LSA Exec - Minutes - October 31, 2019

LIBRARY STAFF ASSEMBLY (LSA)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MEETING NOTES

October 31st, 2019

Present

• Paul Thomas – Chair

• Chris Bohling – Vice-Chair

• Scott Cossel – Secretary

• Matt Torres

• Rhonda Hauser

• Chris Banuelos

Call to order:

Quorum met. Meeting commenced at 1:03pm

Introduction of new executive board:

• Paul Thomas – Chair

• Chris Bohling – Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect

• Scott Cossel – Secretary

• Chris Banuelos – Member-at-Large

• Rhonda Houser – Member-at-Large

• Matt Torres – Member-at-Large

Welcome new LSA members:

• Gabriela Mora

• Shelby Schellenger

• Vannis Jones

• Emily Readinger

• Tad McGuire

• Sarah Chapman

Dean Smith’s remarks:

• Change in tuition assistance:

o Due to change in tuition assistance policies by KU, The Libraries wanted to implement a loan program for people to take courses from a 3rd party institution.

o The Libraries would pay tuition up front and then be reimbursed one the course was complete.

o This decision is based in part from Library Staff needing to go elsewhere for career advancement (such as an MLIS degree).

o Dean Smith approached Endowment and set up a short-term employee loan program o Staff should approach Mike Broadwell and apply to Endowment

o Maximum amount is $1,000

o Term of the loan is thirty days; after which it would transition to an interest-bearing loan

o Dean Smith provided a bulleted list of program handouts, which will also be posted on the HR web site.

o In addition to approaching Mike Broadwell and Endowment, applicant still needs to work with the KU Tuition Assistance program.

o Feel free to speak to Dean Smith, or Mike Broadwell, if you have questions

• Salary Letters:

o Discussions around campus (especially the University Senate) about making sure administration is up front as possible on how decisions were made for merit and equity salary increases

o Dean Smith apologizes for the error related to the salary letters for USS

• Questions:

o None

Updates from LSA and LFSA committees (as necessary):

• Nominating and Ballot committee: last year’s committee forwarded a charge for this year to codify Quora policies. Realization that there’s not much information on establishing a quorum for elections, etc.

o N&B will forward this information the Committee on Code to address

o Question: do updates to the code have to come up for a vote?

▪ Yes, voting will take place by LSA and LFA.

o Question: does LSA include temporary employees?

▪ Unknown, Committee on Code can investigate.

New business (if any):

• Does the Salary and Benefits committee have an update on the pay rate discrepancy discussion?

o Per Ann Snow: committee completed report but she’s not sure what’s become of it at this point.

Halloween Costume Contest:

• First place: Gabriela Mora for “Catrina” costume

• Runner-up: Kristin Sederstrom for “British Bobby” costume

• Congratulation to both!