Meeting Minutes

July 2016 Minutes

Council of Academic Professionals
Thursday, July 7, 2016, 314A Illini Union
Meeting Minutes submitted by Elizabeth Rockman

Attendees:  Kristina Miller (1), Mike Garvey (2), Amy Hovious (2), Shawna Naidu (3), Todd Spinner (3), Andrew Reynolds (4), Dustin Yocum (4), Rick Atterberry (5), Wendy White (5), Teresa Steckler (6), Betoel Escobar (7), Tanisha King-Taylor (7), Tracy Parish (8), Richard Stokes (9), Elizabeth Rockman (10), Beth Hall (11), Jeffrey Stein (11), Elyne Cole (ex-officio)

  1. Call to Order – Chair Jeffrey called the meeting to order at 1:18 p.m.
  1. Review and Approval Previous Month’s Minutes – Kristina Miller made a motion to approve, and Tanisha King-Taylor seconded; motion passed. Elizabeth Rockman asked for a volunteer for August minutes, and Andrew Reynolds volunteered.
  1. Public Comment – None.
  1. Chair’s Remarks – Jeffrey Stein reiterated thanks to Mike Bohlmann for his service as Chair, as well as all departing District representatives. He provided budget news about the April and June 2016 stopgap bills providing $530 million for FY16 and a portion of FY17.  There is a vacancy in CAP District 9 due to Melissa Madsen’s resignation and a Senate Vacancy in District 6.  He will attend the July 25 SEC meeting.  Parking will not attend this month, and Jeffrey asked for ideas for future meetings.  Executive Committee agreed no representatives to the APDF fund while it’s suspended.
  1. Announcements:

                 Chancellor’s Search updates – Darcy Sementi served as the AP/CAP representative to the Chancellor Search, and she thanked CAP for the privilege of serving in this capacity.  There were two recent articles in the News-Gazette that are public information, related to the President providing the Board of Trustees the name by their 7/21/16 meeting.  The Search Committee worked with Greenwood Asher search firm, which ensures the confidentiality of the search.  Over 200 nominations were generated.  Jeffrey asked if Darcy felt the AP voice was valued, and she noted that she felt she had an equal voice.

Officers and Committee Members for 2016 – 2017 – There will be a 1 page reference sheet for who’s who on committees and AP Senators.

Bylaws revisions update – The new bylaws have been completed and approved by the Chancellor, including a note about attendance.

Meeting Dates and CAPE Awards Reception – All CAP meetings take place on the first Thursday of the month through next August.  April 6 is set for the CAPE Reception (CAP meeting precedes that program).

  1. Committee Reports:

CAPE Awards – Kristina Miller met in June about planning, and an e-mail will go out soon to recruit (with an application deadline of 8/26); all districts should have at least a couple volunteers, as then diversity and other factors determine who is selected for the CAPE Selection Committee.

University Professional Personnel Advisory Committee (UPPAC) – This group is comprised of 3 campuses, and meets quarterly, with one recent annual meeting at the President’s House; Elizabeth Rockman and Tracy Parish attended, as did outgoing members               Mike Bohlmann and Melissa Madsen.  It was announced there that Maureen Parks would be leaving UI, with Jami Painter serving in that role.  UIS had questions about the UIUC grievance process; they have an Ombuds Officer, and UIC has a grievance process that does not work through the AP group.  Hiring freezes, moving APs to Civil Service status, and FSLA changes were discussed.  Maureen Parks and President Killeen both touched on the possibility of reducing the amount of time for AP’s being notified of a T-contract; to change this would require a change in statutes, which would take some time.  However, NOA’s will not be changed this August for furlough language.

Academic Professionals Senators (Faculty Senate – No update.

Senate, Campus, and University Committees – No update.

Procedures and Elections Committee – Tracy Parish will work on the District 9 vacancy, for which self-nominations are voted on by CAP, and the individual serves one year.  He needs to access the list to send to the district members.  This is the same process for the AP Senator vacancy in District 6, for which Rick Atterberry and Teresa Steckler will discuss possibilities.  One or two more members are needed for PEC and Communications Committee; Amy Hovious volunteered for Communications.

Communications Committee – No update.

Grievance Officer – No update except for one contact made (no details at this time).

  1. Academic Human Resources Report by the Associate Provost for Human Resources:

Final APDF Update – The fund was suspended earlier, but Elyne noted that at the end of June, there were 103 requests, for a total of $53,019.50.  Five were declined, and a total of $50,669.50 was awarded out of $75,000.  There is no way to know when this fund will be reinstated.

Budget Update – Elyne reported about the stop-gap funding, but is concerned that the 2nd amount is for FY17 rather than filling out FY16 to 82% from 32%, as per the legislation.  Jeffrey noted that it was said to be allowed to pay for FY16 bills even though the 50% was designated as FY17.  Kristina noted that funding seems to be pulling from reserves that aren’t there.  Elyne suggested CAP have Vickie Gress come in to speak about budget.

Employee Group Benefits Task Force – Robbie Witt and Deb Stone have served on the UA-appointed taskforce.  Katie Ross and Walter Knorr hosted the Benefits Town Hall Meeting.  Insurance may be increased by double, and employees would have that deducted from pay.  AFSCME negotiates the contract, and they and the Governor seem to be at a stalemate.

FLSA Updates – Sandy Jones discussed the University/campus working groups’ efforts on behalf of all employment categories for the new ruling changing the annual salary limit by nearly double to $47,743, in addition to duties and responsibilities.  Elyne noted that AHR and SHR are looking at 828 APs, 13 RAs, 380 Postdocs, and 153 Civil Service employees.  Robbie noted that many changes need to happen:  system changes (codes in Banner), policies and practices, and how to educate departments/supervisors, employees.  Each unit is being contacted to find out if it’s in the best interest to increase salaries, depending on how much each employee goes over 40/37.5 hour work week.  Beth Hall asked for more clarification about why half-time (rather than 1.5 time) was paid, which was explained, and has to do with a week-long total (versus non-exempt, which is on a daily total).  Elyne noted that some exemptions are designated (for those who teach, instruct, and/or some professional groups).

  1. Orientation for new CAP members and AP Senators – Jeffrey provided this orientation.
  1. Unfinished Business – None.
  1. New Business – Shawna Naidu brought up the new Governor-initiated ethical guidelines sent out a week earlier, and Elyne will seek additional feedback.
  1. Closed Session for Privileged Information/Grievances – No closed session was held.
  1. Adjournment – Tanisha King-Taylor made the motion to adjourn, and Betoel Escobar seconded; motion passed.  Meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.