University of Nebraska Kearney

Staff Senate Minutes - August 20, 2002

Employee of the Month: Jon Wheeler, Coordinator, Residential & Greek Life

Present:
Directors -- Anderson, Livingston, Roggasch
Managerial/Professional -- Bressington, Danube, Kucera
Office -- L. Clark, Ellingson, Jones
Service -- Lange, Wilson
Ex Officio: Lakey

Absent: G. Clark

1. Call to order

2. Adoption of Agenda - Agenda approved.

3. Introductions, Correspondence, and Minutes of July 16, 2002 - Minutes approved.

4. Unfinished Business
   1. UNK Budget - Chancellor Kristensen
      The Legislature cut the University budget approximately $15.2 million in response to a state shortfall of $135 million. No exact figures for UNK's portion of the cut have been released from President Smith. Chancellor Kristensen expects that UNK's portion of the cut may be up to $2 million. The Board of Regents has asked for vertical cuts to meet the budget cuts. This is a long-term problem that will extend until 2005-2006. We will have to "prune the tree" by restructuring/consolidating for the long-term. The University commitment of $20 million per year in fixed costs continues to grow. The Legislature will not meet these growth needs so a plan for 2004 cuts is needed.
      • Q: Staff is anxious about when cuts will be made.
      • A: The Chancellor is trying to set up a notification system that is uniform. He emphasized there will be no across the board cuts. September 9 or 10 are possible dates for the UNK campus plan to be made public.

      • Q: Adding new positions. A person whose position is cut might fill a new position if it is not advertised until after budget cut decisions are made.
      • A: Filling a position depends on the position. Some positions need to be filled right away. There is no hiring freeze per se. This would be one way to save money but we need to know priorities first. There could be restructuring of some areas. The Chancellor will be getting suggestions from the Vice Chancellors for each of their areas.

      • Q: If staff raises received July 1 are cut, will the money received from raises since July 1 have to be paid back?
      • A: No, that would not be fair.

      • Q: What will the Chancellor do to raise morale of staff?
      • A: Morale is an attitude. Budget cuts and a new chancellor can cause uncertainty. We are part of a team and we will move through the budget cuts. Morale will be boosted by caring and being available to staff and students. Staff Senate agreed that Chancellor Kristensen has already boosted the morale at UNK.

      • Q: Any second thoughts?
      • A: "Not one." We all have the same goal at UNK but different ideas how to get there. We need to market ourselves, there are some fences to mend, and recruiting.

      • Q: Do you plan to be out and about for students?
      • A: It is very important to get to know the students. Chancellor Kristensen will be helping students move into the dorms on Friday, he will be in the dunk tank Friday, and in the Antelope Bookstore on Monday. Staff Senate appreciates his visibility and accessibility.

      The Chancellor was invited to give some specific charges to Staff Senate that will be beneficial to him.

   2. Leadership UNK - Cheryl Bressington distributed a draft proposal from the Mentoring Committee proposing formation of Leadership UNK. It would be patterned after Leadership Kearney. Any UNK faculty, administrator or staff member would be eligible to attend. Supervisor approval would be needed for staff to attend. Limited to 20 people at $75 per person. The proposal will be presented to Faculty Senate for their endorsement of this program. Staff Senate approved the proposal for Leadership UNK.

5. Committee & Search Reports
   1. Election Committee - no report

   2. Employee Recognition Committee - The committee is seeking more nominations for Employee of the Month and suggestions for Department of the Month. Duane Hess receives a KUDOS award for August.

   3. Performance Management Committee - no report

   4. Procedures Committee - Some changes were recommended to the paragraph dealing with elections of officers. Changes were discussed and other revisions were suggested. The final revision is:

      Adopted changes to Staff Senate Bylaws

      Under OFFICERS Section, last paragraph dealing with election of officers:

      Officers are elected for one year terms by Senate members as the last item of business at the April meeting. Newly elected Senate members are asked to attend the meeting and participate only in the election.

      The Director of Human Resources will conduct the election of Staff Senate officers. The Director shall solicit nominations from continuing and newly elected Staff Senate members during the month of April prior to the meeting. Persons can self-nominate or nominate another member. The Director will ascertain a nominee's willingness to serve as an officer after receiving a nomination.

      The Director will prepare a ballot with all nominations listed and nominations will be accepted from the floor. Election will be by secret ballot; a simply majority of the votes will elect. It is suggested that the President have served at least one year on the Senate. The President will refrain from voting except in the event of a tie per Robert's Rules of Order. When a tie occurs, a revote will be taken which includes the President. New officers will assume their duties effective May 1 through April 30, concurrent with the Senate year.

   5. Professional Development Committee - Cause for applause forms will be on the web soon. Advanced Connections is still in the works. Let's Have Lunch in August was a tour of the Education Building, next month it will be at MONA, October will be a tour of the Union.

   6. Office/Service Dependent Scholarship Committee - Mary Heater is the Chair of this committee. The can drive will start soon, September 3-6, and the committee is getting residence halls involved.

   7. Making a Difference Subcommittee - Title for Making a Difference this year is "Balancing Work and Family". The keynote speaker and sessions are arranged. The committee is working on getting prizes.

   8. Mentoring Subcommittee - Questionnaires will be used instead of the journal. There will be midpoint and final questionnaires for the mentor and mentee. The committee has a nice sample brochure made up. They are trying to find money to cover the printing costs.

   9. Information Technology Advisory Committee - no report

   10. Strategic Planning - no report

   11. Centennial Committee - no report

   12. Marketing Council - The Office of Communications is in charge of marketing so a new committee may be formed.

   13. Parking Committee - no report They will meet in September.

6. New Business

7. Announcements
   1. Next meeting September 17, 2002, Cedar Room, Student Union

   2. Let's Have Lunch September 18, 2002, MONA, Women's Show

   3. Making A Difference October 22, 2002

   Adjourned at 11:50 a.m.