University Times

A lack of a quorum at the Sept. 17 Staff Association Council meeting prevented a vote on a proposal to eliminate term limits for SAC officers. Action by the full membership was tabled until SAC’s Oct. 15 meeting.

SAC bylaws require a quorum of three-fifths of the group’s full members for votes or official action to take place; in addition, a bylaws change must be approved by two-thirds of full members in attendance.

Of the group’s 54 full members, 28 attended the September meeting. Three associate members, who are ineligible to vote, also were present.

The revision to the term limits rule was approved earlier this year by SAC’s governance and steering committees.

Under the current bylaws, SAC officers may serve a maximum of three consecutive two-year terms. SAC President Rich Colwell and treasurer Carol Hodgkiss will be completing their third consecutive terms in June 2009.

In his report, Colwell highlighted recent changes to the staff handbook and University policy:

• The University reversed a modification to its re-employment policy that previously had cut in half the length of time that employees who have been involuntarily separated from their jobs can retain their seniority for determining vacation accrual, defined benefit retirement plan vesting and eligibility for disability benefits and the Family and Medical Leave Act if they are re-employed at Pitt. (Sick days, eligibility for pre-September 1994 tuition reimbursement and pre-July 2004 retiree medical benefits are not carried forward.)

According to the staff handbook, involuntary separation includes those whose position has been eliminated and those who have been unable to return to work while on approved disability leave.

In 2007, the University cut eligibility to retain accrued benefits from 365 days to 180 days. The most recent change returns eligibility to 365 days.

Re-employed staffers must request reinstatement through the Benefits office within 30 days of new full-time employment at the University.

Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Ron Frisch said the situation affects a “minimal” number of people and that those who are beyond the 180-day mark will get their credit under the newly revised policy.

• The staff handbook’s policy on reference checks within the University has been updated to make a job offer conditional on a reference from the candidate’s supervisor.

The addition states, “In the event of a proposed internal transfer of a current staff member or rehire of a former staff member, before an offer of employment can be made it is necessary to document that a reference was obtained from a supervisor in the candidate’s most recent University department — preferably the candidate’s immediate supervisor — who is reasonably familiar with the candidate’s work performance.”

The lack of a positive reference would not necessarily preclude employment, but the aim is to make the new supervisor aware if performance issues exist with a prospective employee. “We don’t want to hold the new employer hostage to something we weren’t aware of,” Frisch said. “It will still be up to the hiring department to make the decision if the reference comes in poor.”

• An addition to University Policy 07-06-05 regarding maintenance of employee records now states that in the event of a transfer or a rehire, a staff member’s complete personnel file shall be transferred to the new department.

In other business, the University has nixed a SAC benefits committee proposal that asked the University to promote the use of flex time and sought the creation of a policy on flexible work hours and a compressed workweek.

Frisch said there would be no change to the policy at this time. “Flex time is at the discretion of the department leader,” he said.

He acknowledged some units already have alternative work programs in place, adding that Human Resources is available to assist units in implementing such plans.

A separate SAC proposal seeking Human Resources cooperation in assessing staff knowledge of and satisfaction with Pitt benefits has been accepted. Frisch said John Kozar, director of Benefits, would coordinate with SAC to formulate a 5-10 question online survey to be conducted in conjunction with the benefits open enrollment period next spring.

In other reports:

• Treasurer Hodgkiss reported that a new printer has been ordered for the SAC office.

• Governance committee chair Peggy McNeil reported that bylaws related to meeting attendance are under review.

McNeil said the committee is considering including committee meetings in the wording in Article 6, Section 1 that states that members shall be responsible for regularly attending SAC meetings. The committee also is considering adding some flexibility in the requirement that SAC members be active in at least one SAC committee by adding wording that would make the requirement subject to the discretion of SAC officers.

• Research and information committee chair Jennifer Welton reported that the annual report is nearing completion and will be available on the SAC web site and at the next meeting.

• Safety and security committee chair Fred Schiffer reported that a safety fair is set for Sept. 30 on the William Pitt Union lawn and a CPR/AED certification class will take place Oct. 4. For more information, contact the SAC office at 4-4236.

• Program and planning committee chair Anna Sangl reported more than 1,750 tickets were sold for the annual Pitt Kennywood Day.

She also called attention to SAC’s fall assembly, set for Oct. 14, which will feature Pitt-Titusville police officer Randall Schwabenbauer speaking about Internet predators. The event will include a raffle to benefit SAC’s blanket project, which provides handmade blankets to community organizations that serve the needy.

Sangl asked members to promote the blanket program if their departments are seeking a holiday project. Volunteers may raise money for materials, donate fleece or make the blankets, she said.

—Kimberly K. Barlow