Association of Classified Employees

End-of-Year Committee Reports
ACE and University Committees
2009-2010

ACE Constitution and Bylaws Revision Committee Report
Committee Members:
Linda Burnett
Shelly Doty
Patricia Klein

ACE Constitution Revision: The committee met both in person and by email in order to draft revisions to the ACE Constitution. Once the committee members agreed on the proposed revisions, they were forwarded by email to the ACE Senate officers for approval, and then forwarded and approved by the ACE Senate members 30 days prior to the April 6, 2010 Spring General Meeting.

At the April 6, 2010 Spring General Meeting, Lisa Clements moved that the Constitution of the Association of Classified Employees of Boise State University (ACE) as Amended April 2010 be approved. The motion was seconded by Leslie Black and passed on a unanimous voice vote of the classified employees in attendance.

ACE Bylaws Revision: The committee submitted their recommended changes to the ACE Senate members by email. At the April 13, 2010 ACE Senate meeting, Kenny Wiscombe moved that the Bylaws of the Association of Classified Employees of Boise State University (ACE) As Amended April 2010 be approved. The motion was seconded by Leslie Knight and passed on a unanimous voice vote.

ACE Nomination and Election Committee Report
Committee Members: Linda Burnett, Chair Leslie Knight Shelly Doty (consultant

Both the nomination and election processes were completed using Qualtrics survey software. After the nomination results were tallied, the candidates were contacted via email and given a brief description of the office to which they were nominated and asked to verify their willingness to run for that office. The slate of nominees was then entered into the survey software and an email election notification and link to the ballot was sent to all the eligible classified employees.

The election results were verified and emailed to Rene Delaney, ACE President, on May 3, 2010.

Affirmative Action Committee (two year appointment)
ACE representatives: Jaque Johnson and Norma Kindall

Although there is no report for this committee, Jaque said it is vital that ACE members and officers understand that this is an important committee and that it does require a couple of years of commitment.

Bias Awareness and Response Team (BART)
ACE representative: Rene’ Delaney

Goals of the Bias Awareness and Response Team were:
Short term

• To establish whether there is a need for a group of this type at the University
• To develop a clear structure and expectations for this group if there is a need
• To develop promotional materials once group and operations are clearly defined

Long Term

• To develop a clearer and broadly accessible picture of the campus climate
• To create a safer and more inclusive campus

This charge for the committee was established: To provide high profile, accessible and educational opportunities for students and employees of Boise State University to report acts, incidents or experiences of bias, prejudice and discrimination based on one or another diverse aspect of one’s identity and to bring to bear the expertise of the group on the most appropriate response to these reports.

Subcommittees were created to update the entire team on their subcommittees’ activities at each monthly meeting.

• Incident Response – Reporting mechanism to provide immediate response via appropriate referral or internal action
• Communication – To publicize necessary pieces (awareness posters/annual report), maintain an operational website
• Proactive Campus Climate – To work with existing entities to address identified needs
• Data Collection – To collect and maintain data reported through incident response
• Policy – To serve as an advisory resource for sources that either seek to revise or develop original policy which will effect campus climate

Bookstore Advisory Board
ACE representative: Lesley Knight

This committee met every month. Every meeting would include a financial review of the bookstore and its outlets. One major issue facing the bookstore this year has been the increasing move towards electronic books and that impact on textbook sales. We reviewed policy and revisions concerning textbooks and returns. We reviewed the proposal for next year’s bookstore scholarship funding donation. The amount to be awarded was $750,000. The committee voted for endowing a scholarship in Tom Trusky’s name with the remaining funds to go to Financial Aid and Scholarships.

BSUAOP
ACE representative: Linda Burnett

Linda served as an Area Representative for BSUAOP and reported on ACE’s activities at the BSUAOP Board Meetings. She also reported back to the ACE Senate on any BSUAOP activities of interest.

Campus Recreation Advisory Board
ACE representative: Kenny Wiscombe

Under the guidance of Jenny Nigrini, the big issues were the new swimming pool, student activity fee increases, and the “Beat Coach Pete” Scholarship Fun Run. The swimming pool is progressing towards completion. The Rec Center got about half of the fee increase that they wanted, and the scholarship fun run was bigger and better than ever.

Disability Advisory Group
ACE representative: Cami Jefferies

Unfortunately, I was only able to attend three meetings. However, what I did learn while I was on this committee was:

1. All the hurdles the Disability Resource Center (DRC) has in meeting all of the needs of the students on campus with disabilities. The funds needed to ensure all needs are met are not always available. The DRC also is undermanned and overworked.
2. Members of the DAG are continually trying to advocate for the students and employees of BSU to ensure all their needs are met.
3. I do not think enough people are aware of this group. I feel DAG needs to be publicized a little more so the group can work as an advocate with the DRC and assist with the various issues that come along.

Emeritus Committee
ACE representative: Shelly Doty

Emeriti status was granted to the following classified employees: Mary Carter-Hepworth, Gerrel Knudson, Brenda Ross, and Greg Hampton.

Facility Naming Committee
ACE representative: Rene’ Delaney

During the year we met once to recommend a name for the new business building and an email vote was called to make a recommendation from the naming committee regarding a name for the space to be rented by the SSPA College in downtown Boise.

Food Service Advisory Board
ACE representative: Lesley Knight

This committee met every other month. Each month various committee members from food service areas around campus shared what was going on in their respective areas, updates and improvements. Several main things that happened during the year were food and recycling events during Sustainability Week, refillable greenware available at various food outlets around campus and the Moxie remodeling in the SUB. It was a very interesting and informative committee. I appreciated seeing how the Food Service works with the campus to provide a good variety of foods and works to keep it interesting, efficient and healthy.

General Meeting & Luncheon Committee
Committee members:
Carol Bugni, Chair
Lisa Clements
Les Knight

The responsibility of this committee is to organize the annual Association of Classified Employees general meeting and luncheon that takes place in April/May of each year. This committee works together with the Outstanding Employee Committee as the nominations and awards are presented at the general meeting. Planning includes menu, room flyer, registration, monies and keynote speaker. The contact for this committee is the ACE President.

The Luncheon was held on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 in the Simplot Ballroom, Student Union Building. The event was advertised on the ACE Website, in the HRS Review, and in Update. Menu: Idaho Spud Bar; Cost: $5.00 per person, Guest Speaker Mat Erpelding. Mat was given a $25 gift certificate to the Bookstore. Nancy England was recognized and awarded a $50 gift certificate for the beautiful quilts she made and donated to the 2010 ACE Chili Feed and Quilt Raffle. The ACE General Meeting & Luncheon needs to scheduled at least one year in advance. It is preferable to schedule two annual luncheons at a time. The next ACE General Meeting & Luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, April 5, 2011, Simplot Ballroom, Student Union Building.

Goodwill Fundraising
Committee members: Carol Bugni Molly George

This committee raises funds to support the Goodwill Program that was created to assist BSU classified employees whose paychecks are not large enough to cover the cost of food between paydays. It is a voucher system allowing eligible BSU employees to get one or two free meals a week. As the Goodwill Program is totally funded by donations, the Committee encourages donations and markets the program through various communications and fundraising events. The contact for this committee is the ACE President.

This was a very good fundraising year. Near the holidays, Human Resource Services sent an email to all staff requesting donations. Contributions to the Goodwill Program through voluntary payroll deduction nearly doubled between Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 to just under $500 per month. The program also received a $300 holiday donation from the Cindy Anson Family, a $500 donation in memory of Linda Mercer, a $5,000 donation from an anonymous donor, and a $1,500 donation from CapED Federal Credit Union. In addition, Aramark continued its support with a meal discount worth approximately $3,500.

ACE hosted its Annual Chili Feed & Quilt Raffle on Friday, February 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church. This year’s event was very successful. The Senate and other classified staff generously gave of their time and labor to raise an additional $1,845 for the Goodwill Program. The committee asked employees to donate pots of chili and other supplies to help support the event and keep ACE’s costs down. Two beautiful quilts were donated by Nancy England to be raffled. Nan Selland, Architectural and Engineering Services, and Nicole Smith, Transportation and Parking, were the lucky winners of the quilts. The 2011 Annual Chili Feed & Quilt Raffle is scheduled for February 25, 2011 at St. Paul’s.

Human Resource Advisory Committee
ACE Representative: Rene’ Delaney

This committee met once at the beginning of the year to discuss Human Resource issues on campus and impacts the Legislature has had on employees and will continue to have in the future.

Outstanding Classified Employee Committee
Committee members:
Carol Bugni, Chair and ACE Vice President
Ross Burkhart, Faculty representative
Jerri Mizrahi, Professional Staff representative
Cami Jefferies, ACE Senator
Jaque Johnson, ACE Senator

This committee sends out notices for nominations for the Outstanding Classified Employee of the Year award in February of each year. They choose a nomination committee according to procedures for the OCE, which include one faculty, one professional staff, two ACE senators and the ACE Vice President as Chair of the committee. They review submissions and select the award winner. They work with the General Meeting & Luncheon Committee to present the award during the general meeting held in April. The contact person for this committee is the ACE Vice President. For at least the past three years, the ACE Vice President has served as Chair.

The Committee selected a very surprised and happy Linda Burnett as the ACE Outstanding Classified Employee for 2010. The other nominees were Glenn DeSpain, Marian Graham, Susan Henggeler, Lindsay Jensen, Mary Kenworthy, Jane Sailor, and Jenny Weaver. Linda Burnett received a plaque and a $150 gift certificate. A great deal of discussion involving Alicia Estey, Director of Tax Compliance, the President and Vice President of ACE, and the Professional Staff Senate revolved around the cost of the plaque and gift certificate. This issue has not been totally resolved as of June 2010. However, it is Carol Bugni’s understanding that future Outstanding Classifed and Professional Staff Employees of the Year will receive a certificate and a $100 gift certificate. Names will be added to a yet-to-be purchased and placed wall plaque.

Parking Advisory Committee
ACE representative: Claude Sheffield

Some of the items discussed this year:

• A new Lincoln Garage extension by the SUB
• Fee Increases
• Car Share Program
• One Less Car Campaign
• Bike Barn
• New lighting for the garages.

Parking Services is twittering now; it has been very popular with students. They are also trying to improve the Shuttle Service schedule for the campus. You are welcome to attend their committee meetings. Call 426-1992 and Claude will arrange for you to attend.

Quad Re-design Steering Committee Task Force
ACE representative: Linda Burnett; Patricia Klein, alternate

From the February 9, 2010 ACE Senate meeting minutes: “The President has directed Campus Planning staff to improve the physical environment on campus, including a re-design of the central quad. A consultant has been retained to propose a re-design of the central quadrangle. Linda Burnett volunteered to represent ACE on this committee. Patricia Klein would also like to serve on this committee.”

Unfortunately, no contact was ever made by the Campus Planning Staff to the ACE representatives, so there is no action to report.

Student Fee Committee
ACE representative: Kenny Wiscombe

The committee recommended to the President that only the Campus Recreation portion of the activity fee should be increased. The President decided that fees supporting the Arbiter (University News), Intercollegiate Athletics and Campus Recreation should be increased. Budgets were decreased for the other accounts funded by the activity fee, including Student Government (Associated Student Body).

University Health Services Committee(formerly called Health and Wellness Advisory Board) ACE Representative: Molly George

This year was transitional for the University Health Services Committee because the department got a new director and experienced a lot of restructuring. Updates were given regularly at meetings and included information about how the University handled the H1N1 situation last fall, about budgetary issues, about the new Norco building and its grand opening, and about how the University was handling going smoke free and the issues this department encountered while enforcing the new policy.

Women’s Center Advisory Board
ACE representative: Carol Bugni
ACE non-voting shadow representative: Patricia Klein

The Boise State Women’s Center empowers students to achieve their goals and promotes social change by providing educational outreach, support services, and a safe place. The Women’s Center works to raise awareness about policies, services, and programs throughout the University that affect women. The WC focuses on topics of access and equal opportunity in educational programs and environments for women as well as in the area of their own personal development. The WC provides a variety of educational programming about issues impacting women, as well as women’s contributions and potential, paying attention to the needs of all women and being inclusive of sexual orientation, non-traditional students, single parents, and women of color. Services include, but are not limited to, the following: resource and referral; advocacy; event planning and coordination; support/discussion groups. The Women’s Center Advisory Board consists of representatives from the Faculty, Professional Staff and Classified Senates, three at-large positions representing community organizations, including one HERSWest representative, three students at-large (one of whom is an ASBSU appointee) and one Housing representative.

Carol Bugni served on the Women’s Center Advisory Board for two years and participated in a number of their events. In order to improve continuity, Carol suggested the appointment of an ACE Senate shadow representative who attended Women’s Center Advisory Board meetings with the ACE Senate representative who has voting rights. The ACE Senate and the Women’s Center Advisory Board approved this position, and Patricia Klein was appointed to fill this role for 2009-2010. Carol also made some suggestions to the Board as to how the Women’s Center and classified employees can support each other. She also created a draft application for those who would like to serve on the Board or assist the Women’s Center. The Board members interviewed and provided input regarding the hiring of a new Women’s Center director. Jessica Caldwell-O’Keefe, UC Santa Barbara, has accepted that position. Carol said it was a great opportunity and honor to serve on the Board.

Patricia Klein reported that serving as a non-voting, ACE shadow representative was an excellent experience that helped her understand how the Women’s Center collaborates with the campus community and with the external community as a whole. Patricia said she learned how an Ace representative should interact with the Women’s Center, and she is ready to serve as ACE’s representative on the board for the 2010-2011 term. She said Carol Bugni was an effective mentor with strong leadership skills and that she was very good at articulating the interests of ACE.