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K-State Today

December 13, 2012

Highlights from the Dec. 5 Classified Senate meeting

Submitted by Pat Fine

Here are the highlights from the Dec. 5 Classified Senate meeting. A draft of the meeting minutes is available at: http://www.k-state.edu/class-senate/minutes/Dec12.pdf

Sue Peterson, director of governmental relations, attended the meeting and provided an overview of the election results for the Kansas Legislature from the November elections. Of the 40 senators, 12 will be new to the Senate. Of the 125 representatives, 50 will be new. For both houses, 165 members total, 71 will have four years or less of experience in the state Legislature. Peterson discussed the leadership elections that took place this month for both houses, the results of the local area elections, and some of the major issues the 2013 Legislature will be facing.

Gary Leitnaker announced that guidelines for the Employee Suggestion Program will be coming out in January. Information for employees who chose plan C for their health insurance for 2013 will be coming via email, and subsequently a debit card will be issued.

Legislative Affairs Committee reported that volunteers had been found to distribute name plates to legislators on Jan. 16, 2013, and to attend Cats in the Capitol on Feb. 13, 2013. Additional volunteers are still welcome for Day on the Hill on Jan. 30, 2013.

Carol Marden, chair of the Alternative Service Committee, presented a report to Classified Senate on the committee's progress. Classified employees must be given notice 90 days before a vote can be taken on whether to leave the state classified system, and informational meetings would need to be scheduled during those 90 days to inform classified employees of their options. A visit to KU is scheduled this month to discuss how their transition to support staff has worked.

Pam Warren reported that the Faculty Senate Fringe Benefits Committee has sent a proposal to Faculty Senate regarding tuition assistance. The proposal would increase tuition assistance from three to six hours for full-time employees, offer three hours for half-time employees, and pro-rate assistance for employees between .5 FTE and 1.0 FTE.

Classified Senate approved sponsoring a wreath for the annual MLK wreath laying ceremony on Feb. 1, 2013.