THE ADVISORY COUNCIL OF ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY

 

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

 

April 12, 2007

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Kurt Anderson, Michael Abernethy, Ellen Bosman, Jane Boykin, Tina Byford, Katrina Doolittle, Terri Giron, Russell Hardy, Norma Ledesma, Sandra Moreno, Tim Nesbitt, Paul Ponce, Bobbi Raub, Nellie Rosales, Tom Rubadeau, Dario Silva

 

ALTERNATES PRESENT:  Linda Beavers (Alternate for Ida Chavez), Soum Sonogo

 

VISITORS PRESENT:  Cathy Thomas (A&S-Fringe Benefits), Cherri Lambeth (Fringe Benefits), Conrad Keyes, Jr. (Pioneers Rep-Ex Officio member), Michael Hites (ICT/Planning Committee), Diana Quintana (Human Resources)

 

CALL TO ORDER AND MINUTES:  Tim Nesbitt called the regular monthly meeting of the Advisory Council on Administrative Policy (ACAP) to order at 3:05 p.m.  The ACAP meeting was held at the Corbett Center in the Colfax Room.  The meeting minutes from March 8, 2007 were presented and approved with a few corrections.

            -Motion to accept the minutes was made

            -Seconded

            -Unanimous

 

BY LAWS REVIEW

Tim Nesbitt asked for a report from the By-Laws Review Committee.  One issue proposed by ACAP relates to providing a mechanism to ensure proper representation of the various groups represented by ACAP.  In response to that concern, ACAP has been provided a summary of the employment classification demographics with which to compare to ensure proper representation.  This mechanism is utilized by Faculty Senate, ACAP suggested a similar methodology.   Katrina Doolittle handed out information regarding the number of faculty, exempt and non-exempt employees at the Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Grants and Las Cruces campus, including the Dona Ana Branch Community College.  The committee recommends as follows:  Faculty ACAP representation would remain unchanged at 4, Exempt Staff would change from 6 to 7, Non Exempt staff would change from 7 to 6;  Outside Las Cruces-Community Colleges from 2 to 1; Outside Las Cruces-other from 1 to 2. Norma Ledesma suggested that the numbers should be reviewed annually to ensure accurate representation.  Norma will propose a routine time period as to when the adjustment should be made.  Linda Beavers asked where in the demographics the Dona Ana Branch Community College fit.  Tim answered that it was his understanding that Dona Ana Community College representation was considered in the faculty, exempt and non exempt distributions.   Ellen Bosman stated that the Demographics Committee needed to make this information clearer.  Norma Ledesma suggested that she will propose language at the next meeting to further clarify these issues.  Motion made to accept the demographic changes, motion seconded, and passed unanimously.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE

Tina Byford reviewed the various rate structures for the retiree insurance plans here at NMSU.   Tina further explained that many features of the various plans are subject to some change as a result of on-going negotiations with the AFSCME contract negotiations.  Tina pledged to keep the council informed of changes in insurance plans.  Conrad Keyes offered that the retirees are extremely happy with the plans effecting retirees.  Tina Byford asked for clarification regarding ex-officio membership to the insurance committee.  Norma Ledesma stated that 1 person can hold 2 positions, however; for By-Laws purposes needs to be listed separately. The committee is to come back with a recommendation on what the By-Laws will read. 

 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Diana Quintana stated that the Compensation Committee is currently inactive but in the past was the body to recommend distribution of compensation increases between cost of living and merit or performance.  Since there is now going to be consideration given to union representation contract terms for certain classes of employees the role of the committee may change.  Diana recommends the committee be kept in place.

 

The Citation Appeals Committee is an inactive committee at this time but will continue to be listed in ACAP documentation in the event future needs arise.   The Intramural Policy Board is also inactive but will be left on the committee listing to be activated if needed.

 

The EEOC Appeals Board met for the first time in 5 years recently.

 

Fringe Benefits Committee met and discussed non-exempt staff and exempt staff professional leave.  Staff members that take professional leave for 1 year will in turn need to give NMSU back 2 times the amount of time taken for professional leave.  Ellen Bosman suggested that it seemed unfair to require two times time taken as a pay back period.  Russell Hardy stated that it is hardship on the University as a whole when a staff member is out on leave, so the service pay back period of 2 times seems fair.  A motion was made to accept the policy recommendation with correction of minor typographical errors.  Motion was seconded.  The vote to accept was unanimous.   

 

AFSCME CONTRACT UPDATE

Diana Quintana stated that the details of the AFSCME Union negotiations are confidential until a contract is approved.  Diana reports significant progress has taken place and AFSCME and NMSU are close to signing an agreement.  Nellie Rosales is one of  the AFSCME union negotiating team members voted in by peers to serve on the committee.  Nellie agreed significant progress has been made. 

 

PLANNING TO PLAN COMMITTEE

Michael Hites presented information on NMSU’s Plan 2 Plan Task Force.  The group focuses on NMSU’s mission, vision and strategic planning.  The Committee discusses these issues and then gives a vision to President Michael Martin.  The main goal of this group is to get wide spread input to develop a process to use to achieve a strategic plan for the University.  The group is made up of about 40 people, half faculty, staff members and non-Dean members.  The group meets every 2 weeks and discussion is brought to the table.  If the group does not come to an agreement then the discussion is removed from the table.  Planning to Plan Committee is charged to have the process defined by the time of the Regents Retreat in July 2007. 

 

REPORT FROM CHAIR

Administrative Council met on April 10, agenda is attached.

 

The New Mexico Higher Education Staff Association participated in the 60 day legislative session.  The priority initiative was to support a 5% increase in compensation.  The legislature also provided funding for a three quarter of one percent increase in educational retirement contribution.

 

Board of Regents meets on April 13, 2007.

 

Meeting adjourned at 4:07 p.m.