President's Report

November 1999

 

You have a larger packet of reading this month and I apologize for sending it out late.  A few of the items are informational in nature.  Two of the items in your packets, namely the Shared Governance Position Paper and the Union/Senate Position Paper have been developed by the statewide Classified Senate.  These are extremely critical documents for both the state organization and all of the local campus senates or councils.  The state Senate plans to distribute these papers to CEO's, Trustees and all classified unions. 

 

On to other matters...

 

Personnel Commission Meeting

No doubt you have seen the Corsair article concerning our involvement.  Some of the inferences are incorrect.  I have addressed this in my public comments to the Board of Trustees at their monthly meeting and pledged our willingness to survey employees to determine their preferences on the time of day for Personnel Commission meetings.  We will need to probably take the lead and start working on the survey and could definitely enlist the collaboration of both CSEA and a representative of the Commission.  We could keep the survey rather narrow in scope and only address this issue or use it determine the overall climate of the classified community.  I would like to ask for a special ad hoc committee to work on this.  If you are interested, let me know.  The Personnel Commission meeting for November has an agenda item concerning acquiring the services of a consultant to review the merit rules and makes recommendations for corrections. This encroaches on the purview of shared/participatory governance and it is something we should watch closely and make sure to be included. It is my understanding that CSEA Chapter 36 is also concerned and will probably contact the Commission formally to address this issue.

 

CARE/CalWORKS Student Club Holiday Event

Unfortunately, the student club has let the Senate know that although they appreciate our continued support, they will not be able to have the Wishtree Event this year.  They may be possibly doing a holiday event which could include changing the nature of the event and instead of sponsoring a child with toys or clothing, they would instead ask for departments or groups to sponsor a family. This is only in the beginning stages and the students are not sure if they will do this, but will let us know.  If they do contact us about support in the way of publicity, I will contact senators and have you decide how you wish to proceed.  Due to the timeliness of this event, we may have to do an email/mail vote.

 

Public Relations

I have told you previously that we are working on a newsletter from the Senate to inform the classified community of what the Senate is and gain interest in Senate activities/goals. I need your help on what you would like to see in the newsletter. I don't believe it should be long. The statewide Senate "Bulletin" included in your packet is what I was hoping we could distribute.  Quick and easy to read.  If you want to help let me know.

 

 

On the personal side...

I have noticed more and more of an oppressive feeling of gloom on the campus.  Morale is sinking farther. I have not spoken to many people in my travels across the campus who are generally happy in their working lives here at SMC.  More and more people that I have spoken to have said "I come at 8 take my breaks and lunch at leave at 5."  While that seems legally fine, these are staff who has previously always felt a sense of happiness in their jobs and in the larger campus community.  I too, have felt somewhat in despair about participation and involvement in the Senate that I have spoken about before.  In the Executive Committee meeting with Dr. Robertson, she suggested that the Senate take on the role of bringing employees together and work on activities to do this.  For those of you who represent us to the joint Academic and Classified Senate Social Committee, please keep this in mind.  We need the mixers and the Acapulco Happy Hours that bring all members of the campus together.  Even if the attendance is minimal, we should keep having them and provide this outlet for socializing. Think it over give me some feedback or suggestions.  Maybe the Senate can be a vehicle for helping in this endeavor. 

 

Regards,

 

T.