MINUTES

Staff Forum

February 2, 2005

3:00 PM

Carlton Center, 126A

 

Philip Hightower, chair, called the meeting to order and gave the invocation. 

 

Guest Speaker:

Interim President Tom Call spoke on the following issues:

  1. Budget –State employees should get a 2% raise again in January, 2006.  The bad news concerning the budget is the State had to dip into the Health Insurance Reserve.  Enrollment was the key for ABAC. 
  2. Presidential Search – President Call has not heard when the search might begin to replace President Vollmer. 
  3. Salary Study – A private firm (disinterested 3rd party) was hired to do a long overdue salary study on staff.  Hopefully, the results will bring consistency and fairness across campus.              
  4. SACS Reaccredidation –This is a college wide activity. 
  5. Summer flex-hours – Will be in effect again this summer. 
  6. Mission review is underway.  Nine of the thirteen 2-year colleges asked for 4-year status. 
  7. Master Plan – We are expanding our footprints, which will include more buildings.  The new $7.2 million nursing complex will open in 2006, instead of 2007 as originally planned.  The new plan high-lights these additions:  New Student Center (Dining Hall Parking Lot), Physical Plant (new North Perimeter Road), and no parking if front of Tift Hall, with Gray Hall gone.  Parking will be urban style with one lot on the south side of campus (off Davis Rd), and one of the north side of campus (beyond Yow).
  8. Mr. Hightower represents the Staff Forum on the President’s Cabinet.  In the future, the president of the Staff Forum will be a part of the President’s Cabinet.

 

After a question/answer session, Mr. Hightower thanked Mr. Call for coming.

 

Announcements:

1.      Mr. Hightower thanked the spring 2005 refreshment volunteers:  Dina Willis, Reba Selph, Stephanie Coney, Amy Willis, Trina Jones, Vicki Wilson, Brenda Graham, Nancy Brannen, Van McGriff, & Phil Hightower

2.      The sign-up sheet will be outside on the refreshment table for summer 2005 volunteers.

3.      Mr. Hightower informed staff that Officer Billy Purcell is back in uniform after an accident.

 

Approval of summer 2004 Minutes

    • No changes
    • Motioned, seconded, and passed

 

 

Introduction of New Personnel:

Mr. Hightower read the names of new personnel and asked if they were present to please stand for recognition.

 

 

Old business:

  • Payroll Deduction form – If anyone is interested, please see Mr. Hightower for a form.  The form should be filled out and sent to the Foundation.
  • Tom Turkey Fundraiser – Our fall fundraiser grossed $1100.  Thanks to everyone for making it happen.
  • Endowment – Mr. Hightower checked with Ms. Baldree as to how much it requires for an endowment.  A minimum of $10,000 is needed and the principle could not be touched.  The Roy Jackson Staff Award ($1250) and the yearly scholarship ($2500) would be funded in part with the interest from the endowment.

 

New business:

  • Account balance of $14,325.00 as of 2/1/04.  This balance draws NO interest.  Each year it requires $2500.00 to cover the Staff Award and scholarship.  Mr. Hightower would like for the Staff to set a long-term goal of $50,000.
  • Nomination Committee-These are the names submitted by the committee for our slate of new officers beginning summer 2005 – spring 2007:

                  Chair                    Olga Contreras

                  Vice Chair            Brenda Doss

                  Secretary              Reba Selph

                  Parliamentarian   Ellen Resta

The motion was made these be accepted, seconded and passed.

  • As Mr. Call mentioned earlier, the Staff Forum Chair is now a part of the President’s Cabinet.  Thanks to Ms. Bertha Daniel’s who made this motion to the Cabinet, this gives us a place to voice our concerns.
  • Ms. Daniel spoke briefly about the salary survey.  The purpose is to come up with policies and procedures to follow.  She discussed entry level salary and the maximum for different positions.  It was mentioned that some of the questions were hard to make our descriptions fit into.  Ms. Daniel said this company has worked with other educational facilities, so they can adapt.
  • Jackson Award and Scholarship – Forms are available of the website, along with a list of staff eligible for this award, and the criteria.  The winner will be announced April 13, 2005, at Honor’s Day.  Scholarship applications are also on the website.  Nominations and scholarship applications are due March 1, 2005, and should be sent to Mr. Hightower. 
  • Spring Fundraising -Different things were made up to sell for Valentine’s Day.  You can view these items on-line by going to ABAC’s site and typing in StaffForum/Valentine.  Volunteers are needed to man the table on 2/14 and to bake goodies to sell.    A sign-up sheet will be placed on the refreshment table.
  • Other – Jimmy Felton thanked staff for giving his daughter, Eve, the scholarship for 2004-2005. 
  • The meeting adjourned and those in attendance enjoyed the refreshments.