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Edition 1 August 28, 2001 Official UAS Staff Council newsletter for its members |
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NAVIGATION To navigate page, simply "left mouse click" on desired link to receive additional information or establish communication. Alliance Links |
Staff Watch
Making Students Count is, “a chance to help remember why we are here” states Gail Klein, the 2001 award recipient. The award, "recognizes staff who have provided outstanding service to students from anywhere in the [University of Alaska] system, including rural campuses and extended campus sites. All full-time classified and administrative, professional and technical staff employed anywhere in the university system are eligible to apply or be nominated," states University of Alaska President, Mark R. Hamilton. The program was implemented in 1999 to, "...recognize our unsung staff, people out there on the line who make students know how important they are...” According to Karen Polley, Ketchikan Campus Director, “To our students, Gail is the face of the [University of Alaska] Ketchikan Campus—an ombudsman who never loses patience, understanding or kind words of encouragement in dealing with each and every person.”
Around Southeast * Staff Council meetings have been tentatively scheduled for the first Wednesday of every month. Next meeting will be held Wednesday, September 5th at 1pm. * Need to update your computer (hard) skills? Classified and APT employees can take up to 12 credits at no charge per academic year. 3 credits can be taken during work hours if applicable to job with prior supervisory consent! * More interesting facts on wage comparisons and general cost of living in Alaska |
Perk Picks Magellan Behavioral Health provides an Employee Assistance Program for University of Alaska benefited employees and their dependents. The program consists of prepaid confidential counseling, assessment and referral services. According to Jeanne Bussey, Account Executive for Magellan Behavioral Health, "The EAP can help with issues that interfere with one's job or personal life, including but not limited to marital/family, legal, alcohol/drug, grief, coping with change, and communication concerns." This service can be used up to three sessions per person, per problem, per year free of charge. "All EAP counselors are highly skilled in the behavioral health and substance abuse fields and hold a minimum of a masters degree in their applied area." Anonymity should not be an issue for members of the Staff Alliance since, "[Magellan has] no vested interest which is important for an employee." Anyone in need of this service can call 24 hours/day, seven days a week by dialing 1-800-478-2812.
Catching the CPI The Board of Regents passed a 1.5 percent increase to the salary grid for non-exempt and exempt staff beginning July 1st, 2001. In addition to the increase in salary, new reduced tax rate tables will potentially increase one’s income.  The
last across the board salary grid adjustment was 3% received in 1994.
Since then, the Consumer Price Index has risen in Anchorage by
14% and nationally by over 18%. As observed in the June 2001 edition of
Trends (p 3), the CPI is an important
baseline for wage compensation because, "The
Consumer Price Index observes the change in the cost of living
over time in a specific place, popularly referred to as the inflation
rate. Labor unions, employers, workers, and others pay close
attention to this measure of inflation. Bargaining agreements and other
wage rate negotiations often incorporate an adjustment for
inflation."
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University of Alaska Links Editor's
Choice
What
are hard and soft skills? The
renaissance of soft skills |
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