April 3, 2014 Minutes

Presiding Officer: Andrea Weber

Welcome new employees in attendance today!

Actions of Meeting

Roll Call

Roll call was conducted using sign-in sheets
Members in Attendance: Ian Alaimo, Catherine Beck, Tara Benson, Christina Bowles, Kelly Cara, Addie Douglas, Brian Edmond, Paul Essel, Dave Falls, Scott Fiedler, Andrew Garton, Sandy Johnson, Sharon Lopinot, Yvette Medley, Janelle Melton, Robert Moore, Charles Schoneboom, Gary Stafford, Brenda Stewart, Andrea Weber, Ryan Wilson
Proxy Members in Attendance: None
Members Absent (Excused): Dixie Williams, Allison Overmyer
Members Absent (Unexcused): Teresa Arnette, Karen Willde, Kirby Williams
Guests in Attendance: Dr. Frederick Muegge (THWC), Darren Wienberg (Advising), Rebecca Swearingen (CGEIP), Angie Strider (Res Life), Jonathan Hardin (Lab & Stores), Kelly Dalton, Terri Patterson, Fred Witte, D.G. Rainwater, Holly Robison (Psychology), Jennifer Meyer (Psychology), Marc Owen, Marilyn Robertson (THWC), Lyne Walker (THWC), Teresa Frederick (Res Life), Matthew Stublefield (Computer Services), Megan Shadrick (ATC)

Call to Order

Staff Senate had quorum
Meeting called to order at 11:00 AM by Chair, Andrea Weber

Approval of Agenda

Agenda was emailed prior to meeting
Motion to approve agenda with no changes by Sharon Lopinot
Second by Brenda Stewart
Agenda approved unanimously

Approval of Minutes

March meeting minutes were emailed prior to meeting
Motion to approve minutes with no changes by Sharon Lopinot
Second by Gary Stafford
March minutes approved unanimously

Chair Report

Rebecca Swearingen (CGEIP) & Darren Wienberg (Advising): General Education
- Revised Gen Ed created in part due to HLC comments about MSU not including enough about the PA mission in the General Education program
  - There is now a portion of Gen Ed dedicated to public affairs, so students are guaranteed to take courses with this focus
- General goals and specific learning outcomes guide the focus of the General Education courses. All courses that are part of the revised program have indicated which goals they address and assess.
- Some specific learning outcomes are not covered by the courses selected for the program, so the Committee for General Education and Interdisciplinary Programs (CGEIP) is discussing how to ensure the missing student learning outcomes can be addressed.
- Assessment of courses is the next focus for CGEIP – courses will be indicating how they measure student learning for each of the learning outcomes addressed by the courses
- Last time General Education was changed was 1997
  - Refer students to General Education if they have questions about what applies to them and what they must complete to graduate.
    - Maroon button leads to page called General Education Student Transition Resources Website.
    - Worksheet for the revised Gen Ed is on this transition resources page.
    - There is a list of frequently asked questions on the transition web page, and this list is being updated on a regular basis.
  - Course numbers may be confusing to some students – changes were made to the course numbers for the revised Gen Ed, but by now, the course catalogue and other online resources have been updated to reflect these changes.
  - Students are permitted to decide for themselves, in coordination with their academic advisors, whether to participate in the revised Gen Ed or the former program.
    - Students must follow a link and fill out a form approved by the Registrar’s Office to officially change to the revised Gen Ed.
    - Most transfer students will fall under the revised Gen Ed, but students who have been enrolled in other Missouri schools continuously may opt to follow the old Gen Ed if it will benefit them.
- Refer students to the website first.
- Advisor forums and the “Advising Basics” workshops address the information advisors need to know. Several of these are scheduled for the 2014-2015 academic year.
- Administrative and academic department offices will probably get a lot of questions. Also, people who communicate with students on a regular basis, such as Student Affairs, will also get questions. This could potentially impact all staff on campus.
Angie Strider, Residence Life Facilities and Operations: Bear Crew and House Calls programs
- Staff are invited to help with both of these programs
- Bear Crew, August 14-16
  - Website with information and sign up with Residence Life.
  - Free t-shirt and meal voucher for helping
  - 2-hour shifts, and staff get to pick – can sign-up for as many shifts as they like
  - 4,000 students moved-in during a 2-day time period
  - Duties during shifts may include:
    - Hold open doors
    - Greeting parents
    - Helping in general and being a friendly and reassuring presence
- House Calls, August 27, 5:15-8 PM
  - Website with information and sign up at Facilities Updates.
    - Sign up through paper fliers that came through campus mail, QR code on the advertisement card, or by visiting the website (see link above).
    - Different processes for faculty and staff to sign up than for students.
    - Sign up by June 10, which is when t-shirts will be ordered. Sign up earlier if possible.
  - Purpose is to enhance student experiences in the residence halls.
  - Description
    - Staff volunteers are paired with student Res Life staff or other Res Life staff members.
    - Visit the rooms in the residence halls to see if students have any questions, comments, or feedback.
    - Volunteers will get a packet with information and campus resources (i.e., you don’t have to know all the answers – the packet will help).
  - Volunteers get a BearWear shirt and dinner
Dr. Muegge, Taylor Health and Wellness (see Wellness Incentive Proposal presentation)
- THWC sending representatives to all Staff Senate meetings.
- President Clif Smart asked THWC to share about proposed wellness changes.
- Employee Wellness Committee includes numerous faculty and staff across campus.
- Encouraging staff and faculty to take charge of their own health.
  - Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) taken once a year, annually do biometrics, and can enroll in smoking cessation program.
  - Through these programs THWC has identified people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and numerous other issues. Now that those have been identified, need new opportunities to move wellness programming forward.
  - New wellness proposal (to meet the $30 insurance coverage):
    - Make biometrics optional for those who want a lipid/glucose check.
    - HRA still taken annually.
    - Additional options include: Hearing assessment, fitness assessment, flexibility and cardio check at Foster Recreation Center, physical therapy for ergonomic assessments that show work-related needs, involvement in MSU employee wellness programs, participate in disease management programs, engage in health practices on one’s own (exercise, membership at a fitness center, CHIP program, etc.)
    - Allows for more personalized wellness options.
- Questions:
  - Can $400 wellness benefit be used at Foster Recreation Center?
    - Dr. Muegge has not heard any movement in that direction. He would actually like to see the wellness benefit increased.
  - Suggestion for creating a way for staff to better track how much of the benefit has been used.
    - Dr. Muegge suggests using MedPay to help track – they are best at keeping track.
Kevin Evans, Provost Fellow for Public Affairs: Public Affairs Conference, April 8-11
- Not present
- Staff have 2 hours allowed to attend the conference. Work with supervisors.
June and July meetings date changes approved (see old business).
Get Walking - Staff Senate team called the “Sole Senators.”
- Get reports to Sandra Johnson by Monday, April 7.
MSU Climate Study
- Please do this through the link sent in your email on March 31.
- Take advantage of the small group interview opportunities.

Chair Elect Report

No report this month

Past Chair Report

Dixie is absent today – Andrea gave report.
MSU/Mizzou Baseball game, April 15, 6:35 PM, Hammons Field – ticket purchase approved by majority vote.
- The 100 free tickets have all been reserved already – Dixie sending out emails
- $2 tickets still available for purchase by faculty and staff at any MSU box office
Computer Information Systems Taskforce for Wi-Fi on campus
- New access for guests in the library, PSU, and new welcome center
- Pre-shared key
- Staff with Wi-Fi needs essential to job duties can work with supervisors to accommodate
- Email questions to Dixie
Reminder to represent interests of constituent areas (rather than personal preference) when voting on Staff Senate issues and motions.

Secretary/Treasurer Report

Budget balances
- Operating budget (A account)
  - Balance is $1,312.80
    - $27.76 taken out for scholarship table tents
  - Expected upcoming expenses = $539.95
    - $49.95 for plaque and gavel to BJ’s Trophy Shop
    - $15 x 6 = $90 for gift cards to senators with no absences
    - $400 for Staff Senate video
  - Expected balance = $772.85
    - Can be used for Staff Senate training event in June
    - Other?
- B account – Balance is $828.09
  - $1,984.58 Donation to Lee National Denim Day went out 3/24/14
  - Expected credits
    - $85 in missing Denim Day donations found in wrong accounts and will be sent to Lee Denim Day Foundation
  - Expected expenditures
    - $54 charge for Denim Day luncheon was found in wrong account
    - $200 for baseball tickets
  - Expected balance = $574.09
  - Petty cash on hand is $125
Staff Senate Elections
- Nominations for vacant office positions (vote at May meeting)
  - Chair-Elect
    - Allison Overmyer – Accepted
    - Christina Bowles – Accepted
  - Secretary/Treasurer
    - Robert Moore – Accepted
  - Director of Staff Relations (appointed by chairperson)
  - No new nominations made.
- Nominations for vacant senator positions began March 17
  - Nominations due by April 15
  - Nominees must submit statement of intent by April 15
  - Online ballot will be available May 1, and elections will be open until June 1
  - Vacant positions:
    - Job family 4 – 2 positions available; nominees below (all have been notified)
      - Sue Camp, Director of Development and Sales, JKHHPA
      - Peng Zhang, China Operations Specialist, VPRED – Accepted
      - Kami Gollhofer, Academic Advisor – Nursing
      - Jane Dewberry, Senior Internal Auditor
    - Ex-Officio – 3 positions; any ideas?
      - Faculty Senate
      - SGA
      - Parliamentarian (appointed by chairperson)

Director of Staff Relations Report

Committee Reports
- Bylaws – No report
- Denim Days Committee – No report
- Public Affairs Committee – Gary Stafford
  - Ethical Leadership workshop
    - Look for information in the coming semesters
  - Sign-up for events – Let someone from the PA Committee know if you want to join
  - Adopt-A-Street, May 1, 12-2 PM (for staff senators only – includes lunch at Imo’s), meet at the Burger King parking lot at Cherry and National.
  - Convoy of Hope on April 29 and May 20, 6:30-8:30 each date
  - Relay for life, 6 PM April 25 to 6 AM April 26
    - There will be a Staff Senate team – contact PA Committee to be on team
    - $10 fee waived because we are part of MSU community
    - Just click “pay later” when you sign up, and the fee will be waived
- Public Relations Committee – Kelly Cara
  - Update on Staff Senate video ad project: Interviews completed with executive committee members, and Web & New Media will continue to collect images.
- Scholarship Committee – Andrew Garton
  - Final expected balance = $4,219.61
    - The scholarships have already been paid out this year, so current balance remains as is.
    - Total raised this year $1,480.80 (goal was $1,000)
    - 8 staff applicants and 6 dependents of staff applicants – one will be selected from each pool.
    - Second annual benefit luncheon Wed. April 23, 11 AM-1PM in PSU ballroom
      - Still Need volunteers; will send out sign-up
- Staff Activities – Janelle Melton
  - Family Night at PSU Level 1, May 30, 6-9 PM
  - Maximum capacity of 75 people
  - Families can bring their own food if purchased from the PSU
  - Bowling, billiards, and other games for attendees
  - Working on a flyer for all staff through the all staff email
  - $240 needed for program (see New Business below for voting results)
- Staff Excellence in University Service Awards – No Report
- MSU Administrative Professional Forum Committee – No report
- Public Arts Committee – No report
- My Ideas Committee – No report
- Faculty Senate – No report
- Sustainability Committee – No report
- Admin Budget Committee – No report

Old Business

June meeting moved to June 12th to include senator training (11:00am – 1:00pm)
July meeting moved to July 10th to avoid Independence Day holiday

New Business

Motion by Kelly Cara to approve $240 for the Level 1 Family Game Night on May 30, 6-9 PM
Approved by majority vote

Announcements

Town Hall meeting Friday, April 4^th, 2 PM, PSU Theater: HLC Task Force work
Faculty/Staff free portrait days, April 7-8, 9 AM – 4 PM, PSU 312
Next meeting:
- May 1, 11 AM-12 PM, in PSU 313
- Faculty Senate: Revision of Faculty Handbook
Concerns about activity fund and spending without replenishing through fundraisers
- We have to keep that B account going so we can continue to do staff activities
- Please share ideas to help generate funding

Adjournment

Motion to adjourn by Gary Stafford
Second by Yvette Medley
Meeting was adjourned at 11:57 PM by Chair, Andrea Weber

Minutes respectfully submitted by Kelly Cara, Secretary/Treasurer