Many Updates

Hi Everyone,

The new semester has hit the ground running, and there are all sorts of updates, so I'm just going to get right to it:

Staffline:
The September Staffline is out, and contains a great synopsis of the ongoing parking issues. There're also pages of information(and discounts) on local orchards and the UVM Hort Farm's annual apple sale. (I have to admit I'm biased; the Hort Farm still grows the old varieties my Gramma depended on for her best pies) The Recreation Committee contributed the information for the ski pass discounts, and also order forms for a very nice UVM "soft shell" vest.



Highlights from this academic year's first Staff Council meeting (9/2/08):

In the announcements section, Jeff Bukowski told us of the new business hours for the SC office:
Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. & Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
They're also posted on the SC website, just below the link to the 2009 UVM Holiday Calendar.

Council President Beth Walsh also addressed the Board of Trustees with a summary of what we accomplished last year, and what we hope to work on this year. That address is available from the homepage too, and linked here.

We approved the new chairs elected for this year's committees--the names are updated on the website, but the list isn't final since some people are serving as interim, and one or two committees haven't been able to vote yet.

Beth Walsh, Jon Reidel and Jeff Bukowski reported on their meeting with President Fogel: they talked about ongoing SC representative recruitment and President Fogel's letter to the community concerning budget cuts.

We then discussed issues surrounding committee work: whether committees get their work primarily by assignment, contact sheets, or developed in committee by perceived need--it seems to vary a lot between different committees, and by the issues specific to each new year. We also talked about the benefits of standardizing the timelines of response to contact sheet issues. Questions came up about our power as an advisory body to effect recommended changes: President Fogel is certainly open to hearing from us, but we should learn how best to persuasively present our advisements.


President Fogel's address to the Staff Council:

President Fogel thanked us for serving, and said he was pleased at the transformation so far of the council into a representative body to give a voice to the Staff. He went on to say that he supports the council's advocacy and participation, and that he has no illusions but that the quality of the UVM student experience is "on the shoulders of a dedicated and talented staff", creating "value for students and the communities".

He wanted to talk about the position of the University regarding budget issues, saying that this is a moment in time "extremely challenging" for both educational institutions and enterprise; because the situation of the economy affects everyone. Competition for students is climbing, and our investment values decreased with the drops in the stock market. The budget proposals he's sending to the Board of Trustees should hopefully protect the academic core, and respond to the cuts in state funding--including the possibility that more cuts are likely.

He sees this challenge as an opportunity to build a strong financial plan with better management and procedures. His September 4, 2008 Report to the Board of Trustees contains much of what he told us, so I'll send you to read his own words instead of paraphrasing with mine.

Some of our questions for him naturally concerned cuts that were pending or had already occurred. He is trying to make the necessary budget reductions(hopefully without layoffs) outside of the colleges, schools and libraries, by focusing on finance and administration. He hadn't heard about some of the cuts and staffing issues we brought up to him (changes in the offerings and charges for Wellness programs, hiring freezes and unfilled positions in depts. already very burdened), and he urged us to continue to communicate these concerns so that transparency is reciprocal. He does want to hear about staff concerns, and he invited all staff members to attend the upcoming Sept. 4-5 presentations to the Board of Trustees meeting- agenda here.

We thanked him for coming and for his promise to keep the "information flow" open--difficulties are more easily faced where everyone is informed and has a voice in decisions. Any further questions for President Fogel can be sent to Beth Walsh, at beth.walsh@uvm.edu or 656-1436.


Representatives to other Boards and Workgroups:
(any staff member is welcome to participate-it's not necessary to be a council member)

The Executive Board is reviewing nominations for the last staff member opening for the Socially Responsible Investment Workgroup. One more each is still needed for both the Transportation and Parking Advisory Committee (TAPSAC), and the Traffic Board of Appeals.

Application Directions From the Staff Council Office:
'If you are interested in being a part of TAPSAC and would like to nominate yourself, contact the Staff Council Office at Staff.Council@uvm.edu by Friday, September 19, 2008. If you are interested in being a part of the Traffic Board of Appeals and would like to nominate yourself, contact the Staff Council Office at Staff.Council@uvm.edu by Monday, September 22, 2008.
Please include a short paragraph explaining why you would like to be considered for this important role. The appointment will be made by the Staff Council President and announced at the Tuesday, October 7, 2008 Staff Council Meeting.'

~*~

Well, that's the end of my notes from that meeting! Richard Cate, VP for Finance & Enterprise Services will be the featured speaker at the next full Council meeting Tuesday Oct 7th, 12:05pm in the Livak Ballroom of the Davis Center.

I hope everyone gets to enjoy the last few days of Summer--Fall will be here in less than 2 weeks!

Have a good weekend,

Joanne