In its general meeting on Wednesday, the UNC Employee Forum discussed additional paid leave for University employees.
The forum also discussed peer recognition awards, elections, retention issues and the University's recent annual blood drive.
What’s new?
- Employee Forum chairperson Katie Musgrove opened the meeting by asking for nominees for officer positions. All positions were open for re-election. Musgrove also acknowledged delegates whose terms were ending.
- Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Linc Butler discussed Gov. Roy Cooper’s Executive Order 262 and the “staggering” 20 percent vacancy rate among state government staff.
- The executive order is about "employee leave to recognize a day of cultural, religious, or personal significance"
- Butler said that University employees will also be allowed to take eight hours of paid leave on Juneteenth or another day of cultural, religious or personal significance.
- He said that UNC and other universities are struggling with high turnover rates. Butler said UNC is working on strategies to combat the issue including recruitment and retention bonuses.
- Butler also said that the process for internal promotions is being streamlined. He added that a full overview of the new rules will be given at the next meeting.
- Laura Pratt and Tiffany Carver led the 2022 Peer Recognition Awards Ceremony. Recipients, chosen from 185 nominations, received a $100 stipend on June paychecks and were recognized in the meeting.
- “Our staff are top-tier and it really shows on days like today,” Carver said.
- Hall of Famer award: Ryan Neve, Pam Morrison
- Perfect Addition award: Christopher Daley and Crystal Wu
- Professional Excellence Award: Kimi Yingling, Ali Ramirez, Stephanie Forman and Susan Pedersen
- Overton Leadership award: Logan Brackett and Valerie Tan
- Pinnacle award: Jennifer DeNeal and Patricia Kinneer
- 3-Legged Stool Community Service award: Robert Birrenkott
- The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
- DeNeal gave an update on UNC’s 34th annual blood drive which was held Tuesday at the Dean E. Smith Center.
- According to DeNeal, there were more than 93 volunteers and donors gave 510 units of blood.
- “That would be a spectacular haul in any year, but particularly this year, when we have been experiencing a critical blood shortage nationally,” DeNeal said.
- Forman said the Personnel Issues Committee is also working to increase retention by advocating for compensation system updates, addressing pay equity and furthering meaningful career development and pathways to promotion and mentorship.
- The forum held an election for executive committee officers. Pratt and DeNeal ran the election through a Qualtrics survey given out during the meeting.
- Musgrove ran unopposed for the role of chair and will remain in the position.
- Keith Hines was elected as vice chair.
- Tiffany Carver ran unopposed for Secretary and will continue in the role.
- Tracy Wetherby Williams ran unopposed for treasurer.
- Jacob Womack was elected unanimously for parliamentarian.
- Shane Brogan and Joe Ormond ran for the alternate delegate position. This election had a tie, garnering conversation about how to facilitate a tie-breaker because there were no rules regarding a tie on the book. The decision was pushed to the July meeting where a second vote will take place.
- The 2022 forum Standing Rules were unanimously approved on the first reading. The second reading will take place at the forum's July retreat.
How was the committee formed?
The Employee Forum was established in March 1992 with the mission of discussing the issues, concerns and overall participation of faculty and staff on campus.
Who is on the committee?
The forum is made up of about 60 elected delegates and nine different electoral divisions. The executive committee contains one representative from each division.
What’s next?
