University of Nebraska Kearney

Staff Senate Minutes - January 20, 1998

Employee of the Month: The Employee of the Month Award was presented to Rochelle Krueger.

Present: Marilyn Anderson, Dennis Choplin, Sue Downey, Dee Ellingson, Shelly Fleck, Rex Kendall, Anita Kucera, John Lakey, Kathy Livingston, Bonnie Mumm, Stephen Robinson, Jane Sheldon, Judy Spellman.

Absent: None.

1. The meeting was called to order.

2. The agenda was adopted. Downey/Ellingson.

3. The December minutes were approved as amended.

4. Unfinished Business
   1. Crisis Leave - Lakey presented a finalized version of the Crisis Leave Policy. The only change to the policy was that vacation could not be donated on the last day of the year. General sessions for explanation of the Crisis Leave Policy will be on February 11 at 10:00 a.m. in the Ockinga Auditorium and February 12 at 2:30 p.m. in Copeland Hall Multi-Media Room. Policy and forms will be available in the Human Resource Office and via e-mail.
   2. 1997 Annual Report Update - Kucera discussed items to be discussed when the report is presented.
      1. Continued effort to include Staff Senate on search committees, grievance committees, etc.
      2. Continued concern regarding budget, allocations, salaries.
      3. Continued communication development.

5. Committee Reports
   1. Professional Development - Jane Sheldon
      1. Review of 1997
      2. 1998 Goals Established
         1. Assist in development of employee skills for classification and compensation.
         2. Identify training needs.
         3. Implement new employee orientation/mentoring.
         4. Create method for quick UNK tour implementation i.e. web or CD-ROM.
         5. Providing individual department meetings to supplement Human Resources and Business Services instructions for new staff.
         6. Training sessions/seminars using staff.
         7. Support of the EAP/Wellness program.
         8. Meet with Council of Chairs - John Dinsmore
            Program Directors - attend their meeting.
         9. Chamber of Commerce use of tour of Kearney video for new staff.
         10. Set monthly meeting time.
   2. Employee Recognition - Mumm
      Goals for 1998 - Research other ways to recognize employees.
      1. Departmental EOM.
      2. Recognition of good deeds.
      3. Display location of plaque for greater visibility.
      4. Continue to pursue an award similar to the Pratt-Heins for staff.
      5. Create a Foundation award and pursue method of financing similar to Staff Scholarship.
      6. Encourage staff attendance at the Service Awards Luncheon.
   3. Procedures Committee - Downey
      Review the current bylaws.
      1. Amend to change meeting length to one and a half hours.
      2. Modify the timing of election dates.
   4. Grievance Committee - Lakey
      1. Grievance committee consists of nine members appointed for three years.
      2. A three member panel selected from these names to hear a grievance when needed.
      3. Grievance forum has only been used once in six years.
      4. Suggested possiblity of revision of staff handbook to establish 12 members of the Staff Senate as the standing grievance committee (no handbook to cover administration). Procedures Committee will review.
   5. Facilities Search - Mumm
      1. January 15 - Begin review of candidate pool.
      2. End of January - Recommendations to Randy Haack.
   6. Academic Advisor - Robinson
      1. Pleased with the search pool.
      2. Mary Daake was hired as Coordinator of Academic Advising.
   7. Computer Services Director - Robinson
      1. First candidate interview on January 20.
      2. Second candidiate interview on January 23.
      3. Third candidate interview on January 29.
      4. Fourth candidate - To be announced.
      5. Pay was problematic in the first search.
   8. Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Gender Equity - Robinson
      1. Will coordinate efforts of diversity and gender equity.
      2. L. Dennis Smith felt these issues were important enough to create a new position.
      3. Plan to have position filled within 60 days.
   9. Information and Technology - Livingston
      1. Strategic Planning
   10. Residence and Greek Life Search - Kendall
       1. Plan to interview in late March
       2. Start date in June or July

6. New Business
   1. Role of Office Staff Advisory Council (OSAC) with Staff Senate (SS)
      1. Will add members of OSAC to SS committees.
         1. To create better communication.
         2. To avoid duplication of effort.

7. Announcements - Next meeting will be February 17 at 10:00 a.m. in the Art Gallery of the Nebraskan.

8. Adjournment - Mumm/Kendall