MINUTES
Employee Assembly Meeting
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
12:15 — 1:30pm
Physical Sciences 401

“Being an active Voice for Cornell Staff”

I. Call to Order

B. Schaffner called the meeting to order at 12:23PM.

Members present: A. Capogrossi, B. Cristelli, L. Howell, C. Ferguson, T. Grove, E. Lee, G. Mezey, L. Morris, J. Rogan, B. Schaffner, M. Seymour, P. Thompson.

Members absent: J. Ambrosetti, N. Bell, D. Brooks, B. Esty, G. Osborne, L. Sayam.

Also present: N. Doolittle, A. Mittman, B. Murphy, A. O’Donnell, B.J. Siasoco.

II. Call for Late Additions to the Agenda

A. Capogrossi requested time to discuss the Cornell community.

III. Approval of Minutes from June 5, 2013

B. Schaffner motioned to approve the minutes from the June 5, 2013 meeting. T. Grove seconded the motion. The motion was approved by unanimous consent.

IV. Report from the Chair

a) President’s Address

President Skorton’s staff address will be on October 1, 2013 from 12:00PM-1:00PM in Bailey Hall. E. Lee said he is making a flyer. N. Doolittle will put information in the PawPrint and send information out via PawPrint Flashes. T. Grove will make the program. G. Mezey will research food options and prices. B. Schaffner asked the room for suggestions on talking points. Suggested topics were wellness and work-life balance, the employee survey, and staff highlights.

b) Employee Survey

B. Schaffner and G. Mezey will work on sending out information from the employee survey before the President’s Address. The room recognized the need for an online way to track wellness time requests and measure usage across the university. There was concern policy is not being applied consistently to all employees.

V. Old Business

a) Committee Appointments

P. Thompson noted most employees she talked to about joining a committee expressed interest, but did not have time or did not think their supervisor would approve.

b) Budget Update

No update because of J. Ambrosetti’s absence.

c) Health and Personal Leave

B. Schaffner thanked A. Mittman for distributing information. A. Mittman said he is seeking feedback and questions will be answered at a future EA meeting. G. Mezey will compile feedback and questions.

VI. New Business

a) Employee Assembly Membership

A. Capogrossi will be leaving the university, so his seat will be open. A. Capogrossi noted that since the layoffs there has been a lot of friction; however, it is important to remember the importance of community above all. He agreed with D. Brooks that all new employees should be on the EA unless they opt out. The application to apply to the EA will be made available.

b) Future Guests

B. Schaffner requested to move this item to a later meeting because of time constraints.

c) Staff Appreciation Award

The membership discussed nomination for the Staff Appreciation Award to be given out at the annual President’s Address to the Staff.

d) Employee Community Service Award

T. Grove said Gary Stewart is interested in working with the Employee Assembly to create an award to recognize employees dedicated to community service, especially on the Cornell campus. B. Schaffner noted some employees might not have time for campus-specific community service. The room noted it is important to recognize what employees are doing to improve their community.

e) Community Announcement

Chris Allinger will be at Schelkopf Stadium on Monday, September 9 doing his Walk Across the Country to collect money for Tompkins county students.

VII. Adjournment

B. Schaffner adjourned the meeting at 1:32PM.