April/May 2006

Question:  In a recent issue of Seven Days, I noticed two 1/4 page (huge) ads for employment at SMC. With the financial crisis at the College, it seems a bit extravagant to advertise with such large ads - each ad for one position. Even without a financial crisis, one must ask if bigger is better? I think not. Campus-wide each of us must look for waste and work to curb it. I can hear the administration's response now - it costs less to advertise in Seven Days. Think about how many positions could fit in a quarter page ad and then scale back accordingly. SMC is a well known entity in the paper's reading area so the logo could be greatly reduced in size. A brief description would suffice and state additional information available at website URL. The truly interested will pursue the link. A response of "we've always done it this way" is not acceptable. I look forward to reading of a resolution in a coming newsletter 

Answer:  PWC forwarded suggestion to SMC Human Resources Dept.  HR response:

This year we will spend about half of what we spent on recruitment advertising last year…....the clear lion’s share of this was spent on recruiting 8 regular faculty openings plus assorted “visiting and adjunct” openings.  Faculty advertising is done nationally in a variety of professional publications and web sites (e.g. higheredjobs.com)…we have virtually stopped all advertising in the very pricey Chronicle of Higher Education.   A small fraction was spent on local staff recruiting.  We are constantly looking at new and more effective ways to get the word out about our openings.

 The writer is correct in noting that 7 Days is less expensive…..a typical display ad in the Burlington Free Press runs about $1000 to $1500 for two days…Sunday and Business Monday…with no on-line feature.  The same ad in 7 Days runs about $350 and includes 30 days of on-line advertising……I’ll take that deal.  7 Days has developed a rather nice following and is now looked upon as a very good source of jobs in the local market.  

Contrary to what the writer implies, prospective employees have lots of options in this market…..Vermont and specifically Chittenden County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country…we compete for every opening and thus I think lowering our presence in the market will not help us.  We do list our URL in all ads and with recent improvements in our web site we have seen increased traffic/responses. 

Question:  I read with interest about the new committee to study the Pension plan.  I did wonder about the makeup of the committee, though.  It seemed extremely heavy on faculty with almost no staff representation (other than HR staff).  I do not consider HR staff to represent me or my best interest with an issue such as this.  In my opinion they are trying to do what is best for the college--not necessarily the employees.  Was the PWC asked for representative.

Answer:  The members of the Retirement Plan Taskforce are:

Neal Robinson, VP for Finance
Michael New, VP for Human Resources
Dennis Voigt, Business Department
Joanna Ellis-Monaghan, Math Department
Michael Battig, Computer Science Department (FWC rep)
Susan Moses, Director for Planned Giving (PWC rep)
Paul Olsen, Associate Director, MSA Program
Jennifer Niebling, Head Coach, Women’s Basketball
Tina Tenney, Assoc. Director, HR Compensation and Benefits

The Non-HR staff representatives on the Taskforce (from the list above) are:  Susan Moses (PWC rep), Paul Olsen, Jennifer Niebling.  Also included from the staff is the VP for Finance and the VP for Human Resources.  HR selected the taskforce members.

Answer:  PWC contacted HR.  HR's response:  Individuals should direct their questions concerning any type of leave balance to their supervisor or HR.  We are in the process of testing the program fix to get the sick time balance (when there is one) back on the check and will issue a communication concerning this when that work is complete.

Question:  High fuel prices are likely here to stay.  I know there will be no money available to help out, but what about a CCTA pass program such as UVM has?  Even FAHC offers a discount for bus riders.  I saw there was some mention of it for students, but I think others could take advantage of it as well.  It would be good for pocketbooks and GREAT for the environment.

Answer:  PWC will check with relevant offices on campus to try to move this forward.

Question:  Is there a way to make the link for the HR Holiday hours go to a Web page, rather than the Public folders?  Perhaps HR could put a page on their Web site that has the Holiday hours listed, which you could then link to.

Answer:  HR thought it was a great suggestion and is creating the Web page as we speak.  Once the HR page is "live", PWC will link to it.  (update 5/11/06 -- it's live:  Holiday Schedule 2006.  Linked added. -- PWC)
 

March 2006

Question:
(edited) I would like to see Sexual and other forms of Harassment addressed in the form of classes for ALL employees (staff, faculty, etc.)....It is Needed....I think people need to know where to draw the line....

PWC Action:  PWC spoke with Mike New, VP for Human Resources.  Human Resources is in the process of launching a new training program addressing this very issue.  We should hear more about it in the next several weeks.  If you have specific concerns about harassment, please go to Mike New or Tina Tenney right away.

Question:
I have worked at a university that sponsored a yearly staff development day in which we could sign up for various trainings/topics. It was very helpful. One other training that I did not include in my survey but would really appreciate is an overall SMC accounting system class. That would be really helpful to me.

PWC Action:  Thank you for your comment.  The committee discussed this at our 3/22 meeting. Interest was high and one of the committee members had some examples of staff development days at other institutions. We are going to wait for the final survey results and make a plan based on those results.

Question:
In regards to professional development, maybe the PWC website should include the classes offered by IT or a link to the IT site (is there one?). I have attended a few and they have been excellent.

PWC Action:  The PWC checked with Sue Breeyear (Assistant Director for Instructional Technology Services).  Her response:  All of our scheduled workshops can be found on the IT website at http://www2.smcvt.edu/its/workshops.htm .  Although there are a few workshops from time to time that deal with specific classroom technology and teaching, most of our general workshops are now open to staff as well as faculty.
--A link to the IT workshops has been added from the PWC Web site.

Question: 
(PWC co-chairs received an email in response to a recent article in the Echo about the College budget).  The email expressed general concern that staff salaries would be overlooked:  "Can we get more info on this?...."

PWC Action:  Mike New, VP for Human Resources met with the PWC on February 15 and explained how the cost of living increases for staff would be implemented for FY07.  An announcement from the College is forthcoming.  On January 19, 2006, the PWC sent a memo to Mike New advocating for cost of living increases.  An open campus meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 5^th from 9-10 am in the Farrell Room.  We have invited Mike New and Neal Robinson to discuss the salary increase and delay for the 06-07 year.
 

February 2006:

Question:
Regarding the new vehicle use policy, should an employee be responsible for paying the deductible if they are in an accident while performing work on behalf of the college?  And further, their job description specifically says that use of a personal vehicle is required? 

Question:
The current location of the SMC child care center is inadequate for children's needs, and for many years there has been support on campus for re-locating the center to a more suitable place. The old fire and rescue building has been identified as a possible location for the center. Can the PWC contact the advisory board of the child care center, and go on record in support of efforts to re-locate?

PWC Action:  The PWC will draft a letter of support for a new facility to be sent to the Director of the Early Learning Center.