February 6, 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, Belinda Davis, Tara Horton, Steve Mills, Myril Stewart, Kelly Brown, Chuck Donald, Betty Lewis, Phil Nichols, Mike Clark, Abigail Hagy, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Pamela Sailors

Absent - F. Chris Arney, Cynthia Giacin, Chris Strodtman, Patrick Byers, Marilyn Robertson, Candy Vincent, SuzAnn Ferguson, Alan Roland

Guests - Jan Bradley, Nancy Copeland, Sara Clark, Phyllis Kenney, Angie Cockrum, Donna Smith

Lisa McEowen‐LeVangie, Chairperson, presided and Betty Lewis recorded the proceedings of the meeting.

There was not a quorum, so no issues could be put to a vote. (A quorum requires 13 voting members. 11 voting members and 2 non-voting members were present.)

Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Chairperson, welcomed the new Staff Senate SGA representative, Abigail Hagy. Abigail is a Junior Education major, serving SGA as the Gamma Sigma Sigma senator.

Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Chairperson, also welcomed new senator, Tara Horton.

3. Staff Salary Task Force Report - Staff Salary Task Force member Phil Nichols reported that the Task Force has presented its recommendations to Greg Burris, Vice President of Administrative Services & President Keiser. One recommendation made was for the Staff Salary Task Force to continue through this calendar year using the same members, with the addition of the Staff Senate Chairperson, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie. The current recommendations were to be to President Keiser by January 31, 2003 to
be included in the budget discussions for FY04.

Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Chairperson, will send out an email vote for the approval of the minutes of the open, regular meeting of January 9, 2003.

4. Report from the Chair - Lisa McEowen-LeVangie - Lisa reported that there was not a January President's Cabinet meeting and the February President's Cabinet meeting scheduled for Friday, February 7, was canceled due to a special Board of Governor's conference call meeting. This makes March the first possible opportunity to submit any resolutions to the President's Cabinet. The Smoke-Free resolution was sent to Dr. Keiser and Vice President of Administrative Services, Greg Burris, in memo form on January 13. Lisa said she will email Greg Burris and see where this issue stands.

Lisa reported on the January Board of Governor's meeting. Governor Michael Franks offered thanks for our forethought on setting priorities in consideration to the current budget concern.

Lisa and Chair-Elect Phil Nichols attended the Springfield/Branson Regional Salute to Legislators, held in Jefferson City.

The Chair and Chair-Elect were invited to an Administrative Council Budget meeting for FY03 withholdings, at which copies of a handout detailing estimated withhold responsibility by administrator was distributed. It was also announced that if the legislature did not authorize tobacco securitization Governor Holden would likely have to cut approximately $91 million from higher education in Missouri. At a separate meeting for discussion of FY04, figures were given based on assumptions of withholdings at different levels. Lisa also noted that there have not been any withholdings so far for FY03, but for FY03 we received 10% less funds than the previous year.

Governor Holden visited our campus and a major announcement was that he will form a Commission on Higher Education to look into, among other things, equity of funding for Missouri institutions of higher education. He was also encouraging the public to urge their legislators to authorize tobacco securitization in order to avoid cuts in elementary, secondary and higher education for the current (FY03) fiscal year.

5. Staff Senate Budget Report - Phil Nichols, Chair-Elect - No report at the time due to computer difficulty.

6. Committee Reports -

Steve Mills, Faculty Senate Representative, gave a report of the last Faculty Senate meeting. Board of Governor's new president, Dr. Barbara Burns gave a presentation and stated the goals for the Board of Governors.
Steve Mills also reported on the Wyrick Committee. There were three proposals presented: 1) refurbish Sand Volleyball Courts (this was withdrawn); 2) high/low ropes course - rejected due to lack of permissions, but they can appeal; 3) retreat garden - approved $95,000 budget to build a secluded garden north of the library. The Wyrick Commission has $342,000 in its current budget. There has been some discussion of revising the way funds are used. SGA recently passed a bill to cut the Wyrick fee from $5 to $3 for Fall 2003. Last fall $200,000 of Wyrick fees were taken by the University to deal with budget difficulties--this was discussed as to how the University could take student fees for general funds use. Steve did say that the SGA was contacted about the funds transfer and it was agreed to.
Nancy Copeland, Public Affairs Convocation Committee, reported that this committee will be hosting Margaret Wheatley on April 14 & 15. On November 11, they are planning something for Veteran's Day on the Korean War. Lisa suggested that the Staff Senate's Veteran Recognition Committee could work together with this committee to put on Veteran's Day programs on campus. And in spring 2004 a display of near Eastern modern art is planned.
Jan Bradley, Public Affairs Grant Committee, reported. This committee offers grant funds that faculty, students and staff can apply to receive for venues that will further the University's public affairs mission. They are experiencing budget cuts, but there will be funds for fall. There are two levels of grants: Level 1 is up to $1,000; Level 2 is $1,000-4,000. Some past items funded are: Moving the Fire, Gordon Parks, Dick Gregory, Julie Nixon-Eisenhower, & the brown bag lunch speakers. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to apply for grant funds.

7. Unfinished Business -

The Public Affairs Committee has gone unmanned. Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Chairperson, would like to see this committee become active. Please contact Lisa if you are interested in participation.

Josie Gage, who was approved in the January meeting has left the university leaving an open position for manpower code 5. According to our bylaws, the Chairperson may recommend someone for the vacant position when there are no applicants left in the job category. Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Chairperson, recommended Phyllis Kenney from Telecommunication Services. Lisa will send out an email vote for approval.

8. New Business -

SGA has passed a resolution in support of the university name change to Missouri State University. This was discussed briefly and tabled until the March meeting.

Steve Mills offered a grievance that we have trouble having a quorum in attendance. Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Chairperson, said she has asked the by-laws committee to look at what actually constitutes an "excused absence".

Phil Nichols asked if there would be sufficient interest in pursuing incentives for participation in wellness programs. It was determined that there is interest in this and Phil will look into the possibilities. This will be discussed at the March meeting.

9. Announcements -

Immediately following the meeting, Phil Nichols will show a video of a presentation by Jim Moody (Commissioner of Administration under Governor John Ashcroft) about the state budget.

The next meeting of the Staff Senate will be held Thursday, March 6, 2003, at 1:30 p.m. in Plaster Student Union, Room 313.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45.

Respectfully submitted:
Betty Lewis, Secretary
Staff Senate