October 2, 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, Earle Doman, Cynthia Giacin, Tara Horton, Phil Nichols, Myril Stewart, Robert Thurman, Veronica Adinegara, Sara Clark, SuzAnn Ferguson, Norm Griffith, Betty Lewis, Steve Mills, Chris Strodtman, Scott Walker, Kelly Brown, Belinda Davis, Diana Garland, Abigail Hagy, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Marilyn Robertson, Tami Sutton

Absent - F. Chris Arney, Mary Lynne Golden, Patrick Byers, Phyllis Kenney, Allison Crocker

Guests - Ginger Allard, Brett Grassmuck, Dale Moore, Alexis Robinson, Shelley Cain, David King, Sheila Ponder, Janet Wight, Ronnie Climer, David Liss, Marline Ritter, Amber Wilks

Lisa McEowenâ€LeVangie, Chairperson, presided and Betty Lewis recorded the proceedings of the meeting.

Dr. Earle Doman was introduced as the new senator for manpower code 1.

All senators introduced themselves.

Lisa McEowen-LeVangie announced the membership drive and opened the floor to anyone with questions about membership in Staff Senate.

3. Announcements - The University is accepting nominations for the Staff Excellence in Community Service awards.

The cafeteria plan information may be late coming out due to the discussion of the Health Care Plan changes.

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

Staff Senate has held two special meetings in the past month. The first meeting was an open forum discussion of the Budget Priorities survey results. Approximately eleven people attended. The second meeting was an open forum discussion about the potential changes to the Health Care and Dental Insurance Plans. Approximately 100 people attended. Howard Berriman gave a presentation of the overall status of the plan presently, along with the proposed changes.

Staff Senate has held two special meetings in the past month. The first meeting was an open forum discussion of the Budget Priorities survey results. Approximately eleven people attended. The second meeting was an open forum discussion about the potential changes to the Health Care and Dental Insurance Plans. Approximately 100 people attended. Howard Berriman gave a presentation of the overall status of the plan presently, along with the proposed changes.

Health Care Resolution

Phil Nichols read a proposed Health Care Resolution. An open discussion was held to make changes to the resolution. Changes were made and the resolution was passed as modified.

5. Committee Reports -

  • Veterans Committee, Phil Nichols - A variety of events are being planned for the week of November 11 to honor our veterans.
  • Budget & Priorities Committee, Sara Clark - Sara gave a brief summary of the survey results. Sara and Lisa McEowen-LeVangie met with Jennifer Purvis, Budgeting Director, to request funding costs for the top items on the survey. The Budget and Priorities Committee will determine the top issues they would like to put forth, depending upon survey ranking and funding costs. Plans are to bring these recommendations to the Senate for approval at the November meeting.
  • Denim Day, Diana Garland - The Denim Day campaign starts next Monday and runs through Friday. Collection coordinator packets went out this week. Churchill's in the Plaster Student Union and the Library will again be allowing the committee to place change collection cans at their counters for donations. Thanks to Ann Kapps and Abigail Hagy from Gamma Sigma Sigma for their part in the t-shirt sales. Over 650 t-shirts were sold with approximately $4 per shirt going to the Denim Day fund.
    Volunteers are still needed to man the table in the Union. People can sign up online at https://www.missouristate.edu/staffsenate/denimday/default.htm

    All funds raised through this campaign will be sent to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
  • Public Affairs Committee, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie - PAW events went well. Attendance was low, but everything had good media coverage. This first year was a learning experience and everyone feels that future years will go better.

    The committee is discussing having a brown bag lunch presentation monthly.

    The Public Affairs Committee is sponsoring an event on Make a Difference Day--October 25. Make a Difference Day is a national event dedicated to volunteerism. The event sponsored by Staff Senate is moving gravel on the playground of the University Child Care Center located at 500 South Ave. Anyone is welcome to participate. Those interested can contact Lisa McEowen-LeVangie at extension 65359.
  • Staff Salary Task Force, Myril Stewart - The Staff Salary Task Force met yesterday and Myril gave a short overview of the status of what the task force is currently reviewing.

 

The next regular meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m. on November 6, 2003 in Plaster Student Union room 313.


The meeting adjourned at 2:50 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted:
Betty Lewis, Secretary
Staff Senate

 

Report from the Chair Lisa McEowen-LeVangie