Staff
Council tackles list of issues from rights to rewards
Compensation
and benefits, rewards, parking, university environs and employee
rights were discussed at the October Staff Council meeting.
 |
| In
session at the October meeting in Hokona Hall are, from
left, Staff Council assistant Karin Retskin, Speaker Carol
Hudson, President Alan Morgan and President-elect Steve
Borbas. Photo by Laurie Mellas Ramirez. |
Counselor
Angela Ramirez, grade 10 representative, presented a report
on behalf of the compensation committee. Among the issues the
group continues to explore is rising health insurance costs.
Health care costs are expected to double in the next five years,
according to UNM and national estimates.
The
more retirees that go into the system, the more expensive it
will get, said Susan Carkeek, Human Resources director,
adding that the amount UNM can contribute as an employer is
state mandated.
The committee
reviewed as one option a cafeteria plan, which allows
employees to select from a pool of benefits. It was not viable
for UNM, Ramirez said.
Counselor
Theresa Everling, grade 8, presented the rewards and recognition
committee report. More than 3,400 tickets were sold for the
UNM Staff Picnic, down slightly from last year. The picnic has
been held at the Rio Grande Zoo for the past few years. A new
venue is up for discussion and a questionnaire seeking input
will be sent to all staff.
Everling
announced that three outstanding UNM staff members will be honored
with the Gerald May Staff Recognition Award Wednesday, Dec.
3, at University House from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The award carries
a $500 prize, up from $250 last year. The committee will submit
an endowed fund proposal to the Presidents Office. If
additional money is channeled into the program, the committee
will also propose the award amount match its north campus counterpart,
the Health Sciences Centers Deans Award, now at
$2,500.
During
the summer, council representatives surveyed constituent groups
to identify issues the council could address. Roughly 168 issues
came forth. Themes were later identified and new and existing
committees have been assigned several issues to tackle. The
rewards committee will look at benefits, including creating
a staff development day as well as the possibility of increasing
the tuition remission benefit from the current eight to nine
hours per semester.
Other themes
to be addressed by the council are career development, employee
evaluations, parking and management.
A new university
environs committee seeks members, reported Counselor Joe McKinney,
precinct 14. The committee will write a charter and then focus
on issues such as safety for women on campus, campus appearance,
workplace conditions and recycling.
Counselor
Tom Rolland, precinct 2, reported for the employee rights and
policy review committee. Members revisited the need for an ombudsman.
In 2001, the council passed a resolution in support of an ombudsman
and presented it to then UNM President William Gordon. No action
was taken, Rolland said. The committee is also reviewing UNMs
whistleblower policy.
The council
passed two resolutions at the meeting one drafted by
the compensation committee dealing with salaries and a second,
joint resolution, in support of a Future of UNM
forum held in late October.
As the
meeting concluded, Speaker Carol Hudson announced her resignation.
She is on lay-off status from University Physician Associates.
The Staff
Council has numerous openings for both grade, precinct representatives.
For copies
of the resolutions or information on joining the council, contact
Karin Retskin, 277-1532.