Approved by the:
Student Senate - December 1, 2005
Administration - no action required*
Board of Regents - no action required
* The administration strongly supports the principle of employee retention throughout the strategic positioning process. Accordingly, the Office of Human Resources (OHR) has identified three goals: 1) maximize career opportunities for and development of all faculty and staff; 2) minimize involuntary staff reductions in affected colleges; and 3) promote ability and agility of staff in line with newly focused academic directions and administrative structures. OHR has been very proactive in designing creative and supportive programs and services to maximize employee retention and to assist both managers and employees during this time of change, including the University Talent Connection that is mentioned in the resolutions (please see www1.umn.edu/ohr/strategic for more specific program information). The additional retention measures described in the Senate resolutions are thoughtful and I appreciate the time and attention devoted to drafting and advocating for them. Consequently, I am sharing them with Vice President Carrier and her leadership team for consideration.
The Student Senate recognizes the current strategic positioning efforts
may result in the jobs of some University of Minnesota employees becoming
redundant or eliminated.
The Student Senate also recognizes that some
employees, in anticipation of this, are already seeking other employment
opportunities, while others hope to retain their current positions as long as
possible.
The Student Senate believes many of these employees would
stay at the University of Minnesota if assured of the opportunity as soon as
possible, and the Student Senate believes it would benefit the University of
Minnesota in many ways if these employees remain.
The Student Senate also
believes that current severance policies can cost the University of Minnesota
money, and create incentives for professional and administrative (P and A)
employees (especially longer term employees) to leave
if non-renewed, or if they fear the threat of non-renewal.
Finally, the
Student Senate recognizes that the University of Minnesota is interested in
doing all it can to provide an opportunity for all employees who may lose their
current job, to find another suitable one here at the University. Such measures
include the New Talent Connection.
In view of the above, the Student
Senate recommends the University empower the Office of Human Resources to be
proactive in implementing and monitoring extraordinary measures to ensure
employees remain at the University. Such measures could include: