University Managers Association

322 check Carrington

May 26, 2004

 

Present: Fran Allegri, Jo Bell, Jan Blue, Linda Carl, Peter DeSaix, Libby Evans, Rob Kramer, George Guthrie, Phill Lyons

 

Treasurer’s Report: Jo Bell presented and the board accepted the treasurer’s report. Discussion centered on the necessity of keeping expenses within income.  More attention will be paid to holding programs in rooms without a rental fee. Linda distributed a chart listing several rooms in which programs could be held and the associated fees and contact person for each room. She will seek additional information on rooms to supplement the chart for the new board.

 

President’s Report: Phill expressed his appreciation for the contributions that individuals had rendered to the board.  Among his favorite accomplishments was the organization of his presidency around the theme: “Managing Partners in Carolina’s Excellence.”  He urged the board to continue to use this theme which had been recommended by a group of UMA “elders” earlier in the year.

 

Membership: Libby reported that she was continuing to try to keep the membership at 200.  She is trying and has tried a variety of strategies.  She has followed up with individuals who have not renewed and found that most non-renewals were due to job changes, leaving the university, or retirement.  She also described some of her techniques: working with Rob to solicit UMA participants, keeping a separate data base of solicitations and marking if these solicitations bore fruit.

 

Book Discussion with the Provost: Rob indicated that individuals who had responded that they would participate in this year’s selection were much lower than the number who expressed an interest in discussion with the Chancellor last year. There was a concern that the price of the book ($40) might be a factor in this low turn out. Suggestions about how to enhance participation included reminding members they could access a critical chapter online or that they need not have read the book to participate in the discussion. Additionally, Rob – as he had done with the Chancellor last year - will work with the Provost to prepare questions ahead of time which he will then send out to the group for discussion.

 

Task Force for a Better Workplace:  Peter reported the Monitoring Committee will present their report to the entire task force before the end of the fiscal year.

 

Supervisor Competency Committee: Phill reported that Claire Miller, Human Resources, has brought together a task force to identify needed supervisor competencies. The activity is a response to concerns that emerged from the Task Force for a Better Work Place feedback on employee’s lack of trust with their supervisors.   The committee is composed of Phill and Bill Burston representing UMA, Tommy Griffin and another Employee Forum representative, Judith Wegner and Nancy Suttenfield. Phill has advocated that an elucidation of competencies is inappropriate without more about the nature of the problem. Phill will continue to advocate for more attention to putting the supervision and resultant activities in context.

 

Employee Appreciation Day (EAD): Phill report EAD is on track and that a UMA goal has been adopted by the planning group. EAD will be oriented at SPA, EPA, and faculty. The day will be developed around a professional development theme.  The Bullshead will offer a 35% discount. 

 

Phill Appreciation: Peter presented Phill Lyons with a card of thanks and a gift certificate for the Bullshead in appreciation of the terrific job he has done as President in the past year.