University of Nebraska Kearney

Staff Senate Minutes - December 19, 2000

Employee of the Month: Suzanne Petersen, Assistant Director, Counseling Center.

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

Absent:
Managerial/Professional -- Kucera
Office -- Jones
Service -- Hines, Wilson

1. Call to Order

2. Adoption of Agenda
   1. Agenda
      Revised Agenda Adopted. Roggasch (McMullen).

3. Minutes and Correspondence
   1. Minutes of the November 21, 2000 meeting were approved as printed.

   2. The secretary read a thank you note from Cyndi Schroeder who was Employee of the Month in November.

4. Unfinished Business
   1. None

5. Committee and Search Reports
   1. Employee Recognition
      Since the chair of the committee was absent, Michelle Roggasch reported that both the Employee of the Month and the Department of the Month for January and February had been selected. The chair of the committee this year is Carol Hines.

   2. Professional Development
      Ellingson reported they met on December 13th and set the following goals:
      1. Oversee the Mentoring Program which will be implemented in January. Evaluate the program in June or July and if needed make recommendations to the committee.
      2. Continue with "Let's Have Lunch", but add a special activity/presentation quarterly to the event.
      3. Revitalize the "Connections Program" on Campus.
      4. Develop a "Golden Apple" Award for staff - nominations to be made by students.
      5. Oversee the "Making a Difference" event.

      Ellingson stated ideas for "Let's Have Lunch" events included presentations on the World Affairs Conference, on a quilt display at Mona, the campus vision for the next five years, and a cooking demo during the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays. Ellingson credited Kucera for the idea of the "Golden Apple" award and noted Kucera will further develop that idea. It was decided the committee will meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2:30 p.m. Ellingson was elected chair.

   3. Mentoring
      Ellingson noted they met on December 7th. One of the main discussions was about the workshop that was held on November 17th. She noted they did revise a letter she had composed to send to new hires that joined UNK since July 1st, but prior to the January implementation of the program. Ellingson stated she would be sending letters to 25 employees, asking them if they would like to have mentors. The committee also updated a letter for supervisors. She noted whenever there is a mentor match, a letter will be sent to both the supervisor of the new employee and the supervisor of the mentor. She noted that later today, is the first of the mentor tours. Participants will visit most buildings on both the east and west campus. Two additional tours are planned the first week of January. Any mentor who has not taken the tour yet was told to get in touch with Linda Clark. Ellingson noted they didn't elect a chair at the meeting, since only about half of the committee was able to attend. That will be on the agenda for the next meeting, which will be January 24th. She noted this is later in the month than usual but she felt they should meet at the end of the month since January is the first month for the program and they may need to discuss how things are going.

   4. Information Technology
      Livingston summarized a report she had received from Dave Bargen. The meeting was held in the new computer lab on the main floor of the Library. The committee was given a demonstration as to how the lab is used for English 101 and 102 classes for library training. The lab went on line in October and was designed for demonstrations. There is also a projector in the lab and the master computer which can control student computers to ensure students are doing the activities during the demonstrations. There is also a study area to the side where laptop computer jacks are available. In addition, air conditioning will be needed and that will be done in the next few months. The area is also designed with a sound system, which aids students who have hearing and learning disabilities.

   5. Learning Center
      Mitchell said the committee meets weekly and conducts interviews with various individuals who are involved in the Learning Center. By the first part of February, they are to have a report for the Chancellor.

   6. Search - Vice Chancellor Student Life
      Livingston shared a report from Bargen on this search. The committee has met twice; both were organizational meetings to set time lines, interview questions, and duties, etc. The plan is to have recommendations to the Chancellor by the first part of March. Dr. Harrold is chair of that committee. Roggasch stated he reported yesterday to the Administrative Council and stated they have had 19 applications and will start reviewing on January 8th. They plan to have the short list by January 22nd.

   7. Search - Dean Business and Technology
      Livingston stated she serves on this committee and they have had their organizational meeting. The advertising has gone out on the position and they will begin meeting in mid-January. Currently on the committee are Jan Barton-Zimmerman, Rich Glotzer, Laurie Swinney, Larry Kuskie, Kyle Luthans, Bruce Elder, Kay Payne, Ryan Samuelson, Don Carpenter, Vani Kotcherlakota, Randy Haack, Ken Nikels, chair; and Jon Abegglen from Wells Fargo Bank who is the external member. There is a possibility that others might be added.

   8. Office/Service Dependent Scholarship
      Ellingson stated although she is not on the committee Billy Rayburn sent her some information on the aluminum can drives. In April they took in cans amounting to $47.60, in July $77.00, and in November it dropped to $25.00 partly due to the weather conditions and postponements. Rayburn suggested it would be helpful if a committee meeting could be held to discuss future drives, promotions, logistics, etc. Since Rayburn is not a Staff Senate member, she can not call a meeting. Livingston noted that Lakey would be getting that committee organized.

6. New Business
   1. Election - Professional Conduct
      Livingston noted that according to the by-laws, at the December meeting we are to elect two members to serve on this committee. She read the portion of the bylaws relating to that election. Lakey conducted the election. Livingston nominated Ron Roth and Tim Danube. Mitchell seconded the motion. There being no other nominations, a voice vote was taken to approve the nominations of Roth and Danube to serve on the Professional Conduct Committee. Vote was unanimous. Livingston will notify the chair of the committee. Livingston stated we might want to change the time of service, noting that Faculty Senate has now changed their calendar year to run from June 1st to May 30th. Livingston stated when the Procedures Committee meets, they may want to address that issue. Livingston asked if we should change our year to coincide with theirs. Livingston said she thought they did that to coincide with the academic year which the other Faculty Senates within the university do. She noted it would be easier to conduct an election during that time of year. Ellingson noted that would be a problem with our current member terms. Livingston stated it would be something to think about.

   2. Agenda
      Ellingson stated she had received a request that all committees be listed on the agenda - even if we are not sure if they have a report. At the meeting, we can pose the question if there is a report. Then if the chair of the committee is not in attendance, ask another member of the committee to report on any activity. One of the reasons for this would be than we don't have to amend the agenda if a committee was not listed and has a report and another reason is to expose the campus to what committees Staff Senate is involved in. Ellingson noted she did call and find out that Faculty Senate does list all committees on their agenda. They do have a practice of calling on committee members to report if the chair is not there. Roggasch said she felt we should do that also; every board or committee she has been on has had this practice and there is an update each time. Livingston asked about the sub-committees also. Roggasch noted Staff Senate has a lot of committees, but she felt the sub-committees should be listed also if you want a report. General consensus was to do this. Livingston stated then she will not send out a note ahead of time asking for notice of reports, she will just list all the committees and everyone is expected to report on any activity. However Livingston noted members will still have to contact her to get other items on the agenda. Ellingson said she felt that the chair of any committee should be expected to give a report and she suggested if the chair is not going to be at the Staff Senate meeting, they appoint someone to report.

7. Announcements
   1. Activities/Events:
      1. First Aid/Adult CPR
      2. Humor Workshop - January 23rd
      3. Martin Luther King Bell Walk - January 11th
      4. Dr. Joseph White (invited speaker) - January 15th. 7 p.m.
      5. Charles Fort - Poetry - January 12th at MONA
      6. Darryl Van Leer (speaker for Black History Month) - February 15th
      7. Dave Pelzer (sponsored by Leadership Development Council) - February 28th
      8. Herman Boone (sponsored by for Student Activities Council) - March 29th

   2. Staff Senate - next meeting January 16th

   3. Miscellaneous
      Roggasch informed the group that the EEOC has stated that any insurance plan that does not cover birth control is a form of discrimination. She wondered when the University would change their insurance policy on the matter. Lakey said he is sure the University will be looking at the matter from a legal standpoint. He noted it would not hurt to contact our U-Wide Benefit Committee members and request that it be presented at the next meeting. Staff representatives are Mary Tiedeman or Joyce Miller. The matter will be a Staff Senate agenda item in February.

      Roggasch was asked how the Massage Sessions went. She noted that they had 47 participants in spite of the cold weather. She stated there were very good responses from participants and the therapists asked when UNK would be doing this again. The Health and Wellness Task Force is talking about doing it in the Spring. Roggasch noted they are also looking into a grant so they could provide it as a free service to students during dead week. She noted that she was told by Jerome Clyne, massage therapist, that UNL has two massage therapists on staff, full-time. Other therapists who participated in the Massage Sessions were Jim Baer, Christine Schulz, and Jeanne Limbach.

8. Adjourn
   The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m. Roggasch (Roth)