University of North Florida
A&P ASSOCIATION MEETING
Friday, December 8, 2000
Talon Room - 8:30 to10:00 a.m.
Attendance: 140 out of 265 A&P members
Ricky Arjune, President, presided.
Ricky welcomed everyone to our annual breakfast meeting. He thanked Larry Davis and Connie Corker for arranging the Breakfast. He also expressed appreciation to Ward Scheindlinger for allowing us to be served in the cafeteria.
Lise Amundrud thanked the Association members for their contribution of $17,000. A total of $62,000 was raised for the annual faculty/staff fund drive. Lise presented the group with goodies and t-shirts were given to all members who have UNF license tags.
President Hopkins gave her thanks to the members for all that they have done for the university. She mentioned that the Capital Campaign has officially kicked off. UNF’s goal is $65 million. We have already collected $40.1 million. She said UNF is highly thought of in the community.
President Hopkins also shared her thoughts about the abolishment of the BOR. She mentioned that there are many unknowns at this time. She indicated that she is now more positive about the change than she was when it was initially approved. UNF will have to do things differently, but we should have more local authority. The abolishment process is being worked out and it looks like the BOR will be gone by July 1.
President Hopkins encouraged the members to take off during the holidays. She wished everyone a Happy Holiday.
Ricky asked all new members to stand and introduce themselves. He introduced the Executive Staff. He reviewed the various university committees that have A&P representation and asked members to contact him if they are interested in serving on any of the committees when vacancies arise.
Ricky mentioned that the A&P Association’s Executive Committee had discussed several initiatives that the members thought should be considered:
1. Socializing – Ricky said that we are experiencing an era of low morale and a lack of camaraderie throughout the campus, and that we should explore opportunities and ways to improve the spirit and morale of all employees throughout campus. He asked members for their thoughts and/or suggestions.
2. Bookstore – Ricky is discussing with David Wesse, the new Assistant VP for Administration and Finance in charge of Auxiliary Services, the inclusion of a clause in the new Bookstore contract where employees are offered a discount for purchases.
3. SUS Associations – A discussion is underway with the SUS Associations to formalize a plan to approach the Legislature about extending the current 6 credit hours of tuition waiver available to employees to members of their immediate families.
Out-of-Cycle Increases
Linda Anderson and Mary O’Neal spoke. Mary indicated that the President was very concerned about the salary level for A&P and USPS employees. The firm of Cody & Associates out of South Florida was contracted to conduct a salary study. Cody & Associates reviewed salaries of various companies including Mayo, FCCJ, City Government, and SUS institutions. They concluded that USPS salaries were competitive. However, USPS computer personnel in aggregate are paid below market. Effective October 2, the minimum salary for USPS positions will be raised to $15,300.
A&P salaries were more difficult to compare. It was concluded, however, that A&P computer personnel salaries are also below market.
The President made $125,000 available to help address the salary issue. The increases will be merit based. $14,000 will be used to raise computer personnel salaries and $20,000 for all other USPS employees. $68,000 is available for A&P employees and $23,000 for A&P computer employees. Minimum increase for USPS is $700 and $1000 for A&P. Non-E&G employees are allocated funds comparable to E&G: $2,100 for computer personnel, $5,000 for USPS and $21,000 for A&P employees.
Mary further stated that employees must have been hired since October 2,1999 in order to be eligible for consideration. Nominations of eligible employees are to be submitted to the VPs. A review committee made up of Provost Kline, VP Fagin and Ricky Arjune will make the final recommendation to President Hopkins. The increases will be retroactive to October 2, 2000 and reflected in the January 26, 2001 paychecks. Copies of the complete salary survey are available in the Library on Reserve.
Janet provided an update regarding the elimination of the BOR. An 11 member Task Force was appointed to make a recommendation by January 2003 on how the transition would take place. However, it seems that the BOR will be gone by July 1, 2001. Janet said local boards will probably be charged to hire and fire presidents and the universities will have more flexibility. The Task Force is leaning toward recommending that universities be independent entities rather than state agencies. The Task Force will continue their work through the holidays.
In the absence of Treasurer Donna Rawlins, Connie reported that the association has a total of $2,859.59 in its name.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.