Call to order at 3:00 p.m..

Approval of September minutes.

Members present:  Marilyn Duerst, Emily Ronning, Larry Testa, Sue Walton, Steve Luebke, Kathy Olsen, Ranee May, and Michael Stifter.  Guests present:  Brian Schultz, Tony Bredahl, Jennifer Standaert, and Mark Kinders.

Representatives Report (Tony Bredahl reporting):
 

• Health insurance issue:  complications for students traveling abroad, faculty/staff can buy 1 month of health coverage for $30 if they go abroad
• Academic Staff Leadership Council:  no mention of us hosting it in 2003, we may now host in 2005
• Titling:  report to System in 2003 to draw on commonalities
• Next meeting:  10/18 with Collective Bargaining being discussed
• Confirmation of the pay increase was given.
• Lyall encouraged Academic Staffs to send a letter of thanks (Kathy said that it has already been sent by UWRF)

New Business

• Five Year and Out:  clarification on the current policy was given, it is an issue because the first people would be affected by the policy this year (4 this year and 3 next year).  New policy suggested that would make it year to year based on need.  Kinders pointed out the context in which the first policy was created.  The context is always changing and so this proposed change may eventually be outdated also.  May pointed out the issues of enforcement or lack thereof and merit considerations.  A suggestion was made to insure that the contract clearly states what is expected and that compensation be given for above and beyond activity.  Standaert is working closely on these issues.  After more deliberation the policy was put to a vote and passed unanimously by the group.
• Merger with Faculty Senate:  Some history of Academic Staff was given.  Discussion about what precipitated this merger issue.  Outlined that at the 11/14 meeting that more discussion would follow along with a review of the proposed constitution.  After a decision at the 11/14 meeting is made, reps will attend the 4 p.m. Faculty Senate meeting.

Old Business
 None

Adjournment at 4:21 p.m..

Next Meeting is Wednesday, 11/14 at 3 p.m. in the Kinnikinnic Room of the Student Center.