INTERNAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES March 15, 2011

Attendance:   Ray Raslack (Chair), Michael Pawlowski (VP Administration & Finance), Phyllis Bosnick (Schedule II),), Grant Walsh (University Services), Moira McPherson (VP Academic & Provost),  Michael Snodden (LUSU), Philip Allingham (LUFA), Tomislav Sapic (LUTA), Annette Graham (COPE), Heather Spivak (CAW)

 

Regrets:   Brian Stevenson (President), Colin Bruce (Chair, Board of Governors), Scott Miller (CUPE), Gail Everall (COPE), Kurt Dahl (Chair, Operations Committee), Glenna Knutson (LUFA), Gord Santarosa (IUOE) Ain Raitsakas (LUTA)

Recorder: Janine Ferris (Human Resources)

1. Approval of the Agenda
 
Moved by Phillip Allingham, Seconded by Phyllis Bosnick 

 

Carried

2. Approval of the Minutes of the previous meeting of February 18, 2011

 

Moved by Phillip Allingham, Seconded by Phyllis Bosnick     

Carried

3. Business Arising from the Minutes

 

 Item deferred

4. Questions for Dr. Stevenson
 
 4.1 The President advised the Provincial Government will be placing a cap on funding for students in the Education Program commencing next year.  Approximately 80 student positions will ultimately be affected.  Approximately 50 of these reductions will occur next year.  Reductions will occur at both campuses. The member also advised that preliminary numbers are less than expected for first-year student applicants having identified Lakehead as their 1st preference.  At this point, estimated intake for first year students will be 100 less than budgeted.  Finally, the member advised that numbers reviewed in February indicate that student flow-through is less favourable than anticipated.  This negatively affects the student population by approximately 50.  In light of all the above, the budgeted fte students of 7700 will be negatively impacted by approximately 200 which equates to approximately $2.5mm in revenue.  From an overall budget perspective, the upcoming 2011-2012 fiscal year should be manageable.  Subsequent fiscal years of 2012-2013 and 2013-2104 will be very challenging and will require both an increase in revenues and substantive reduction in expenditures.

A Committee Member inquired as to whether there will be lay-offs in 2012-13.  A Committee Member replied that it was too soon to know.  A Committee Member inquired as to if there will be buy-outs.  Two Committee Members replied no.

5. Round Table Discussion
 
5.1 A Committee Member advised that the Schedule II meeting was held on Feb 24.  The member indicated the primary items discussed included the Compensation Restraint Act, filling vacancies and the retention of a consultant to review salary administration.
 
5.2 A Committee Member advised there was a flood on March 10 and some of the LUSU offices have been closed as a result.  Physical Plant is assisting with the restoration.

The member also indicated that some insulin needles were found in one of the washrooms in the Outpost and they have now installed specific sharps containers for safe disposal.

 

5.3    A Committee Member stated that he will be attending the CAUT meeting in April and the primary topic for discussion will be collective bargaining.  Philip also advised the University on Vancouver Island is currently on strike. 

 

5.4   A Committee Member provided an update on Academic Planning.  The Committee will have the home page up by this week (by March 16) as part of the approach to solicit input from the University Community.
 
5.5   A Committee Member brought up the shut-down of Wednesday, March 9.  At the time of power failure attempts to contact Hydro were unsuccessful.  We will continue to work on internal communication systems in order to provide timely information in these circumstances.  In conjunction with email contact, the recent conversion of the telephone system will allow for a mass notification messaging.  This is currently being worked on.  Also, once the system is operational, individual will have the option of receiving notification messages through their cell phone.
 
6. Other Business
 
6.1 A discussion was held regarding the Staff Fund and pursuant to a direction given by the Committee, the Chair provided a draft memo for the group’s consideration.  The Committee discussed at length the options available for allocation of the funds, including the three contained in the draft memo.  An amendment was proposed, voted upon and approved, which expanded the available options.  The Committee provided direction for the memo to be issued by email to each member of the Fund.  Feedback will be collated in HR and brought to the next Committee Meeting.

7. Motion to Adjourn

 

Moved by Michael Pawlowski, seconded by Annette Graham

Carried
             
 

 Next meeting scheduled for April 12, 2011