SC 4/18/07 Minutes

Not Yet Approved

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Staff Council (SC) Minutes: April 18, 2007

Wynne Courtroom of Inlow Hall (“IH 100”) / 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Agenda Item I: Call to Order: Susan J. Martin (SC President, 8.6128, sujmarti@indiana.edu).

Martin called the meeting to order at 3:03pm.

Agenda Item II: Adoption of the Order of Business for the Day.

The order of business was adopted as the order of business for the day.

Agenda Item III: Report from the Chancellor's SC Administrative Designee: Robert Martin (Vice-Chancellor for Administration and Finance, 4.4511, rmartin@iupui.edu).

Vice Chancellor Martin could not attend, but will update the SC at future meetings.

Agenda Item IV: [ACTION ITEM] Minutes for SC 3/21/07: Up for Approval.

Hearing no objections, the SC minutes of March 21, 2007 were accepted as written and entered into record.

These minutes are available online at http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/documents/minutes/2006-2007/3-21-07_summary.htm .

Agenda Item V: Report from Human Resources Administration: Ellen Poffenberger (Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Human Resources / Chancellor’s SC Administrative Designee Alternate, 4.8932, epoffenb@iupui.edu).

Poffenberger briefed the SC on the following:

The position description for the new chief diversity officer (now titled "Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion") will be posted by the campus soon.

Thank you to everyone who attended or encouraged others to attend last week’s HRA spring seminar, “Culture Shock.”

Staff are encouraged to take advantage of special events on April 19^th, including a memorial for VPI and a town meeting on emergency planning.

Representative Natalie Harvey asked for an update on the potential advent of short-term disability. Poffenberger explained that Dan Rives is still awaiting feedback from certain Vice Chancellors throughout the IU system (he asked if there would be support for the request of additional staff needed to administer such a plan).

Agenda Item VI: Report from the President: Susan J. Martin.

Martin briefed the Council on the following:

The SC Diversity Committee’s April 13^th diversity program “Beyond Awareness” was a great success and involved a focused and interesting dialogue on issues of race, prejudice, and awareness. The facilitators, diversity officers from Wellpoint, were very engaging and effective, Martin noted.

Barbara Jarjoura has accepted the role of Chair of the Communications Committee, replacing outgoing member Michelle Hurst. Thank you, Barbara!

The Staff Council Executive Committee continues to discuss: (1) further diversity initiatives with the Diversity Committee, (2) protocol for the discussion of/dissemination of information that might be considered "politically sensitive," and (3) a possible discussion panel on varying performance review practices across campus. The Committee welcomes your feedback at molmarti@iupui.edu.

Please think about running for Staff Council if your term is up. Please also encourage your colleagues to consider running, as well. Nominations and elections will take place online.

As summer approaches, please remember to save the date for the annual Staff Council retreat (all day, Friday July 13th, Bradford Woods). It will be a day of fun, socializing, planning, and learning...not to mention free food!

Agenda Item VII: Reports from Standing Committees.

Special Events Committee member Nancy Gibson reported that her committee and the Staff Council would like to thank all those who participated in the April 17th Blood Drive. 138 people attended and 95 were able to donate. The committee is reviewing this year's event closely to plan for future events and apply everything learned in this, the inaugural year. Thank you, Karen Best, Nancy Gibson, and the entire Special Events Committee for their hard work.

Staff Affairs Chair Becky Thacker reported that her Neighborhood Association reported that the city provides free training for emergency response (first aid, organization, etc.). Thacker will work with Safety Committee Representative Lee Stone to explore the possibility of offering such a training opportunity on campus.

She then reported that Jan Canganelli would represent staff on the campus food services committee, an appointment that was unanimously endorsed by the Council.

Agenda Item VIII: Call for Reports from Other Committees.

The Pandemic Flu planning committee on campus is sponsoring an open meeting Thursday April 19th at 9:00am in the University Library Auditorium. Staff Campus Safety Representative and SC Member Lee Stone will be on-hand and encourages others to join him.

Agenda Item IX: Reports from the Chancellor's SC Academic Designee: Paul Galanti (Former President, IUPUI Faculty Council, 257.6826, pgalanti@iupui.edu).

Galanti could not attend, but will update the SC at future meetings.

Agenda Item X: Center for Young Children (“CYC”): Mission, Structure, etc.: Beth Jeglum (Director – The Center for Young Children, bjeglum@iupui.edu).

Jeglum briefed the Council on the mission and structure of the CYC, which is an auxiliary unit of IUPUI. “The IUPUI Center for Young Children provides quality full and part-time preschool education for children of faculty, staff and students while their parents work or study. The Center is open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and primarily cares for children ages 2-5 years of ages. The children are divided into four age groups: Weeschool (two year olds), Preschool (three year olds), Prekindergarten (four year olds) and Kindergarten (five year olds). School aged children (ages 6-12 years) attend the Center during the summer months, as it is not a convenient before and after school site.”

Per the hand-outs she distributed, the role of teachers and assistant teachers as the center is as follows:

“It is the teacher's role to develop activities and curriculum goals that:

* Encourage and foster the development of positive self-esteem and confidence.

* Promote the development of positive social skills and an appreciation of cultural diversity.

* Promote the development of motor, cognitive, and creative skills in literacy and language development, math, science, music, art, and social studies.

* Promote the development of independence and self-discipline.

* Promote the development of positive communication skills.

* Promote the development of sound health and nutritional practices.”

The CYC mission, Jeglum then explained, is as follows:

“As a supportive unit of IUPUI and an advocate for children and families, the IUPUI Center for Young Children

• Provides exemplary early childhood care and education for the University’s diverse population of students, staff, and faculty.

• Meets the physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs of young children in a developmentally appropriate environment.

• Allows adults with young children to engage in study, work, and research.

• Serves as a model site for others in the field of early childhood education.

• Provides a training site where graduate and undergraduate students can put theory into practice.

• Provides a research site where faculty and staff can investigate young children and families.”

The facility, relatively new to campus, includes fourteen classrooms surround four indoor play parks. “The largest park links the classroom wings to the front portion of the main building. The Town Hall of the neighborhood with entrance, offices and shared space. Each classroom exterior looks like a neighborhood house – even the paint colors are residential. The classrooms also have direct access to fenced outdoor playgrounds. The resulting design is a world of friendly houses with parks both inside and out, and thoughtful details to foster the development of young children.”

Jeglum, then, addressed questions from the SC body by explaining the following:

- There is a waiting list for enrollment. The list changes throughout the year.

- There are currently no enrollment subsidies available for parents and the center’s budget is limited (NOTE: because the center is an auxiliary there are considerable expenses and assessments to outside vendors and the campus).

- The CYC is always grateful for donations of materials and resources. They also participate in the General Mills “Box Tops for Education” program and receive rebates for recycling used printer cartridges. To forward box tops, donations, or cartridges, please call the Center at 274-3508 or mail items to the CYC at 321 Limestone Street – IUPUI (Indianapolis, 46202).

- A CYC parents group has self-identified and organized to address some of the supply and funding issues. Several SC members suggested collaboration with this group to help assist the center in meeting its needs and, perhaps, developing resources to support parents in need.

- The hours of operation of the CYC are largely dictated by budget and staffing.

The CYC handbook is available to view at http://www.childcare.iupui.edu/phb.doc .

Agenda Item XI: “Take Back the Night” Comes to IUPUI: Marissa Irvine (Coordinator).

Irvine reported that IUPUI would hold its first “Take Back the Night” program on April 25^th. Details are as follows:

“Take Back the Night!

April 25, 2007

4:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Starting in the UC Courtyard and going down New York to the Campus Apartments

Come be a part of this event to empower people to raise awareness about violence and sexual violence that instills fear and threatens safety in our community. This event will give a voice to victims and let it be known that violence in the community and campus will not be tolerated. The rally will have lots of speakers from various agencies including the IUPUI police, community agencies, and possibly local politicians. At the Speak Out there will be a chance for survivors to discuss their experiences and there will be counselors on hand to help with that process.

Schedule of Events:

There are several Take Back the Night activities -- please come to what you can or are interested in attending.

# 4:30-5:00 pm: Pizza and Sign-Making in UC Courtyard

# 5:00-5:45 pm: Rally in Democracy Plaza (4-5 public speakers; each given 5-7 minutes) Speakers will be confirmed by April 2nd

# 5:45-6:30 pm: March through campus (down New York Street)

# 6:30-6:45 pm: Closing Words

# 6:45-8:00 pm: Speak-Out about Sexual Violence at 405 Porte Alegre (conference center in the Campus Apartments)”

The SC applauded Irvine for her work on this important issue and expressed its support for the program.

Agenda Item XII: Old Business (Unfinished or Pending).

The Staff Council is convening a committee to plan a craft fair fundraiser on campus and to explore ways in which the Council can assist staff, students, student projects, and campus events. Sue Herrell will Co-Chair (Thanks, Sue!) and is seeking interested volunteers to serve on the committee. ALL staff--they need not be Council members--are welcome and encouraged to join. Contact molmarti@iupui.edu to volunteer.

Team Staff Council will participate in Saturday's Race for the Cure. Thanks to all donors and team members, as we have raised $325 dollars to-date. Special thanks to Sue Herrell for acting as Team Captain.

Agenda Item XIII: New Business / Announcements.

IUPUI students have initiated a campus-wide prayer vigil for the victims and survivors of the incident at Virginia Tech on Thursday April 19th at 12:00pm in front of University College.

IUPUI Police Chief Paul Norris and his colleagues are sponsoring an open informational meeting on Thursday April 19th at 3:00pm in Lecture Hall 101.

Agenda Item XIV: Adjournment.

At 5:04pm, Martin adjourned the meeting.

Minutes prepared by Staff Council Coordinator Molly Martin

UN 403 / 274-2215 / Fax: 274-2970 / scouncil@iupui.edu / http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil

Attachments: Agenda for April 18, 2007 Staff Council Meeting.