May 1, 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, Mary Lynne Golden, Phyllis Kenney, Phil Nichols, Pamela Sailors, F. Chris Arney, SuzAnn Ferguson, Abigail Hagy, Betty Lewis, Steve Mills, Myril Stewart, Kelly Brown, Cynthia Giacin, Tara Horton, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Marilyn Robertson

Absent - Patrick Byers, Mike Clark, Candi Vincent, Chuck Donald, Chris Strodtman

Guests - Greg Burris, Norman Griffith, Dale Moore, Sara Clark, Derek Ingram, Sheila Ponder, Diana Garland, Kelly Money

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

3. Guest Speaker - Greg Burris, Vice President for Administrative Services - Greg announced a new staff development program he is planning. There would be twelve one‐day
session on a variety of topics. This development program would be designed to accomplish four things:

  • provide professional development
  • introduce staff to various divisions for the university
  • show staff how what they do contributes to the University's Public Affairs mission
  • promote cross-division interaction

People who complete the program will be university staff ambassadors. They would not be required to perform any specific function in this capacity, but hopefully they would make
themselves available to answer questions and give direction to both students and staff.

Some topics of the curriculum include:

  • communication, collaboration and team building
  • experience the physical and virtual campus
  • how the university does master planning revision
  • From Chaos to Control customer service
  • President's Office and budgeting
  • Creative Problem Solving
  • leadership and your role in the university
  • four months would be spent on the four different divisions of the university (one per month)

This program would be funded by the various vice-presidents and the class size would be limited to 20-25 people. The program is still being formed, with plans to advertise in May. The application deadline will be in June, with the first class starting in July. There would be a selection process and the class would include staff from all levels of the university.

4. Announcements - Pamela Sailor, the Faculty Senate Representative, will no longer be the representative to Staff Senate. Dr. Robert Thurman will be the new Faculty Senate Representative in the fall. Thanks to Pam for all she has contributed.

5. Approval of New Member - Alan Roland resigned his position. Norman Griffith was unanimously approved as a replacement. Norm works in Computer Services.

6. By-Laws Changes - The changes to the By-Laws were unanimously approved as offered by the By-Laws committee. Lisa will now take the changes to Dr. Keiser for his approval.

7. Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the March regular meeting and the April informal meetings were approved.

8. Report from the Chair - Lisa McEowen-LeVangie -

Lisa attended the April Board of Governor's Meeting in West Plains. Faculty Senate presented a salary report that took approximately 45 minutes and created a lot of very pointed questions were asked by members of the Board. There are three new Board members. SGA President Jacob Wyrick pleaded with the Board not to increase fees again or surcharge after the fall semester begins. Bruno Schmidt, Vice President for Academic Affairs, reported that salaries are very important, but saving jobs is also important.

There are three candidates for the opening of Associate Vice President of Finance. The university has been holding open forums when these candidates come to campus. Two have already been held; one is next week on the 6th.

Lisa is on the Wall of Fame selection committee. The committee has made their selections and the Board will be offered recommendations to be approved at the May 16th meeting.

Lisa and Phil Nichols meet with Dr. Keiser, John Black, and Dr. Doman on how to best provide active military personnel from the university with phone cards from the VFW through Operation Uplink.

Missouri State Today will publish an article on Staff Senate but they do not have a staff writer available until June. Lisa asked if there is anyone who would like to write an article before this for publication.

9. Committee Reports -

  • Issues & Concerns - Sara Clark, chair of Issues & Concerns committee, reported that Bob Eckels, Director of Physical Plant, was a guest at the last Issues & Concerns meeting. Bob came to speak to the committee about the energy savings when the university is closed. The savings is greater during the winter months than in the summer. The topic of recycling was also discussed. Recycling actually cost the university money, so they encourage it for the environment; they also encourage the use of non-print resources such as E-ssential News.

    With the approval of the By-Laws changes, the name of Issues & Concerns was changed to Budget & Priorities. The charge of the committee with remain the same, but hopefully the name change will clear up some confusion when the budget process starts as to whom from Staff Senate should be invited to participate in the budget process.

    Issues and Concerns member, Belinda Davis, presented a Commendation of the Equal Opportunity Advisory Committee which was unanimously approved.
  • Public Affairs Committee - Phyllis Kenney, chair of the Public Affairs committee, reported that the committee has designated John Strong as an ex-officio member and welcomed Paula Vinson as a new member of the committee. Discussion was held on the activities for Public Affairs Week, September 23-25. A suggestion was made that the builders of the Habitat for Humanity houses be identified as people who help support our Public Affairs mission. It was also suggested that we have a Denim
    Day booth as well as a sign up location for Make a Difference Day staff volunteers.
  • Veteran's Recognition - Phil Nichols presented a Resolution in Support of Our Veterans, which was unanimously passed.
  • Faculty Senate Report - Pam Sailors, Faculty Senate Representative, gave the report from Faculty Senate. Faculty Senate met three times in April. This is the last large meeting of the year, so there was a lot to discuss. Jim Giglio is the new Chair for the next academic year; Bob Thurman is the new secretary; Lois Schufeldt is the Chair-Elect. In the fall half of the senate will be returning and half will be new.

    Steve Mills asked to be replaced as the Staff Senate Classified Representative for Faculty Senate. Anyone interested in this position, please contact Lisa, Staff Senate Chair.
  • Public Arts - Sara Clark gave the report for the Public Arts Committee. This committee only meets during the academic year, so there will not be any more reports until fall. The committee has finalized the commission process and finalized the acquisition acceptance of public art. This does not mean they look at the aesthetic value of the art, but rather this means that they look at the condition of the art, if there are funds available for upkeep, etc.
  • Health Care Summit - The University held a Health Care Summit on April 10, 2003. Sherry Adams and Steve Mills attended as the Staff Senate representatives. There was discussion from Sherry and Steve about what was covered. They reported that the summit was mostly presentation from the consultant and questions were not addressed until late in the meeting. There was much discussion, but no recommendations were made by this group. There are plans to regroup with a smaller group for
    further discussion, but no one knew who is on this new, smaller group.

10. Unfinished Business -

The Resolution on University Wellness Incentives was tabled until next month.

Discussed how to track usage of the workout area in McDonald. It was decided that a sign in sheet on the door might be the best way.

11. New Business -

Diana Garland, chair of the Denim Day Committee, said she has been contacted with information about the next Denim Day. It will be held on October 10, 2003. If anyone is interested in participating with this event, contact Diana.

12. Announcements -

The next meeting of the Staff Senate will be held Thursday, June 5, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. in Plaster Student Union, Room 313.

The meeting adjourned at 2:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:
Betty Lewis, Secretary
Staff Senate