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Next CAPA Meeting:

Video on Leadership Mining:

President Bruininks - November, Part 1
President Bruininks - November, Part 2

CAPA Lettter on 27 Pay Periods in FY11

To:    Richard Pfutzenreuter, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
        Carol Carrier, Vice President, Human Resources

From:   CAPA Executive Committee

RE:   FY11 27 pay periods

We write to provide feedback to you from the Council of Academic Professional & Administrators (CAPA) Executive Committee concerning the October 27, 2009 announcement regarding FY11 pay periods.  We are disappointed that the appointment year for FY11 will be extended to 54 weeks (June 7, 2010 - June 19, 2011).  This decision results in yearly appointment term salary being "recalculated." This means that employees' appointment term salaries will be distributed evenly over 27 pay periods instead of 26 pay periods.  We estimate that this "recalculation" will impact approximately 91% of those in the P&A classifications (4,452) and 73% of those with faculty appointments (2,790).  These figures include only those with A or BJ appointments in both employment categories and do not address research assistants or professionals in training.

Your announcement stated:

"Because you will receive one more paycheck than you would in a typical year, the amount of each individual check will be smaller; however, over the appointment term, the total salary will be the same."

Contrary to this statement, the decision to "recalculate" salaries will adversely impact those to whom you addressed your announcement.  The actual result of this "recalculation" is that each of these individuals' gross pay will be less, resulting in a reduction in salary equivalent to 3.7% during FY11.  A spreadsheet illustrating this reduction is attached (Fiscal Year tab).  We would also like to point out that the salaried staff identified will effectively be taking a 2% pay cut in calendar year 2010 and a 1.85% pay cut in calendar year 2011.  This, too, is evident from the spreadsheet (Calendar Year tab).

On October 7, 2009, Mary Luther (Director, Compensation, Office of Human Resources) presented the University's Compensation Philosophy to the CAPA Benefits & Compensation Committee.  One of the points during her presentation was "internal equity" for all employee groups.  The plan you outlined is antithetical to the stated philosophy and, in fact, imposes an unfair hardship on those affected by thisdecision. 

We are requesting a more comprehensive explanation of the decision process as well as information addressing how this decision reflects "internal equity".  We have a responsibility to our constituents to represent them in issues such as this and would appreciate an opportunity to discuss this with you in the very near future.  We look forward to meeting with you soon.

C:    President Robert Bruininks
        Kathryn Hanna, Chair, SCFA

Click here to download the Excel spreadsheet

Next CAPA Brown Bag Lunch

Learn about CAPA Exec!

For questions contact Mary Jetter, jette001@umn.edu

Video from the November Brown Bag - Reorient yourself to the U

Welcome from the CAPA Chair

Welcome to the Council of Academic Professionals and Administrators (CAPA) Web site! We're excited to have you visit and learn more about CAPA and the resources that we provide.

CAPA is the official University governance body for academic professionals and administrative (P&A) employees at the University. Our representatives and alternates are elected to their positions by the unit in which they work. These individuals are the P&A voice at the University when it comes to improving or changing policies, benefits, compensation, recognition, and rewards. As a governance body, it is CAPA's role to make recommendations to the administration on important policy issues and to advocate for needed benefits and compensation for P&A employees.

CAPA welcomes any P&A employee who would like to serve on our committees or help us to achieve our goals. You don't have to be elected to volunteer!

2009 Outstanding Unit Award Winner

Retirees Association

The University of Minnesota Retirees Association is looking for input from retired academic professionals to shape the organizations. Additionally, a small grant program is seeking proposals from retirees who wish to continue their professional work. For more information on the Association and the Small Grant Program, click here.

Shared Governance

President Bruininks sent an email to Deans, Directors, and Department Heads in May 2009 on the importance of shared governance. This email also encouraged employee partcipation in governance activities. To see the full email, click here.

Current Issue of P&A Staff News

The Council of Academic Professionals and Administrators (CAPA) did not meet this month, however, the following brief news items are important to note:

• CAPA is now on Facebook. Become a fan of CAPA and get the latest news and updates while connecting with fellow P&A employees.
  
• President Bob Bruininks will speak before of the November 20 CAPA meeting. He will discuss his leadership style and philosophy but will take questions afterwards on any topic.
  
• The March CAPA meeting has been moved to March 26th because of the floating holiday.

Featured Article

Innovative couple

Click here to read this story.

Resources and Professional Development Opportunities

High impact, low prep active learning
Avoid the mid-semester doldrums by infusing your class with active learning techniques that will keep students motivated and engaged in learning. In this interactive session, presenters will model several teaching methods and discuss their fit with learning outcomes.

Escape to northern Minnesota
Take advantage of great rates this fall and winter that are offered to university employees on cabins, cottages and rooms located in beautiful northern Minnesota.

P&A Audio Spotlight

Jim Strick, assistant director of Athletic Communications

Even when it's not hockey or tennis season, Jim Strick still finds himself always keeping busy managing the media and public relations needs for three sports teams. Click to listen.