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April 25, 2005
Employee Council elects new officers for 2005-06

BY Eric Rangus

Ron Gatlin, information analyst in the School of Medicine, was chosen by the Employee Council as president-elect for the 2005–06 academic year.

Gatlin’s election, along with voting for the rest of next year’s officers, highlighted the council’s latest meeting, Wednesday, April 20, in Woodruff Library’s Jones Room. Joining Gatlin as next year’s officers are: Linda King, administrative assistant, School of Law (secretary); Iruka Ndubuizu, senior legal assistant, general counsel’s office (secretary-elect); Chris Alexander, operations systems analyst, Information Technology Division (treasurer); and Woody Woodworth, Woodruff Health Sciences Center Library (historian).

In other council business, President Susie Lackey reviewed several proposed changes to the bylaws. The significant changes were council expansion to include one new position for staff in the Office of Development and University Relations and a new position for affiliated organizations, such as the Emory Federal Credit Union and the Aquinas Center of Theology.

Another proposed change is to reduce council terms from three years to two, but allow members to serve up to three consecutive terms (the current limit is two). Both plans would allow for members to return to the council after setting out the length of one term. Bylaws changes require a majority vote and final voting on these and other (mostly minor) changes will be completed at the council’s May meeting.

Gatlin, co-chair of the communications committee, asked members to attend the April 26 town hall with President Jim Wagner and several other senior administrators (see story, page 4). Gatlin suggested council members submit questions early through LearnLink so panelists would be better prepared to answer.

Jennifer Crabb, director of alumni services and liaison from the President’s Commission on Race and Ethnicity (PCORE), volunteered to lead a council subcommittee focused on staff participation in the upcoming comprehensive campaign.

Kimberly Campbell from the Office of the Secretary and captain of the council’s Relay for Life team, said the council already has more than doubled its $1,500 donation goal, and she encouraged members to attend a fund raiser at Yerkes, May 4. The relay, to benefit the American Cancer Society, will take place May 13–14, and the council has put together a 10-person team of walkers.

Caroline Griffis, lead research specialist at Yerkes, gave an update on PCSW efforts to add more lactation rooms on campus. Currently there are four (Yerkes, Center for Women, Miller-Ward Alumni House, Woodruff Library), and staff could be leading advocates for the addition of more, she said.

Lackey gave an update on the work of the Benefits Review Committee. She and past president Don Newsome are the only staff members on the committee charged with making recommendations to administration regarding Emory’s fringe benefits package. Lackey said the University Senate will vote on those recommendations, April 26.

Lt. Cheryl Elliott, Capt. Michael Poole and Chief Craig Watson of the Emory Police Department (EPD) were guest speakers. Elliott, also council liaison from the President’s Commission on the Status for Women (PCSW), gave an overview of EPD’s role. Poole discussed specifics of EPD’s homeland security efforts, crisis management and evacuation plans, and Watson answered questions.

“True police work is only a small part of what we do,” Watson said. “We are here to be a service provider and a part of the community.”

The next Employee Council meeting will be held Wednesday, May 18, at noon on the Grady campus, room 101 of the faculty building. Van transportation will not be available for staff on the main campus; riding the Grady shuttle is encouraged.

If you have a question or comment for Employee Council, send e-mail to President Susie Lackey at slackey@rmy.emory.edu.

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