy Lardner (Co-Vice President) College of Education

16-18 H Anne Lazenby Disability Support Services

17-19 H

Falon Harkins Parking Services

17-19 S Charlotte Titus Justice Center

17-19 S

Kendra Conroy Business Enterprise Institute

16-18 S Krystal Offord College of Arts & Sciences

17-19 H

Hillary Haslip Bookstore

17-19 S Betty Hernandez (KPC) College of Health

16-18 S

Weston Davey (PWSC) Accounts Receivable

16-18 H Romanie Roach CAFE

17-19 H

Sandy Gravley (Mat-Su) Student Services

16-18 S Dave Robinson Financial Services

16-18 H

Tania Rowe Student Support Services

17-19 H Jessica Salas Office of the Registrar

16-18 H

Steffanie Miller Facilities & Campus Services

16-18 H

H=Hourly/Non-Exempt S=Salary/Exempt

III. Approval of the Agenda (pg. )

IV. Approval of the Summary (pg. )

V. President’s Report A. Guest speakers

i. David Weaver, Director of University Housing, Dining, & Conference Services (9:45 am) ii. Ron Kamahale, Interim Director of Equity & Compliance (10:00 am)

iii. Susan Kalina and Larry Foster, Institutional Self-Study Tri-Chairs (10:15 am) (pg. 7-9) B. Chancellor’s Search Update – no update

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C. Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Search Update D. President Johnsen attending February Meeting E. Staff Emeritus Nomination F. Next Meeting: January 11, 2018 G. Staff Alliance Report

VI. New Business

A. Joint Health Care Committee Motions (pg. 10-13) B. President Johnsen’s Tax Reform Bill Email (pg. 14)

VII. Old Business

VIII. UAA Staff Council Committees

A. Communications & Marketing Committee (Chair: Hillary) (pg. 15-16) (Members: Sandy, Anne, Weston, Hillary, Tania)

B. Staff Recognition Committee (Chair: Charlotte) (pg. 17)

(Members: Charlotte, Krystal, Teresa, Betty)

C. Events Committee (Chair: Romanie) (Members: Liz, Dave, Kathy, Romanie, Jessica)

D. Compensation & Benefits Committee (Chair: John) (Members: John, Kalynn, Kendra, Falon)

IX. UAA Campus Committees

A. Diversity Action Council (Representative: Romanie) (Reporter on Funding Requests: Ryan)

B. University Assembly (Reporter: Liz) (Representatives: Brenda, John, Kathy, Liz, Kendra)

C. Facilities Space and Planning (Reporter: Kathy)

(Representative: Kathy)

D. Campus Safety Committee (pg. 18-23) (Representative: Dave, Tania)

E. Institutional Self Study (Representative: Ryan)

F. Planning and Budget Advisory Council (PBAC) (Reporter: Brenda)

(Representative: Brenda, John)

X. UA Staff Alliance Committees A. Staff Alliance

(Representatives: Brenda, Ryan)

B. Staff Health Care Committee (Reporter: Sandy)

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(Representatives: Sandy, Hillary, Alt: Charlotte)

C. Joint Health Care Committee (Reporter: Brenda) (Representative: Brenda)

D. Staff Compensation Committee (Reporter: John) (pg. 25-26) (Representatives: John, Kendra, Alt: Dave, Kalynn)

E. Morale Committee (Reporter: Teresa) (Representatives: Krystal, Teresa)

F. Staff Emeritus Ad Hoc Committee (Reporter: Betty)

(Representatives: Betty)

XI. Open Forum

XII. Adjourn:

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UAA Staff Council Audio: 786-6755 | PIN: 284572| Summary

Thursday, November 2, 2017

9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

LIB 302

Link to Live Skype Meeting

I. Call to Order

II. Introduction of Members

[P = Present E = Excused X = Absent C = Call In]

2017-2018 UAA Staff Council Membership

Term: H/S

Term: H/S

P Ryan Hill (Co-President) Residence Life

17-19 CP: 16-18

S T Kalynn Irwin (Kodiak) Fiscal Tech, Business Office

17-19 H

P Brenda Levesque (Co-President) College of Health

17-19 CP: 17-19

H P Teresa Kimmel Human Services

17-19 S

P John Moore (Co-Vice President) College of Arts & Sciences

17-19 S P Liz Winfree Center for Human Develop.

16-18 H

P Kathy Lardner (Co-Vice President) College of Education

16-18 H P Anne Lazenby Disability Support Services

17-19 H

T Falon Harkins Parking Services

17-19 S P Charlotte Titus Justice Center

17-19 S

E Kendra Conroy Business Enterprise Institute

16-18 S P Krystal Offord College of Arts & Sciences

17-19 H

P Hillary Haslip Bookstore

17-19 S P Betty Hernandez (KPC) College of Health

16-18 S

E Weston Davey (PWSC) Accounts Receivable

16-18 H P Romanie Roach CAFE

17-19 H

T Sandy Gravley (Mat-Su) Student Services

16-18 S P Dave Robinson Financial Services

16-18 H

P Tania Rowe Student Support Services

17-19 H Jessica Salas Office of the Registrar

16-18 H

16-18 H

H=Hourly/Non-Exempt S=Salary/Exempt

Visitors: Michelle Yerkes (HR) and Cheyenne Mathews (Northern Lights Reporter)

III. Approval of the Agenda (pg. 1-3) Approved

IV. Approval of the Summary (pg. 4-7) Approved

V. President’s Report A. Guest speaker

i. Dr. Bruce Schultz, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (9:45 am) The admissions & recruitment departments have merged. Reworked web presence, by redesigning 145 webpages to make them more user friendly. Out-of-state tuition: President Johnsen has authority to make changes.

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November 2, 2017 UAA Staff Council

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Title IX Haven Training: 88% of students are compliant and holds will automatically be lifted from student accounts on 11/27. There is a face-to-face option for students as well.

B. Unionization Efforts (10:15 am) (pg. 8-44) i. Nelta Edwards, UNAC Representative

Gave insight to personal history with unions and is available for more information.

C. Susan Kalina, Larry Foster, Jennie Brock, Institutional Self-Study Tri-Chairs (pg. 45-47) D. Vacancy Update – Erin Pikey resigned due to work load E. Chancellor’s Search Update – No Update F. Vice Chancellor of Administrative Services Search Update (pg. 48-50) G. Hours Change at the One Stop (pg. 51-53) H. Regulations Regarding Reorganizations (pg. 54-56) I. Staff Alliance Report (pg. 57-59)

VI. New Business

A. Professional Development List Memo (pg. 60-61) B. Morale Survey Resolution FY18-05 (pg. 62-63)

Approved, by a vote of yes: 17, no: 0, abstain: 0, absent: 3

C. Cabinet and Direct Reports-Level Search Inclusion Resolution FY18-06 (pg. 64-65) Approved, by a vote of yes: 16, no: 0, abstain: 1, absent: 3

D. Annual Cash-In Updates and Annual Leave Cap (pg. 66) E. Board of Regents Meetings and Public Testimony (pg. 67)

VII. Old Business

A. Employee Morale Survey Results (pg. 68-79)

VIII. UAA Staff Council Committees

A. Communications & Marketing Committee (Chair: Hillary) (pg. 80-81) (Members: Sandy, Anne, Weston, Hillary, Tania)

B. Staff Recognition Committee (Chair: Charlotte) (pg. 82-83)

(Members: Charlotte, Krystal, Teresa, Betty)

C. Events Committee (Chair: Romanie) (Members: Liz, Dave, Kathy, Romanie, Jessica)

D. Compensation & Benefits Committee (Chair: John) (Members: John, Kalynn, Kendra, Falon)

IX. UAA Campus Committees

A. Diversity Action Council (pg. 84) (Representative: Romanie) (Reporter on Funding Requests: Ryan) *Being restructured – inactive this semester

B. University Assembly (Reporter: Liz) (pg. 85-86) (Representatives: Brenda, John, Kathy, Liz, Kendra)

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C. Facilities Space and Planning (Reporter: Kathy) (Representative: Kathy) Deans are working on guidelines to manage academic space on campus.

D. Campus Safety Committee (pg. 87-90) (Representative: Dave, Tania)

E. Institutional Self Study (Representative: Ryan)

F. Planning and Budget Advisory Council (PBAC) (Reporter: Brenda)

(Representative: Brenda, John)

X. UA Staff Alliance Committees A. Staff Alliance

(Representatives: Brenda, Ryan)

B. Staff Health Care Committee (Reporter: Sandy) (pg. 91-92) (Representatives: Sandy, Hillary, Alt: Charlotte)

C. Joint Health Care Committee (Reporter: Brenda) (Representative: Brenda) New government tax proposal includes making tuition waivers & grad assistance stipends taxable.

D. Staff Compensation Committee (Reporter: John) (Representatives: John, Kendra, Alt: Dave, Kalynn) Looking into furlough & raises. New HR Evaluation training will take place at MAUs.

E. Morale Committee (Reporter: Teresa) (pg. 93) (Representatives: Krystal, Teresa)

F. Staff Emeritus Ad Hoc Committee (Reporter: Betty)

(Representatives: Betty)

XI. Open Forum TRIO Updates by Tania Rowe Update on House Budget – Bruce Schultz

XII. Adjourn: 11:48 am

6

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

Report to Governance Groups

December 1, 2017

NWCCU Accreditation

Mission: The mission of the University of Alaska Anchorage is to discover and disseminate knowledge through teaching, research, service, engagement, and creative expression. Located in Anchorage and on community campuses in Southcentral Alaska, UAA is committed to serving the higher needs of the state, its communities, and its diverse peoples. UAA is an open-access university with academic programs leading to occupational endorsements; undergraduate and graduate certificates; and associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees in a rich, diverse, and inclusive environment.

UAA’S CORE THEMES: Teaching and Learning Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Student Success

UAA Community Public Square

Self-Study Report: The writing team is revising the report, based on the feedback it received this fall.

Preparations for the Site Visit: The Institutional Self-Study Committee is preparing a briefing PowerPoint and a brochure. Advancement is partnering with the Committee to develop a communication plan to engage the campuses and their communities this spring. Spring 2018 Prepare the Institution for the Site Visit Fall 2018 October 6-8, 2018 Site Visit

Curriculum

Curriculum Website: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/office-of-academic-affairs/curriculum/index.cshtml WRTG Prefix Change: A HUGE THANK YOU to all faculty and staff, who helped with WRTG prerequisite overrides for Spring 2018 registration. The issue was resolved for the spring, and OAA will be working with the faculty on solutions moving forward.

Academic Policy

ACCUPLACER: A revised version of the ACCUPLACER, used for writing placement by all UA system institutions, will replace the previous version in January 2019. A UAA internal implementation team plans to implement the revised exam by Fall 2018. The team includes representatives of the following: CTC and CAS faculty, representatives of each community campus, the Professional Advisors Committee, the Testing Center, the Registrar’s Office, and Institutional Research.

7

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

Report to Governance Groups

December 1, 2017

Compliance

Gainful Employment THANK YOU to the programs for bringing their websites into Gainful Employment compliance for financial aid eligibility! Moving forward, certificates designated as Gainful Employment or which wish to be considered for that status must show how they meet disclosure and other GE requirements, including program length and cost, as they move through the curriculum process.

Program Student Learning Outcomes Assessment

Annual Academic Assessment Reports As of November 16, 98% of the reports have been posted on IR-Reports: https://ir-reports.uaa.alaska.edu/Assessment/Pages/Default.aspx. The deans and community campus directors are now providing feedback to the programs.

GENERAL EDUCATION ASSESSMENT FINDINGS AND OUTREACH GER Director Dan Kline and the General Education Advisory Committee have sent the annual GER assessment findings out to all chairs, deans, and community campus directors, along with a request to meet with key college/campus groups, departments, and programs, to discuss the findings and develop approaches to using the findings to improve student achievement. General Education Workshop Series Dan Kline, General Education Director, will facilitate a series of workshops, moving toward a third round of assessment for the quantitative skills, natural sciences, and knowledge integration GER student learning outcomes. There will also be a series of general education forums. The series will repeat in the Spring. (Note: registration links below allow participants to register for each date’s workshop, forum, or both.)

Date Location Time Title Register

Fri 1/26 LIB 307 10:00-11:30

General Education Assessment Workshop 1: Curriculum Mapping & Shared Assessment

Register 11:30-12:30

General Education Forum: Alaska Native-Themed General Education Discussion

Fri 2/23 LIB 302A 10:00-11:30

General Education Assessment Workshop 2: Student Learning Outcomes & Rubric Development

Register 11:30-12:30

General Education Forum: Gen Ed High Impact Practices (HIPs) & Student Success

Fri 3/23 LIB 302A 10:00-11:30

General Education Assessment Workshop 3: Rubric Development & Student Work

Register 11:30-12:30

General Education Forum: Looking Ahead in General Education

Mon 5/7 Tues 5/8

LIB 307 9:00-1:00 GER/AA Assessment Soiree Register

8

Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

Report to Governance Groups

December 1, 2017

Cyclical Academic Program Review

2018 Program Reviews Programs scheduled for review in AY2018, and the process guidelines and templates are posted on the Program Review site on IR-Reports under the “AY2018” section, and on the Academic Affairs Program Review website. https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/office-of-academic-affairs/academic-program-review.cshtml

Program Accreditation

Programs preparing a self-study or other communication to an external accreditor, as well as those planning site visits, must coordinate with their dean’s office and Academic Affairs.

9

10

1

JOINT HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM DATE: November 21, 2017 FROM: Abel Bult-Ito, Chair - Joint Health Care Committee (JHCC) SUBJECT: Motions 17.3 and 17.4 as approved for your consideration during the 11-

01-2017 in-person meeting in Anchorage, Alaska TO: Keli Hite McGee, University of Alaska Chief Human Resource Officer Dear Keli, The Joint Health Care Committee (JHCC) met on November 1, 2017, for an in-person meeting. Following substantive discussions, the JHCC passed the following motions for your consideration: Motion 17.3: The Joint Health Care Committee recommends that the University of

Alaska Chief Human Resources Officer implement the change to how the wellness rebate is paid as presented and that the wellness rebate be paid on the R20 payroll.

Motion 17.4: The Joint Health Care Committee recommends that the University of

Alaska Chief Human Resources Officer implement a UA Choice Health Plan over recovery return to employees at the $475 level and pro-rated when appropriate as presented.

Please provide a written response to the intent of motions 17.3 and 17.4 within the 20-day timeframe in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreements between the University and the Union represented groups. Respectfully,

Abel Bult-Ito, Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy Chair Joint Health Care Committee Cc: Local Union Presidents, Staff Alliance Chair, and JHCC members

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November 1, 2017

Proposal for Wellness Rebate Administration Changes

To: JHCC

From: Benefit Enrollment Process Improvement Team

RE: Change the method of paying employees for the Wellness Rebate

Purpose: The Benefit Enrollment Process Improvement team includes representatives

throughout UA with the common goal to make open enrollment and other benefit enrollment

processes easier for employees and less administratively burdensome for campus HR offices.

One of the projects we are working on now is to streamline the Health Care choices for

employees in time for the FY19 open enrollment period occurring this spring. One of the main

problems with administration is the manual work that must be done to administer the Wellness

Rebate. This proposal is to suggest a change to the current process to make it easier to

administer and make a more visible impact to employees.

Qualifications for Wellness Rebate: This proposal does not change the qualification

requirements for an employee to receive the Wellness rebate. Requirements include:

● For continuing employees, must have qualified for the Wellness rebate by the

end of April of the previous fiscal year.

● For new employees, must have qualified for the Wellness rebate within 90 days

of their benefit eligibility date.

● Must be an active employee.

● Must be currently enrolled in a health care plan.

● Wellness rebate remains taxable to the employee

Current Process: Currently, the vendor sends a monthly report to SWHR HRIS of those

employees that have qualified for the wellness rebate since 2015. HRIS validates the report

and eliminates those employees that already have a Wellness Rebate set up and then sends

the report to the campuses for data entry of all new employees that have qualified.

There are several administrative problems with this process, including the following:

● HRIS must manipulate the file monthly

● HR Campus offices must set up new deduction codes monthly for new qualifying

employees.

● The Banner system cannot restrict the amount given to an employee for

Wellness rebate to $600 (employee only) or $1200 (employee and spouse). The

campus offices must monitor the amounts to make sure employees don’t go over

the limit. This creates a big risk for overpayment and is very time intensive to

administer.

● The Banner system cannot require that the Wellness rebate only pays when the

proper health care plan is set up. Again, this means there is manual monitoring

12

that must occur on a regular basis to make sure that an employee is not

receiving a wellness rebate when they are not enrolled in a qualifying plan.

● The Banner system cannot restrict payment of the Wellness rebate to pay

periods in which a corresponding health deduction is taking place. This means

that employees may receive the rebate prior to paying any deductions.

● Because rebate payments are spread equally to employees throughout the fiscal

year, the wellness rebate becomes part of the regular pay and may not motivate

changes in behavior or desire to re-qualify for the following year. In other words,

having the rebate paid in smaller increments lessens the impact of the total

amount.

Proposed Process: Administer the wellness rebate as a lump sum payment two times a year.

Employees who terminate after the lump sum payments are made will not be required to pay

back any prorated amounts.

- End of September: A lump sum of $600 (employee only) or $1200 (employee and

spouse) will be given to employees that qualified for the wellness rebate for the current

fiscal year.

- Beginning of May: A pro-rated amount for employee only or employee and spouse will

be paid for those employees that are hired and qualify during the current fiscal year.

There are advantages to the change:

● Monthly manipulation of files from the vendor will be eliminated.

● Monthly data entry for newly qualifying employees will end.

● Manual monitoring to make sure that employees are not being overpaid will be

eliminated.

● Manual monitoring to make sure employees are enrolled in a qualifying plan will

be eliminated.

● Chances of payments to those that don’t qualify or already reached their limit will

be eliminated.

● Employees will be given a lump sum payment for qualifying which may

encourage those who are not currently participating in the program (some

employees have stated the bi-weekly credit isn’t sufficient to motivate them to

complete program)

Here are disadvantages to the change:

● Employees will not see the wellness rebate applied to their check each

paycheck when they review their pay stubs (but they will see the rebate in their

“year to date” deductions as a credit.).

● Employees that terminate after the lump sum payment is paid will not be required

to repay the pro-rated amount.

13

From: UA President Jim Johnsen ua-outreach@alaska.eduSubject: Message from President Johnsen on tax reform bill

Date: November 27, 2017 at 3:01 PMTo: rjhill4@alaska.edu

November 27, 2017

Dear colleagues,

Last week I communicated with our congressional delegation regarding the House-passed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act [HR 1], whichwould eliminate several important tax benefits designed to off-set the costs of higher education. Collectively, these changes, ifenacted, would have serious consequences for educational attainment in Alaska and impede our efforts to develop the highly-skilledworkforce we need to move Alaska’s economy forward.

While I recognize the difficult challenges of tax reform and the need to balance competing priorities, the bill includes specificprovisions that would negatively impact Alaskan students and their families including the repeal of the student loan interestdeduction, tax employer-provided tuition assistance, elimination of the university’s ability to provide employees and graduate-levelteaching and research assistants with non-taxable tuition waivers, and elimination of the Lifetime Learning Credit.

Alaska has one of the lowest college going rates in the nation. The University of Alaska has launched a number of strategicinitiatives to help address this enrollment shortfall so that we can provide an educated workforce and contribute to diversifyingAlaska’s economy. In today’s environment of increasing college costs and rising levels of student debt, we should be doingeverything possible to help Alaskans improve their skills and become more competitive in the marketplace.

The Senate is considering its own tax code reform legislation, and I will continue to advocate the university’s position on theseissues. You can read my entire letter to the congressional delegation here.

Sincerely,

Jim Johnsen

ABOUT UA | UAA | UAF | UAS | University of Alaska Statewide Offices

UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual:www.alaska.edu/titleIXcompliance/nondiscrimination .

Please do not respond to this correspondence.

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Communications and Marketing Committee 

December 2017 Report 

Committee Members: Anne Lazenby, Hillary Haslip, Sandy Gravley, Tania Rowe, Weston Davey 

 

Committee Meeting Date: November 10, 2017 

Present Committee Members: Anne Lazenby, Hillary Haslip, Sandy Gravley, Weston Davey 

 

Meeting Discussion and Goals: 

Our purpose: 

To circulate pertinent information and updates to staff through Facebook, Staff 

Council Website, and email. 

To work with the Events Committee to increase employee awareness of 

scheduled live events.  

To work with the Staff Recognition Committee to recognize employee awardees.    

Creation of a Committee Calendar outlining timeline of staff communications. 

Staff Council website needs to have council members updated and a new photo. 

 

Progression of November Projects: 

Staff Council Update for Staff Council Meeting on November 2, 2017 was emailed to 

staff of November 10, 2017.  The copy of the update is available on the following page. 

Staff Council needs to schedule time for a new photo for the webpage.  Feedback on a 

time to take an updated picture to be discussed at December’s Staff Council Meeting. 

Staff Council Pamphlet that HR has is current and in supply.    

Anne has gained access to update the Staff Council Website.  Hillary will be assisting in 

updates to the website pending CMS training in February. 

   

15

UAA Staff Council Update

 

November 2, 2017 Meeting  

UAA Staff Morale Survey: The qualitative interpretation of the employee morale survey data isnow available. Some of the top suggestions to improve morale among UAA staff were: improved and transparent communications, job security, professional development, and recognition for staff. pp. 67–78  

Adoption of a UAA Staff Morale Resolution, Motion FY18-05: A resolution consisting of recommendations to boost staff morale, based on staff feedback from the UAA Staff Morale survey, has passed (15 Yes; 0 No; 0 Abstain). pp. 61–62  

Adoption of a Resolution regarding Search Committee Involvement for Administrator Positions, Motion FY18-06: A resolution defining Staff Council representation in all future search committees for positions within the Chancellor’s Cabinet, and their direct reports, has passed (14 Yes; 0 No; 1 Abstain). pp. 63–64  

Preliminary Staff Unionization Discussion: Preliminary discussions gauging potential interest in union efforts began. Subsequent outreach and inquiry of UAA Staff is planned. pp. 8–43  

Guest Speakers  

Dr. Bruce Schultz, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Dr. Bruce Schultz spoke about the steps that Enrollment Services is taking towards meeting the enrollment goals of UAA 2020. Enrollment Services has restructured its workforce to increase the ways it reaches out to prospective students nationally, and will improve UAA’s website to make it easier for students to navigate UAA program options.  

Nelta Edwards, UNAC Representative Nelta Edwards spoke about her positive experience as a member of UAA’s Faculty Union, United Academics (UNAC), and what a potential unionization might have to offer UAA Staff.  

More About UAA Staff Council Meetings Copies of meeting agendas and reports are always available on the UAA Staff Council website at: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/about/governance/staff-council/index.cshtml  

NEXT STAFF COUNCIL MEETING: Thursday, December 7, 2017, 9:30–11:30am, LIB 302

 

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Staff Recognition Committee December Report  CommitteeMembers–BettyHernandez,TeresaKimmel,KrystalOfford,andCharlotteTitusNovemberSubmissions

9nominations 1awardee–NeichaMcCray

DecemberSubmissionsTherewereonlytwosubmissionsforDecember.ThecommitteehasdecidedtorollthesetwonominationstoFebruary.WewillnotbeawardinganyoneforDecemberandJanuary.AwardeeGiftBag

WeareaskingCouncilmembersiftheyhaveanyswagordonationitemstoincludeinthegiftbagtotheawardees.PleasesendthemtooneoftheCommitteemembers.

ThankYouGramCulinaryArtshasagreedtoworkwithusontheThankYouGramforthemonthofMarch.Thecommitteewillbeworkingoncreatingtheonlineorderform,announcement,anddistributionprocess.

ThankYouCardThecommitteeisworkingwithITtocreatetheonlineformandemailresponse.

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Campus Safety Committee October 13, 2017 10:00‐11:00 a.m. 

ULB 104  

Call To Order  10:00 a.m. 

 

In Attendance: Eric Blomskog, Ryan Buchholdt, Ian Bushell, Charon Chamard, Mark Fitch, Heath 

Franklin, Karen Haddock, Tom Hendrix, Ryan Henne, Monica Kane, Doug Markussen, Falon Harkins, Brad 

Munn, Lou Nagy, Alicia O’Grady, Kirstin Olmstead, Dave Robinson, Ron Swartz, Johnnie Templeton, 

Danielle Nelson, Tania Rowe, Pat Shier, Brittney Kupec, Kim Mahoney 

 

Review the Committee Charge – Vice Chancellor Shier 

Your roll is to bring ideas to the table and to take the message back to your constituency. To lead others 

to student success. Most important is what you take back to your worksite every day. Challenge each of 

you to take notes back.  

This Committee is smaller; because we all have to work harder, stresses the importance of taking back 

the information you learn here today.  

It will snow soon. Slips and Falls. Take back to your offices: Snow is coming. Make one of your actions to 

send out to your pears to be equipped for when the snow falls. 

Cleats/Spikies are available at the following locations:

 Facilities Work Management, Human Resource Services, Environmental Health and Safety, Residence 

Life. University Advancement, Library Circulation, College of Health Offices, Bookstore Admin Office, 

Parking Services, University Center in the Wolfcard office, and are sent to the community campuses. 

Ryan Buchholdt, Chair – Occupational Safety is an area where more work is needed as an institution. 

Please speak with your colleagues and bring information back to us.  

If you have a topic to add to the agenda please let me or Emily know.  

 

Select a co‐chair 

Previous Committee Co‐Chairs are gone. There is value in a co‐chair. Is anyone interested? If yes please 

let me or Emily know.  

Johnnie Templeton would like to volunteer. Even though he’s a student.  

 

18

New Business 

Asbestos  

Doug Markussen – AK Osha visit related to asbestos on the UAA campus.  

In Eugene Short and Auto Diesel. Workers exposed asbestos. There was no true exposure but it brought 

to light documentation issues. We have developed a draft of an asbestos program.  

A worker donned an N95 facemask and secured the area. That was not proper procedure. That person 

took the facemask out of our emergency bucket. The masks in the emergency buckets are not 

appropriate for that use. We’ve added instructions in the emergency buckets of how and when they are 

to be used. In emergencies only.  

Auto Diesel – After that last larger earthquake while repairs were being accomplished. A painter realized 

that he was working with asbestos. He was told to stop and clean it up but did so incorrectly and it 

resulted in contaminating the area.  

The short duration did not truly present a problem. But it did result in citations.  

We are developing training programs to address this issue. We have information on our website and are 

working to make it easier to find and use. Will share information within the next week or two.  

We have asbestos here. It is not friable. Friable definition: It can become airborne. Asbestos is in carpet, 

baseboard glue, insulated pipes, a few ceiling tiles.  

Unless you are in Facilities and work with it regularly, it is not a danger to you. However people can have 

sensitivities, and students are in no danger. Long‐term exposure is where the danger is.  

No employee other than facilities employees should punch a hole in the wall. This includes hanging 

pictures or taking them down. To be safe, please contact Facilities Work Management to initiate a work 

order. 

If you have questions please contact Doug Markussen.  

 

OSHA/AKOSH compliance 

Doug Markussen – Safety program 

Our department is in the process of developing and/or updating training programs related to 

occupational safety. The first roll out will be training on the pertinent Board policy, starting at the 

Chancellor level and working our way down.  

Safety is everybody’s business. Every person who works at the university has a roll to play. To be sure 

you do your job correctly. Information should be out soon.  

 

Vehicle Thefts – Residence Life 

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Vehicle thefts are a city‐wide issue. Should we as an organization put something out across UAA to 

students? Example: Here are 4 things you can do. 

Chief Munn – A safety bulletin will be sent out to UAA today to all staff faculty and students. 

It can be hard to know when a vehicle is stolen if it was parked for a week or two then noticed missing.  

Stolen vehicles are being used to steel other vehicles, other items, taken joy riding, etc. 

There will be additional cameras in the housing area soon. Funds are dedicated but it’s not a quick 

process.  

Weapon’s in vehicles – It is legal to store a weapon in a personal vehicle. However, the vehicle the 

weapon is secured in may be broken into or stolen. Guns are not easily recoverable. We offer secure 

longer‐term weapon storage.  

There is no storage for the commuter student.  

Bike commuters carry guns and may need a place to store a weapon. 

UPD may review that issue again. It may have to go through the Board of Regents.  

Discussion about secure safes similar to a bus locker but much more secure.  

  

STANDING REPORTS 

Facilities and Campus Services 

Kim Mahoney – Facilities safety  

Keep your eyes open and report to your team: what can go wrong, where can we fail, and where can we 

help?  

We’re getting into winter – slips, trips, falls. We have cleats/spikies. We have buckets of sand in building 

entry ways. Feel free to sprinkle it. Or call us if you see a need and don’t have time.  

Snow removal ‐ Will have a priority approach. Walkways and paths. Parking lots will rate lower. Use the 

garages on heavy snow days. There will be more information out through Advancement. 

Construction – Improving cameras around campus. In housing 

Implementing campus access and security. What does that look like? Signage, card scanners. Will use 

this group to disseminate information. 

Handicap Parking spaces have to be clear how will that be accomplished?  

Have seen that those spaces are cleared when sidewalks are clear. 

If it snows half an inch sidewalks may not be cleared.  

If you are in good shape and want to move snow, contact us.  

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Dean of Students Office  

Alcohol awareness week is October 16th week. Dean of students put out a campus safety report.  

Residence Life  

Heath Franklin – Adding trail lighting between commons and north hall. Will conclude in about a month. 

Changing to LED lighting around the buildings. 

Trails around residence areas will be evaluated to clear trees for fire abatement and increase view on 

trails.  

Residence Life 

Alisha O’Grady – Ran an audit on disaster supplies so all items and materials are not out of date and we 

have what we need.  

Hosting wild life safety, hiking and outdoor safety, winter walking and driving is coming up next. It’s also 

on the website and our Facebook page.  

 

University Police  

Brad Munn ‐ Vehicle theft is 31% higher than last year.  

Went over general statistics list for alcohol use and other items such as traffic accidents. 

There is good information in the Dean of Students Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Please read it. 

The report also includes the community campuses. 

Parking ‐ Texting and driving is bad on campus. Please assist with information to students.  

 

Community Campuses 

Mat‐Su Campus 

Erick Blomskog ‐ Things are going well. 

Kodiak Campus 

Ian Bushell ‐ Slip trip and fall training. 

 

Around the Table 

Emergency Management  

Ron Swartz 

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Stress management session last week for those who were at the Las Vegas shooting. If you know 

someone who needs counseling please let me know and I can direct them. 

Great Alaska Shakeout on 10/19. Please participate in stop, drop. And hold on. This will also go over the 

loudspeaker on the phones on 10/19 at 10:19. If you don’t hear it please report it to IT.  

Some phones don’t activate right way and the message may be played in part by the time the message 

alerts the phone. Shakeout poster handed out.  

Brad Munn – Please participate in the training so you know what you need to do if we have an 

earthquake.  

 

Meeting frequency  

December and a couple of times in the spring rather than in May. 

Meeting time will increase from 60 to 90 minutes. 

Please get us any agenda items you have.  

 

Next meeting: 

Friday December 1, 2017 

9:00‐10:30 a.m. 

Location is to be determined 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

   

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 TO:      Brenda Levesque, Staff Council Co‐President     Ryan J. Hill, Staff Council Co‐President  FROM:     David Weaver, Director UHDCS     DATE:      November 29, 2017  RE:      Benefit of Maintaining 2‐step Salary Increases with Offsetting Short‐Term Furloughs  

 

 

When a UAA employee forgoes an annual step increase in any given year, it results in a real wage 

decrease for the employee because inflation typically raises prices in general between 1 and 3 percent 

annually. Perhaps a worse effect for the employee is the amortized loss that the forewent step increase 

has on future years’ earnings, and subsequently the employee’s retirement. 

For example, an employee early in her career who earns $40,000 in years 1 and 2, foregoing a 2 percent 

COL increase these two years, will earn nearly $2,500 less annually after 20 years, compared to having 

the 2 percent COL in years 1 and 2 ($57,129 vs. $59,437 respectively). 

One creative solution to this issue is to give the employee the 2 percent salary increase, and offset this 

cost with a 40‐hour unpaid furlough. The 40‐hour furlough nearly exactly offsets the 2 percent salary 

increase with no additional cost to the University. The employee would receive additional unpaid time 

off, ideally helping to assuage professional fatigue and burnout. Furthermore, the employee would not 

see an annual salary decrease, or sacrifice the amortized positive effect of the 2 percent increase in year 

1 for all future years. 

I recognize this proposal is counterintuitive; to give a 2‐step salary increase coupled with an unpaid 

furlough seems unusual. But with some consideration it becomes clear that, especially for employees 

early in their careers at UAA, the benefits would be significant with no additional labor costs to the 

University. 

I also recognize that this strategy may not be sustainable for more than two or three years, given that 

multiple years of furlough could compound to several weeks of unpaid leave. Also, since some 

employees are represented by bargaining agreements, this complication should be considered. 

With these complexities in mind, I believe this strategy would reduce employee fatigue; capture forgone 

amortized salary increases; and add no additional labor costs to department budgets. If and when the 

University’s budget outlook improves, the furloughs can be incrementally reversed, leaving consistent 

COL increases intact. Thank you for your consideration, and I am happy to discuss in more detail if you 

wish. 

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Compensation Committee UA Staff Alliance November 21, 2017 10am Members: Kendra Conroy, UAA-MatSu Eric Johnson, SW John Moore, UAA Alda Norris, UAF Vanessa Raymond, UAF Dave Robinson, UAA Kiwana Sutton, UAS Josh Watts, SW Members Absent Kalynn Irwin, UAA-Kodiak (A) Michelle Warrenchuk, UAS Agenda

1. Roll call and Call to Order The meeting came to order at 10:05 p.m.

Morgan noted she will invite Michelle and Tara to the next meeting. Members will collect any questions beforehand.

2. Review of Non-monetary Ideas

Members reviewed the draft proposals in the shared doc.

John asked members to continue to review the ideas and add comments/suggestions so that a final can be distributed to Tara/Michelle by Dec. 8.

Morgan will poll the group for a time to meet during Dec. 11-15.

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Compensation Committee FY19 Proposals Questions for HR/Benefits:

Add your questions here - Is there a reason that non-exempt employees receive less termination notification than

exempt employees? - What is reasonable vs not reasonable to include under “other duties as assigned”?

PROPOSALS

Committee Member Proposal Questions/Comments

Kendra Conroy

Kalynn Irwin

Eric Johnson Employee Training/New Projects

John Moore Increased Notification

Alda Norris Credit Increase to Tuition Benefit

Vanessa Raymond Flex Time

Dave Robinson Early Out on the Day Before Holidays

Kiwana Sutton Additional Annual Leave Cash-In Opportunities

Michelle Warrenchuk Additional Personal Holidays Where does funding for Personal Holidays come out of? Departments? Chancellor? Statewide? How can we accurately represent 3 days of PH in % of salaries <>2%?

Josh Watts

Additional ideas (Not a full proposal but ideas that still need to be fleshed out): Wondering (through HR question above) if it is worth asking for reasonable limits on “doing more with less,” since a lot of folks (at least in Unit 3) have talked about attrition and layoffs leading to staff taking on many additional responsibilities without monetary recognition Request for monetary compensation increase? Possibly to be offset by furlough?

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