In a decision that A.S. President Harry Khanna called a step toward gaining student control of facilities and human resources, the A.S. Council passed by consensus an amendment to its standing rules that would give members more specified authority over their staff members.
The amendment allows the council to more clearly define administrative processes – such as student participation in hiring staffers, performance review and filling vacant positions – for personnel whose salaries are at least partially paid by the council. Khanna said the amendment’s contents are currently followed in practice, but formalizing it in writing could be beneficial in resolving potential conflicts for the council.
“”The source of our woes is because we don’t write everything down on paper,”” he said.
According to Khanna, the council currently has little to no direct administrative control over actions related to its staff, and the changes will provide a clearer picture of the extent of the council’s reach in such matters.
Originally, Khanna and fellow amendment sponsors pushed to see the rules implemented immediately, but were cautioned by Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Life Gary R. Ratcliff to first submit the document for review with the UCSD human resources department.
“”Any time a university department develops rules concerning staff, it’s wise to have them reviewed by university HR specialists because of the possibility that the rules may contradict standing HR policies, laws and bargaining agreements, which are quite extensive and complicated,”” Ratcliff said in an e-mail.
Director of A.S. Administration Lauren Weiner’s position is also addressed in the amendment, though her salary is paid by the Office of the Vice Chancellor Student Affairs and not the council. Weiner supported Ratcliff’s suggestion to delay the implementation of the amendments until they had been reviewed. However, she said she did not anticipate any problems for staff members in trying to accommodate the changes.
“”As long as all A.S. rules are consistent with the law, UC policies and campus policies, the rules should not have much of an impact on the A.S. staff,”” Weiner said in an e-mail. “”A.S. has always had its representatives on search committees for A.S. staff positions. In addition, A.S. has always had input on the work priorities for its staff.””
After speaking to Ratcliff, the council amended the policies to take effect starting July 1 so that the HR department could examine the document more closely.
“”Really the whole idea is about taking slow, deliberate steps toward student control,”” Khanna said. “”If you move too fast, the administration will ignore you.””