University Times

Staff Association Council (SAC) members will "adopt" South Bouquet Street as part of a city project to rid neighborhoods of trash. Members voted to participate in the project at SAC's April 8 meeting. Steve Zupcic, of Governmental Relations, will act as coordinator between SAC and the city's Adopt a Block project.

The minimum requirement to join the project is "four or five people, working an hour to an hour and a half, at least six times a year," Zupcic told SAC. The city provides supplies and rewards participants with a large sign posted prominently on the block, recognizing the group's efforts. Zupcic promised to see that the city upheld its end, including the installation of the sign and providing same-day or next-day pick-up of the accumulated trash.

Zupcic said, "The goal as you know is to help clean up a [residential] section by, literally, getting gloves and garbage bags and picking up garbage." He noted that the project fits in with the University's mission of community service, adding that it also fosters a better relationship with the surrounding community. Zupcic pointed out that two Pitt fraternities already have adopted blocks.

In addition, participation in the program would position the council as "enabling" in the eyes of the University administration, suggested Zupcic. "[The administration] would see you as not just complaining about what the staff doesn't have," he said.

"More importantly," SAC President Brian Hart responded, "[this would hold true] in the eyes of the staff and the surrounding community." After a show of hands indicated a unanimous willingness to participate, council selected South Bouquet Street from Forbes Avenue south toward Dawson Street as an appropriate choice.

In other SAC news, Hart reported on the April 1 staff assembly meeting. The assembly was constructive, he said, but "attendance was low. We want to urge all interested parties to attend [these assemblies]." Hart said that concerns were expressed at the assembly about some UPMC staff who are scheduled to be transferred to the University of Pittsburgh Physicians Management Co. on January 1, 1999 (see University Times, March 19). "The [original] estimate of affected staff has been lowered from 75 to 50," he said. "And Human Resources has said they will meet with all individuals [affected by the transfer] and try to accommodate their needs, including help with finding transfer positions within the University at the same or higher salary levels, where possible." SAC Vice President Rich Colwell added that affected staff were mostly medical personnel, doctors and nurses. And Hart elaborated that "the definition [of jobs affected] is if they are more than 50 percent 'clinically related.' " "No one should lose his or her job," stated Colwell. However, "the new benefits package [for those transferring] has not been defined yet," explained Hart. "It's the University's position that [affected staff] are moving to a different employer, and that the University, HR, cannot dictate [their] benefits." In council-specific news, Hart said that SAC will have its own website, linked to the University's home page. He also announced the resignation of Susan Selai, who had been serving as co-chair of the council's communications committee. "I want to publicly thank Susan for her service to the council and the staff," said Hart. Council committee reports included one from elections committee chair Carol Neuner, who reminded members that, if they wished to continue serving on SAC, they needed to be nominated, or re-nominate themselves, by noon on April 24. Nominating ballots were sent to staff via campus mail last week. University-wide elections will be held in May and June. The selection of representatives will be by a pre-determined formula that will balance council membership by job classification and vice chancellor reporting area.

Officer elections within council will take place after the new council membership is established. It was noted that council bylaws do not allow for Hart or Cowell to succeed themselves in their current positions, but they may be elected to other officer-level posts. Committee members, however, who are re-elected to the council will continue serving terms in their respective committees until November.

Linda Marts, chair of the salary and job classification committee, reported that a task force is continuing to draft revisions for the Staff Handbook, and will submit recommendations to Human Resources. Joan Neitznick, chair of the staff relations committee, noted that her group is continuing to work on the staff grievance section of the handbook. Council heard statements from Leasa Maley, manager of the Pitt-Bradford bookstore, who was representing UPB's seat on the council. Maley reported that UPB also was in the midst of staff council nominations and elections. She said that the current Bradford staff council had sponsored several events recently, including a Women of Promise awards ceremony honoring outstanding female students, and a Take Your Daughters to Work day.

Gwen Watkins, council secretary, announced that Pitt Kennywood Day will be held this year on Saturday, July 25. "Anyone wishing to help with planning: There will be a meeting on Tuesday, April 21, at noon, in 917 William Pitt Union," said Watkins. In response, Maley asked if the Pittsburgh SAC could help Bradford staff participate, specifically assisting with the cost of, or alternatives to, transportation. "In the past, when we've tried to organize this, the cost of the bus ride, per person, has been somewhere near $60. That plus the Kennywood all-day ticket…." she said.

Watkins and Hart both felt that some relief could be provided, perhaps with a Pitt shuttle or other less expensive alternatives, and it was agreed to continue discussions of this issue at future meetings. In other council news, the annual SAC regional campus council meeting will take place on the Titusville campus in June, on a date to be announced. The next SAC meeting will be held on May 13, noon to 2 p.m., 2P56 Forbes Quadrangle. Meetings are open to the University community.

–Peter Hart