PSA -- Minutes April 6, 2000

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Meeting Minutes
CVCC Professional Staff Association
April 6, 2000
East Wing 312

Members Present: Kathy Harris, Sallie Neville Merritt, Doug Allen, Karen Less, Anne Williams, Sandie Loyer, Sue Asp, Judy Barkley, Connie Frye, Jim Payne, Harry Cooke, Marian Baer

President-Elect Sue Asp called the meeting of the CVCC Professional Staff Association to order at 2:00 PM. President. LaDonna Goodson was out-of-town.

Meeting with Director of Human Resources

The PSA Executive Committee met with Mike Kidd, Director of Human Resources, on January 25, 2000 to share with him matters of interest to PSA.

Improved Communications : PSA requested internal announcements of positions. The Executive Committee discussed with Mike the discrepancy regarding promotion to a "new position" v. changing/adding responsibilities, coupled with the fact that the position "vacated" is the one posted and not the "new position". Mike said he is "o.k. with it" but the Administrators have to agree. Mike explained that the College was not legally obligated to do so. PSA representatives concluded by asking for consistency in posting openings at all levels, not just support staff.
Published Salary Ranges : PSA asked that salaries published in the P & P Manual be updated when the Consumer Price Index is released. Mike noted that should be done as soon as the CPI is released (It was noted in the 4-6-00 meeting that the new CPI figures came out in February.)
Year to Year Contracts : PSA explored the possibility of year-to-year contracts in lieu of letters of intent. Mike explained that North Carolina is an "at will" state, which allows employers to employ persons without any contractual commitment. There is an appeal procedure in the P & P Manual if an employee is terminated during the period the letter covers.

Meeting with Mitchell Setzer
NC representative Mitchell Setzer responded to LaDonna's request to meet and met with the PSA Executive Committee February 16, 2000. Rep. Setzer was receptive to the information presented and agreed to help make his colleagues in the Legislature aware of the need for inclusive language in pay raise bills.

CVCC Board Meeting
PSA had a good representation at the February 17, 2000 meeting of the CVCC Board of Trustees. PSA requested consideration again this year for pay equity with the faculty, specifically requesting the Board provide performance pay opportunities for professional staff equal to that available to the faculty. Harry Cooke reported that later in the meeting one of the CVCC Board members said the PSA request for performance pay is not a priority of the College and unless the county allocated more money to the College, the professional staff will not receive performance pay.

Letters to Legislators
La Donna provided lists of key NC Legislators to write to urge pay equity for professional staff. The lists include members of the Education Subcommittee on Community Colleges and Key Legislative Names and Addresses (attached). These names, and hotlinks to addresses) are listed at the following web site: www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/committee_lists/committee_lists.pl?House . Addresses for the key NC Legislators are attached to the January 20, 2000 minutes posted on the PSA web page (reached through the CVCC Intranet page). PSA MEMBERS NEED TO WRITE THESE LEGISLATORS . It is suggested that letters request "inclusive language" for pay raises that will include "faculty and staff" or "all employees".

Harry Cooke distributed information on Community College Funds for Expansion (see attached " Clarion Call "). The information includes a request for the State to fund summer semester instruction. Harry asked that letters be sent supporting all the expansion funds. It is suggested that separate letters be sent; one for the equity pay issue and another for the community college expansion funds.

PSA members are reminded that letters should be developed on personal time, using personal stationary, word processing, and e-mail. College resources should not be used for this effort.

Meeting with Catawba County Commissioners
Although PSA had originally understood that the organization could be included in the April 5 and April 14 CVCC budget meetings with Catawba County officials, the group was not included in the April 5 meeting. Dr. Dunbar informed LaDonna that the organization must write a case for pay equity in order to be included in the April 14 meeting. Dr. Dunbar has determined that the case statement must be approved by Dr. Dunbar and Dr. Lane and should include examples of professional staff members who have left due to low/inadequate pay and a comparison of average faculty salary with average professional staff salary. It was agreed that PSA would present a statement. Karen Less will assist on the statement preparation.

PSA Brochure
Doug Allen presented ideas for the brochure that he and Judy Barkley are updating. The new brochure will be kept on the computer. When new professional staff commence work, please call Doug and have him print a brochure for the new employee.

PSA Dues
The idea of nominal dues for PSA membership was discussed. The funds would be used primarily to purchase letterhead, envelopes, postage and other incidental supplies. To date, postage and supplies have been provided from the pocket of the President. Harry moved that PSA proceed with establishing annual dues of $5 from each member. The motion was seconded by Marian Baer and passed. Doug Allen will author the appropriate amendment to the Constitution and By-Laws to accommodate dues.

The next meeting of PSA will be Thursday, July 20, 2000, 2:00 PM on East Campus.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by President-Elect Sue Asp.

Respectfully submitted,

Anne Williams

Secretary

North Carolina House of Representatives
Education Subcommittee on Community Colleges