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June 13, 2018

 

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June 13, 2018

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.

Meet and Greet with Peer Recognition Award Recipients (9:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.)

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. Awards Ceremony (9:25 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.)

  • Peer Recognition Award Ceremony
  • Recognition of Outgoing Delegates
  • Kay Wijnberg Hovious Outstanding Delegate Awards

III. Human Resources Update (10:00 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. – 10:45 a.m.)

V. Old Business (10:45 a.m. – 11:10 a.m.)

  • July 11 All-Day Retreat: Ropes Course and Hickory Tavern
  • Forum Officer Elections; Remarks from Forum Officer Candidates
    • Chair: Shayna Hill
    • Vice Chair: Kathy Ramsey
    • Secretary: Tiffany Carver
    • Treasurer:
    • Parliamentarian: Jeffery McQueen

VI. New Business (11:10 a.m. – 11:25 a.m.)

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

VIII. Adjournment

MINUTES

June 13, 2018 Employee Forum Meeting Minutes

Attending:  Bryan Andregg, Donnyell Batts, Emma Beckham, Rich Brandenburg, Bonita Brown, Tiffany Carver, Timothy Carville, Karen Gilliam, Lori Haight, Naquan Hill, Shayna Hill, James Holman, Linda Holst, Todd Hux, Mary King, Katie Lewis, Karlina Matthews, Aisha McClellan, Jeff McQueen, Arlene Medder, Kadejah Murray, Hoi Ning Ngai, Jim Potts, Laura Pratt, Kathy Ramsey, David Rogers, Greg Smith, Kewana Smith, James Stamey, Rose Thorp, Tracy Williams, Rich Wright

Excused Absences:  Karen Cheek, Clare Counihan, Regina D’Uva, Chrissie Greenberg, Kathy Harrison, Alyssa LaFaro, Alan Moran, Katie Musgrove, Natiaya Neal

Chair Shayna Hill called the meeting to order at 9:16 a.m.  She noted that this is the end of the fiscal year for Forum delegates.  She noted the activities of the Forum at the recent Board of Governors meeting, which include the Habitat for Humanity build, the University Blood Drive, the Vice Chancellor representatives’ meeting, and other searches and committee work.

The Chair was proud to present the Forum’s Peer Recognition Awards, noting the large crowd in attendance to honor these winners.  She read citations from the nominations for the awards:  Back Office Award:  Deveda Eubanks, Cheryl Gerringer and Corey Sanders; Big Buddy Award:  Cheryl Stout and Gloria Thomas; Call of Duty Award:  Catherine Kronk, Maria Romano and Sherryl Seigfreid; Congeniality Award:  Manny Coker-Schwimmer, Robin King and Sarah Wackerhagen; Customer Service Award:  Shaketha Edwards and Angie King; Milestone Award:  Kathy Dutton and Rodney Morris; Rookie Award:  Erin Edwards and Patricia Harris; Self-Improvement Award:  Dawn O’Neal; Unsung Hero Award:  Rhonda Beatty, Timothy Blackmon and Nate Hilton.

Robert Baskin Cooper was awarded the Forum’s 3-Legged Stool Award (Community Award), the organization’s highest honor.  Cooper has headed the University’s Coast Guard Auxiliary University Program, devoting thousands of hours to mentoring and training UNC students in cooperation with the Department of Marine Sciences.

The Chair noted that these winners were chosen from a pool of over 230 nominations.  She congratulated all for their accomplishments and contributions.

The Chair recognized outgoing Forum delegates with certificates signed by Chancellor Folt.  She also presented plaques to the 2018 winners of the Forum’s Kay Wijnberg Hovious Outstanding Delegate Awards:  Tiffany Carver, Lori Haight and Naquan Hill.

The Chair welcomed Vice Chancellor of Workplace Strategy, Equity and Engagement Felicia Washington to present the Forum’s customary Human Resources update.  Washington thought that the Forum’s peer recognition awards exemplified an ideal approach to employee engagement in which all are motivated to contribute to organizational success.  She thanked the Forum’s leadership for making these awards possible, notably Recognition & Awards committee chair Natiaya Neal.

Washington noted the System Engagement survey had over 12,000 employee responses, with UNC-Chapel Hill reporting a satisfaction rate of 38% and the overall University System reporting a 50% satisfaction rate.  She said that the working group for the survey had consulted with ModernThink to compile the data, which should hopefully be available as early as October.  Tracy Williams asked if the data will be shared with units following capture by ModernThink.  Washington said that this data will likely not be shared as the survey must retain anonymity for respondents.

Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Linc Butler noted that the State Legislature has approved a budget bill which was vetoed by the Governor but was subsequently overridden by the Legislature.  This bill provides a 2% salary increase across the board for State agencies, excepting the UNC System.  The UNC System will receive $20 million to allocate raises, with no language compelling a 2% raise for SHRA or community college employees.  Butler said that the System Office Budget Manager will take time to weigh guidelines for distribution of these funds.  He noted the general uncertainty as to the significance of this legislative change and looked forward to the July 27th Board of Governors meeting for potential guidance.

Butler also noted that the Legislature has created a new salary minimum for State employees of $31,200/year, the first in the nation to guarantee this base level of compensation.  Butler said that UNC will await guidelines on how this increase will be administered.  Jim Potts asked how many University employees are affected by this change.  Butler said that this figure is around 560 but this number fluctuates daily.  The Chair noted employee nervousness that the 2% figure has not been mandated for University employees.  Butler said that his office has voiced concern about this situation and now awaits clarity for the workforce.  Tracy Williams appreciated the concern that those at the lowest end of the pay scale receive what they need through the general increase.  She said that now an equity issue exists for those at the bottom in the form of salary compression.

The Chair asked about provisions for bonus leave.  Butler said that the Legislature provides 40 hours of bonus leave with no expiration date for SHRA employees.  However, there is no payout provision for this leave, and this leave must be deducted from one’s total if at the end of the year the employee has a balance in excess of 240 hours.  (Generally, vacation hours exceeding 240 are converted to sick leave.)  He gave the example that an employee with 300 vacation hours at the end of December would generally convert 60 hours of this leave to sick leave, with the remaining 240 hours of vacation leave being carried over into the new year.  In this instance, if this employee used the 40 hours of bonus leave in that year, then that 40 hours would be deducted from the 60 hours they have in excess of 240, meaning they would only be able to convert 20 hours to sick leave at the end of the calendar year.

Jim Potts asked when this leave will be provided.  Butler said that there has not yet been guidance issued but the leave may be retroactive to July 1, 2018.  He hesitated to speak with finality without guidance from the System Office or the Office of State Human Resources.

Butler welcomed Benefits Specialist Jessica Pyjas to speak on developments in her area.  She noted that June is Men’s Health Month and urged employees to wear blue in awareness of men’s health on June 15th.  She noted that blood pressure monitors remain available across campus (go.unc.edu/check).  She said that Benefits will conduct an interest survey June 19th regarding interest in a proposed Weight Watchers program.  Those interested can access go.unc.edu/ww for more information.

Finally, Benefits has worked to establish a program providing fresh local vegetables from theproducebox.com.  Employees interested should contact Pyjas directly at japyjas@email.unc.edu for more information.  Rose Thorp asked how this program will be rolled out.  Senior Director of Human Resources Communication and Talent Development Kathy Bryant said that theproducebox.com will try to set locations for vegetable drop-off once employees express interest through the Work Well program or other means.  Bryan Andregg asked about parking needs for this project.  Linc Butler said that parking would need to be close to drop-off locations to avoid long treks in the heat.

It was noted that Finance and Operations continues work to implement the suggestion that the University create an apprenticeship program for prospective Facilities Services workers.

The Chair called for a motion to approve the consent agenda.  Arlene Medder made this motion, seconded by David Rogers.  The motion was approved by acclamation.

Naquan Hill conducted the Forum Officer elections.  All the offices were vacant and were contested by only one delegate, who each won by acclamation.  Jeff McQueen was elected Parliamentarian, Linda Holst was elected Treasurer, Tiffany Carver Secretary, Kathy Ramsey Vice Chair and Shayna Hill Chair.  Hill said that her first term as Chair had been delightful and fulfilling.  She was frustrated that these positions were not contested by more candidates, however.  She urged delegates to consider standing for these positions in the future, and she granted she understood the insecurity regarding these roles.

Naquan Hill noted that he will not serve on the Forum in 2018-19.  He voiced his appreciation for the honor of serving as a Forum Delegate and as Forum Treasurer.  He hoped to return at a later point.  The Chair asked that delegates work to bring forward ideas and concerns from constituents.

Regarding Old Business, the Chair reported that the Forum will hold a bifurcated all-day retreat on July 11th, with the first half taking place in the Outdoor Education Center and the second half at the Hickory Tavern in Carrboro.  She said that this arrangement allows a response to delegates who were uncertain about participation in the outdoor activities.  She added that the Outdoor Education Center activities on the day will be low level team-building exercises.  David Rogers looked forward to participating in the day as a member of the team.  Linda Holst asked that directions to the Center be attached to future communications.  The Chair directed that a Qualtrics form go out to obtain delegate RSVPs for the two events.

Arlene Medder noted that the Carolina Campus Community Garden group had held a very successful tomato planting event in May in partnership with TIAA.  Medder said that employees can volunteer to work in the Garden on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays from 3-5 p.m.  Employees can use community service leave for this purpose with the permission of their supervisor provided that the service occurs during their regular work schedule.  Rose Thorp confirmed that employees should designate Option ‘B’ in TIM.

Jim Potts reported that the Blood Drive had more than one hundred donors than the previous year.  He appreciated Chancellor Folt and Ms. Barbara Hardin appearing at the Drive.  He noted that the UNC-Chapel Hill Drive has been recognized as the 9th largest in the country.

In the absence of further discussion, the meeting adjourned by motion of Naquan Hill, seconded by Arlene Medder at 10:54 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Matt Banks, Recording Secretary

 

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