January 8, 2004 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, Cynthia Giacin, Tara Horton, Steve Mills, Marilyn Robertson, Tami Sutton, Veronica Adinegara, Earle Doman, Norm Griffith, Betty Lewis, Phil Nichols, Chris Strodtman, Robert Thurman (Faculty Senate), Patrick Byers, Diana Garland, LaDonna Hansen, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Marline Ritter, D. Lynn Singleton, Scott Walker
Absent - Ben Boslaugh, Belinda Davis, Monya McMichael, Sara Clark, Mary Lynne Golden, Allison Crocker, Phyllis Kenney
Guests - Sheila Ponder, Myril Stewart, Janet Wright
Lisa McEowen‐LeVangie, Chairperson, presided and Betty Lewis recorded the proceedings of the meeting.
3. Announcements - All senators and guests introduced themselves.
4. Report from the Chair - Lisa McEowen-LeVangie -
Bids for a dental plan were due to the university December 15, 2003. No information was available to us for this meeting.
At the December Board of Governors meeting, Dr. Giglio, Chair of Faculty Senate, proposed the extension of the wellness benefits to include semi-annual dental exams.
The Board of Governors presented Lisa McEowen-LeVangie with a commendation for her work as chair of Staff Senate.
Staff Senate hosted a special meeting in December where Associate Vice-President Fred Marty presented parking and parking fee information.
In later January Lisa and Phil will be traveling to Jefferson City to attend the Springfield-Branson Regional Salute to Legislators.
5. Report from the Chair-Elect - Phil Nichols -
Phil served on the Boiler Replacement Consultant Selection Committee. This committee has chosen a consultant.
6. Budget - Lisa-McEowen-LeVangie reported the balances of the various Staff Senate accounts.
- Operating account - $2,428.87
- Special Events - $0
- Denim Day - $0
- Veteran's Recognition Account - $901.00
Staff Senate is working with Financial Services to set up two staff aid accounts in case we undertake another collection to aid a fellow staff member.
7. Call for Officers - Phil Nichols is the current Chair-Elect and will become the Chair for 2004. Phil reviewed the duties of the Chair-Elect and Lisa McEowen-LeVangie reviewed the duties of the Chair. Nominations were opened. One nomination was received for Diana Garlandfor Chair-Elect. Unanimously approved.
Betty Lewis is the current Secretary. Betty reviewed the duties of the Secretary. Nominations were opened. One nomination was received for Tami Sutton for Secretary. Unanimously approved.
Transitioned to new Chair, Phil Nichols.
8. Thank you to outgoing officers - Phil Nichols presented Lisa McEowen-LeVangie and Betty Lewis with a plaque and a gift to thank them for their service as officers of Staff Senate.
9. Appointments - Phil Nichols appointed Lisa McEowen-LeVangie as parliamentarian for Staff Senate and as the Chair of the Budget & Priorities committee for 2004.
Phil Nichols appointed Staff Senate representatives to Faculty Senate. Allison Crocker was appointed as the unclassified staff representative; Norm Griffith was appointed as the classified staff representative.
Phil has been asked for a representative to the Health Care committee. Cynthia Giacin said she would be willing to serve if needed. Phil will get back in touch with her at a later date.
10. Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the open, regular meeting of December 4, 2003 were approved.
11. Appointment of New Senator - A new senator is need to fill a position vacated by the resignation of SuzAnnFerguson. David Liss, Coordinator of User Support in Computer Services, was selected by random drawing from the relevant applicant pool and was approved.
12. Committee Reports -
- Staff Salary Task Force, Myril Stewart - Human Resources is researching the costs of reducing the number of steps from ten to five and increasing starting salary. The goal is for salaries in the steps to be 90% of median salary for the Springfield area.
- Staff Senate Centennial Committee, Diana Garland - The committee received eight official suggestions. Chosen was Cindy Fiedler's suggestion of a clock which will be placed on the second floor of Carrington in the sitting area along with a plague acknowledging the staff"s contribution over the first 100 years of the campus.
- Veterans Recognition Committee, Phil Nichols - In connection with the recently approved flag protocol, the committee is working on a plaque for the flag pole.
13. Unfinished Business - Lisa McEowen-LeVangie asked everyone to look online at the different committees (let Lisa know if you need a paper copy). You do not have to be a senator to serve on a committee. If you are interested in serving on any of the committees, contact the committee chair shown.
14. New Business -
- Parking Proposal - Staff Senate was asked to make a recommendation on the parking proposal presentation.
There was discussion of options for parking fees. Voted to support a combination of
the items listed, including an increase in staff permit fees of not more than 20%
if parking permits could be pretax. Also, Staff Senate still supports the resolution
passed in December 2001 for permit fees to be a payroll deduction.
See final recommendation - Meeting Schedule - A schedule of the proposed meeting dates for 2004 was presented. Dates were approved
as follows:
~ January 8
~ February 5
~ March 4
~ April 1
~ May 6
~ June 3
~ July 1
~ August 5
~ September 2
~ October 7
~ November 4
~ December 2
The next regular meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. on February 5, 2004 in Plaster Student Union room 313.
The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Betty Lewis, Secretary
Staff Senate