May 25, 1999
(Talon Room - 8:00 AM.)
Minutes
Presiding: Lance Taylor, President
I. Coffee/Breakfast
Lance called the meeting to order and
thanked Academic Affairs for sponsoring the Breakfast and Larry Davis for
arranging the Breakfast.
II. Welcome & Introductions
Lance welcomed 12 new A&P
members who were present and asked each to introduce him/herself.
III. Special Guest: President Anne H. Hopkins
Dr. Hopkins
offered some remarks and observations and then opened the floor for
questions from the membership. She indicated our mission at the
University is clear and that we cannot be everything to everybody. She
said our students are not consumers but are here to become educated. She
suggested, as an example of ways in which we can support that mission,
that we can help the students by extending the hours in which certain
services are offered, such as Financial Aid, the bookstore, advising
services, etc. She told the group that there have been a few changes made
to the authority of University presidents and that now, as President, she
has the authority to waive certain rules in searches and in
hiring.
IV. Updates
a) Leave Pool - Mary O'Neal, Director of Human Resources
The sick leave pool will allow employees to contribute 8 hours to the pool
to be used for catastrophic illness. Employees would need to apply to the
pool for hours to help out with their leave.
A structured committee will be established to review each case. UNF rules
still need to be developed and promulgated. Each agency will implement
their own rules. Waiting for feedback from Tallahassee to set up.
b) Performance Evaluations - Mary O'Neal, Director of Human
Resources
Looking at the USPS evaluation process and the A&P evaluation process to
try to be more competency based and interactive.
c) Legislative Update - Janet Owen, Director of
Governmental Affairs
The state's total budget before the Governor's vetoes is $48.9 billion
which includes $1 billion additional for education, over $1 billion in tax
reductions, almost $1 billion for Health & Human Services, and puts $2
billion in reserves for future needs of the state.
The SUS received over $200 million in new revenue, and UNF's bottom line
increased by approximately 10% over last year. UNF presently ranks third
among the institutions in increases.
UNF received all of its matching gifts requests and brought home the
planning money and nearly half of the needed construction money for a new
science and engineering building.
The legislature funded the universities for the first time in the history
of the program for state and SUS employee free courses. Other highlights
include a 5% across-the-board tuition increase and authority for an up to
5% differential tuition.
State employees will get a 2.8% raise which will be effective October 1,
1999 and based upon employees' September 30th base pay.
Legislative passage of CS/CS SB 1924, the "State University System Bill",
includes a provision that eligibility for the Optional Retirement Program
will be extended to all positions classified as Administrative &
Professional.
V. Treasurer's Report
Treasurer Cecilia Miller reported a balance of $597.46. She thanked
those members who have been contributing to the A&P Association.
VI. President's Report
In remarks as outgoing President, Lance noted many people and things that
the University had said "Hello" and "Goodbye" to in the last two years
including two presidents; a chancellor; an interim president; and SACS.
Cecilia Miller, Association treasurer, presented Lance with a gift from
the membership in appreciation of his service to the Association over the
two years of his presidency.
VII. Election of Officers
As chairperson of the nominating committee, Taylor presented the
slate of candidates to the membership. He then opened the floor for
further nominations. The following individuals stood for office: