All the Rumors
Showing 56-65 of 105
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posted on: Sep 17, 2010
Rumor:
Just for the President's information...a one-time payment is NOT a "raise"... role: faculty
Response:
"You are correct; however, we thought it was better to offer an alternative that would reward employees for meeting enrollment and retention goals rather than getting nothing at all." Thank you, Michael A. Elam, Ed. D. President
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posted on: Sep 16, 2010
Rumor:
Whether the President wishes to acknowledge it or not, faculty morale is very low, and getting worse. Several recent actions by the President and the Board have fueled this discontent... In an August response to a rumor, the President indicated that if the money could be found in the budget for faculty raises or step increases, he would make sure the faculty received it - apparently that was not quite honest, because we have heard that a budget was presented that would allow for the faculty raises or step increases and the President killed it and did not take it to the Board. That is just ONE of SEVERAL recent issues that are seriously bothering the faculty. role: faculty
Response:
Thank you for sharing this rumor because this is absolutely not true. Two versions of the budget were presented to the Board...both with pay increases. One with a 3 percent increase and the other with a one-time $1000.00 across the board. The Board rejected the 3% pay increase but agreed to the $1000.00. I think it is noteworthy that if there were no alternative presented, there would have been no raise at all. Thank you, Michael A. Elam, Ed. D. President
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posted on: Sep 13, 2010
Rumor:
Why are the parking lot lights, and some of the other outdoor safety/security ones, still on 24 hours? role: administration_staff
Response:
Quarterly we replace light bulbs in our exterior lights, which includes the parking lot poles. Of course to identify which lights need replacement, we turn them "on". This work was scheduled the past two weeks, but is now complete, and you should have noticed that the lights are now "off".
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posted on: Sep 03, 2010
Rumor:
many of the positions left open due to recent retirements are not being filled, or are being advertised as temporary positions. While nothing lasts forever, it is hard to lure a good candidate from a relatively secure position to a temporary one. With the great success the college has had attracting new students, resulting in the increase in enrollment, is this the time to cut back on those positions that directly work with our students? role: administration_staff
Response:
It is true that many of the positions left vacant from retirements will not be filled. The decision not to fill certain positions helped the college leadership meet its obligation to balance the college budget without laying off current employees. Not all of the remaining positions will be filled with temporary placements. Some positions may be changed to temporary, at the discretion of the hiring supervisor and concurrence of the President's Cabinet, however, when that does occur it is a strategic decision designed to solely accommodate institutional needs and student growth. Thank you, Michael A. Elam, Ed. D. President
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posted on: Aug 11, 2010
Rumor:
I heard a rumor that due to budget restraints, Employees, WILL NOT receive a step increase, which is already figured into the pay schedule. Is this true? And if so, why hasn't anyone been notified? role: administration_staff
Response:
At this point in the budget development process no decision has been made about any pay increase for employees. Contrary to what many employees believe there is no automatic annual pay increase; however, if the funds are available to offer employees a step increase then that is what we would do. Thank you, Michael A. Elam, Ed. D. President
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posted on: Jun 30, 2010
Rumor:
In a meeting, a staff person announced that campus police collected unpaid parking fines by deducting the amount out of the person's paycheck. Is that true? Has it ever been done? role: administration_staff
Response:
I am not sure if there has ever been a parking fine set up as a payroll deduction, but according our payroll clerk, there have not been any parking fines set up as a payroll deductions since 2002, when she started. Lisa Templer, CPA Vice President for College & Financial Services
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posted on: Jun 29, 2010
Rumor:
As a student. I have noticed a pattern of individuals who work for COM but are a part of many organizations outside of COM using COM equipment, work time (often outside of their scheduled work hours) and even their office space to promote and advance organizations, church affiliations and various personal projects that are not relative to COM in anyway nor to the advancement of the institution. I wouldn't think that this type of activity would be accepted and permitted at such a "Student Centered" instituti
Response:
In accordance with College policy CR(Local), utilizing College resources for personal gain is strictly prohibited. Employees who violate this policy will be disciplined accordingly. However, incidental use is permissible with certain restrictions as outlined in the Acceptable Use Policy located on the I-Drive. “PERSONAL BUSINESS Computing facilities, services, and networks may not be used in connection with compensated outside work, nor for the benefit of individuals or organizations except in connection with scholarly pursuits (such as faculty publishing activities).” Teresa D. Hudson, Esq. Associate Vice President, Human Resources
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posted on: Jun 21, 2010
Rumor:
With the college trying to 'right size' staffing and positions that deal directly with students not being filled, is this the time to be hiring an 'executive Vice President' at a salary that I suspect will be significantly higher than our retiring VP? role: administration_staff
Response:
Right sizing as I have been speaking of it has everything to do with student/staff ratios and little to do with salaries. In the example you mention I have merely decided to hire an Executive Vice President instead of a Vice President which does not impact that ratio positively or negatively. Yes there will be a pay differential because the scope of work and responsibility will be broader for that position. I am also losing an institutional effectiveness position that will not be replaced, at this time. The funds from that position will provide the additional dollars needed for the pay differential and leave enough to hire someone in the IE role later if necessary.
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posted on: Jun 16, 2010
Rumor:
rumor: I have heard that maybe it's possible to create some students in the OSHA Program into employee for the Agency? May even been approached by recruiter for the Agency?Respectfully role: student
Response:
That is correct. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was hiring interns for the Summer and Fall. Many of our OSHT students applied and interviewed for the positions. There are currently 3 full-time positions on the OSHA website for the Houston Area. Here is a link to those positions. http://www.doors.dol.gov/jobsearch.asp?q=&jbf574=DL*&jbf522=&lid=18440&salmin=&salmax=&paygrademin=&paygrademax=&FedEmp=Y&tm=&sort=rv&vw=d&brd=3876&ss=0&FedPub=N&caller=%2Finternalindex.asp&SUBMIT1.x=104&SUBMIT1.y=7 There is also a College Student Guide for helping students find federal jobs on the OSHA website. Here is the link for that information. http://www.dol.gov/oasam/doljobs/college-guide.htm Thanks, Jeffrey S. Oakley, Ph.D., CSP Director - Gulf Coast Safety Institute
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posted on: Jun 03, 2010
Rumor:
ALL requests for vacation MUST be signed in advance. What is a person supposed to do in case of an emergency - A/C goes out, roof leak, auto accident, either the employee, or one that blocks major highway, a sick pet that must be attended to. Things happen. role: administration_staff
Response:
According to policy, vacation requests must be requested and approved in advance. However, if an employee must utilize accrued leave for an unforeseen circumstance and other leave balances are insufficient or not applicable, (e.g. sick leave cannot be used to cover leaves other than illness), then the accrued leave under the vacation balance may be applied to prevent an employee from receiving leave without pay. Teresa D. Hudson, Esq. Associate Vice President, Human Resources