Professional Staff Association
Meeting Minutes

Mar 19, 2008

***Tracie wanted to hold the meeting so that we can address staff concerns amongst ourselves so that she can address president Thomas.

Sherill Shaw-concerned about merging departments specifically the library, and which Directors will be let go?

Jay Stephens-the word we need to look at is autonomy.

Kelli Shaw-President Thomas said his goal is that no matter what everyone will have A job, not necessarily their job?

Sherill Shaw-what does that do to our pay?

Jay Stephens-would we still have a seat on certain professional committees, also how does this look when we are trying to develop in our careers, how will this look on our resumes, what is the hierarchy, and how will the title reclassification go?

Tracie Noyes-the compensation might not be a bad thing for us.

Jay Stephens- in response said it is hit and miss some positions will be higher and some will be lower.

Sheila Burghardt- if they reclassify jobs will the pay be reclassified?

Tracie Noyes- how are grant funded offices going to be handled?

Geniva Brooks-has looked at the function of USU Vernal and said they just have general ED classes, mostly EDnet, with a very small support staff, no CTE programs.

Tracie Noyes-keeps good communication with Brad Watson to get a good idea of what might happen.

Sherri Arellano-How do we know we won't become a large branch?

Sheila Burghardt-have we looked at this form a USU perspective, if we get bumped will it advance their staff?

Jay Stephens-public employees have protection of job once probation is past. Must have due process, which is a right to appeal, to fully remove you from your position, which can take many months to complete. But they can have a staff reduction.

Kelli Shaw-What is going to happen to the museum?

Vicki Kulow-If USU has access to banner technically they CAN do our jobs here. How would this merger benefit our community? FYI Dixie has backed out of their merger.

Tracie Noyes-This would have a major community impact since there are about 190 staff members here at CEU.

Sherri Arellano-Has anybody seen the conditions president Thomas stayed up late one night to write?

Geniva Brooks-we need to look at benefit differences (blue cross/blue shield), tuition reimbursement policies, CTE area ~45% of our students are CTE, will we keep it here or will it go through UCAT, which we just merged with, USU is more of a research institution but they don't rely on grants like we do

Sheila Burghardt-the improvement list has been submitted, we go through DFCM to get funding, will USU give our campus funding, and whose discretion is it under?

Chelsea Martino-will we still keep residential life and other auxiliaries?

Lori Brassaw-Community/Price City Library have talked about merging with CEU library, will this be impacted? We don't charge now, but they may have to change.

Gina Gagon-have we had news on who is part of the legislative task force yet?

Jay Stephens-we can do one of two things. 1) we can sit around and worry OR 2) we can put a positive spin on it and see how we can improve it.

Tracie Noyes-thought we were going to have brown bag lunches after the legislature, how come we haven't done that yet? We were noticed at the parade, the announcer said "and here is CEU, they usually aren't involved but they are now!" We as staff need to make it to more games and CEU events.

Gina Gagon- would it be helpful if staff knew more about events like via emails. Should we send out employees that are alumni from different high schools with the ambassadors?

Jay Stephens and Tracie Noyes- we as departments need to get to know each other better.

Jay Stephens-can communication department produce videos for every department to advertise what they offer? We need to be careful not to be the ones who are badmouthing CEU, don't poison the well, be positive.

Vicki Noyes- Does the president need to speak to us about why our financial state is good?

Gina Gagon-was sent with a list form some man (she can't remember the name) and was asked to ask what is driving the merger.

Vicki Noyes-Mayor Piccolo who is part of the alumni association is trying to put together a task force. We need to address him as an association.