June 30, 2016
- Lowman shared information about new paid time off (PTO) policies. HR is changing rules for time and attendance reporting for exempt staff based on some new federal compliance rules. The changes will be rolled out this fall along with a new online timesheet, which exempt staff will be required to fill out monthly. Additionally, staff on short term disability will accrue PTO if they have been at work or on PTO within the pay period.
- Lowman shared that she has received recent suggestions about improving communication in the library. The Executive Committee recommended inviting further input from staff, possibly in the form of a working group. Lowman will pursue.
- The Executive Committee decided against participating in a Mellon Foundation diversity survey, due to confidentiality concerns about the methods of data collection.
–Summer Hiatus–
August 18, 2016
- The Executive Committee commended the Horizon Group for arranging excellent, well-attended presentations by representatives of the Kinder Institute, SSPEED Center, Center for Teaching Excellence, Graduate Student Association and Entrepreneurship@Rice. The Executive Committee discussed the Horizon Group’s report outlining opportunities for collaboration with these organizations. Based on the discussion, Lowman is providing feedback to the Horizon Group on their recommendations. This year the Horizon Group will be invited to plan a staff retreat to identify ways that the library might support the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) on experiential inquiry and research.
- Lowman gave an update on changes to the Fondren Library Research Awards, which are intended to solicit more award applications. The revised guidelines are available at http://library.rice.edu/research-awards.
- The Executive Committee offered feedback on the draft charge for the Communications Task Force, which will review modes of communication at Fondren and propose improvements.
- The Executive Committee reviewed the charge for the Fondren Web Team and endorsed the recommendation that it use change control to promote transparency and invite input. The Web Team will announce modifications or updates to websites and give stakeholders 14 days to provide feedback.
- Denis Galvin announced that Rice and UH will collaborate on ArchivesSpace; Rice will assist with usability testing and UH will share code.
- Lisa Spiro announced that Fondren will contribute metadata about research activities in the Rice Digital Scholarship Archive to SHARE in order to increase the visibility of Rice research and support an important higher education project.
- All supervisors will be required to attend training on FLSA.