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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Visionaries:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This morning, Trail, Ringo, and Chavez made
comments at the State Board of Education meeting in opposition to their proposed
human resources policy. I did not submit my remarks to the media.
Here is a review of my testimony.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Shirley Ringo</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Good
morning<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>- Mr. Chairman and Board
Members:</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri>I am Shirley
Ringo, Representing Legislative District 6 – Moscow, University of Idaho, all of
Latah County</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri>I am here to
ask you to reconsider your resolution concerning Human Resources. </FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Certain
things are unique to the public sector.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Particularly in a University, there is a certain spirit that envelops the
employees.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As I have watched those
at the University of Idaho, loyalty to the University has been
overwhelming.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We have the good
fortune to have outstanding faculty and researchers.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Typically, they could be paid better at
another institution, but they choose to stay at the University. You are quite
aware of the wide arena in which we much compete for outstanding faculty
members.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri>There is also
a certain university culture that prevails.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Faculty members expect to be highly
involved in decision-making regarding their university.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They pay great attention to
process.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This document is very weak
on process.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For example, it
specifies that the “institution” will take input.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>How will that be done, and what persons
constitute the “institution?”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Input
will be “considered” and the “institution” will establish procedures.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Use of this
resolution is in response to a “financial challenge.”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What constitutes “financial
challenge?”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Without a tight
definition, we may find a university president launching this process at the
drop of a hat.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri>This
resolution gives great authority to the University President.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That may be easier to do when you know
that individual and have confidence in that individual.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But we want a system that will be strong
over time – a system that will work well regardless of personalities.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(In the public school arena, I have seen
a power-hungry administrator ruin a school system and its community.)</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri>When
financial hard times hit, the entire university community must pull together and
find the best solution.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In
order for that solution to work, there must be buy-in.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>People affected need to be part of the
problem-solving process.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Anything
less is a recipe for disaster.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Failure to involve employees in decision-making will threaten recruitment
and retention of the best educators.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Personally, I
am disappointed in my legislative colleagues.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We should take a broader approach – be
more innovative to support economic recovery.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We won’t see the job growth we need
unless we support a strong university system.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Unfortunately, universities and colleges
will have to continue to deal with “financial challenges.”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But we need a strong, well-defined
process.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Employees are the backbone
of the institutions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please
recognize that.</FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><FONT face=Calibri>Without
adoption of this policy, do the universities and LCSC have the tools to work
through this crisis?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yes.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Administration, working with faculty
councils and others can do it.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Please take a step back, and involve more higher education employees in
formulating policy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The result will
be better, more widely respected, and more widely accepted.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thank you for your
consideration.</FONT></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>