Staff Senate Minutes - May 16, 2006
10:30 a.m., 310, Nebraskan
Present:
Administrative: Kauders, Schroeder
Managerial/Professional: Benitz, Morehouse, Schaffnitt
Service: Geiger, Uden
Office: Beerbohm, Meier, Weed
Absent:
Administrative: Bressington
Service: Rinaker
Ex-Officio: Lakey
Recognition of Employee of the Month –– Brian Spradlin , Web Presence Coordinator, Office of Communications
Recognition of the Department of the Month –– UNK Rodeo Club - Donna Posusta , (will be presented later this fall)
I. Call to Order & Introductions- Benitz
II. Adoption of Agenda – Kauders, Morehouse
III. Minutes of April 18, 2006 meeting – Beerbohm, Geiger
IV. Financial Report – Kauders reported on the balances of each of the Staff Senate accounts.
Excellent revenue from the Administrative Professionals Day!
V. Correspondence – An email was received with a concern about the difficulty locating activities on the UNK Calendar of Events. Benitz will contact the Office of Communications and determine the best way to get the word out about advertising on the Calendar of Events. Two possible solutions might be a regular email similar to Student Bulletin or emailing campus events directly from Communications.
VI. Unfinished Business
A. Past President Ex-officio Member- The Executive Committee feels it would be beneficial to have a position of "Past President" to advise the current president and executive committee. The "Past President" would serve for one year and could be a full member of the Staff Senate if his/her term had not expired. In the event the term expired, the Past President would become an ex-officio member of the Staff Senate and Executive Committee. The Senate unanimously voted to have the Procedures Committee draft an update to the bylaws. Benitz will contact the Procedures Committee about the proposed change.
B. July Celebration Breakfast – Planned for June 30 – 7:00 – 8:30 – Nebraskan Student Union - Weed reported that the veranda outside the Union has been reserved with the Food Court reserved as rain site. All staff are invited and encouraged to attend. FREE FOOD!!!!!
VII. Committee Reports
A. Employee Recognition Committee – Weed reported that a June EOM and DOM had not yet been determined. The ERC (as stated in New Business) is coordinating the Celebration Breakfast. We still need nominations!!! New Treat Box assignments; June – Joni; JoLene - July; Fauneil – August; Joni – September; Jan – October; (Still need November); Jamie – December
B. Mentoring Subcommittee – Administrative Professional Day Pots was a great success! The committee sold 115 pots profiting approximately $282.73. Great job Mentoring! If you know of any ideas for next years’ event please let us know!
C. Office/Service Dependent Scholarship Committee – Lakey reported that the $1000.00 scholarship has been awarded but at this time. He will wait until next months’ meeting to release the name(s) of recipient(s) to insure the recipients are notified first. One was selected to receive $200 one was selected to receive $300 and one was selected to receive $500. The difference in amounts was made due to other scholarships some are receiving, their needs are different and one has only one semester to complete. Although the intent when the scholarship was created was to give a maximum of four $250 scholarships and no more than $500 to any one applicant, this wording is not part of the criteria for the members of the scholarship committee. The Senate needed to decide if the Scholarship Committee, at their discretion, chooses the recipient dependent on need and other scholarship awarded. The Senate agreed as long as one recipient did not receive any more than $500.00.
D. Information Technology Advisory Committee –.Schroeder reported the committee met in April and established two sub-committees. One sub-committee will identify and prioritize "infrastructure" needs. The second sub-committee will review and revise and policy for allocating student technology fee funds.
VIII. New Business
A. Review & Update of By laws
1. Following election of officers the new service year will begin May 1
2. Who will contact new replacement members
3. Who will conduct elections in absence of Ex-Officio
4. Issue of creating a position that will enable “mentor” for the incoming President. Individual will be Ex-Officio attending both Executive and Regular Staff Senate Meetings.
B. Election of Vice-President – Lakey was given the nomination of Deb Schroeder – the vote was unanimous to accept Deb as the new Vice President.
C. Staff Senate Replacement - Deb Gilbertson will join Staff Senate as the replacement for John Rinaker.
D. Staff Senate Data - Currently the Staff Senate data is collected and stored on a Zip Disk. The Information Technology Department has been contacted about setting up a share account for use by all Senate members.
E. Goals - Benitz requested members to bring goals to next meeting. You may want to review May 2005 meeting Staff Senate Goals (taken from May, 2005 minutes) – Newton asked the Senate to begin thinking about the goals for 2006. Newton noted from the Executive Committee meeting that the Senate could be more vocal with issues. Try to be more of an advocate for the staff and bring to the administration the needs of all employees. Possibly look at revamping the by-laws. Rinaker asked if we could use the survey as a tool to find out what the staff needs are. Lakey mentioned that it will be a difficult task to administer to all classifications on the senate, but that the main issues, benefits & salaries will be across the board with all employees. Bressington mentioned that senate should try and meet with the Chancellor on a regular (monthly/quarterly) basis. By meeting with him on a regular basis and keeping him up to date with ideas and thoughts the better it will serve the campus. Please continue to think about the goals for Staff Senate. We will continue to work on these this summer.
IX. Announcements
A. Next Meeting – Tuesday, June 20@ 10:30 a.m. Sisler Room, MSAB
X. Adjourn – Meeting was adjourned at 11:35 p.m. – Morehouse, Kauders