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February 6 2019

 

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February 6, 2019

UNC-Chapel Hill Employee Forum

Hitchcock Multipurpose Room, Sonja H. Stone Center

NOTE:  This is a draft agenda and is subject to change without notice.

I.  Call to Order & Opening Remarks—Chair Shayna Hill (9:15 a.m. – 9:25 a.m.)

  • Welcome to Guests & Members of the Press

II. Special Presentation (9:25 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.)

  • Colleen Meyer, Clinical Support Specialist, Tobacco Treatment Program

III. Human Resources Update (9:45 a.m. – 10:25 a.m.)

  • Vice Chancellor for Workforce Strategy, Equity and Engagement Felicia Washington
  • Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Linc Butler

IV. Consent Agenda (10:25 a.m. – 10:55 a.m.)

V.  Old Business (10:55 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.)

  • Consideration of Resolution 19-01, Concerning Adverse Weather Leave (2nd Reading)
  • Consideration of Resolution 19-02, Honoring Chancellor Carol Folt (2nd Reading, after Exec. Committee)

VI.  New Business (11:15 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.)

VII. Announcements/Questions (11:25 -11:30 a.m.)

VII. Adjournment

MINUTES

February 6, 2019 Employee Forum minutes

Attending:  Darren Abrecht, Donnyell Batts, Emma Beckham, Dzenita Blackwell, Rich Brandenburg, Tiffany Carver, Timothy Carville, Jasper Fleming, Karen Gilliam, Chrissie Greenberg, Lori Haight, Shayna Hill, James Holman, Lakethia Jeffries, Mary King, Katie Lewis, Karlina Matthews, Aisha McClellan, Arlene Medder, Alan Moran, Katie Musgrove, Hoi Ning Ngai, David Rogers, Cheryl Siler-Jones, Kewana Smith, Greg Smith, James Stamey, Rose Thorp, Tracy Weatherby Williams, Rich Wright

Excused Absences:  Linda Holst, Jeff McQueen, Betty Ann Morgan, Kadejah Murray, Jim Potts, Laura Pratt

Chair Shayna Hill called the meeting to order at 9:16 a.m., noting the recent victory of the UNC-Chapel Hill basketball team over NC State.  She welcomed Colleen Meyer, a Clinical Specialist on Tobacco Treatment, to make an opening presentation.  Meyer reported that 70% of all people who smoke want to quit.  However, only 3-5% of those who wanted to quit can do so unassisted.  Those receiving counseling or help are three times more likely to succeed, and her program helps 21% of those seeking assistance.

The program relies on medication or behavioral support with supplementary services augmented by support from other patients and family members.  Meyer said that the program emphasizes education about the proper use of medical aids.  She added that vaping is not an approved alternative under FDA rules.

Vice Chancellor Felicia Washington of Workforce Strategy, Equity and Engagement presented the Forum’s customary Human Resources update.  She noted that interim UNC System President Bill Roper had discussed possible candidates for the interim Chancellor position with faculty, staff and students, including Forum representatives.  She said that the announcement of the new interim Chancellor should come soon.  She anticipated that the Forum would welcome and support this new person and thanked the group in advance for that support.

Washington noted that departments have received communications related to the AAU sexual assault survey in 2015.  A new survey will go out to undergraduates and graduate students related to Title IX and the Equal Opportunity and Compliance office.  This survey will go out Thursday, February 7th.

Washington noted the many events occurring around the University this month.  She invited attendees to the Check Your Blind Spot tour bus event on February 20th, presented previously at the Kenan-Flagler Business School and the Carolina Women’s Center.  Price Waterhouse Cooper have been the presenters of the tour bus, which will be available from 10:30-3 p.m. on February 20th near the Morehead Planetarium.

Washington praised the Chair and Forum delegates for their roles at the bimonthly Vice Chancellor representatives’ meeting.  She said that issues discussed range from Procurement to Human Resources to Finance and Facilities Services, among others.

Associate Vice Chancellor Linc Butler was pleased that the federal government shutdown had finally ended.  He was confident that Provost Robert Blouin had identified backstop funding for positions affected by the shutdown.  The Chair reported some discussion among employees about possible bridge funding during the shutdown.  Butler said that the Provost had been creative in finding temporary work for employees who might have lost funding for their positions.

Senior Benefits Consultant Jessica Pyjas invited all to the Total WellBeing Expo on Wednesday, March 13 from 11-2 p.m. at Fetzer Hall.  The Expo’s move to Fetzer Hall should increase participation.  Pyjas said that employees can obtain free health screenings by the State Health Plan at the event.  She said that there will be fitness demonstrations of boxing, yoga, ta chi, and Zumba dancing in the Student Recreation Center (SRC) next door.  There will also be a cooking demonstration as well as mini-mindfulness sessions led by instructors.

Pyjas reminded the Forum that February is American Heart month.  She urged employees to take advantage of the blood pressure stations around campus.  She also noted that the University will offer free tai chi and yoga classes on Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. at the SRC.

The Chair called for a motion to approve the consent agenda.  Katie Musgrove made this motion but asked that the Community Service committee report be considered separately.  Rose Thorp asked that the Personnel Issues committee also have separate consideration.  Musgrove said that the Community Service committee would meet after the current meeting in Student Union Room 3515.  She said that the committee’s Toy Drive had been very successful and shared a thank-you card from the Children’s Hospital.  She noted also that the Winter Blood Drive had been successful.  University Blood Drives have impacted 100,000 lives since 1989.  The University has held thirty June drives and twenty winter drives in this time.  The Red Cross will hold a thank-you event on February 14th.  Jim Potts will have more information forthcoming on this occasion.

Rose Thorp said that the Personnel Issues committee will meet February 18th to discuss State Health Plan exceptions described in a previous full Forum meeting.  She said that the committee will need new leadership as of the end of the March as she was to be occupied with maternity leave.

The Chair noted that the Forum will not host this year’s edition of the Chancellor’s Cup golf tournament.  Still, the Forum needs dedicated volunteers to staff the day and to fundraise for the event.  She asked that the Forum Assistant survey possible participants about the Wednesday, May 15th event.

The Forum considered resolution 19-01 on second reading.  There were several language changes related to making the resolution gender-neutral.  Felicia Washington asked that the third paragraph correct a reference to the University of North Carolina System Adverse Weather Event Policy.  Furthermore, the second concluding paragraph of the resolution would be better phrased to note that the UNC-Chapel Hill Office of Human Resources cannot implement or change policy prior to the UNC System Office.  She suggested that the resolution state that the Chancellor and UNC-Chapel Hill Office of Human Resources advocate changes to the current policy.

The Chair thanked Washington for these proposed changes in the interest of providing clarity to readers.  The changes were accepted as friendly amendments by Rose Thorp.  Arlene Medder moved that the Forum accept the resolution, seconded by David Rogers.  The resolution as amended was approved.

The Chair introduced resolution 19-02 honoring Chancellor Carol Folt.  Alan Moran moved that the Forum go into closed session to discuss this resolution under the open meetings exception for consideration of the performance and character of a public employee, seconded by James Stamey.  The Forum voted to move into closed session.

                [Closed Session Discussion of Resolution 19-02.   The Forum voted in closed session to approve the resolution by a vote of 25 in favor, none against, and two abstentions. Tiffany Carver moved to end the closed session, seconded by James Stamey.  The motion was approved by the Forum.]

The Chair thanked the Forum for its important and impactful consideration of the resolution.

The Chair asked for volunteers to serve on a committee related to the “Status of the Forum.”  Arlene Medder, Tracy Weatherby Williams, Darren Abrecht, Lori Haight, Katie Musgrove and Alan Moran volunteered for that committee.

Rose Thorp noted that the Personnel Issues committee had received an inquiry about traffic and pedestrian safety.  The Chair suggested threading this question to Deborah Hawkins of Transportation & Parking.

James Stamey moved that the meeting adjourn, seconded by Katie Musgrove.  The meeting adjourned by acclamation at 10:38 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Matt Banks, Recording Secretary

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