Staff Senate Minutes - May 15, 2001
Employee of the Month: Kayla James, Accountant, Finance Office.
Present:
Directors -- Livingston
Managerial/Professional -- Danube, Kucera
Office -- Ellingson, Mitchell
Service -- Hines, Lange, Wilson
Ex Officio -- Lakey
Absent:
Directors -- Roth, Roggasch
Managerial/Professional -- McMullen
Office -- Jones
- Call to Order
- Adoption of Agenda
- Agenda Adopted (Hines/Danube)
- Minutes and Correspondence
- Minutes of the April 17, 2001 meeting were approved after one correction:
Original statement in minutes: Lakey noted that this year faculty will be getting a $350 increase plus a percent but the $350 comes out of their 6.8% first and then they will figure the percent of increase which is based on their salary.
Corrected statement: Lakey noted that this year faculty will be getting a $350 increase across the board, but the $350 comes out of their 6.8% increase - which is average increase. (Lange/Danube)
- Unfinished Business
None
- Committee and Search Reports
- Election Committee – no report
- Employee Recognition
Hines stated she was waiting to hear back from John Foss concerning the Staff Appreciation Day (normally held on July 1). Since July 1st falls on the weekend this year, the committee was trying to decide whether to host the event on Friday, June 29th, or Monday, July 2nd. They decided it would be best to work around John Foss’ schedule since he has agreed to provide a free breakfast and also serve lunch for a price. Hines also asked Foss to provide some input into where he would like to serve the food, since the usual area near the Nebraskan is not available due to renovations. The committee had suggested close to the fountain. Also considered was the area between Copeland Hall and Ludden. The committee was also in hopes of using the tent again. Hines noted that there has always been entertainment in the past so there is the problem of needing a stage and electrical hookups, etc. Hines asked for suggestions for entertainment and received some ideas. A short discussion was held about the date and how it could affect attendance since employees might be taking extra time off over the 4th of July holiday. Kucera suggested we try to come up with $50 and pay for lunch for all this year’s Employees of the Month. It was noted that they had already been honored at the Recognition Luncheon and coming up with the money would be difficult. Livingston noted that this year it would not be tied in with Summer Orientation since there is none that particular week.
Hines stated the committee would like to receive more nominations for Employee of the Month. She noted the form is on-line or she can provide a hard copy. Nominations need to be sent to Human Resources. Hines said she was also getting ready to send out a reminder notice for nominations for the Staff Award for Excellence. Nominations are due by June 29th and should be sent to John Lakey. Livingston told members if they have someone they work with that they feel should be nominated for that award, she would encourage members to get the application and get it submitted.
- Performance Management
Danube noted there was no report. However he had visited with Lakey about how we might proceed. There will be a meeting in the near future.
- Procedures Committee
Livingston stated that Tim McMullen called her and stated he would not be able to attend. She noted he had planned to have some discussion about the revised bylaws. He will now do that at the June meeting. Ellingson stated the revised bylaws were approved, effective May 1. Wilson noted she would get a copy of those and get them on the website.
- Professional Development Committee
Ellingson reported the committee met April 18th. Members viewed portions of the new Advanced Connections videos. Plans are to offer the program in three sessions of about two hours each. The committee did set up two different training sessions for trainers. The first was an all day session on May 9th for Residence Life. Ellingson asked Kucera how many were trained. Kucera stated there were four and stated plans are for another one for the professional office staff. Although they will not become trainers, she wanted them to go through that training since it is a different level of discussion. Kucera noted they also want their custodian/maintenance/paint supervisors to go through the training. Some of the discussion touched on recognition and appreciation and what some of the problems are in the Residence Life area. Ellingson noted some individuals didn’t feel they could attend an all day session. So the next training will be conducted over three morning sessions, June 14th, 21st, and 28th Those would be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Ellingson encouraged members who were interested to get in touch with Cheryl Bressington. Livingston asked about the response for trainers. Lange and Ellingson both noted we need more. Kucera stated that whenever she goes into a presentation about customer service, she is thinking I do this all the time. She noted she was really surprised at the level of discussion that was provided to the group and the ideas sparked about things they are not doing correctly. She noted that although they train all the time, they were missing some key components of what they were doing. Kucera noted this is a very up-to-date program and stated it is very beneficial for people to go through the sessions. She stated it targets everyone whether they are faculty, administration, staff, or student workers. Lakey noted in the past we were able to gain more trainers by using individuals who had already gone through the sessions and liked it so well they decided to become trainers. Therefore we could recruit individuals who complete this training to become trainers. Ellingson encouraged Staff Senate members to get involved whether it be attending the sessions or becoming a trainer. If Staff Senate is going to promote this, we have to take part ourselves! Ellingson noted there are also plans to promote this to supervisors so they encourage/support their employees attending the sessions. Mitchell noted we need to stress they encourage employees to attend, but not tell them they have to.
Ellingson reminded everyone of the Let’s Have Lunch special event on June 13th at MONA in the Sculpture Garden. A special tour will be given of the quilt display and basket display. She noted the committee is still trying to develop Loper Tracks. Ellingson stated the committee was to meet tomorrow, but several members are going to be out-of-town so the meeting was cancelled. The next meeting will be June 20th.
- Office/Service Dependent Scholarship Committee
Mitchell read a thank-you note from a Heather Fries who was awarded one of the scholarships.
- Making a Difference Subcommittee –will meet May 24th
- Mentoring Subcommittee
Ellingson reported the committee is currently working on the Mentoring Reception, which will be held June 14th at 3 p.m. at the gazebo at the Frank House. Refreshments will include punch, tea, cookies, and bar cookies. It will be a time for people to get-together and visit. There is no formal program, but it is hoped that there will be some discussion among those present as to what they think of the mentoring program. The committee would like to get some input as to what are the program’s strengths and weaknesses. However it is mainly a thank-you event for everyone involved. When the committee meets on the 17th, they will complete the guest list, which will include all mentors and new hires/proteges, supervisors of both groups, committee members and their supervisors, Staff Senate members, and administration. Ellingson noted formal invitations would be sent.
Ellingson reported as of the last meeting, there were 11 new hires currently in the program. That has probably changed. The committee meets again Thursday; there will be a new report which should reflect more matches. Ellingson noted that may not seem like a large number, but when you consider this is a voluntary program and it has only been implemented for five short months, she felt it a successful program.
- Information Technology
Livingston noted she did not hear from Bargen. However she reported that at the last meeting, the discussion centered on what the priorities should be for allocating monies from the student technology fees. The Technical Advisory Committee has an opportunity to have input as to how that money should be allocated. They talked about different options, but no decisions were made.
- Strategic Planning – no report
- New Business
- Diversity Report
Livingston stated that Roggasch was called out-of-town for a meeting. However she did provide a written report from Bonnie Mumm who has been the Staff Senate representative on the committee. Mumm has asked to be replaced; Roggasch will now serve as Staff Senate representative. Livingston noted the Diversity Plan for this past year had numerous goals. Livingston stated she would highlight them quickly. Goals and the currents status are
- Establish an ethnic studies program – a discussion has began between natural and social sciences and fine arts.
- Revise the hiring guidelines – that has been completed.
- Conduct a workshop for administrators dealing with minority issues – Dr. Joseph White presented the workshop and has been working with UNK and will continue to do so.
- Develop a plan for a common first-year experience for freshman – there is a group within Faculty Senate who is working on this with Dr. Oseth and his colleagues in Student Life.
- Develop a workshop for faculty on working with minority students – that was completed in October through the Center for Teaching Excellence.
- Work with the Chamber of Commerce to acclimate minority employees and students within the community – Dr. White and Jerry Fox are among those who have spoken to various groups.
- Highlight diversity activities.
- Engage student government in the diversity process – they now have seats for both a multicultural representative and an international representative.
- Use minority faculty and students in recruitment efforts – started but will be expanded.
- Assessment for North Central accreditation.
- Develop a reward system – this depends on the budget.
- Report monthly to Administrative Council.
- Develop a Multicultural Office – Phyllis Harris heads this office.
- Develop a mentoring program – basically they have been talking about Staff Senate’s program.
- Establish a Coordinating Account for Diversity – that is what this committee does. This was a focus at the Chancellor’s Annual Administrative Retreat in August. This was seen as a priority for the campus. At the time, it was a one-year focus, but has been continued.
- Dual Career
Livingston stated she received this information from Michelle Fleig-Palmer, the Dual Career coordinator. It is a copy of the annual report provided to the campus. Livingston said she would just highlight information from the report. Membership on the advisory board has included Roger Davis, History; Marilyn Hadley, Dean of Education; Roger Jasnoch, Chamber of Commerce; Nancy Kneen, Career Services; John Lakey, Human Resources; Michelle Roggasch, director Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity; and Jeff Schoyen, Music. An overview of the program states its goal is to assist in meeting UNK’s objectives for hiring and retaining employees. This is accomplished by helping accompanying partners in two ways. First they are coached in job search skills and second they are connected to key decision-makers in the Kearney community through networking, newsletters, and an annual reception. This past year 89% of accompanying partners of new employees who have requested assistance have obtained employment in their chosen career fields within eight weeks after relocating to Kearney. The past three years there have been 58 requests for assistance with 22 of those in the last year.
- Salary Guidelines
Lakey stated everyone should have their evaluations completed by now. Those evaluations have to be completed in order for salary increases. The guidelines on this campus for satisfactory performance are a $350 increase per person (mainly to help with the medical expense increase) which is part of the salary pool; that is not in addition to the salary pool. The remaining dollars are to be divided amongst the employees based on merit and/or market. The salary pool is 5% per category. In other words, the 5% allocated for office /service has to remain in office/service and likewise the 5% for managerial/professional has to remain in managerial/professional, etc. The money can not be taken from one category and given to another. As soon as the worksheets are in, the Budget Office will plug the figures into the SAP system which will generate the salary notification letters. Those letters should be coming out by the end of June. The letters will be distributed to the vice chancellors who will in turn distribute them to the supervisors. The intent is for supervisors to hand deliver them to employees. If employees have any questions about the salary they will receive for the next fiscal year, they should ask their supervisors. Ellingson stated she assumed the payment of the $350 would be spread out over the year. Lakey stated it would become part of your base salary; it is not a one-time payment.
- Announcements
- Next Meeting – June 19, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. in the Oak Room.
- National Collegiate Network
Livingston stated there is a group of about 60 Japanese students who will be coming to our campus soon. One of the counselors who will be here with them held workshops yesterday. Lakey encouraged members who were not able to attend one of the workshops to ask their supervisor/department to ask to have training. Lakey noted the counselor talked about characteristics of their culture; there are things that we could interpret differently. Lakey said we want to be sure the students feel welcome here so we need to understand their culture. Livingston said she thought they were to arrive on campus about May 23rd. This summer the Japanese students will be taking the English Language Institute. Although they all speak English now, they will be working on it more so that when classes start in the fall, they will be ready to go. The English Language Institute and the Japanese counselors will be located in the Education Building (former ROTC Building) in the very near future. These students are scheduled to graduate here in four years. Livingston noted another group would come next summer and then another group the following summer. Lakey stated these students want a degree from the United States. They look at the colleges and universities in the US that they can go to. They selected UNK. Expected graduation rate is 92%. One of the things that will be so attractive about them when they return home is their skill of the English language, although many of them would like to remain here. When asked where they would be housed, Lakey noted that hopefully they would be matched with American students. Kucera noted that during the summer, they would all be in East Towers. Kucera noted they are going to try and get students to sign up for rooming with the Japanese students rather than just placing them together. Jerry Fox stated they are also looking for host families as contacts (but not live with them) where they can get a taste of American culture during the holidays, etc. Ellingson suggested that as a part of “Making A Difference” in the fall, they have a mini workshop put on by one of the Japanese counselors.
- Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned (Kucera/Mitchell) at 11:20 a.m.