CEA Meeting

9/6/06 in Penland 106

I. Welcome/Approval of April 2006 Minutes - Jeff Jenik called meeting to order at 11:05 AM. He welcomed the staff back for first meeting of the year. Jenik welcomed all new employees and identified those that were present. Jenik also mentioned that at the last meeting elections were held, and he congratulated all the newly elected people. Jenik mentioned that the CEA Executive Committee had used the format last year during the meetings to have different departments talk about what their role is on campus. We will continue to do that this year. Jenik asked if there were any revisions to the minutes from the last meeting. With no one having changes Jenik asked for approval of the minutes. John Hutchens motioned to approve the minutes as is, and Corey Feraldi provided a second motion.

II. Report from the Chancellor - Dr. Hallman provided an administrative update noting the good academic start to the year with a 2% head count increase. This year we have the best qualified and largest class of freshman with a total of 673 freshmen enrolled. This speaks well of the campus. In previous years, we have been concerned with retention of our students. This year it is 66.9%, and administration is pleased with that number.

The Strategic Plan is being revised, and we are in the process of reconstituting that committee and sharing revisions to our goals. Dr. Hallman noted that USC Aiken was again ranked # 1 top comprehensive college in the south for 2007. He concluded by encouraging CEA members to stay in touch with things going on around campus.

III. Department Update – Tony Ateca (Facilities) - Ateca presented a Power Point presentation on the future plans of USC Aiken. Construction of the Convocation Center is moving along on schedule and should be complete in April 2007. The total budget for the project was $22 million from five sources including USC Aiken at $9.17 million, Aiken County at $7 million, a State Bond Bill at $4.79 million, the city of Aiken at $ .75 million, and private gifts at $ .29 million. Capacity in the Convocation Center ranges from 3,400 to 4,000 based on the type of event, and there will be parking for 1,200. The center could handle up to 150 events annually. 97,000 sq. ft. Within the 97,000 square feet of the center, athletic offices, 9 locker rooms, an athletic training room, VIP room, fitness center, study room, management offices and 2 concession areas will be housed. Ateca hopes to hire 3 new employees in housekeeping and 1 in maintenance to maintain the Convocation Center.

Other plans in the near future include renovation of the SAC to begin in May 2007, and the groundbreaking for a new Residence Hall. This will be a 300 bed freshman residence hall, and planners are looking at a different concept this time from our two previous housing facilities. At least 8 students would be assigned to a suite with two to a room and shared bathrooms. Kitchen units would not be included in the suites. Construction for the new residence hall is projected from May 2007 to August 2008.

Other items on the USC Aiken wish list include:

Renovation of B&E Gym – Target date of 2009

Construction of an academic building (contingent on state funding) – Target date of 2009-2010

Expansion of number of classrooms in Etherredge Center – Target date of 2010-2011

Relocation of tennis courts - Target date of 2011-2012

Ateca concluded his presentation by noting other elements being added to campus such as card access and cameras being added to more buildings, as well as additional emergency call stations. He noted that the library renovations are almost complete. Pacer Downs continued renovations over the summer, and a new computer classroom was added in the Penland building.

IV. Department Update – Mike Lemons (Computer Services) – Lemons noted that the One Carolina system will replace the current IMS system. Computer services is adding a new position, a One Carolina coordinator, to help implement and maintain the system. One Carolina will take several years to implement, and will serve as a USC system wide network. Lemons also noted that the Trend Micro anti-virus installation is almost complete.

V. Committee Reports - Carla Hayes, chair of the Advisory committee, informed the CEA that the committee is currently testing an open discussion web site for CEA members, which will hopefully be online soon. She asked again for suggestions/ recommendations for the employee of the year selection process. The committee is presently looking at a few minor adjustments to the present system. CEA will take a vote at the next meeting on proposed changes to the process.

VI. Announcements from the Floor– Ahmed Samaha, the Family Fund Co-Chair, reminded the CEA of the current campaign underway. He explained that the Family Fund is Faculty and Staff giving back to USC Aiken. You can designate where you want your contribution to go, and pledges will be collected for the next 3 weeks. The Family Fund celebration luncheon will be on September 26 at 11:45 in the Etherredge Center lobby.

Carla Hayes also announced that October is annual open enrollment. She will hold information sessions to assist employees with changes.

Jenik adjourned the meeting at 12:07pm with a motion by Braden Hosch and a second by Jennifer Lake. All CEA members in attendance then joined the Chancellor for lunch in B&E 116.

Members in attendance:

Gail Ratchford

Katya Terry

Paula Stribling

Savithia Memula

Judy Lisak

Jody Yates

Jeff Crosby

Nick Schrader

Corine Simmons

Cheryle Ehmke

Scott Pearce

Laura Anderson

Billie Murphy

Kelvin Rachell

Stacie Williams

Chasity Hunter

Alan Andrews

Katy Jernigen

Catrena Cheston

Belinda Rouse

Melissa Wall

Annette Bealer

Janet Joy

John Cumbee

Jeff Mastromonico

Charles Taylor

Kyle Redd

Corey Feraldi

Aimee Carter

Cheryl Fogel

Len Engel

Jennifer Lake

Kojak Maring

Janice Wheeler

Sarah Keeling

Rebecca Schrader

Jennifer Overholt-Mau

Deri Wills

Angel Lee

Jenny Horn

Kendall Tubbs

Sherri Jenik

Ginger Hudock

Sylvia Williams

Kathy Workman

Brigitte Smith

Kathy Simmons

Donna Howell

Paul Lewis

Karen Morgan

Karen Morris

Cindy Gelinas

Tempie Adams

John Hutchens

Ruby Turner

J. W. Stanford

Tommie Pickens

Aileen McTaggart

Steve Stride

Cindy Sparling

Gretchen Erb

Bob Wiesner

Angie Taylor

Carla Hayes

Jeff Jenik

Braeden Hosch

Travis Scott

Maureen Bergstrom

Beverly Wells

Heidi DiFranco

Michael Spear

Mike Lemons

Randy Duckett

Ahmed Samaha