GUEST SPEAKER:

• There have been some changes on the University's map. Parking is no longer allowed around the Circle from 6AM to 6PM. The Circle will be open for the public on football days. Randy Hughes is working on keeping the Library Loop opened for traffic during football games as well.
  
  
• There is an additional charge to those who remove boots from vehicles. Damages or replacement costs for boots is $100.00. UPD are the only ones authorized to remove boots.
  
  
• The University is looking to put a Welcome Center in the center of University Avenue and Grove Loop and All American Drive, though not sure exactly when it will be set up. UPD will have an officer monitoring the traffic in the Circle until then. The UPD officers are allowing visitors in the Circle as long as they have a visitor pass.
  
  
• There will be some relief in the parking situation. There will be a new parking lot between the Turner Center and the Coliseum. It will allow parking for an extra 225 spots. Work on parking at Weir Hall will start sometime in September of this year. Buddy Kahler stated that there is a road being built behind Kinard down to the old Intramural Fields to help the overflow of football traffic. They can park in the grass and in the Band lots, which will help during football games.
  
  
• Next year after the South End Zone is completed, we will have an extra 15,000 to 16,000 seats; statistically 3 to 5 people per vehicle, which is another 5000 vehicles, will need parking spaces. Options are being considered to find adequate parking space.
  
  
• Most staff parking complaints addressed students who take faculty/staff parking. It was suggested that aggressive enforcement of parking regulations may help keep students out of faculty and staff parking. Some staff stated they do not go to lunch because students take the parking places. As a result of parking problems, staff are often late coming back from lunch.
  
  
• Other suggestions were given:
  1. Boot after every 3rd ticket. (It was stated that the only way to get booted is to have been ticketed for no decal 5 times.)
  2. Tow vehicle after 4th ticket. (It was stated that the University used to tow vehicles but had to stop because of liability issues.)
  3. Students are ignoring Faculty and Staff Only signs. If we start towing their vehicles, then maybe they will start obeying the parking laws.
  
  
• UPD has requested to hire 6 ticket writers for the fall semester.
  
  
• It was stated that the threat of towing altered fans' behavior during the last football season around Yerby and The Grove.
  
  
• The old Mississippi Department Of Transportation property will be available for the 2002 football season. Proposals are being considered to shuttle passengers from MDOT and possibly Wal-Mart as well. Discussions are tentative at this time, but consideration is being given to a dedicated shuttle lane.
  
  
• There have been suggestions concerning parking garages:
  1. Regina Jordan suggested we build a parking garage for staff parking and have the staff swipe their staff ID in the card-swiping machine. (Buddy Kahler stated that Memphis State uses a card-swiping machine for faculty and staff parking.)
  2. Another concept is to contract the construction of a parking garage and charge a toll fee on each entry into the garage to park. Once the garage has paid for the cost of construction, the toll fee becomes a revenue flow for maintenance. Anyone can park in the garage if willing to pay the toll.
  
  
• Jonnie Manning asked if UPD conducts inspections around the buildings on campus for safety purposes. Chief Corbin explained the campus inspection program and how security issues are reported and corrected. He also acknowledged that UPD has an escort service as well.
  
  
• If anyone has any ideas on the Shuttle bus proposal or ideas for parking, please let UPD know.

Announcements:

• The Institutions of Higher Learning Presidents' Council on June 20, 2001, discussed the request of MASCO to have a representative at the Presidents' Council meetings. After considerable discussion, the Presidents' Council concluded that in lieu of having a representative of MASCO at each meeting, periodically, an invitation will be extended to MASCO to appear before the Council to present staff issues.
  
  
• There were some questions and concerns on the Cafeteria Program and investment planning. Ted Schmitz retired suddenly, and VALIC is in the process of training a new area representative. If you have questions on the issue, please contact Clay Jones at Human Resources, and he will give you names and numbers of personnel to contact.
  
  
• Concerns of using Social Security Numbers for University employees are being addressed. All staff will get an employee number to take the place of their Social Security Number.
  
  
• Buddy Kahler received an Email that pointed out the governor had been successful in promoting his promise of teacher pay raises.
  
  
• The guest speakers at the next Staff Council Meeting will be Representative Jay Eads and Senator Gray Tollison. They will have the latest information on State Employees pay issues, insurance and initiatives to use tobacco money to help offset employee benefits. If you have ideas and questions, please come to our next meeting Wednesday, September 5, 2001, and discuss them with our State Legislators.
  
  
• The annual retirement party initiative is an effort to give all retirees the benefit of a nice retirement ceremony. The reduced number of parties reduces the possibility of conflicts with the Chancellor's schedule, reduces costs for invitations and set ups, and promotes a campus wide gathering. Departments may continue small celebrations in their areas if they choose to do so, as long as the expenses are reasonable.
  
  
• Options are being explored to have a more elaborate 5-year service pin. At this point, it appears cost is the major factor in determining the appearance of the 5-year pin. The 10, 15, and 20-year pins are more elaborate to show seniority and years of service.
  
  
• On September 19, 2001, Human Resources will have their 1st annual benefit fair at Yerby. Open enrollment will be October 9-12, 2001. Vendors will be available from 9:00am 4:00pm to discuss dental plans, insurance, cafeteria plans, etc. There will be door prizes given away and everyone is encouraged to attend.

Committee Reports:

• Treasurer's report: The $5000 fund for scholarship has not been entered into our budget at this time.
  
  
• Staff Textbook Scholarship: The Committee will look over applications on Monday to determine who will receive the scholarship. There have been 23 applicants so far. We are looking to use $2500 for the fall and $2500 for the spring semester. If the number of applications warrant, the money will be used Fall Semester 2001.