FHSU staff vote to change structure

Aug. 10--Fort Hays State University classified staff are now support staff employed by the university.

The vote to leave civil service and become support staff was taken in November, but the change became official this summer, said Dave Storer, classified senate president.

The Kansas Board of Regents approved the change in January.

Support staff members are still state employees and will keep the same retirement system, insurance and benefits.

"As civil service (employees), the Legislature controlled pay," Storer said. "As university support staff, the (FHSU) president controls pay and raises or bonuses."

University support staff has "already seen a 4.5 percent raise for the next year," he said.

Updating position descriptions and salary levels were part of the process.

There are three staff classifications on campus -- faculty, classified and unclassified professional staff.

The change affects general support workers such as administrative assistants and custodians.

A total of 308 classified staff were eligible to vote whether to leave the state civil service, and the vote was 187-44.

Most, if not all of the other state universities, also have voted to leave the civil service system, Storer said.

The appeal process for employees also will change.

Rather than a disciplinary hearing in Topeka, "it stays on campus with a panel of your peers," he said.

A campus disciplinary hearing board was appointed.

"President Hammond supported it, and I think Dr. (Mirta) Martin will too," Storer said of the change.

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