University of Nebraska Kearney

Staff Senate Minutes - October 21, 1997

Employee of the Month: Jeanne Cutler, coordinator of assessment for the Office of Academic Affairs.

Present: Marilyn Andersen, Sue Betterman, Susan Downey, Dee Ellingson, Mike Heffernan, Carleen Jurgensen, Anita Kucera, John Lakey, Kathy Livingston, Bonnie Mumm, Glennis Nagel, Jane Sheldon, and Judy Spellman.

Absent: None.

Guest Presentation: Dr. Richard Glotzer of Family Studies & Interior Design spoke to the Senate about plans for day-care on the campus. He discussed the need to expand the Family Studies & Interior Design pre-school, especially in terms of gender equity. He also wants to expand the services to a day-long program, which would enhance the teaching function of the facility. The expanded services would make it possible to serve a wider range of ages of children.

1. The meeting was called to order by Kucera, chair.

2. The agenda was adopted, Spellman/Jurgensen.

3. The minutes of the September meeting were accepted as amended.

4. Unfinished Business:
   1. Kucera asked that committees review goals and projects for the year and build a list of those goals/projects yet to be achieved/accomplished.
   2. Kucera requested that final committee reports be to her by Friday for inclusion in her annual report to the Chancellor.

5. Staff Senate Committee Reports:
   1. Election Committee. Livingston reported that elections had been completed. She also noted that a number of nominees chose not to run for Staff Senate, because they felt that their workload would not permit them to have the necessary time to participate fully. Newly elected members include Bonnie Mumm, administrative assistant to the vice chancellor for Administration and Finance, Dr. Stephen Robinson, associate vice chancellor for Enrollment Services; Rex Kendall, assistant director in the Office of Residence and Greek Life; and Dennis Choplin, lead Facilities operator.
   2. Performance Management Committee. Bettermann reported that the committee had set up a wish list for the statewide benefits committee. Among the benefits discussed were tuition remission, flexible work schedules, on-campus day-care, and pay for performance.
   3. Procedures Committee. Jurgensen reported on five goals/projects the committee had had this year:
      1. Reviewed employee handbook by the end of April.
      2. Revised Staff Senate Bylaws by September 3.
      3. Reviewed the Board of Regents Bylaws.
      4. Reviewed Faculty Senate Bylaws with special attention to composition of the Professional Conduct Committee.
      5. Recommended that a Staff Senate member serve on the Professional Conduct Committee.
      6. Worked with crisis leave, which was approved by the Regents.
   4. Employee Recognition Committee. Mumm reported that the committee had worked on the following:
      1. Assumed full responsibility for Employee of the Month processes.
      2. Reviewed the history of the Pratt-Heins Award with the goal of reinstating the award for staff. Possible Foundation support was discussed.
      3. Looked at possibilities for an endowed fund to support a staff award. More work will be done on this initiative.
   5. Professional Development Committee. Sheldon reviewed
      1. The snowday dismissal processes in place to augment what had been done. Information regarding snowdays announcements is printed in the campus telephone directory this year, and the campus voice mail system will be utilized to inform the campus.
      2. Pay for performance issues have been discussed in both the Professional Development Committee and in the Performance Management Committee.
      3. A mentoring system for new employees was discussed in the committee and is in the development stages at this time.
      4. Mini-workshops were reviewed in the committee in terms of possible workshops to be offered for various groups.

6. New Business:
   1. Committee representative requested. Committee representation was requested to work on the day-care issue. Betterman and Lakey were selected to serve on the committee.
   2. The next guest speaker scheduled for Senate is Randy Haack, vice chancellor for Administration and Finance.
   3. In December, Spellman will present a program on Roberts Rules of Order.

7. Announcements:
   1. Kucera noted that the election of officers for the coming year will take place at the next meeting and committees will be reorganized to accommodate the election of new members to the Staff Senate.

8. Adjournment:
   1. The meeting adjourned, Livingston/Spellman at 10:50 a.m.