Gary Leitnaker, HR, reported that the parking garage construction is currently finishing up column work and grading and will be moving onto electrical and conduit work in February. The W-2 file has been sent to Topeka so employees should be receiving those in the mail soon. New benefits took effect January 1, 2008. Joe Younger in HR Benefits has retired and that position is currently being advertised to start the process for filling the vacancy.
A special Legislative Committee on the State Employee Pay Plan has been formed and decided to recommend the following legislative actions:
The Kansas Council of Classified Senates resolution for the 2008 Kansas Legislature has been printed and is being sent to each Regent university for Classified Senate president's signatures. The resolution will be sent to the Governor, Lt. Governor, State Representatives, State Senators, Kansas Board of Regents Members, Regents University Presidents, Regents Classified Senate Presidents, Regents Faculty Senate Presidents, and Regents Student Senate Presidents. Legislative Days are set for February 4 & 5, 2008 in which members from each Regents Classified Senates join together in Topeka to meet with legislators to discuss important issues facing classified employees.
The Campus Affairs Committee had no report.
Legislative Affairs Committee reviewed the changes to the Senate by-laws. A unanimous vote was cast to accept the changes to the by-laws. The committee is making appointments with legislators for Legislative Days February 4 & 5, 2008. Packets have been assembled to distribute to legislators during appointments. Classified Senate nomination process will start in March.
The Recognition Ceremony Committee reported that the Recognition Ceremony is April 2. Preparations for the event are right on schedule. All nominations for Employee of the Year have been received, employees to receive a years of service award have been identified, a list of retirees has been received from HR, and awards have been selected and are in the process of being made. The survey results have indicated that the majority of employees responding to the survey are dissatisfied with the Employee of the Year nomination process, award, and recognition. Deans, Department Heads, and Directors were asked about their established process for selecting their Employee of the Year nominations. From their feedback the committee received the majority of Colleges, Departments, or Units do not have a process in place for selecting their Employee of the Year. The Recognition Ceremony Committee will be developing recommended changes to the Employee of the Year for Senate approval.
The Public Relations Committee reported that the next ROAR is to be published in February. The committee would like all articles submitted before the end of January and are currently taking suggestions for a classified employee to spotlight in the February issue. If you have any suggestions for a classified employee to spotlight, please contact Melissa Linenberger (mwaso@ksu.edu) or Lois Schreiner (lschrein@ksu.edu).
John Wolf reported that the university Recycling Committee has starting meeting again.
Next meeting is February 6, 2008 in Union Staterooms 1 & 2.