In attendance: Linda Pace (Dean's Office), Eric Anderson and Margaret Judy (Astronomy), John Fitch (Biochemistry), Seth Ruskin and Fred Sawyer (Chemistry), Sandra Miller (Computer Science), Nena Gray (EEB), Janet Lange (Math), Ken Williams (MCB), David Reins (Physics), Selina Johnson (LPL), Ana Martinez (Tree Ring Lab).

Departments not represented: Atmospheric Sciences, Flandrau, Geosciences, and Speech and Hearing Sciences.

Chairperson Ken Williams welcomed everyone to the 1999-2000 session of the College of Science Staff Advisory Committee. Ken introduced Vice Chair John Fitch and indicated that one of the first orders of business would be to elect a Secretary after all the introductions were made.

Introductions were made and Ken took a poll on who were alternates and who were members.

Web Page (Sandy Miller): Sandy spoke about the web-site and the two listserves that she maintains. She mentioned that she puts the minutes on the web page. Issues were discussed as to how to link the web site to/from other UA web pages and set it up as a tool to gather information from staff.

It was asked whether the minutes from the May meeting had been received by all council members and ultimately decided that the minutes from the May 1999 meeting and this meeting would be approved at the next meeting. It was also agreed that the COSSAC meeting could be recorded by the secretary. Margaret Judy (Astronomy Alternate) volunteered to be secretary.

Committee Assignments was the next item on the agenda. Ken stated that it is one of the requirements that all members participate in a committee. He mentioned that committee membership is not restricted to COSAC members and that those from the general staff population are welcome.

Ken read the descriptions of the various committees. It was clarified that the mentoring committee is no longer active.

SUB-COMMITTEES

PR Committee: Ken requested that those interested in being on the committee contact him at [kenw@u.arizona.edu] and he will keep a list of those interested and possibly come up with a chair.

There was a motion combine the PR committee with the Newsletter committee; it was seconded and approved unanimously.

Advocacy Committee - Eric Anderson (Chair): Eric gave a brief description of the Advocacy Committee and the social security number issue was brought up.

Ken reiterated that there are four committees; Staff Recognition, PR, Advocacy and Web Page, and that he is encouraging people to sign up on committees and pass the word through their departments that spots on the committees are open to those, who have an interest in them.

OPEN DISCUSSION

DEPARTMENT NEWS

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:50pm.

The next meeting of the College of Science Staff Advisory Council will be held on Tuesday, October 12, 1999, 2:00-3:00pm, in Gould-Simpson 1027.

Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Judy, Secretary

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In attendance: Linda Pace (Dean's Office), Eric Anderson and Margaret Judy (Astronomy), John Fitch (Biochemistry), Seth Ruskin (Chemistry), Sandra Miller and Sue Drexel (Computer Science), Met Watt and Sharon Bouck (Geosciences), Ken Williams (MCB), David Reins (Physics), Lacy Enneking (Speech & Hearing), Ana Martinez (Tree Ring Lab).

Departments not represented: Atmospheric Sciences, EEB, Flandrau, Math and Planetary Sciences.

The minutes from the last two meetings will be submitted for approval at the December meeting.

There was no pending old business from the last meeting. Ken Williams asked for any new business. Nothing was brought up.

SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

Eric Anderson passed out copies of the Attorney General Opinion by Janet Napolitano to all present council members. He briefly described his actions, since receiving the opinion. Eric met with Cathy Nicholson at UA Human Resources. She informed Eric that our recommendation had already been submitted to the UA Attorney's office. Eric had not been able to speak with Laurent Bertrand to confirm that she had, in fact, rewritten the policy and submitted it to the attorney's office. No opposition from the attorney's office was expected according to Eric. As soon as the attorneys approve the change in policy, it will be returned to HR where it will be updated in the same day, according to Cathy Nicholson. Corrine Swift at Purchasing will take over the procedural end at Purchasing. It is anticipated that it take several weeks to get the procedure changed and then employees that are under conflict will be notified of the change in the policy.

Eric gave a brief overview of the conflict of interest policy and how it affected employees.

Eric also mentioned that he had been working on a web page for the Advocacy Committee. He is including a personal chronology on how the conflict of interest policy is being changed as guideline for others who may want to change the system.

No new business for the Advocacy group at this point.

Staff Recognition Committee (Dave Reines)

Dave Reines stated that he does not have anything to report at this point. It was mentioned that a date would have to not conflict with Daughters on Campus Day, finals. Apparently there is a period of time between Daughters on Campus Day and finals that the event could be scheduled. After the University and a couple other calendars were consulted the Council will vote on an appropriate date. Additionally, due to the construction of the Student Union the luncheon would have to be held someplace else.

Linda Pace mentioned that the Dean's Commencement breakfast had to be relocated to the Marriott Hotel, which is very expensive, due to the construction at the Student Union. The Plaza and Wildcat Club were mentioned as possibilities. The count for last year's luncheon was approximately 300 people, and it was suggested that Suszanne Collier be contacted to give Dave any helpful information that she may have regarding other facilities/suggestions.

Y2K or Millennium themes were suggested.

Dave requested some help as he is the only one on the committee at this point. Ken mentioned that Departments should be contacted to see if someone is interested in serving on this committee.

PR/Newsletter Committee

There were no representatives present. Selina Johnson, who is no longer a Council member, would like to stay involved, as would Alaina Levine.

Web Committee (Sandy Miller)

The Web committee does not monitor site statistics. Sandra inquired about what kind of statistics people were interested in having included on the Web page. Ken mentioned the possibility of a simple page counter access for the Web page.

Sandy distributed a memo regarding the College of Science SAC Minutes being available on the web and requested that the memo be distributed to staff in the various College of Science departments.

Sandy mentioned that there had not really been a reason for this committee to meet, thus far.

DEPARTMENT NEWS

LPL: The Mars Polar Lander is going to be landing on Mars approximately December 3, 1999, and that there will be a live feed television.

Physics: Dave mentioned that on 11/16 the annual Physics Fun Night would be held. Free in PAS 201 (4th & Euclid). Questions: 621-4969.

Geosciences: The ENR building is being rededicated on 11/10/99 from 2:00-6:00pm. There are displays such as rocks, minerals, and other things available to look at, as well as exhibits as to why geology is important. Water Resources will have a demonstration on how water goes through the ground water.

Tree Ring Lab/Physics/Geosciences: Paul Damon from the Geosciences Department is giving a 12:00pm lunch talk at the Tree Ring lab on 11/10/99 on environmental dating with trees from the Santa Catalina Mountains and the results for the age dates were acquired from the radio carbon lab in the Physics department.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30pm.

The next meeting of the College of Science Staff Advisory Council will be held on Tuesday, December 14, 1999, 2:00-3:00pm, in Gould-Simpson 1027.

Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Judy, Secretary

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In attendance: Linda Pace (Dean's Office), Seth Ruskin (Chemistry), Sandra Miller and Sue Drexel (Computer Science), Meg Watt (Geosciences), Ken Williams (MCB), Mark Brewer (EEB), John Fitch (Biochemistry), Sherry Jacobs (Speech & Hearing Sciences), Janet Lange (Math).

Departments not represented: Astronomy, Atmospheric Sciences, Flandrau, and Planetary Sciences.

There was no pending old business from the last meetings.

Lauri, from the benefits Office, gave a presentation on policies and recent changes in the State Retirement System affecting UA staff. Included was a review of 1999 legislative changes in the retirement system, including the new refund provisions for employees terminating employment with more than 5 years of credited service.

SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

Sandy asked that departmental representatives review and update member information on the COS-SAC web page.

DEPARTMENT NEWS

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:00pm.

The next meeting of the College of Science Staff Advisory Council will be held on Tuesday, February 8, 2000, 2:00-3:00pm, in Gould-Simpson 1027.

Respectfully submitted,
Ken Williams, President (for Margaret Judy, Secretary)

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Departments not represented: Atmospheric Sciences, Mathematics, Speech & Hearing, and Tree Ring.

Ken Williams mentioned that the Minutes from the last meetings needed some adjusting and then to be approved by the Committee.

SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS

The Department representatives will be responsible for distributing the nomination packages and other material. Linda Pace will contact Atmospheric Sciences to get a representative involved. The nomination material will be distributed on or about April 1st. Deadlines for the winner's names to be returned is April 14th and April 25th for the RSVPs.

Ideas about a bon voyage gift for Dean Levy were talked about with no conclusions other than an eight ball fortune toy.

NEW BUSINESS

Heather Enos requested that the speakers have information that committee members can distribute to their colleagues. There was a suggestion that notes by the speakers could be compiled and sent out via e-mail to the departments. David Reines suggested that the speakers provide an abstract so that the talks can be promoted within the various departments for other interested staff to have an opportunity to attend.

Terry Bressi requested suggestions for the next speaker possibly someone from Human Resources to talk about the CM raises or someone to speak about staff permits or the expansion of the mall.

It was suggested that the Bylaws could be altered to have non-CoSSAC members be committee chairs.

Next month the topic will be what becomes of CoSSAC next year.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:03pm.

The next meeting of the College of Science Staff Advisory Council will be held on Tuesday, April 11, 2000, 2:00-3:00pm, in Gould-Simpson 1027.

Respectfully submitted,
Margaret Judy, Secretary

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