University Times

Brian Hart, a research specialist in the Graduate School of Public Health, has been elected president of Staff Association Council (SAC) for the year beginning July 1.

Hart, who joined SAC a year ago, has served as the group's representative on the last search committee for a new senior vice chancellor for Health Sciences and as interim chair of SAC's steering committee. He was elected unanimously at SAC's June 21 meeting. "I am extremely willing to see the mission of SAC carried forward in whatever way it can be carried forward," Hart said after the election. "This is an important time in many respects, not only for SAC, but for anyone associated with the University in any way." Pointing to the problems Pitt is facing in terms of budget, challenges from state legislators who want to cut benefits to employees of state-owned and state-related institutions of higher learning, and the departure of Chancellor J. Dennis O'Connor, Hart promised to work to represent staff's views in whatever ways possible.

"I am not going to say that I have the time to devote myself to the president's job exclusively," he said. "But I do have the time and the energy and the desire to see that SAC moves forward." Other officers also unanimously elected by SAC during the meeting were: * Vice President for Steering Rich Colwell, electronics specialist, School of Engineering.

* Vice President for Communications Susan Selai, senior systems specialist, Office of Computing and Information Services.

* Treasurer Carol Kenderes, administrator, School of Education.

Since none of the individuals nominated for membership on SAC were opposed, no formal election was conducted this year. Instead, all nominees were approved for membership during the June 21 meeting. They include newly appointed members: Robert Arlia, data control specialist, Office of Admissions and Financial Aid; Gregory Bondi, systems analyst, The Book Center; Donald Bonidie, staff specialist, Office of the Registrar; Catherine Camp, administrator, School of Medicine; Jennifer Daugherty, administrative secretary, School of Law; Matthew Fletcher, maintenance engineer, School of Dental Medicine; Gary Guydosh, medical photographer, University Center for Instructional Resources; Margaret Havran, communications specialist, English; Anne Ludlow, administrator, School of Law; Linda Marts, administrator, School of Medicine; Elizabeth McNally, administrative secretary, School of Nursing; Katheryn Seider, administrator, School of Medicine, and Audrey Sites, library specialist, Hillman Library.

Re-appointed SAC members for 1995-96 include: Renae Brinza, administrator, Food Services; Norma Dothard, store specialist, The Book Center; Betty Homonai, staff specialist, University Center for Instructional Resources; Carol James, buyer, Office of Procurement and Materials Management; Andrea Loughner, staff specialist, Office of Parking and Transportation; Babs Mowery, administrator, College of Arts and Sciences; Jeanette Norbut, administrative secretary, Graduate School of Public Health, and Carol Tkach, secretary, Graduate School of Public Health.

Also during the meeting, two changes were approved to SAC's bylaws.

The first change reverts the position currently described as president-elect back to its former title vice president for steering. The change was made to emphasize the importance of the position in providing guidance and assistance to committee chairs and the overall governance of SAC.

In addition, the change will reopen the position of president to independent election rather than having the vice president for steering automatically assume the presidency after one year.

The second change separates SAC's internal and external communication functions by relieving the vice president/communications of direct responsibility for the group's quarterly newsletter and other publications.

The internal communications committee under a separate chair will now be responsible for the newsletter and other publications. The vice president/communications will continue to handle all sensitive and external University communications.

–Mike Sajna