September 1, 2005 Minutes

1. Call to Order - A regular meeting of the Staff Senate of Missouri State University was called to order at Plaster Student Union, PSU 313 at 1:30 p.m.

2. Roll Call -

Present - Diana Garland, Steve Mills, Sara Clark, Marline Faherty, LaDonna Hansen, Barb Jones, Rhonda Ridinger (Faculty Senate), Ben Boslaugh, Sherry Adams, Guy DeVault, Tami Sutton, Terrill Harvey, Phyllis Kenney, Sue Alvers, Veronica Adinegara, Darlene Bailey, Norm Griffith, Scott Walker, Dennis Perry

Absent - Carter Allen (SGA), Tara Horton, Earle Doman, Jason Rhea

Guests - Phil Nichols, Jim Baker, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Jane Georgetti

3. Approval of Minutes - The minutes of the open, regular meeting of August 4, 2005 were approved.

4. Guest Speaker - Jim Baker

Diana introduced Dr. Jim Baker, Vice President for Research and Economic Development, as the guest speaker for the meeting. Dr. Baker gave a brief presentation on the Provost Model.

5. Officers Report -

Diana Garland stated that the August 31, 2005 Staff Senate lunch with Dr. Nietzel went very well. The Staff Senate was introduced to Dr. Nietzel. A special "thank you" to LaDonna for organizing the event. The cost of each senator's lunch was $5.50 and Diana asked that everyone please reimburse LaDonna.

On October 14, 2005, the Recreation Facility Committee is to take a trip to University of Missouri – Columbia to tour their new recreation facility. If you are interested in going, please contact Cindy Barnett in Recreational Services.

6. Committee Reports

  • University Health Care Committee Update, David Liss - David Liss mentioned that there's nothing new to report about the Health Care Committee.
  • University Public Affairs Week Committee, Phyllis Kenney - Phyllis reported that Public Affairs Week is September 12 – 15, 2005. The Avenue of Flags will be up as part of the first day celebration, Global Awareness Day. A blood drive, clothing drive and food drive will be on the second day. PAW wants the different groups on campus to
    compete to bring in the most donations. If you want to volunteer, please go to the PAWs website for contact information.
  • Denim Day, Diana Garland for Edie Sartin - Two student organizations have offered to help with Denim Day as a service project. The Committee will soon be selling bracelets with proceeds going to the Koman Fund.
  • Process Improvement Committee, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie - This committee is discussing and identifying peer aspirations.
  • 2005 Presidential Compensation Committee, Phil Nichols - Phil reported that they are working on ways to implement the merit base monitoring system. Skip
    Phelps will chair the faculty subcommittee and Greg Burris is to chair the Staff subcommittee.

7. New Business

Diana told everyone that she has received emails about an incident at the parking garage. An employee was caught in the elevator and since the elevator service is contracted out, it took an hour to get that person out of the stalled elevator. The employee ended up calling 911 to be rescued. Administrative Services is looking at the policy for these type of situations to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Diana also reported that there's been an increase in the price of soda refills at the union. The reason is because Pepsi syrup price has increased 700%.

The senate approved the appointment of Dale Moore as a representative to the Staff Senate to replace Allison Crocker.


A long discussion ensued about the Draft Survey Questions and whether the senate should have a survey at this time. It was decided to send it back to the Budget & Priorities committee.


Prior to adjourning, Diana mentioned that some of the staff are interested in car pooling.


The next regular meeting is at 1:30 p.m. on October 6, 2005 in Plaster Student Union Room 313.


The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.


Respectfully submitted:
Sue Alvers
Staff Senate Secretary