November 4, 2010 Minutes

I. Call to order - Meeting was called to order by Tabitha Haynes, Pres., at 1:33pm.

Because there was no quorum, Staff Senate could not conduct business. Matthew Stublefield made a motion to adjourn and reconvene as a committee of the whole at 1:50pm. Seconded by Jaimie Trussell. Approved.

II. Roll Call – A sign-in sheet was used to conduct roll call.

Present – Tabitha Haynes, Michael Frizell, Janelle Melton, Sandra Arthur, Cindi Barnett (proxy Terry Weber), Corbin Campbell, Sandra Johnson, Nadine Jones, Charles Klarr, Cathy McFall, Andrea Weber, Dale Moore, Erin Parrish (by proxy), Holly Robison, Matthew Stublefield, Jaimie Trussell, Kirk Whittington, Mary Ann Wood (by proxy), Jacob Swett, Cynthia Hail

Absent – Donald Clark, Terry Plank, Teresa Steele, Dixie Williams, Kyle Yates

Guests – Pam Campbell, Jill Murphy, Julie Blackshear, Chris Stovall, Mary Barb, Ed Choate, Katie Young, Konya Knackstedt, Bruce Richards, Brad Hammon, Nathan Betz, Jeff Morrissey, Nancy Gordon, Justin Mellish, Zach Durham, Veronica Sanders

III. Adoption of Agenda - No quorum

IV. Open Forum –

a. Workforce Support Systems - Presentation by Paula Wilhelm on Alchemy Systems Online Learning Management Systems and Linda Stephens on People Admin Online Applicant Management System, both of Human Resources Department. See summary of the presentations.

b. Focus Group Report - Matthew Stublefield gave a summary of the meeting with Larry Gates for the vision of the University over the next 5 years. The meeting covered tradition, the dream of being Springfield’s employer of choice by public, big picture goals 5-10 years from now. The Master Planning Committee may be picking up many of these goals as projects.

V. Approval of Minutes (10/7/10) - No quorum

VI. Executive Committee Report –

a. Approval for minutes to go on website – Dr. Cofer agreed to having the minutes of the Executive Council meetings posted on the Staff Senate website. Ken McClure and Paul Kincaid will approve the minutes before they are posted.

VII. Committee Reports – None

VIII. Unfinished Business –

a. Bylaws – The deadline has been extended to November 19th for the Bylaws committee to submit a final draft. On November 19th, the final draft will be sent out to senators to prepare for the December 4th meeting where we will debate and discuss. The final draft will be posted on the wiki under the draft resolutions section for people to review and make comments.

IX. New Business – None

X. Announcements – None

Corbin Campbell mentioned there are staff who want to take classes, but their supervisor will not allow them to do so and suggested we create a resolution to allow staff to take the time off to take the classes. Currently, the handbook states that using the benefit is at the supervisor’s discretion. Tabitha suggested that this be brought up at the next Executive Committee meeting with Dr. Cofer. Dale Moore suggested a review of the Work/Life Committee report. The Senate also requested a committee established to look at this issue, as well as extending the fee waiver to extended family members.

Comments include:

• if sections are cut back, it will reduce the number of courses available
• the course fee waiver is part of our compensation
• there aren’t many online or evening classes for people to take, especially if they are trying to complete a degree
• Faculty Senate has discussed this with the provost and it was suggested it be taken to the benefits committee
• Low completer programs discussion could make this worse
• Online courses may be an issue to keep track of

Corbin Campbell asked about faculty unionizing and how this would affect staff. Tabitha stated that it would not affect staff at all. Cynthia Hail (Faculty Senate rep) stated that a sub-committee presented a report, but this is something that all faculty must vote on. Faculty do not have to be a member, but they will get the benefits. Holly Robison noted that the idea of unionization was not because of raises, but because policies were not being followed, according to a faculty member in her department. Cynthia commented that unionization would include money, programming, benefits, and policies.

Kirk Whittington asked about the 4-day work week. Tabitha explained that this was brought up at Executive Council meeting and Dr. Cofer was hesitant and suggested other options such as an alternate summer work schedule. The 4-day work week, according to some who are opposed, will not work for all areas and all staff of the university. Reportedly, those who work in Student Affairs and Residence Life and Services would not be able to work a 4-day work week because of the services provided (SOAR, summer programs using the residence halls, etc.). Nadine asked about losing pay should the 4-day work week or alternate summer work schedule ever happen. Tabitha explained that staff members would not lose pay because they would still work their 40-hour work week.

XI. Adjournment – Motion to adjourn the committee by Matthew Stublefield and seconded by Nadine Jones. Adjourned at 2:38pm

I. Call to order - Meeting was called to order by Tabitha Haynes, Pres., at 1:33pm.

Because there was no quorum, Staff Senate could not conduct business. Matthew Stublefield made a motion to adjourn and reconvene as a committee of the whole at 1:50pm. Seconded by Jaimie Trussell. Approved.

II. Roll Call – A sign-in sheet was used to conduct roll call.

Present – Tabitha Haynes, Michael Frizell, Janelle Melton, Sandra Arthur, Cindi Barnett (by proxy), Corbin Campbell, Sandra Johnson, Nadine Jones, Charles Klarr, Cathy McFall, Andrea Weber, Dale Moore, Erin Parrish (by proxy), Holly Robison, Matthew Stublefield, Jaimie Trussell, Kirk Whittington, Mary Ann Wood (by proxy), Jacob Swett, Cynthia Hail

Absent – Donald Clark, Terry Plank, Teresa Steele, Dixie Williams, Kyle Yates

Guests – Pam Campbell, Jill Murphy, Julie Blackshear, Chris Stovall, Mary Barb, Ed Choate, Katie Young, Konya Knackstedt, Bruce Richards, Brad Hammon, Nathan Betz, Jeff Morrissey, Nancy Gordon, Justin Mellish, Zach Durham, Veronica Sanders

III. Adoption of Agenda - No quorum

IV. Open Forum –
a. Workforce Support Systems - Presentation by Paula Wilhelm on Alchemy Systems Online Learning Management Systems and Linda Stephens on People Admin Online Applicant Management System, both of Human Resources Department. See summary of the presentations.
b. Focus Group Report - Matthew Stublefield gave a summary of the meeting with Larry Gates for the vision of the University over the next 5 years. The meeting covered tradition, the dream of being Springfield’s employer of choice by public, big picture goals 5-10 years from now. The Master Planning Committee may be picking up many of these goals as projects.

V. Approval of Minutes (10/7/10) - No quorum

VI. Executive Committee Report –
a. Approval for minutes to go on website – Dr. Cofer agreed to having the minutes of the Executive Council meetings posted on the Staff Senate website. Ken McClure and Paul Kincaid will approve the minutes before they are posted.

VII. Committee Reports – None

VIII. Unfinished Business –
a. Bylaws – The deadline has been extended to November 19th for the Bylaws committee to submit a final draft. On November 19th, the final draft will be sent out to senators to prepare for the December 4th meeting where we will debate and discuss. The final draft will be posted on the wiki under the draft resolutions section for people to review and make comments.

IX. New Business – None

X. Announcements – None


Corbin Campbell mentioned there are staff who want to take classes, but their supervisor will not allow them to do so and suggested we create a resolution to allow staff to take the time off to take the classes. Currently, the handbook states that using the benefit is at the supervisor’s discretion. Tabitha suggested that this be brought up at the next Executive Committee meeting with Dr. Cofer. Dale Moore suggested a review of the Work/Life Committee report. The Senate also requested a committee established to look at this issue, as well as extending the fee waiver to extended family members.

Comments include:
• if sections are cut back, it will reduce the number of courses available
• the course fee waiver is part of our compensation
• there aren’t many online or evening classes for people to take, especially if they are trying to complete a degree
• Faculty Senate has discussed this with the provost and it was suggested it be taken to the benefits committee
• Low completer programs discussion could make this worse
• Online courses may be an issue to keep track of

Corbin Campbell asked about faculty unionizing and how this would affect staff. Tabitha stated that it would not affect staff at all. Cynthia Hail (Faculty Senate rep) stated that a sub-committee presented a report, but this is something that all faculty must vote on. Faculty do not have to be a member, but they will get the benefits. Holly Robison noted that the idea of unionization was not because of raises, but because policies were not being followed, according to a faculty member in her department. Cynthia commented that unionization would include money, programming, benefits, and policies.

Kirk Whittington asked about the 4-day work week. Tabitha explained that this was brought up at Executive Council meeting and Dr. Cofer was hesitant and suggested other options such as an alternate summer work schedule. The 4-day work week, according to some who are opposed, will not work for all areas and all staff of the university. Reportedly, those who work in Student Affairs and Residence Life and Services would not be able to work a 4-day work week because of the services provided (SOAR, summer programs using the residence halls, etc.). Nadine asked about losing pay should the 4-day work week or alternate summer work schedule ever happen. Tabitha explained that staff members would not lose pay because they would still work their 40-hour work week.
XI. Adjournment – Motion to adjourn the committee by Matthew Stublefield and seconded by Nadine Jones. Adjourned at 2:38pm