THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY

 

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

APRIL 10, 2003

 

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  John Mullen (F), Elliott Willman (F), Bobbi Raub (F), Shaun Cooper (P), Maureen Camunez (P),  Tina Byford (Alternate for Terry Cook) (P), Monica Smiggen (P), Tim Nesbitt (P), Norma Ledesma (P), Irene Fierro (C), Viola McCormick (C), Robert Medina (C),  Ida Quinones (C), Nellie Rosales (C), Christie Padilla (C), Cathy Thomas (C), Linda Beavers (OLC), Ida Chavez (OLC), Phillip Wright (OLC).

 

ALTERNATES:  Carla Casas, Candice Guzie, Betty Berry

 

VISITORS:  Janet May (Personnel), Bob Howell (President’s Representative), Quentin Ford (Pioneers), Mary Berry (Student Services).

 

Maureen Camunez called the regular meeting of the Advisory Council on Administrative Policy (ACAP) to order at 3:00 pm in the conference room of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture Building. 

 

Maureen called for additions or corrections to the minutes for the regular meeting held on March 13, 2003.  A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as presented. 

 

Maureen called for additions or correction to the minutes for the special meeting held on March 25, 2003.  A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as presented. 

 

FRINGE BENEFITS COMMITTEE : 

 

Cathy Thomas reported on the meeting held March 5th.  Janet May reported on information distributed to employees and indicated that Fringe Benefits will continue to look at legal and vision plans.   Betty Berry, Alamogordo Branch, asked why NMSU does not look into adding these as an option to our fringe benefits package.  Bob Howell responded by saying that our current personnel system cannot accommodate the additional deductions.  Tina Byford gave a description on the HRMS program and its limited fields.  A recommendation was made that ACAP review possible new benefits package.  NMSU is currently looking at getting an integrated upgraded system. 

 

It was recommended that ACAP send a letter to the President recommending a new HRMS system to handle additional benefits be set as a priority.  Motion carried. 

 

INSURANCE COMMITTEE :

 

Tina Byford reported that the insurance committee will be meeting on April 24th at 1:30 in the Hadley Hall Conference Room.  Janet May reported that at the Pioneers meeting the new insurance policy was explained and that retirees seemed to be happy.   No complaints were received by the Personnel Office other than premiums going up and employees not receiving raises.    Tina Byford reported on plan reviews for users and non-users and that the new plan design is on the web.  Please encourage people to attend the next meeting. 

 

FACULTY SENATE :

 

Elliott Willman reported on the Faculty Senate meeting held April 3.  Currently Faculty Senate is reviewing its constitution and bylaws.  Monica Smiggen reported that the shortening of the academic year passed in Faculty Senate and is being reviewed by the Regents for the 2004/2005 year.

 

CAMPUS PLANNING COMMITTEE:

 

Mark Medina reported on the Campus Planning Committee meeting held on April 2.  Discussion included items presented in attached report. 

 

PAN AMERICAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE :

 

Norma Ledesma reported there has been no activity on this committee and suggested the committee remain as a standing committee.

 

ALCOHOL REVIEW COMMITTEE:             

 

Monica Smiggen reported on the meeting held March 12th.  Due to the concerns NMSU encountered during a concert, the committees will be looking into the errors and addressing the problems.  The committee has received 18 requests to serve alcohol at baseball games.  A request for a wedding to be held at Corbett Center will be reviewed at the committee’s next meeting.  This committee is scheduled to meet on an as needed basis.

 

BUDGET COMMITTEE :

 

Tim Nesbitt introduced and thanked Patricia Quintana, Director  Government Activities, for attending ACAP.

 

Patricia Quintana reported on the legislative session.  Report included Capital Outlays, new formula benefits, salary increases (2.5% for campus staff and 3% for faculty), tuition credit (4%), state contribution for health insurance was tabled, $8M renovation of sport facilities which will require a match from NMSU, $500K to NMSU for Distance Ed, 135mi radius will stay fixed, $1M to NMSU for endowed chairs which NMSU is required to match.  Ms. Quintana reported the next 30-day session, the Governor will be moving money deficits and increases according to analysis and depending on returns.  She also reported that Dr. Gouge was very visible at the legislature and because of his high visibility better relationships were built and felt NMSU was well represented.

 

Other discussion included:

          Return to Work Policy – Janet May reported that her office will distribute rules to anyone governed by ERB.

 

          Gun Control – According to state law, concealed weapons can be carried by NMSU students who are 25 years of age and have a valid license. 

 

          Per Diem and Mileage – Tina Byford reported that the NM Per Diem and Mileage rates will be increased, however NMSU has not accepted the change at this time.  A motion to change the rates will go to the Regents on May 9th.  If approved, the change will become effective July 1st.

 

          Health Care – Topic will be discussed during interim.

 

          Special Session will be held in October. 

 

BUDGET COMMITTEE:

 

Tim Nesbit reported that the committee would be meeting May 28, 29 and 30th.

 

PARKING CITATION HEARING PANEL:

 

Shaun Cooper reported that committee was underway and that Parking Department was happy with the way things were progressing.

 

REPORT FROM CHAIR:

 

Maureen Camunez reported that the following policies and procedures have gone through ACAP and been approved:

          Conflicts of Interest Arising from Consensual Relationships

          Procedure for Proposing Revisions to Retiree Benefits

          Policy Statement Against Sexual Harassment

          Employee Separation Policy

          Military Withdrawal Tuition Refund Policy

         

Pistol Pete and Pistol Patty for woman sports suggestion was presented by Maureen Camunez.    ACAP decided to invite the person who made the suggestion to present at ACAP this fall.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

Rules of Sick Leave Bank – Suggestion was made to revisit the rules and asked Fringe Benefits committee to research and report back to ACAP.  Additionally Fringe Benefits committee will look into the possibility of donating sick leave hours to others and what financial impact it would have.

 

Annual Leave Donations – Fringe Benefits committee was asked to look into donating annual leave hours to others and what financial impact it would have. 

 

List serve – Suggestion was made to ACAP pertaining to NMSU having a list serve available to professional and classified employees.  Shaun Cooper reported that NMSU currently has one for faculty that Dr. Flores uses.  Discussion continued on list serves and how they would benefit NMSU during an emergency.  ACAP members were asked to bring back ideas or concerns to the May meeting.      

 

Employee Picnic -- ACAP members were asked for their thoughts on what can be done to replace the employee picnic and report back to the committee. 

  

 

The meeting was then adjourned.

 

 

 

___________________________

 Norma Ledesma for Paula Ross

 

 

The Council has approved these minutes.