University of Nebraska Kearney

Staff Senate Minutes - April, 1997

Employee of the Month: Bonnie Mumm was presented the Award at the opening of the meeting.

Present: Marilyn Andersen, Sue Bettermann, Sue Downey, Terry Fraley, Mike Heffernan, Carleen Jurgensen, Anita Kucera, John Lakey, Kathy Livingston, Glennis Nagel, Jane Sheldon, Judy Spellman and Judy Willett.

Absent: No one.

Guest: Bonnie Mumm and Deb Schroeder.

Guest Presentation: Deb Schroeder, interim director of Computer Services, provided information to the Senate regarding the move from the university providing internet services to making the internet available to university personnel through external internet service providers. Computer Services has issued a request for proposals from area internet service providers. Those who respond will be evaluated, and based on the evaluations, Computer Services will award "preferred provider" status to those who can best provide internet services, i.e., there will be multiple "preferred providers" for university personnel to contract with for the services. August is the target date for implementaiton. Other providers could be given "preferred provider" status as they meet university criteria.

1. The Staff Senate meeting agenda was approved. (Carleen/Marilyn)

2. Minutes of the March meeting were approved. (Judy W./Kathy)
   Minutes will be provided to Staff Senate members in advance of each meeting as is the policy with committee reports.

3. Reports of Standing Committees.
   1. Committtee on Committees. No report.
   2. Election Committee. No report.
   3. Employee Recognition Committee. (Judy W.) EOM recipient for June has been selected. The committee is reviewing the history of the Pratt-Heins Service Award for staff and is looking at establishing an annual award for staff. Dee Ellingson was announced as the May EOM.
   4. Executive Committee. (Anita) Based on Executive Committee discussions, Anita asked that the Procedures Committee review and rewrite sections of the Staff Senate bylaws to reflect proposed changes suggested by the Executive Committee. Those changes would include: 1- Staff Senate meetings will be conducted using appropriate parliamentary procedures. 2- In the absence of the secretary, the vice chair will serve as secretary. 3- Staff Senate minutes will be approved as part of the regular meeting.
   5. Performance Management Committee. The university-wide committee on fringe benefits "wish list" was discussed. Because of the associated costs and the number of users, some items will not be included on the "wish list." UNK representatives on that committee include Renee Besse, managerial, and Mary Tiedeman, office/service. Long-term care is a possible consideration for a fringe benefit. TIAA-CREF has a long-term care policy available. Marilyn reported on "wish list" items that had been suggested in the past. Mike Heffernan resigned as committee chair.
   6. Procedures Committee. (Carleen) The Procedures Committee will meet April 24 to review the Employee Handbook for managerial and office/service personnel. Appreciation was expressed by Staff Senate for Judy Spellman's development of a handbook of parliamentary procedure for Staff Senate members.
   7. Professional Development Committee. (Sue B./Jane) Sue noted that there was discussion regarding snowdays policies and procedures, and asked about the possibility of using phone-mail messages to inform personnel regarding campus closings. Jane also discussed notification procedures for tornado warnings or bomb threats.

4. In other, unfinished business.
   1. John reported that Staff Senate will be linked to the Human Resources website. He suggested that Staff Senate develop an ad hoc committee to work with him to develop the site information.
   2. Anita reported that the Staff Senate brochures were available for dissemination and that stationery was being developed.
   3. Sue B. announced that she had the university logo available on disk. Judy S. also has it on disk.
   4. As a point of information, it was noted that the UNL Academic Senate has been discussing the university's six-month sick leave policy, which includes a provision for the university to conduct the cost of paying for a substitute.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m. (Carleen/Sue B.)