University of Nebraska Kearney

Staff Senate Minutes - May 18, 1999

Employee of the Month: Cherie Frerichs - Secretary in the Department of Modern Languages.

Present: Dave Bargen, Dennis Choplin, Dee Ellingson, Shelly Fleck, John Lakey, Kathy Livingston, Tim McMullen, Mike Miller, Bonnie Mumm, Sue Petersen and Jane Sheldon.

Absent: Carol Hines.

1. Call to Order

2. Adoption of Agenda (Livingston/Fleck).

3. Minutes were approved as amended.

4. Unfinished Business
   1. Summer Activity
      Mumm reported that the Employee Recognition Committee recommends keeping the summer event as a fun activity and not have a speaker. The suggestion was to have a breakfast/lunch get-to-gether. The committee also suggested it be coordinated with Residence Life during summer orientation. If they are planning any entertainment, it could be done out in the courtyard in coordination with the lunch. This would provide interaction between the parents, students, faculty and staff and could emphasis the part staff plays in recruitment/retention. The date for the event will be Thursday, July 1st. Mumm stated the Employee Recognition Committee would work out the details.
      Last year Admission had their usual skit and entertainment during the luncheon. If the entertainment is not scheduled yet, members make some suggestions to the planning group. Mumm noted she would make some contacts. Lakey said Rex Kendall would be the one to contact this year.

5. Committee and Search Reports.
   1. Technology Advisory Committee
      Bargen reported he had attended his first meeting and there was a presentation about the UNK Website. They have redesigned it and are trying to get away from graphics, which take too long to download. He showed the committee a draft of the home page and noted it will be more user friendly. The committee also viewed other websites, like Lincoln's and Omaha's. Mumm asked if the example they were seeing would be on every department's website. Livingston said this would be the home page and then they would be setting up several templates from which departments could choose to design their home page. Petersen asked if departments were going to be required to use one of those, instead of creating their own. Bargen said that seems to be the plan. Bargen commented that in his office they had just redone the home page. The committee noted if departments have just done that, they would look at them and be sure they were acceptable. Livingston stated there was a discussion within the committee as to whether everyone would have to conform to the templates or whether they would just have the front entry page and then everyone could do their own thing. She stated most wanted everyone to use the templates. There were some that did not want to do that and wanted to turn creativity loose. Several Senate members felt it might be boring if everything is alike. It was suggested there could be a compromise where the division pages were uniform, but the individual departments could do their own thing. However there should be some guidelines as to colors and professional standards. Nowadays there are tools out there that make it easier for departments to design their own pages. The question was raised about where this ends as far as web servers. Some departments have their own; will they have to follow these guidelines? Livingston said she didn't know; they haven't talked about that. The question was raised as to whether or not to send a letter to the committee in support of individualization for departments. Bargen was asked to take the Senate's concerns to the next meeting.

6. New Business
   1. Committee Appointments.
      Mumm mentioned that Steve Robinson has taken a position in Oklahoma so he has resigned from the Staff Senate. His replacement will be the person next in line from the last election. The Election Committee will be in charge of providing that information at the next meeting.
      1. Professional Conduct
         Mumm opened the floor for nominations for the two representatives for the Professional Conduct Committee and noted they must be either managerial/professional or other administrative positions. However all members are to vote. Those elected will only serve until December 31, 1999. After that the one-year term will be from January 1 to December 31st.
         McMullen/Livingston nominated Sue Petersen. Ellingson/McMullen nominated Kathy Livingston. Fleck/Livingston nominated McMullen. Lakey conducted the election. Petersen and Livingston will serve on the committee. The secretary was instructed to inform Faculty Senate President David Clark of the selections.
      2. U-Wide Benefits
         Due to the resignation of Renee Besse, there needs to be an appointment of a managerial/professional representative from UNK on the U-Wide Benefits Committee. Mumm stated that individual would be expected to attend a minimum of four meetings a year, usually in Lincoln. The meetings start at nine in the morning and last till about 1 p.m. They discuss retirement and insurance plans as far as any changes, as well as employee wellness in relation to the newsletter provided and the possibility of U-Wide programs. John Lakey and Cheryl Bressington are ad hoc members of the committee and normally Bressington attends. The Chancellor will make the appointment, but would like some names submitted for consideration.
         A discussion was held as to whether to forward names of Senate members or other individuals on campus. The Senate decided to forward the names of Amy Charland, Rex Kendall, and Jean Clayton. Lakey will contact each to see if they would be willing to have their name submitted. Lakey noted whoever is chosen should be asked to report to the Senate after each meeting.

   2. Staff Inclusion
      Mumm mentioned that earlier in the year the Psychology Department received the U-Wide Outstanding Department Teaching Award. During the process of the awards, there was a luncheon. The faculty was invited to the luncheon, but the staff was not. The faculty asked that their staff be included. They were told no. The department made several requests to Central Administration and finally got permission for staff to attend. Also when pictures were taken Central Administration restricted it to just faculty. The department had a second picture taken which included Ellingson. Both pictures were provided locally whenever the department was asked for a picture.
      Ellingson had brought the matter to the Senate in case it should come up again in the future. She stated she would hate to have any staff miss out on such an honor and some departments might not make it an issue.
      After some discussion, it was decided that Ellingson would visit with Dr. Miller, chair of the department, and ask him to present this matter to Faculty Senate and inform them that Staff Senate is interested in working with them to improve the recognition process. It is hoped that they will be willing to contact Faculty Senates on other campuses and Staff Senate could contact similar organizations on the other campuses as well. The Executive Committee could also bring this to the Chancellor's attention at the next quarterly meeting.
      It was suggested the Psychology Department should be thanked for their efforts to include staff in their recognition. It was decided to send a letter to Dr. Miller.

7. Announcements
   1. Walk Out On Your Job - Wednesday, May 19. Those who wish to participate should meet at the fountain at 11:35 a.m.

8. Adjournment was at 11:40 a.m. (Fleck/Bargen)

The next meeting will be June 15 at 10:30 a.m.