April 3, 2003 Minutes

1. Call to Order - A regular meeting of the Staff Senate of Missouri State University was called to order at Plaster Student Union, Room 313 at 1:30 p.m.

2. Roll Call -

Present - Sherry Adams, Mike Clark, Abigail Hagy, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Pamela Sailors, Kelly Brown, Chuck Donald, Tara Horton, Phil Nichols, Myril Stewart, Patrick Byers, Mary Lynne Golden, Betty Lewis, Steve Mills, Chris Strodtman

Absent - F. Chris Arney, Phyllis Keeney, Belinda Davis, SuzAnn Ferguson, Cynthia Giacin, Alan Roland, Candi Vincent, Marilyn Robertson

Guests - Nancy Copeland, Dale Moore, Sara Clark, Marline Ritter, Diana Garland

Again, there was no quorum. The committee participated in an informal discussion of issues and events, including the following:

Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Chairperson, received a letter from Doug Sampson in Design & Construction announcing a Construction Project Meeting on April 16 in Plaster Student Union Theater at 1:30. There are several projects going on this summer on campus that will result in electricity to buildings being on and off, and parts of campus will be blocked off. This meeting will help share information and answer questions about these projects.

Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Chairperson, attended a budget meeting on April 3. This meeting was designed to answer questions, mainly from Faculty Senate. Much of the information at this meeting was a reiteration of information already shared by Financial Services.

The Senate Appropriations Committee asked the Department of Higher Education for a statement of impact if budget cuts reach 15%. The presidents of Missouri institutions were asked to submit a brief and specific impact statement for their institutions. This is just a scenario, not an indication of any decision.

Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Chairperson, met with Greg Burris regarding short-term disability. Greg thinks Lisa should call a committee and chair it. During this meeting, Lisa also expressed concern about items Staff Senate submits to President's Cabinet that are approved, but not funded. Nothing seems to happen with these items since they are not funded. Greg suggested that Staff Senate should outline their involvement in the budget process.

Special Events account has a negative balance. Lisa explained that this is due to a donation received for Veterans Recognition accidentally being sent to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation with our Denim Day's collection. To resolve this, the university accountants suggest letting the negative balance carry until the next Denim Day collection. Then the amount of the negative balance will be subtracted from those funds. The total collected for two years will actually be what is sent to Susan G. Komen; they will not be shorted any donations.

The Health Care Summit will be held on April 10. Steve Mills and Sherry Adams will represent Staff Senate. Anyone having any comments or suggestions they wish to be heard at this summit conveyed them to Steve.

Attendance (or lack of it) was discussed.

There are a few more changes to the By-Laws. Issues and Concerns committee will be changed to Budget and Priorities. Also, the new Staff Senate Chair will appoint the chair of the Budget and Priorities Committee at the organizational meeting in January.

Respectfully submitted:
Betty Lewis, Secretary
Staff Senate