November 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, Mike Clark, Diana Garland, Tara Horton, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Marilyn Robertson, Tami Sutton, Veronica Adinegara, Allison Crocker, Cynthia Giacin, Phyllis Kenney, Steve Mills, Myril Stewart, Robert Thurman, Kelly Brown, Belinda Davis, Norm Griffith, Betty Lewis, Phil Nichols, Chris Strodtman, Scott Walker

Absent - F. Chris Arney, Earle Doman, Abigail Hagy, Patrick Byers, SuzAnn Ferguson, Sara Clark, Mary Lynne Golden

Guests - Ted Hollis, Dale Moore, Edie Sartin

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

3. Announcements -

Greg Onstot, Vice President of University Advancement, the scheduled guest speaker, was unable to attend and sent his apologies.

All senators and guests introduced themselves.

4. Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the open, regular meeting of October 2, 2003, were approved.

5. Selection and Approval of New Senators for 2004 - For manpower codes 5 and 7, there were only enough qualified applicants to fill the upcoming position vacancies. In manpower code 1, there were two names submitted and so one was drawn. New senators whose terms begin January 2004 and end December 2006 are as follows according to manpower code:

1 (executive/administrative/managerial ‐ replacing Myril Stewart is Monya McMichael
5 (office/clerical) ‐ replacing Betty Lewis is LaDonna Hansen
5 (office/clerical) ‐ replacing F. Chris Arney is Marline Ritter
5 (office/clerical) ‐ replacing Lisa McEowen‐LeVangie is D. Lynn Singleton
7 (service occupations) ‐ replacing Kelly Brown is Ben Boslaugh

All names selected were approved. New members will attend the December 4 meeting, as guests, for orientation.

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

Board of Governors - There were two Board of Governors meetings in October. At the Board of Governors meeting on October 17, Dr. Keiser distributed information on the salary increase history vs. CPI. This information will be forwarded to the Staff Senate Budget and Priorities Committee for review. Bill and Virginia Darr were approved to receive the next Bronze Bear Award. At the first meeting, on October 17, the most significant topic of discussion was the Resolution on Health Care. This resolution was approved by a majority of the Board present, but because it was an issue involving the budget, it required a majority of the total Board. On October 22 a teleconference meeting was held and the Health Care Resolution passed unanimously. Lisa noted that it may be possible to retain the university subsidized dental plan, but at the cost of higher deductibles in our health insurance.
President's Cabinet - Lisa presented the Staff Senate resolution on healthcare. Several members of President"s Cabinet expressed appreciation for the Senate"s proactive approach and encouraged further communication on this topic.

Lisa has been invited by the Council of Department Heads to participate in a panel discussion on insurance benefits at Missouri State on Wednesday, November 26, from 3-4:15 p.m. in Karls Hall 101. She is one of only two staff members invited to participate, with the other staff member being Howard Berriman, Assistant Director of Human Resources.

7. Report from the Chair-Elect - Phil Nichols - Lisa was asked to nominate a member of Staff Senate to serve on the Boiler Replacement Consultant Selection Committee. She has submitted Phil"s name to Doug Sampson of Design & Construction. The first meeting of this committee will be November 12.

Phil has asked Sara Clark if she could put together a survey for feedback on the health care/dental plan; he asked for feedback from the Senate to see if everyone thought this was worth the time and trouble it would take Sara. A majority agreed that it would be a good, unbiased way to receive feedback from the staff. Phil is going to follow up with Sara about compiling a survey.

Phil has worked with University administration outlining a protocol for lowering the University flag in the event of a death of a University member who was killed in active duty. There has also been a policy outlined for the displaying of a wreath in the event of a death of a current employee or student.

8. Committee Reports -

Budget & Priorities Committee, Myril Stewart - Myril presented a Resolution for the Prioritization of Key Issues for FY05. The resolution passed. Lisa will present the resolution to President's Cabinet tomorrow. Greg Burris will then take it to Administrative Council within the next month; and, at the December President"s Cabinet meeting, Lisa and Phil will ask for feedback from the President"s Office and the Vice Presidents on the items included in the resolution.
Denim Day, Edie Sartin - $4,200 was raised this year. Edie with working with Financial Services to get a check sent to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Veterans Committee, Phil Nichols - The Veterans committee has been working with John Strong and Dr. Julie Johnson to commemorate the Korean War Veterans in conjunction with the annual Staff Senate Veterans Recognition Committee activities.
Faculty Senate, Myril Stewart - At the last Faculty Senate meeting they discussed the new parking garage planned. Tom Carlson from the Board of Governor's attended and participated in discussions on the discrimination policy, budget cuts, and funds going to athletics. The Faculty Senate also passed an action to keep the dental coverage, passed a resolution on the Darrs receiving the Bronze Bear, and recommended a salary increase for the faculty and staff for FY05 of at least 3%.
Centennial Committee, Diana Garland - The committee met on October 17 and Dr. Doman gave an update from the University Centennial Planning Committee. A flyer was sent out to all staff asking for ideas of what could be done that would best commemorate the centennial encompassing all the staff on campus. The committee next meets on Nov. 10 and will look at the ideas they have received.
Salary Task Force, Phil Nichols - Kent Kay attended the last meeting and offered input on some of the ideas that had been previously discussed. The task force will next convene on November 19.

The next regular meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. on December 4, 2003 in Plaster Student Union room 313.

The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted:
Betty Lewis, Secretary
Staff Senate