Staff and Administrative Council

October 12, 2004

Present: Bartolomeo, R; Brennan, K; Cagianello, Callaghan, M; D; Colangelo, F; Feller, T; Finn, M; Graham, G; McDermott, J; Mastantuoni, A; Pace, M; Palladino, R; Pascuzzi, K; Patota, N; Reilly, K; Wenchell, L.

Absent: Antonelli, R; Fountaine, G; Southworth, J.; Torigian, A.; Casali, M; English, L; Young-Wright, K.

I. Approval of Minutes of September 7, 2004 SAC Meeting

Unanimously approved.

II. Update on the Standing Committees of the College Council

Memberships of the Standing Committees, as recorded by the College Council, for 2004-2005 were distributed. Feedback was requested from members as committee memberships need updating. Notify Laurie Wenchell who will inform Dr. Hugh Short about these updates.

III. Report from the College Council meeting of September 16, 2004

Sr. Mary Hughes was appointed Campus Dean of the Blue Hill campus, with a two year term. At the end of this term the position will be evaluated and the need for a national search will be determined. The position is not academic but administrative. All academic processes will still be administered by the two academic deans and the Provost of the College.

As a part of the three year appointment cycle of academic deans at the College, Dr. Alex Eodice will be reviewed by members of the College community. This information, due to the Provost by November 1, 2004, is a component of the re-appointment process.

IV. Report from the College Council Standing Committees

A) Human Resources and Compensation

Rick Palladino was elected chair at the first meeting. The first topic under consideration was Health Care increases. After the provider came forward with an initial offer of 9% Iona counter offered with 6.8%. Final discussion between Iona and the provider yielded a 5.7% increase due to a substantially lower claim rate in the past year. The increase will go into effect January 1, 2005.

A question was posed, could Iona obtain a contract for more than one year. Committee member Maryellen Callaghan indicated that this would be possible after we have developed a longer relationship with this company. Additionally, Sr. Marie Thornton continues to work to create a consortium with local colleges which would give us more authority as a group to demand better rates and deductibles, but this is a long term effort still in development.

Compensation for new hires in the salary review each July was discussed. The consideration revolved around whether or not a new employee should be compensated and how or when. Should the new employee be compensated, at all, for a percentage based upon months employed, in the same amount as a continuing employee when the amount of the increase is for cost of living or cost of living and an additional percentage(College budget permitting), and does probation or not play a part. The group meets again on Thursday, October 14th at 3:30 P.M. Any feedback members would like to offer or have considered should be submitted directly to Rick Palladino no later than noon that day. Finally, members may also make recommendations regarding salary increases if they wish.

B) Budget

Rick Palladino reported that the main issue surrounding budget this year was the early date by which the budget must be approved. This change is a result of a change in the admission and financial policies and the use of an application deadline of February 15, 2005 for the fall 2005 class. This is a change from the previous policy of rolling admission.

C) Athletics

Rosemary Bartolomeo reported that Pat Lyons gave his vision for athletics which is a balance of athletics and academics. Nigel Roberts reported on the overall academic performance of student athletes and how this year the grade point average was higher than last.

D) Information Technology and Computing

Scheduled to meet on October 18, 2004 .

E) Institutional Advancement

Has not met.

F) Student Affairs

Committee members not present.

V. New Business

SAC members reviewed copies of the College Governance survey to be distributed by the Provost’s office. All College constituencies will be surveyed to assess the governance structure at all levels of the Iona community. Recommendations were made regarding the construction of the survey to include a ‘not applicable’ option and a space for written responses. Laurie Wenchell agreed to take these details to Dr. Rosenberg. The questions of the survey prompted discussion about the means by which SAC communicates with its constituent members; how well are we known, how do we distribute and collect information.

Suggestions were made for facilitation of better, broader outreach to staff and administration whom we may not yet reach. Approaches included, personal outreach to particular populations within an area designated for each SAC member, use of the Iona email system for a global mailing of minutes to constituents, and articles or use of Inside Iona with appropriate links for SAC. It was agreed that Laurie Wenchell would follow up by seeking approval for use of the global email to SAC constituents.

A suggestion was made regarding an on-line link for a SAC email box. This tool might prompt or encourage staff and administrators to ask questions or send suggestions. It was agreed that Anthony Mastantuoni would look into this and that he will keep SAC informed of the results. Specific concerns were raised about a need to ensure anonymity of the sender if desired.

Laurie Wenchell and one other member of SAC have been invited to sit on a Visioning Committee being formed by the President’s Office and chaired by Sr. Mary Hughes. This is a one year commitment and meetings be twice monthly. The committee consists of three members of the President’s Cabinet, three faculty members, an Alumni board member and a member of the Board of Trustees. The group will work with an outside agency to create a vision for Iona. All those interested should contact Laurie Wenchell and one name will be drawn for the spot.

A recommendation was made to increase the compensation for the mileage rate of .29/mile for travel expenses. Rick Palladino was asked to bring this to the Budget Committee or to find out which committee or person should be approached for this matter to be considered. In light of the increased cost of gas and, in light of the fact that the College compensation rate has not changed in more years than anyone on SAC could remember, it is hoped that this matter can be reviewed in the next budget year.

Submitted, M. Pace

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