Chancellor's Staff Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes August 27, 1998   Members present: Steve Honeycutt, Kathy Higdon, Jan Scroggs, Mary Chakales Mary O'Day, Nancy Williams, Melanie Rhodarmer, Harold Johnson, Steve Parrott, Roger Penley, Maggie Smith, Charles Shivers, Terry Bailey, Carolyn McElrath, Marilyn Lonon, Mike Honeycutt, Richard White, Delacy Bradsher, Elise Henshaw, Linda Franklin, staff liaison. Others in attendance: Chancellor Patsy Reed. The meeting was called to order at 1:30 in Room 37, Highsmith Center by the chair, Steve Honeycutt. Minutes of the last meeting were approved. Chancellor Reed gave background the Span of Control Study, which was mandated by the state legislature two or three years ago. This management study, aimed at all state agencies, was to look at the levels of supervisors and the number of people being supervised by each person in a supervisory position. The guidelines said one person should not be supervising fewer than four people. The UNCA study showed that we were in compliance in the layers, or levels, of supervisors but too many people were supervising too few employees. We were instructed to identify $36,000 to return to the state for being inefficient. Chancellor Reed said we will have to correct this to come into compliance with the state guidelines, which now dictate 5.4 employees per supervisor. The state probably will re-visit this situation again in the spring. Each time it is reviewed and we are not in compliance, we will lose money. In order to bring us in-line, Chancellor Reed said the administration will be looking at the lines of supervision, trying to protect salaries and classifications in a way that no one will be hurt and, at the same time, enable us to avoid having to return any money. It was suggested that we contact our representative to the State Employees Association to determine if they can have a voice in this matter. Chancellor Reed said all the chancellors have expressed concerns over the study and may have a chance to present these concerns to the legislature before the next biennium. The chair called for reports from the sub-committees formed at the July meeting. Maggie Smith, reported for the committee charged with examining issues regarding employee leave and perks. (Click to see a copy of the report presented by the committee.) Also presenting reports were Terry Bailey for the "Staff Morale Committee" and Mike Honeycutt for the "Parking Committee.". The chair reminded members that the by-laws state we must respond within 60 days to all issues brought to the committee, even if that response is just a status report on the progress made so far on the issue. It was decided that the appropriate committee will reply. Delacy announced fall and spring workshops planned by Human Resources and passed around a tentative schedule, requesting any suggestions or additions. Scholarships for staff development will be available for the spring semester for individuals who want to attend off-campus courses. The chair resolved that our permanent meeting place will be Highsmith 37 and the time will be the third Thursday of each month at 1:30. Meeting dates for the first semester will be September 17, October 15, and November 19. The suggestion that staff should try to attend more campus-wide events to interact with students brought agreement that such events need to be more prominently advertised. Some employees are out of the information loop, especially those who do not have e-mail, and therefore we are failing to communicate with part of the constituency. George Boswell from Human Resources presented Kitty Williams, of the State Health Plan Office, who discussed the recent withdrawal of all HMO plans from the state health plan. Ms. Williams explained the process by which HMO's contract with the state. It was suggested that the criteria which the HMO's must meet include the stipulation that they serve all North Carolina counties. Ms. Williams provided the name and address of the executive administrator of the State Health Plan. It was decided that one response from CSAC be developed outlining our concerns and sent to the executive administrator. The next meeting will be September 17th at 1:30 in Highsmith 37. The meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Elise Henshaw, Secretary