Staff and Administrative Council

November 23, 2004

Present: Antonelli, R; Cagianello, D.; Callaghan, M; Casali, M.; McDermott, J.; Mastantuoni, A.; Moore, C.; Pace, M.; Palladino, R.; Pascuzzi, K.; Patota, N.; Reilly, K.; Southworth, J.; Torigian, A.; Wenchell, L.; Young-Wright, K.

Absent: Bartolomeo, R., Brennan, K., Colangelo, F.; English, L.; Feller, T.; Finn, M.; Fountaine, G.; Graham, D.

I. Approval of Minutes of October 12, 2004 SAC Meeting

Unanimously approved.

II. Report from the College Council Standing Committees

A) Committee on Information Technology and Computing

The Committee met on October 18, 2004 . Proposal by Mass Communication to create a second student lab was denied. The reason being that older computers used in this lab would be too outdated by the time lab was set up.

Second topic brought up was whether we should be a laptop mandatory school, the cost of laptops built into tuition. Question posed was would we lose students in the process?

B) Budget and Human Resources

The travel rate was increased to the IRS rate of 36.5 cents per mile, effective immediately.

Healthcare costs will increase 5.7%, effective January 2005.

The proposal for a 5% salary increase came back at a 4.5% increase for next year, and possibly for the next three years, depending on the budget. College Council must now approve this and then it will be rpesented to the Board of Trustees for final approval.

The final distribution of Merit Pay will be in Spring 2005. There will be a tuition increase of 5.9% along with an increase in fees, for the Fall 2005.

In light of many standing committees not having met, the suggestion was made once again to have the ex-officio member of each committee initiate the first meeting to lend guidance and to help in determining what the goals will be for the year.

III. College Governance

The College Council meeting discussion suggested that the survey may not have been received by all constituent members and that there was some confusion over the delivery and subject line of the email and attachment. Feedback from SAC members was that the survey was ambiguous, there were problems when trying to send back responses and many opeople deleted it, not understanding the governance structure or the importance of this survey.

IV. Campus Email Distribution List

The ability to have SAC Minutes online for campus wide distribution is still in the works. The issue of how do we reach those employees who work evenings or those who do not have computer access or speak English (i.e. Facilities Dept.) was raised.

V. SAC's Plan of Action

To make all constituencies feel part of campus governance, the suggestion was made to have SAC members be the liaison for communication between College Council and campus members. The plan is to have a SAC rep take an “area” of campus or a “building” to physically meet and speak with employees, keeping them informed of what is going on and asking for their suggestions and or feedback to bring to the SAC meetings. The suggestion was made that a SAC box could be added to “Spotlight” on Iona to bullet all business that would be of campus wide interest.

VI. New Business

An email from a Sciences and Mathematics Librarian at Georgian Court University was sent to HR and forwarded to Anthony Mastantuoni soliciting feedback regarding our Staff and Administrative Council to help them with their policy changes. Anthony will be communicating with this person and will ask him or her to share the data with us.

The suggestion was made to add the history of SAC to the paper work receive by all new hires for staff and administration to promote a better awareness of this committee and its purpose.

One member expressed concern over the issue of overt and perceived hostility (frustration) on campus among students, administration and faculty. Discussion ensued over how this matter influences student retention and overall satisfaction with the College. Students often feel frustrated when a problem in the classroom arises and they do not know how to handle it or where to turn to get a situation addressed.

This led to a discussion of practices when speaking to parents of students. All concluded that there should be a consistent and campus-wide policy for everyone to address and speak with parents. One recommendation was made to give parents and students a policy/statement outlining the protocols of campus communication, at summer Orientation. Such a document could outline the College protocols for whom to contact with particular problems in any number of areas with the Retention Office as the main contact number.

Meeting was adjourned at 3:25 pm.

Submitted, M. Pace

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