Minutes of Administrative Staff Council
February 6, 2003

Call to Order
Laura Emch called the meeting to order at 1:30.

Members Present
Amelie Brogden, Nora Cassidy, John Clark, Dave Crooks, Jim Dachik, Laura Emch,
Mike Fitzpatrick, Dave Garcia, Brady Gaskins, Kim Grilliot, Sally Johnson, Deborah
Knigga, Sue Lau, Joe Luthman, Sandy Miesmer, Tom Scavo, Phyllis Short, Ron Skulas,
Robin Veitch, Robert Zhang

Member Substitutes
Dawn Burks for Emily Monago. Linda Bakkum for Susan Kozal. Brian Hickman for Sandy
DiCarlo, W. Dean Kendricks for Tina Coulter. Becky Paskvan for Karen Schwab.

Absent
Ann Betts, Wayne Colvin, Carl Dettmer, Deb Fleitz, Terry Herman, Lona Leck, Karen
Schwab, Cindy Smith and Barbara Waddell.

Approval of Minutes
John Clark moved and Amelie Brogden seconded approval of the minutes from
January 9, 2003.

Chair’s Report
The written report submitted by the Vice Chair is reproduced below:
ASC Chair’s Report—February 6, 2003
1) 1. The Charter and By-Law sections of the Administrative Staff Handbook were brought
current on the BGSU web site on January 29th, 2003. A huge “thank you” goes out to
all those individuals who helped to identify and resolve this critical issue for
administrative staff. A special “thank you” to Dr. Dobb for responding so quickly to this
need and providing the resources to resolve this concern. Others who played a major role
in solving this problem include: Jim Dachik, Carol Lininger, Tom Scavo, Emily
Monago, Keith Hofacker, John Clark and Pat Kelly. The Internal Affairs Committee will
handle additional work on the updating.
2) On January 21st a request was sent to all ASC Chairs for status on achieving their
committee’s goals. We are mid-way through our 2002-03 Council year and the
Executive Committee wanted to assure to resolve any concerns or issues a committee
may have in accomplishing committee assignments. The work of the ASC Committees is
most vital for our organization. The hard work, dedication, and extra volunteer time all
committee members place towards ASC Committee work is most appreciated. The
Executive Team has received all summary status reports from all Committee Chairs
except for one remaining committee. We thank you for this information and again extend
any help to committees as desired.
3) Thanks to Linda Hamilton, the administrative staff representative to the University’s
Health, Wellness and Insurance (HWI) Committee, for informing us of the new link to
the HWI committee minutes. The link is
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/ohr/benefits/pdf/minutes_dec_02.PDF. Linda also
welcomes any health care concerns that should be brought to the attention of the HWI.
4) I represented ASC at the January 30th President’s Advisory Council meeting where the
topic was retention.
5) Dr. Ribeau invited the Chair and guest of Classified Staff Council, Faculty Senate, and
Administrative Staff Council to the BG Chamber of Commerce Dinner on February 1st. I
appreciated Dr. Ribeau’s thoughtfulness. It was very clear from the numerous comments
made at this event that the relationship between the University and BG City is
collaborative and optimistic.
6) Robin Veitch and I met with Classified Staff Leadership on January 28th for our regularly
scheduled monthly meeting. Our topics included FMLA, Rec Center, and time usage
between Christmas and New Years Day.

Vice Chair’s Report
Robin Veitch shared that there was no new information on the ASC budget.

Secretary’s Report None.

Committee Reports:

Amendments: None

Awards and Special Recognition:
Deb Fleitz provided the following report via email.
The Awards and Recognition Committee received an excellent number of nominations
for this quarter's Spirit of BG award, and met this past Monday to select one person out
of a group of very deserving individuals.
We will be doing the surprise presentation next week. Following that, all other nominees
will receive copies of their nomination forms.

External Affairs: None.

Internal Affairs: None.

Personnel Welfare: None.

Professional Development:
Amelie Brogden reported that the professional development day would be held on April 3 in the
Union. Approximately half of the speakers for that event have been lined up.
Salary: Dave Garcia reported that the committee has not received the CUPA data yet. Donna
Wittwer indicated that CUPA had questions for HR that had been answered, and she hoped to
have the data shortly. Dave reported that each committee member has been assigned two or three
state institutions to research salary and benefit information. They will be contacting the
institutions’ human resource departments. Dave mentioned that if Ohio’s proposed income tax
changes do not go through then the possibility for raises is questionable. Laura Emch indicated
that whether the money is available or not, the information is vital. John Clark agreed saying that
this data can then be used historically.
Dave Crooks asked if it was appropriate to seek information from institutions when Mercer
provides information. The response was that Mercer compares our reality to the outside market
and is composite data. CUPA is person specific.
Joe Luthman asked why some institutions such as Ohio State and University of Cincinnati were
being excluded from the research. Dave responded that these two institutions tend to have higher
salaries and are not seen as comparable to BGSU. Laura asked if the faculty exclude institutions
when looking at their salary information. John Clark responded that they do not as their market is
seen as nationwide. Joe asked if we should gather information from “premier institutions” if our
goal is to be a premier institution. John Clark responded that it is hard to do a comparison
because of the size of the offices at institutions such as Ohio State.
Laura Emch asked that the committee ask the institutions how much compensation issues have
changed that might influence salaries. As an example she gave an institution might receive a 1%
raise but health care costs increased 3%.
Scholarship:
The raffle drawing will be on March 6, at the ASC meeting. The number and amounts of
scholarships awarded will depend on the applicant pool. They are required to give one $1000
scholarship.

Faculty Senate Liaison:
The written report submitted by John Clark is reproduced below.
ASC FACULTY SENATE LIAISON—REPORT ON 1/21/03 & 2/4/03 FACULTY SENATE
MEETINGS
Report from 1/21/03
Strategic Plan for Information Technology: Ron Lancaster, current ITC chair, and
David Border, past ITC chair, conducted an informational presentation of the most recent
Strategic Plan for Information Technology to Faculty Senate. The “Executive Summary”
of the IT Plan was distributed in advance to faculty senators. As Lancaster explained, the
plan contains short-range, mid-range, and long-range goals for every area of IT use at
BGSU. The plan, nearly two and one half years in drafting, contains the following
sections:
1 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM
1.1 Infrastructure, Usage and Assessment
1.2 Services
1.3 Staffing
1.4 Budgeting
1.5 Information Privacy, Security and Protection
2 SUPPORT AND TRAINING
2.1 ITS Responsibilities
2.2 Collective Campus Responsibilities
3 PRIMARY SYSTEM OPERATIONAL SERVICES
3.1 Instructional Technology Systems
3.2 Administrative Information Systems
3.3 Student Computing Environments
3.4 Research Computing Environment
Executive Vice President Dobb noted that the President’s Cabinet and Deans Council
currently are reviewing the plan. Because some recommendations should be pursued
immediately, Dobb further noted, the plan would be considered in effect at once unless
significant opposition is voiced. The plan may be accessed on the ITC web site:
http://www.bgsu.edu/organizations/itc/ .
Provost’s report: Provost Folkins reported overall BGSU enrollment as up 235 over the
same time last year. [Most of this increase has occurred via rises in Firelands and transfer
student enrollments.] “Seat availability,” Folkins also noted, “was a case of ‘hit the nail
on the head’” for spring 2003. Folkins also reported that initiatives to build more data
about student retention and initiatives to support student retention now are being
coordinated by a new Office of Student Academic Achievement. This office, the Provost
explained, was “created in Student Affairs from existing resources.”
Executive Vice President’s report: Executive Vice President Dobb noted that the state
financial picture remains uncertain at best, gloomy at worst. Dobb also noted that her
office is currently working on a draft policy that would require all BGSU students to
obtain a BGNet account. Dobb explained that the draft, when ready, would be distributed
to various constituencies for their feedback. As Dobb asserted, “BGNet and My BGSU
are already the communications means of choice at BGSU; it’s time we got everyone on
board.”
Academic Honesty Policy: Faculty Senate’s Committee on Academic Affairs introduced
a “sense of the Senate” (non-binding) motion to consider removing Academic Honesty
Policy from the Charter in order to facilitate timely and appropriate revisions to those
policy statements. Vice Provost Gromko expressed some concern about Undergraduate
Council’s joint stewardship of academic honesty policy being reduced. Extensive
discussion took place, after which a motion allowing CAA to move forward as proposed
was passed with a vote of 25 in favor, 23 opposed.
Report from 2/4/03
Provost’s Report: We are maintaining the [hiring] freeze. However, we are also
continuing our 55 ongoing faculty searches, in which we should try to maintain our
standards of excellence. If acceptable candidates are not found this year to fill these
crucial positions, the searches will be renewed next year.
NCA (Accreditation) Self-Study: Vice Provost Gromko distributed a “briefing” or
summary on the BGSU self- study findings for re-accreditation. Gromko reminded
Faculty Senate that the on-site accreditation visiting team would be in Bowling Green on
March 3-5. Of particular interest in the document distributed by Gromko are the study’s
findings regarding areas cited by NCA as “need to be addressed” in BGSU’s 1993
review. In each of these areas, this year’s self-study shows improvement. The areas are as
follows:
· Lack of integration of BGSU Firelands with the main campus
· Absence of a systematic and comprehensive academic program review process
· Absence of a comprehensive strategic planning process
· Current state of development of a student assessment plan
· Committee structures and governance responsibilities [community-building and shared
governance are highlighted in this year’s self-study as significant benefits in this regard]
· Survey of sexual harassment experiences and revision of sexual harassment policy
· Connecting all faculty to the computer network and investing in faculty and staff technology
· Faculty research productivity and external funding for research
· Too many curricular specializations
· The level of mutual respect and trust
The self- study document can be accessed on the web at this address:
http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/nca/selfstudy/index.htm
Reported by John Clark, 2002-2003 ASC Past Chair
John indicated that the Director of STRS gave an interesting presentation on their health care
situation. STRS is running out of money to cover health care coverage for three reasons; the
number of baby boomers retiring, the cost of new medical procedures/prescription drugs and loss
of significant investment capital due to the economic climate. Unless significant changes are
made they will not be able to offer health care without a cost. STRS has implemented an increase
in the employee contribution amount. PERS is also funded by investment capital. They have not
come out to say they are experiencing the same problems at this point in time.

Classified Staff Council Liaison: None

Old Business:
Paperless contract. Dr. Dobb has provided a draft copy of the notification letter. After
general discussion, the following suggestions were made:
· There needed to be clarification on whether the notification would be received in
the form of a letter or via email.
· There needed clarification of what offices would be receiving copies. Would it be
just the employee? The employee and HR? The employee’s supervisor?
· There needed to be clarification as to whether staff would receive a final contract
indicating that future renewals would be in the form of a notification letter.
· It was felt that the notification needed to indicate that it was extending the original
contract.
· The language in the handbook needed to be reviewed to make sure the
requirements on employment termination were not superceded in any way by this
new procedure.
· The signatures on the notification document needed to be reviewed. Why isn’t
the appointing officer signing the document as they did the contract?
Rec Center. This discussion was tabled until a later meeting.

New Business
FMLA. Laura Emch conducted a discussion on the proposed changes to the FMLA
policy. She said the committee reviewing the policy had two administrative staff
members, two classified staff members, faculty members and human resources
representing the constituent groups. She indicated that HR is expecting modifications to
the proposal. They desired to have consensus between administrative and classified
constituencies although it is not required that the FMLA policies for both groups match.
Phyllis Short asked if this would replace the existing policy. Laura Emch indicated that it
would. She indicated that the current policy is more lenient in its definition of “family”
as it used the same definition used by the sick leave policy. This narrows the members
considered “family”. It no longer includes stepparents, in- laws, grandparents or guardian
relationships. Sandy Miesmer indicated that at least in the case of in- laws, the
expectation is the child (spouse) would utilize their FMLA leave.
John Clark indicated that we should make sure to firm up the ability for each spousal
member to get the full twelve weeks of FMLA. He indicated that before, married couples
would have to split the time for a total of twelve weeks. Mike Fitzpatrick asked what
happens in cases where the employee has longer than twelve weeks sick leave. The
response was that FMLA runs concurrently with employee use of sick leave. Employees
may take more time, but their employment is only protected under FMLA for the twelve
weeks. Dave Crooks indicated that it was his understanding that FMLA kicked in after
an employee was off for three days under a covered situation. There was some
discussion of this as previously employees had to inform HR when they wanted FMLA
invoked. The general consensus was that HR now automatically activates it. However,
Laura Emch indicated that she would get clarification on this process.

Adjourn
John Clark moved to adjourn and Sandy Miesmer seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 3:15.
Respectfully submitted:
Sue Lau