University Managers Association

Thursday, August 27, 2003, 9:30a.m.

042 Sitterson

Present: Jo Bell, Jan Blue, Linda Carl, Jim Curtis, Kathleen Dulaney, Elizabeth Evans, Rob Kramer, Phill Lyons, Ruth Marinshaw, Peter DeSaix.

Conversation with Judith Wegner: Judith Wegner, Chair, Faculty Council, wanted to sound out UMA’s position on an alternative for an employee wellness program. With the budget cut eliminating Heels for Health, Judith approached UNC’s wellness center at Meadowmont to see what type of wellness program they could develop for employees and how much this program would cost. The Wellness Center has suggested a program which they would administer that would primarily utilize UNC students as teachers. The Wellness Center, however, would not be able to sponsor special events such as the Jingle Jog. Wegner indicated that an employee wellness program would be a win-win system for the Hospital in many ways. One of the biggest advantages is that it would give the wellness system additional creditability as it seeks to build its reputation to sponsor other employee training programs. Wegner also cited possible opportunities to work with the Hospital Well ness Program.

The Wellness Center Program would cost less than what Fred Mueller, Exercise and Sports Science, has proposed to revive a wellness program. In his August 27th e-mail, Mueller indicated that beginning mid-September his department would fund lunch and evening exercise programs. Mueller is apparently not happy about the idea of the Wellness Center’s possible new role. Wegner is looking forward to more conversations with Mueller, the Employee Forum and UMA to work out a synergistic solution.

UMA members asked questions regarding upkeep and replacement of equipment. The Wellness Center budget is predicated upon the assumption the Center will have no equipment costs and that the Department of Exercise and Sports Science will supply them with the needed facilities. If equipment costs were factored into the cost of the membership, the cost might become considerably more expensive. The Hospital Wellness program is free to hospital employees and only costs $25 for UNC campus employees. One of the reasons the Hospital Wellness program may be lower in cost is that it does not include a pool.

Employee Appreciation: Phill asked Wegner if she would support a letter to the Chancellor calling for an employee appreciation event. Judith indicated she would not only support an event but she was committed to a whole series of changes to show employee appreciation.

For a one day event, she had thought about having campus physicians provide medical advice, and law professors provide legal advice to employees.

Theme: Phill distributed minutes from the meetings he had with the “old guard” UMA members. He asked that board members review these notes, and he offered a theme for the year “Managing Partners for University Excellence”.

Task Force for a Better Workplace: Peter DeSaix is serving on the Task Force for a Better Workplace. Originally Phill and Peter had three other names to suggest for the committee but were not given the option of putting forth these names as they had originally been requested. Under the direction of Ellen Pierce the Task Force will create a survey to find out what employees want. The task force is to make suggestions to improve the workplace that are within the University’s power to implement with little or no funds. A facilitated retreat will be held to make suggestions.

The UMA board, in hearing this charge, suggested that one survey was an insufficient tool to gather this data. Probably the most important item that would emerge would be supervisor/employee relations. Another hot topic might be transit. It was suggested that top administrators might ride the buses and model the behavior they are encouraging others to do. The board also suggested that focus groups be conducted after the survey was administered, and that the task force not be limited to only what was in the University’s power to control. Advocacy in areas out of the University’s direct control might be influential in modifying or changing decisions. Additionally, it was suggested that Phill send a message to the UMA listserv indicating times of the task force meetings. While non-task force members would not be able to speak, they were welcome to listen in and lobby task force members for specific ideas.

Program Committee:

September: Nickled and Dimed: A Case Study in Controversy. Linda and Rob reported the program has been put together. Rob will send out more publicity. Libby will prepare a flyer.

October: 2:30, Thursday, October 16 Jim Leloudis will lead a historical campus tour.

November: Breakfast meeting with Nancy Suttenfied. Nancy will describe the process of making and the status of the financial plan. Phill will be responsible for the program.

December: Winter Business Meeting (Task force report) and program on Living by Design. Ruth will contact Anna Maria Siega-Riz and Rich Killngsworth to devise a program on obesity or a related topic.

January: Financial issues with Martha Pendegrass.

February: UMDP update for UMA and past UMDP participants. Rob will be in charge and Libby will help him get lists of past participants.

March: Fran will be asked to put together a program on Managing Student Employees. Possible panelists include: Erica Eisendorf (bookstore), Jean DeSaix (undergraduate TAs), Ann Trollinger (Financial Aid) and someone from the library. Dean Bresicani will be asked to moderate.

April: Meeeting with the new Chief Information Officer.

May: A possible meeting on ergonomics

Employee Education Benefit: Bruce Egan has approached Phill about a possible employee education benefit which employees could use for their children. This is a complicated issue and Phill will provide more information at a later meeting.

Employee Recognition: Peter approached Tommy Griffin about a UMA contribution to a Forum appreciation event, and Tommy said the Forum did not need the money. Tommy indicated he would like the funds to go to a revival of Heels for Health.