University of Nebraska Kearney

Staff Senate Minutes - June 19, 2001

Employee of the Month: Dixie Larson, Staff Secretary III, AA/EO and Dual Career Program.

Present:
Directors -- Livingston, Roth, Roggasch
Managerial/Professional -- McMullen
Office -- Ellingson, Jones, Mitchell
Service -- Hines, Lange
Ex Officio -- Lakey

Absent:
Directors -- None
Managerial/Professional -- Danube, Kucera
Service -- Wilson

1. Call to Order

2. Adoption of Agenda
   1. Lakey asked to have Salary Notifications listed under Unfinished Business

   2. Amended Agenda Adopted (Roggasch/Lange)

3. Minutes and Correspondence
   1. Ellingson read a thank-you note from Kayla James, May Employee of the Month

   2. Minutes of the May 15, 2001 meeting were approved as written.

4. Unfinished Business
   1. Salary Notifications
      Lakey stated the Budget Office and the HR Office are working hard to get all the salary information loaded into the system so the salary notifications can be generated. He noted if everything goes well, those letters should be distributed next week. The plan is to have the staff letters given to the vice chancellors who will pass them down so the supervisors should be handing out those letters. If you have questions about your new salary, you should visit with your supervisor. The supervisors will be given a list of their employees’ salaries. Hopefully they were in on the decision when the salaries were determined. Roggasch asked if it was a little later than usual. Lakey said a little since this was the long session of the Legislature. The Board has to wait until the budget is approved. The Board meets this Friday so letters could not be released prior to that.

5. Committee and Search Reports
   1. Election Committee – no report

   2. Employee Recognition
      Hines reminded everyone to get the SAFE Award nominations in to Lakey’s office by June 29th. Livingston noted the nomination form is available on the web; she also has one copy with her. Members noted several individuals told them that there were employees they wanted to nominate. Calls may be made to those individuals to remind them of the deadline. Hines also noted they need additional nominations too for Employee of the Month and Department of the Month. Livingston noted that the Department of the Month is basically left up to the Employee Recognition Committee. She stated if anyone knows of a department that should be recognized, please contact Hines. She also noted they are always willing to recognize whomever they can. It is a little easier to nominate a department since there is no form to fill out. The form for Employee of the Month is on the web. Hines noted DOM is really fun. The departments are always so tickled and they really enjoy the candy. Livingston noted that this month it was the Registrar’s Office.

      Hines reported the Staff Appreciation Celebration will be Friday, June 29th. She stated she will be putting the information out across campus soon. There will be a continental breakfast in the morning in the Atrium. At lunchtime there will be a mall picnic held north of the fountain. The Radliff family will provide the entertainment. Livingston encouraged members to participate and act as hosts.

   3. Performance Management - no report

   4. Procedures Committee McMullen noted the revised bylaws went into effect May 1. McMullen noted he submitted them to Wilson last week so they should be on the web soon. He stated the revised bylaws included the last change for the elections date for the Professional Conduct Committee to coincide with Faculty Senate’s elections. McMullen stated they are caught up right now. Livingston noted that sometime the committee needs to review the Regental Bylaws. They are supposed to be reviewed once a year.

   5. Professional Development Committee
      Ellingson noted the committee did not meet last month due to meeting conflicts. However they will meet tomorrow. The agenda will center on the Advanced Connections Training. She noted there have already been some sessions and there are more scheduled. The sessions have been changed to only one three-hour session. Members will also consider whether or not to offer the Connections Program to workstudy students, other student workers, and GAs. If so, the committee needs to decide if they want students to help with the training. Those students would need to be trained also. The committee will also start setting dates for the Connections sessions.

      Ellingson noted she was out-of-town last week when Let’s Have Lunch was held at MONA. She was told there was a good turnout and the weather was nice and warm. Roth noted there were about 25 people who came. They ate in the Sculpture Garden even though it was a little warm. Hines made a quilt cake for the occasion. Ellingson noted they would try and go there again since there was such a good response.

   6. Office/Service Dependent Scholarship Committee
      Mitchell noted the committee did not meet, but she read a thank-you card from Kara Mitchell.

   7. Making a Difference Subcommittee
      Mitchell noted they met last month, but she was not able to attend. She noted things are moving along nicely. A theme for this year was selected – “Making A Difference In Our Community”. They are setting up the breakout sessions, but as yet do not have a keynote speaker. If anyone has ideas, please pass those along to the committee.

   8. Mentoring Subcommittee
      Ellingson stated she was out-of-town when the Mentoring Reception was held on the 14th. She noted Hines took over and did all the things Ellingson asked her to do in her place and did them very well. There were 33 individuals who signed the guest book, but Ellingson stated there were probably more there since not everyone takes time to sign the book. She stated they had hoped for more, but since it was during the summer and the first time to be held, members felt it was a success. During the reception, John Rinaker, vice chair, said a few words. Ellingson stated that she had hoped more administration would have attended although she understands VC Haack did attend. She stated she has not seen the guest book yet, but understands that at least one Dean, Ken Nikels, was in attendance. Others in attendance were mostly mentors and their proteges. Livingston noted that there were a lot of administration and deans on vacation last week. Ellingson apologized for not being there, but noted her daughter who had recently had twins needed a little more assistance. Members stated it was a very nice reception and commented on the great refreshments.

   9. Information Technology - no report

   10. Strategic Planning – no report

6. New Business
   1. None

7. Announcements
   Next Meeting – July 17, 2001, at 10:30 a.m. in the Oak Room

8. Adjourn
   The meeting was adjourned (Roggasch/Mitchell) at 10:53 a.m