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Campus News - June 18, 2001 |
Staff Council looks at year in review
Elects officers, debates employment practice
The UNM Staff Council elected 2001-02 officers, looked at a year in review
and made recommendations to Human Resources regarding an employment practice
at its May meeting.
The new slate of councilors are James Herrera, precinct 26 representative,
president; Pat Kiska, grade 10 representative, president elect; Barbara Gabaldon,
precinct 17 representative, speaker; Jeanne Ainsley, grade 9 representative,
treasurer; Matt Elbrecht, Grade 1-3 representative at large; David Sanchez,
precinct 4, and Kari Ward Karr, precinct 20, precinct at large representatives;
Monique Bell, parliamentarian.
LJ Lovell, immediate past president, presented a brief overview of the accomplishments
during his tenure. In its 10th year, the council worked closely with many University
committees including the Planning Council, Human Resources Salary Committee
and Strategic Planning Task Force. Representatives were on the committee that
drafted a Staff Recognition and Rewards policy and a staff councilor served
as chair of the Faculty/Staff Benefits Committee.
Several ad-hoc committees were formed during Lovells tenure, including
University Hospitals Consolidated Staff, UNM Retiree Committee and Employee
Rights in Disciplinary Matters.
A number of resolutions were passed relating to the council and constituent
issues including the UNM Hospital mil levy, University Hospital Consolidated
Staff and its continued Staff Council representation, a joint resolution with
Faculty Senate in support of administrations efforts with the legislature
for equitable salary distribution for the two groups, and salary distribution
recommendations forwarded to Human Resources and the Presidents Office.
The council created an electronic newsletter for staff this past year as well
as a new award to recognize managers who contribute to staff career development.
An administrative support person and resource room, Hokona Zuni 316, are also
recent additions.
The Career Development Standing Committee of the Staff Council presented recommendations
on the substitution of education and experience qualifications in the employment
process.
The committee suggested two alternative tools to assess applicant competencies
in lieu of a degree an Assessment Center and Management Development Academy.
The center would use a combination of portfolio assessment, skills surveys,
written tests, experiential testing and a structured oral interview. It would
draw on current resources such as career counselors and testers. The academy
would offer competency-based training, continuing education units and factor
in staff membership in professional and trade organizations.
The council debated at length about which positions should benefit from the
substitution practice. The body ultimately decided to recommend both options
as pilot programs initially applying to managerial positions only. The committee
was charged with presenting a revised recommendation to the council, which will
then be forwarded to Human Resources.
A proposal for emergency loans for staff was put forth by the Staff Services
Office and referred to the Benefits Committee for further review.
The next meeting of Staff Council is set for Tuesday, June 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. in Hokona Hall, The Theatre.
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