![\"House](\"http:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/housebill-1301-300x300.jpg\" "\\"housebill-1301\\"")
A new state law that focuses on efficiencies for higher education will allow some UCCS classified staff members to move to exempt professional staff positions, university officials explained at an Aug. 12 forum for classified staff members and their supervisors.<\/p>\n
Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak, Brian Burnett, vice chancellor, Administration and Finance, and Cindy Corwin, director, Office of Human Resources, explained the effects of House Bill 1301 on classified employees and opportunities for those who hold professional positions at the university. The bill became law Aug. 10.<\/p>\n
The bill expanded the exemption criteria to include all professional positions and exemptions based on funding sources to include auxiliary and gift funds. The bill included language defining professional positions as those that \u201cinvolve the exercise of discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability, and responsibility \u2026 acquired through education or training that meets the requirements for a bachelor\u2019s or graduate degree or equivalent specialized experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of the 276 classified staff members who work at UCCS, 74 people meet the professional standard and another 82 people could potentially move or are auxiliary funded, according to Corwin. She and Burnett explained differences between the two employment systems while Shockley-Zalabak tried to quell concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur purpose today is to clarify and to assure you that no one is going to be asked to make a change by management,\u201d Shockley-Zalabak said. \u201cThe new law provides choices for employees. No employee will be asked to change systems nor can any supervisor stop an employee from moving should he or she so choose.\u201d<\/p>\n
The changes outlined by UCCS leaders are happening throughout CU. As result, Corwin said it will take months to create the necessary infrastructure to complete the changeover. She also emphasized that decisions to remain in the classified system or to switch should be carefully considered. New UCCS professional staff will be appointed as exempt professional employees.<\/p>\n For more information about HB 1301 or to make an appointment to discuss an individual situation, contact Corwin, 255-3696 or ccorwin@uccs.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n To see the Powerpoint used at the forum, visit http:\/\/www.uccs.edu\/~hr\/web\/classifiedstaff\/main.html<\/a>.\u00a0 To see the comparison sheet, visit http:\/\/www.uccs.edu\/~hr\/web\/atoz\/formsaz.html#J<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"Portrait](\"http:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/08\/IMG_0577-Cindy-Corwin.jpg\" "\\"IMG_0577")
<\/a>Corwin will meet individually with classified staff members to explain differences in details ranging from sick leave benefits to retirement programs. She provided a handout that provided an overview and comparison of the two employment groups and emphasized that the decision to change was \u201chighly personal.\u201d<\/p>\n