http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/ News about general from Staff Council News en-us Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:23:08 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4324/Ad-Hoc-TIME-Committee http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4324/Ad-Hoc-TIME-Committee The Staff Council Executive Committee has created an Ad Hoc TIME Committee under the Staff Affairs Committee. The Ad Hoc TIME Committee will assist staff and faculty in voicing their concerns with the TIME system and seek solutions which support accountability and best practices carrying out the vision, mission and goals of the university. (Bylaws: Article 1. Purpose and Section B and C of the Staff Council Constitution). This committee shall provide a channel of communication for staff regarding the TIME system with IUPUI administration. This committee will collect data which may be instrumental in advocating effective TIME policies supporting fairness between staff, coworkers and supervisors. This committee will collect data which may assist TIME programmers/administrators provide better functionality within TIME. The Ad Hoc TIME Committee encourages all staff and faculty with concerns regarding the TIME system to utilize the following communication methods: 1. The Staff Council website under “Contact Us – Submit Feedback” (http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/contact/feedback.html) 2. Via Campus Mail: Karen Lee, Coordinator, Office of the Staff Council, UN 403. 3. Ad Hoc TIME Committee Chair: Christine Padgett, 1st Vice President, cepadget@iupui.edu 4. Staff Affairs Chair: Lee Stone, Member-at-Large, leestone@iupui.edu Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4318/Shortterm-Disability-Insurance http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4318/Shortterm-Disability-Insurance Representing the voice of our staff, the IUPUI Staff Council has fought to have Short-Term Disability insurance offered for many years. We realize a need exists for this type of insurance as many of our fellow staff members have had to endure financial hardships because of lost pay when they were unable to work because of an injury, extended illness or pregnancy. The countless hours of hard work put in by many Staff Council members over the years paid off this year as the University was able to put together a packet of optional plans that included Short Term Disability. Implementation of a Short-Term Disability plan requires a minimal percentage of employee participation, as the insurance company wants to be profitable and considerable usage is expected. As such, there needs to be a significant amount of employees enrolled to cover the expected usage. Initially the insurance company wanted 30% of all eligible staff enrolled before the plan would be offered. Through negotiations by the University, the minimum employee participation was lowered even further to 20% and the plan was offered to all eligible staff during a special enrollment period which was extended to ensure all eligible employees were given the opportunity to enroll. Unfortunately only 8% (876) of eligible employees enrolled in the plan and as a result the program will not become effective this year. There is a definite need for this insurance and the number of employees that enrolled in the plan does not accurately reflect the number of employees in need of the plan as there are many factors present that may have prevented employees from enrolling. The plan was offered during a period that will go into the record books as being one of the worst economic times in the history of America. Many of our fellow employees have spouses and family members without jobs during this time of record unemployment. No raises were given as inflation continues. When one has to decide between putting food on the table and paying an insurance premium, regardless of the need for the insurance, the choice is obvious. Because of these factors, we will not give up the fight. It took many months of planning by the University to offer the Short-Term Disability insurance and we will have to provide reasonable assurance of sufficient enrollment before the University will commit the time needed for another offering of Short-Term Disability. We will continue to be a voice for our employees and we will continue to pursue Short-Term Disability considering 876 staff members enrolled in the plan with many more in need that were unable to enroll at this time. To lend your voice to this cause, please add a comment at this site: http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/contact/feedback.html Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4239/New-IU-Voluntary-Benefits-Program http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4239/New-IU-Voluntary-Benefits-Program Indiana University is pleased to offer the IU Voluntary Benefits Program, a new array of optional benefits available to all full-time Academic and Staff employees, and part-time (50% FTE or greater) appointed employees. (Some plans are also available to Graduate Assistants and Retirees.) Employees pay 100 percent of the cost for plans in the program; however, the group rates are more affordable than what one would pay as an individual, and premiums for most plans can be paid for by a single, after-tax payroll deduction. The program is administered by Marsh Voluntary Benefits (not associated with Marsh Supermarkets), and offers the following products: Long-Term Care Insurance Short-Term Disability Insurance (full-time Staff employees only) Critical Illness Insurance Vision Wear Program Auto, Home, and Renters Insurance (enrollment available beginning October 1, 2009) Home Mortgage Program Identity Theft Program Pet Insurance Special Enrollment Period September 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009 is a special enrollment period allowing employees to enroll in certain plans without proof of good health. How to Enroll The first opportunity to select Voluntary Benefits will be September 1, 2009. During the Special Enrollment Period, and anytime thereafter, employees can enroll in plans either online through the Personal Plans Advisor web portal at www.iuvoluntarybenefits.com or by calling 1-866-795-6272. The Personal Plans Advisor web portal will provide information on the process of selecting plan coverages, finding rates, receiving quotes, and enrolling in plans. (Note that enrollment in the Vision Wear Program is only available during the Special Enrollment Period, September 1-30. The next opportunity will be October/November 2010.) Brochure and Information Sessions An informational packet detailing coverage, enrollment, and eligibility requirements has been mailed to employees’ homes and should be received in the next few days. Information sessions and webinars, hosted by Marsh Voluntary Benefits, will be held throughout September. Visit www.indiana.edu/~uhrs/benefits/voluntary.html for specific dates and locations. Contact This program is administered by Marsh Voluntary Benefits (not associated with Marsh Supermarkets). Call 1-866-795-6272 to speak with a customer service representative, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4210/Chancellor-Bantzs-Response-to-PAOPAU-Staff-Resolution http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4210/Chancellor-Bantzs-Response-to-PAOPAU-Staff-Resolution TO:        Sue Herrell, President, IUPUI Staff Council FROM:  Charles R. Bantz, Chancellor DATE:  June 26. 2009 RE:       Staff Council Statement Supporting IFC Resolution The IUPUI Faculty Council's PAO/PAU Resolution, and the Staff Council's statement in support of it, reflects the collegiality and concern for campus climate and morale that makes lUPUI such a special place. The thoughtful discussions that have taken place on campus about the implementation of the TIME system prompted Dan Rives, Associate VP for University Human Resources, to announce a new administrative policy that allows campuses to retain the authority to determine which methodology will be used for the TIME system. The new policy gave me the authority to decide the implementation mode IUPUI would use--as well as the authority to delegate the decision to my direct reports, who can then further delegate to their direct reports. I decided to delegate the decision making process so that there would be flexibility across campus in the hope that the special nature of the academic culture on campus can be accommodated. Accordingly, Executive Vice Chancellor Sukhatme has the authority to retain or delegate authority to the deans of the schools, and Dean Craig Brater has the authority to retain or delegate authority within the School of Medicine. The decision to move PAO and PAU to TIME effective August 23rd is a decision that has been made at the university level, thus we are proceeding forward with that university-wide. I hope that the new policy will address most, if not all, the concerns raised by the IFC resolution and the Staff Council's supporting statement. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4209/Staff-Council-Supporting-Faculty-Council-PAOPAU-Resolution http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4209/Staff-Council-Supporting-Faculty-Council-PAOPAU-Resolution To:          Charles R. Bantz, Chancellor, IUPUI From:    Sue Herrell, President, IUPUI Staff Council Subject:Staff Council Statement Supporting IFC Resolution Date:     June 19, 2009 As the university looks at civility as a campus goal, I am appreciative of the fact that we have an active Staff Council which allows staff members to have a voice on campus. This year, more than ever, we have felt the need to express our voice on the issue of the PAO/PAU timekeeping initiative. As a result and in support of the IUPUI Faculty Council resolution adopted on June 8, 2009, the Staff Council on June 17, 2009 adopted the attached statement supporting the IFC resolution by a two thirds majority vote. As you can see by the contents of the resolution, the Staff Council and staff members of IUPUI, are clearly troubled about the impact the PAO/PAU timekeeping initiative will have on both professional and support staff on this campus. Most specifically, consider these points: •Adverse financial impact from the shift from monthly to biweekly pay - 50% PAO/PAU’s indicate transition will represent a hardship (Office of Vice Chancellor Rhodes) •Damaging effect the move to TIME, especially synchronous will have on the morale of staff •Expense to the university, in these economic times, to implement this PAO/PAU timekeeping initiative (IU Internal Audit) •Lack of timely and serious-minded consultation with all staff as a partner with IUPUI and Indiana University. On behalf of the Staff Council and the Executive Committee, I ask that you earnestly review the resolution & supporting statement focusing on a supportive solution. While we understand that not all will be satisfied with the final outcome, it is our hope that together we can come up with an agreement that will benefit both the University and the staff. Enclosure cc: Dawn Rhodes, Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration Ellen Poffenberger, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Human Resources Simon Atkinson, President, IUPUI Faculty Council Staff Council Members   IUPUI STAFF COUNCIL STATEMENT SUPPORTING THE IUPUI FACULTY COUNCIL RESOLUTION TO SUSPEND THE PLANNED IMPLEMENTATION OF TIME FOR PAO/PAU STAFF June 2009 Whereas, the rationale offered for the change in timekeeping systems appears incomplete and misleading since there is no violation of compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and Indiana University’s internal auditors determined the current timekeeping system to be adequate; and Whereas, the IUPUI STAFF COUNCIL is concerned about the damaging effect this change will have on the morale of staff, the vital bond of professionalism, the academic culture of the campus, and customer service, especially to students; and Whereas, lack of timely and serious-minded consultation with all staff, many of whom supervise and work with PAO/PAU staff, who are also PAO/PAU staff themselves, indicates disregard, if not disrespect, of the fundamental nature of academic work; and Whereas, considerable time and energy will be required on the part of those staff who supervise PAO/PAU staff, thereby shortchanging interaction with students and taking time from tasks; and Whereas, the decision to shift from the current timekeeping system to the synchronous TIME system appears to be an arbitrary choice and one that is not systematically applied across the IU system, that is decidedly user-unfriendly, and that is expensive to implement; and Whereas, the proposed shift from monthly to biweekly pay would cause affected staff to experience a de facto pay cut each month for more than six months and cause them a considerable amount of involuntary deferment of pay that would create real and considerable hardships. Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, IUPUI Staff Council is in agreement with and endorses the IUPUI Faculty Council Resolution adopted June 8, 2009, to suspend the planned implementation of the synchronous TIME system and biweekly pay for PAO/PAU staff. Be, It Further Resolved, Chancellor Bantz and the IUPUI administration is hereby requested to assign highest priority to this matter. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4208/Faculty-Council-PAOPAU-Staff-Resolution http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/4208/Faculty-Council-PAOPAU-Staff-Resolution To:         Charles R. Bantz, Chancellor, IUPUI From:     Simon J. Atkinson, President, IUPUI Faculty Council Subject:  Faculty Council PAO/PAU Staff Resolution Date:      June 18, 2009 As you are aware, a motion was adopted at the May 5, 2009, Faculty Council meeting directing the IFC Executive Committee to prepare a resolution for vote by email addressing concerns over changes in time reporting and the switch to biweekly pay for PAO/PAU staff at IUPUI. Accordingly, the Executive Committee prepared a resolution (appended below), which was sent to council members on May 29, with voting continuing through noon on June 8. The resolution was adopted by an overwhelming majority of those voting, 54 in favor, and 8 opposed. I would also note that voting occurred after the end of the academic year, when many faculty were no longer on campus. This vote clearly reflects the significant level of concern amongst the faculty, which parallels the level of anxiety, even distress, articulately expressed by the leadership of the Staff Council. On behalf of the Faculty Council and the Executive Committee, I ask that you take these concerns most seriously and take immediate steps to reconsider the implementation of these changes for the PAO/PAU staff as called for by the resolution. Although not the subject of the resolution, it may be appropriate to also reconsider implementation of the synchronous system for other support staff in academic areas. Enclosure cc: Dawn Rhodes, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Ellen Poffenberger, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Human Resources Sue Herrell, President, IUPUI Staff Council IFC Members   IUPUI FACULTY COUNCIL RESOLUTION May 2009 Title: IUPUI FACULTY COUNCIL Resolution to Suspend the Planned Implementation of the TIME (Timekeeping Information Management Enterprise) for PAO/PAU Staff Whereas, the rationale offered for the change in timekeeping systems appears incomplete and misleading since there is no violation of compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and Indiana University’s internal auditors determined the current timekeeping system to be adequate; and Whereas, the IUPUI FACULTY COUNCIL is concerned about the likely negative effect this change will have on the academic culture of the campus, the morale of faculty and staff, the vital bond of professionalism, and customer service, especially to students; and Whereas, lack of timely and serious-minded consultation with the faculty, many of whom supervise and work with PAO/PAU staff, indicates disregard, if not disrespect, of the fundamental nature of academic work; and Whereas, considerable time and energy will be required on the part of those faculty who supervise PAO/PAU staff, thereby shortchanging interaction with students and taking time from tasks that are research or service based; and Whereas, the decision to shift from the current timekeeping system to the synchronous TIME system appears to be an arbitrary choice and one that is not systematically applied across the IU system, that is decidedly user-unfriendly, and that is expensive to implement; and Whereas, the proposed shift from monthly to biweekly pay would cause affected staff to experience a de facto pay cut each month for more than six months and cause them a considerable amount of involuntary deferment of pay that would create real and considerable hardships. Be it Resolved, the planned implementation of the synchronous TIME system and biweekly pay for PAO/PAU staff be suspended. Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/3969/Statement-of-Suspension-of-IU-Programs-in-Mexico http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/3969/Statement-of-Suspension-of-IU-Programs-in-Mexico Patrick O’Meara, IU Vice President for International Affairs, after consultation with key university officials including the IU Emergency Preparedness Committee, announced today that Indiana University will immediately suspend its summer 2009 programs in Mexico given the health risks associated with the swine flu outbreak. These include all programs offered through the Office of Overseas Study, as well as through departments, schools and campuses, and the IU Honors Program in Foreign Languages. The Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of State have issued warnings cautioning against all non-essential travel to Mexico at this time. IU study abroad staff will work with students who were to participate in these programs to help them identify alternative program options, as is feasible. IU faculty and staff should not plan to travel to Mexico at this time. Exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Vice President for International Affairs. Consideration about re-opening programs in Mexico will be given after travel advisories are lifted. IU officials will continue to monitor the situation on a weekly basis. Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/3945/President-McRobbie-Initiates-Blue-Ribbon-Committee-on-Healthcare-Containment http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/3945/President-McRobbie-Initiates-Blue-Ribbon-Committee-on-Healthcare-Containment President McRobbie has begun a Blue Ribbon Committee on Healthcare Containment. Healthcare costs have increased. If you have a suggestion to manage healthcare costs, please offer your suggestion at this link: http://www.indiana.edu/~uhrs/blueribbonhealth.html. Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/3887/Legacy-Project-Spring-Planting http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/3887/Legacy-Project-Spring-Planting Please join Staff Council members on Saturday, March 21, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the corner of Michigan and West Streets for the first annual spring planting of flowers. The Legacy Project is a Staff Council initiative to give back to the campus and community by helping to beautify the campus portal (Michigan and West Streets) by planting flowers in the spring and fall and maintaining the green space during the summer. You are invited to assist us with this project! Anyone can help. Just bring your own trowel, small rake, and gloves! (Rain date is March 28.) If you are able to volunteer on March 21, please contact Nancy Gibson at nmgibson@iupui.edu. See you then! Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/3849/MissionRelated-Goals-and-Action-Steps-Feedback http://www.iupui.edu/~scouncil/news/3849/MissionRelated-Goals-and-Action-Steps-Feedback COMMENTS NEEDED BY February 27, 2009 In 2005, the IUPUI faculty and the Trustees of Indiana University approved a new mission statement for IUPUI that complements the vision, values, and goals that they approved in 2002 [Institutional Portfolio].  In 2006, Executive Vice Chancellor Uday Sukhatme appointed action teams to develop new implementation strategies for each of the ten mission-related goals. The Mission-Related Goals and Action Steps document is available for review. Relevant action steps derived from this process are listed with each goal.    We invite your comments on the action steps.  Please enter your comments on individual items, sections, or the document as a whole using the web feedback application. We would appreciate receiving your comments by Friday, February 27. Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500