Minutes
December 4, 2001

The Classified Employees Assembly was called to order by the CEA Chairperson, Jeff Jenik, who welcomed everyone to the meeting and reminded everyone of the call forwarding service that had been arranged in order to provide phone coverage for those offices that needed it while staff members attended the CEA meeting.

He also reminded everyone that the CEA minutes from previous meetings are always available on the CEA website, and explained that we are in the process of putting all of the CEA minutes back to 1978 on the website as well. That said, Mr. Jenik asked for a motion to approve the minutes of September 6, 2001. Randy Duckett made the motion to approve those minutes, Maria Chandler seconded, and the minutes were approved as is. He then turned the floor over to Maria Chandler, who introduced guest speaker Kevin Alberse from Family Services Consumer Credit in Columbia, SC for a brief outline of the services his organization offers.

2. Guest Speaker
   Kevin Alberse, Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Columbia Mr. Alberse, who had also conducted a workshop designed to help consumers save money called "Count Down to $1000," explained that Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Columbia (CCCS) is a division of Family Service Center of South Carolina, Inc. (a United Way Member Agency). CCCS is also a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC). This organization lends financial assistance to the public by teaching people how to develop their own savings and debt control plans. The company offers free counseling as well as a monthly debt management plan, which costs $25.00. For more information about this service, please call 1-800-338-2227 or contact the USCA Human Resources Department for a CCCS brochure.

Dr. Hallman also made the point that there is a similar consumer credit counseling service here in the Aiken area, which is also affiliated with the NNCB.

3. Reports from Administration
   1. Dr. Tom Hallman:
      1. The 2001-2002 Budget: There will be a 4% mid-year state budget cut; however, USCA will be able to draw upon funds from its own "savings account" for relief at this time. Having assured everyone at the meeting that he did not anticipate any serious change in the USCA work force or programs, Dr. Hallman went on to explain the following points:
         1. The 2001-2002 state budget was based on an anticipated 8% growth of state revenues
         2. Prior to September 11th, the growth rate was already behind; immediately after September 11th, the growth rate dropped substantially
         3. Though revenue has improved somewhat, it is obviously not going to improve enough to meet the initial forecast of 8% growth
         4. Though USCA will absorb the mid-year budget increase, we will face a possible 5%-10% tuition increase next year
         5. Jeff Jenik asked if we are facing a possible 10% tuition hike, shouldn't we increase 5% in the Spring and then 5% in the Fall, so that next year's increase wouldn't be so drastic. Dr. Hallman explained that, though an incremental increase in tuition may sound easier to bear, he didn't feel it would be fair to students who budgeted for the school year under the assumption that tuition would remain the same for both semesters.
         6. Maureen Bergstrom asked if Performance Funding was a viable relief method. Dr. Hallman explained that there were no monies available in that account.
      2. The State Lottery: It is estimated that that the state lottery will add about $125 million to the state revenue; however, no one is really sure about how the funds will be allocated or used at this time. John Hutchens asked how the possibility of free tuition to technical schools would affect our enrollment and future budget concerns. Dr. Hallman answered that at this time he does not foresee any substantial effects.
      3. Reaffirmation from SACS: Dr. Tom Mack and Frankie Cubbage will be traveling to New Orleans to receive SACS reaffirmation.
   2. Randy Duckett
      Strategic Planning: The Strategic Planning Committee was formed to gather information from inside and outside the USCA community in order to help in identifying what our goals and missions are as a university campus. The Steering Committee is made up of 29 members who have broken into 10 subcommittees that include over 100 members total. These groups are designed to gather information about specific elements of USCA that will later be used in generating a clearer vision of who we are as a campus. The following points were also made:
1. Jeff Jenik asked how interested individuals could get involved in the strategic planning process, which are not already. Mr. Duckett explained that individuals could contact either himself or Dr. Elaine Lacey.
2. Maureen Bergstrom asked if the Committee expects to meet the planning deadlines that have been set. Mr. Duckett explained that in the overall scheme of things, yes.
3. Ms. Bergstrom then asked if the process is a way to discover programs should be cut. Mr. Duckett insisted that this process was not about cutting programs, but finding out what works and what doesn't for our campus. Dr. Hallman also interjected that "nothing is ever static," and that in doing this sort of research, we will be able to better understand and explain our own identity as a university to others and ourselves.
4. Tony Ateca pointed out that the information attained thus far and in the future will be extremely valuable to potential students and donors.
5. Jeff Jenik encouraged everyone to become involved in the strategic planning process.

 

4. New Business/Announcements
   1. Appreciation Luncheon: Jeff Jenik explained that this year we are forming an Appreciation Luncheon Committee comprised of faculty and CEA members, who will work together in coordinating the annual Appreciation Luncheon in the spring. The Chairperson for the committee is Karen Morris in Graduate Studies. If you would like to become involved, please contact Ms. Morris. (x3489 or kmorris).
   2. Enrichment Funds: Carl Dawson encouraged everyone to take advantage of this service to CEA members who seek financial assistance for work-related enrichment purposes. Applicants for these funds must be permanent classified employees contributing to the annual Family Fund, who intend to use funds under the following guidelines: travel to professional meetings, seminars and workshop fees, and tuition and book reimbursement for undergraduate and graduate courses at USCA and other area institutions of higher learning (limit one course per academic year, and a passing grade in the course must be attained). For more information, contact Jeff Jenik or Norma Toner or the Development Office.
   3. Special Election: Carol Cutsinger informed us that a position has come open on the CEA Nominating Committee since LaShawn Robinson left USCA. The Nominating Committee nominates individuals for offices and committees of the Assembly, and it produces, distributes and tabulates official ballots. We will be holding a special election to fill that seat in the upcoming week. Nominations can be emailed to her (carolc). She will then send out a list of candidates for the member position, and we will vote next week via "roving ballot box." The ballot box will be located in the following departments on the specified dates:

   Monday, Dec. 10	Human Resources
   Tuesday, Dec. 11	Supply & Maintenance
   Wednesday, Dec. 12	Science Building

   1. CEA Family Night/USCA Pacer Club: Jeff Jenik announced that the USCA Pacer Club has invited all CEA members to watch the USCA Pacer basketball double header Saturday, December 15th when the women's team faces Voorhees at 5:30 p.m. followed by the men's team, who will tip off at 7:30 p.m. against Carson-Newman. CEA members can join Pacer Club members at the end of the women's game and at half time of the men's game at the Watering Hole located in the SAC cafeteria. There is a $5.00 charge to cover food and beverage expenses. Individuals interested in taking advantage of this opportunity can contact Jeff Jenik (jeffj x3258) no later than Wednesday, December 12, so arrangements can be made for food and beverages.
   2. Employee of the Year Award: Sandy Besley reminded everyone that the time for Employee of the Year Award nominations is fast approaching. The call for nominations will be the fourth Friday in January with nominations being accepted through the second Friday in February. Nominations may come from any source other than self-nominations. Employees may obtain a nomination form through the CEA web page or, for those who do not have access to a computer, from various locations around campus.
   3. Consumer Credit Counseling: Dr. Hallman reminded everyone that, although the information given by Mr. Alberse at the beginning of the meeting was very valuable, there is a local consumer credit counseling service that is also a member of the Nation Foundation of Consumer Credit. For more information about this local organization, simply look them up in the phone book or contact him.
   4. Color on Campus: Jeff Jenik reminded everyone that the Supply Office has a color copier now, and colors copies can be made for $0.75 each.
   5. Christmas Show at Planetarium: John Hutchens invited everyone to attend the DuPont Planetarium's holiday program, "'Tis the Season." Tickets are $1.00 for USCA Faculty and Staff with proper ID.
   6. Book Store Sales: Jeff Jenik reminded everyone to do some of their holiday shopping in the USCA Bookstore.
5. Adjournment
   Having discussed all new business, a motion was made to adjourn and was seconded by Ms. Sandra Besley. List of December 4, 2001 Classified Employee Assembly attendees:

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