Gary Leitnaker, HR, reported that the 2% pay increase will start showing up with the pay check issued this Friday, July 13, 2007. Questions, comments, or concerns about parking on campus should be directed to the Parking Council. Details about this committee can be found at: http://www.k-state.edu//academicservices/univcomm/pcac.html#cosow. Meeting minutes can be reviewed at: http://www.k-state.edu/parking/parkingcouncil.html.
The University Committee of Commission on Status of Women still needs 4 classified nominees. Contact the senate president if you would be interested in serving on this committee. Details about this committee can be found at: http://www.k-state.edu//academicservices/univcomm/pcac.html#cosow.
The Senate Campus Affairs Committee reported they are currently discussing the issue of obesity coverage and the lack there of under the state health insurance. The committee has found a web link to the Kansas Health Policy Authority (KHPA): http://www.k-state.edu//academicservices/univcomm/pcac.html#cosow that is a good resource for state health care information. Currently the KHPA Board is seeking input from Kansans about health reform. The KHPA Board will present these health reform options to the Governor and Legislature to consider during the 2008 Kansas Legislature. The Campus Affairs Committee is also investigating the hiring practice at K-State compared to other Regents schools as far as hiring in for positions at steps higher than entry level and also the conversion of classified positions to unclassified. The committee will report their finds to the Senate.
The Senate Legislative Affairs Committee reported the joint meeting of the Kansas Council of Classified Senates (KCCS) held at Kansas State on June 18, 2007 was very productive and successful. The meeting was timely to address the request from the Chairperson of State Employee Compensation Oversight Commission. Jennyfer Owensby (KSU Classified Senate, President-Elect) was elected to present the Councils response to the Compensation Oversight Commission's questions regarding changes to the compensation system for employees of the State of Kansas. Attached is a copy of the presentation Jennyfer made on behalf of the Council. Another meeting of the Oversight Commission is scheduled for July 30 in which the Senate will be sending representatives to attend. It is important the Regents classified employees keep a presence before the Commission as they develop their recommendations for changes to the state pay system. The KCCS will meet again at K-State in early fall to develop the Council's unified position paper that was put on hold in June due to addressing Oversight Commission's request. The Legislative Affairs Committee will also be conducting a by-laws review to include the Senate mission statement, during the 2007-2008 senate year.
The Public Relations Committee showed the Senate a web draft of the changes being made to the Senate web pages. The changes will incorporate the new Senate logo (designer Mal Hoover), a message from the Senate president, pictures and info about each Senator, important links and a up-dated look. The changes should take effect soon so check the Senate web pages to view the changes at: http://www.k-state.edu/class-senate/.
The Public Relations Committee is also redesigning the Senate newsletter known as the ROAR. A regular schedule of publication has been established for the months of August, November, February and May and will be available in a PDF format from the Senate web page. For those classified employees who don't have access to a computer, a printed version of the ROAR will be mailed out. The committee is encouraging classified employees to submit articles of interest and/or an article about a classified employee to be highlighted in the ROAR. These articles can be sent to the co-chairs of Public Relations Committee, Melissa Linenberger (mwaso@ksu.edu) or Lois Schreiner (lschrein@ksu.edu).
University Committee Reports: Alternative Service Committee had a brainstorming session facilitated by Dean Goetsch to determine what is liked about the current state civil service system and what changes would improve it. The ASC will prioritize these ideas for the foundation of formulating a proposal (plan) for alternative service. Cindy Bontrager will make a presentation to the ASC at the next meeting about the KSU budget. Understanding how funding works will be critical in laying the foundation for a proposal (plan).
The All University Campaign, formerly known as the Changing Lives Campaign has added a classified representative as one of the committee chairs, who is Jennyfer Owensby. The campaign is currently soliciting ideas from classified employees on what kinds of things funded through campaign contributions would benefit classified employees. Some ideas that have been mentioned are: scholarships for dependents and employees, travel reimbursement for training and computer stations for facilities/housing and dining employees. If you have an idea of something that would be of benefit to classified employees contact Jen at: jennyfer@ksu.edu.
Next Classified Senate Meeting is August 1, 2007 in Staterooms 1 & 2 at 12:45