Staff Senate Minutes - August 15, 2006
10:30 a.m., Room 310, Nebraskan Student Union
Present:
Administrative: Bressington, Kauders, Schroeder
Managerial/Professional: Benitz, Morehouse, Schaffnitt
Service: Geiger, Gilbertson, Uden
Office: Beerbohm, Meier, Weed
Ex-Officio: Bressington
Recognition of Employee of the Month –– Lynn Bedke, Custodian, College of Education
Recognition of the Department of the Month –– Accounts Payable
I. Call to Order & Introductions- Benitz
II. Adoption of Agenda – Bressington/Morehouse
III. Minutes of July 18, 2006 meeting – Approved with changes - Kauders/Morehouse
IV. Financial Report – Approved - Bressington/Schaffnitt
V. Correspondence - None
VI. Unfinished Business
EOM Plaque at the Nebraskan Student Union - Morehouse and Benitz reviewed the display case and determined that we can add an additional four plaques of similar size without removing prior selections. A motion was made to have two new plaques made and placed into the case. Kauders/Geiger
VII. Committee Reports
A. Election Committee – No Report
B. Employee Recognition Committee – Weed - reported that Employee of the Month nominations are in good shape but still need Department of the Month nominations.
C. Performance Management Committee – No Report
D. Procedures Committee – Schroeder - reported that the committee reviewed the current by-laws and that there are five topics of discussion for the Senate.
1 ) In the event of an elected seat being vacated the President will consult the Election Committee and the seat will be award to the staff member who place next highest in the election.
**2 ) New officer start date (May 1 of each subsequent year).
3 ) In the event of Human Resource Director's absence , he/she will designate an out-going member of Staff Senate to conduct the actual election and/or any portions there of.
4 ) Ex-Officio President -If the immediate past-president is not re-elected to Staff Senate, that individual will come a non-voting ex-officio member for the year immediately following his/her presidency.
5 ) Removing Making a Difference and making Mentoring a Committee.
** (New officer start date - has already been updated in By-Laws)
A motion was presented and passed (Bressington/Kauders) to change each of the by-laws as noted. A final draft will be sent to all members for approval.
E. Professional Development Committee – Bressington - the Open House for the Loper Office Makeover in the Graduate Admissions office is scheduled August 30, 1 - 3 p.m.
1. Making a Difference Subcommittee - with the dissolution of this Sub Committee we will reorganize the Pepsi Applications to be used elsewhere in Staff Senate.
2. Mentoring Subcommittee - Schroeder/Uden - The committee will be meeting at 11:30 today - gearing up for the season
F. Office/Service Dependent Scholarship Committee – Bressington - Received a report from Billy Rayburn and the Recycling efforts netted a total $259.00. The recycling will once again be held 3 times each semester - dates for this semester will be September 6- 8; November 1 - 3 and December 11 - 13. Because of more plastic bottle machines and fewer can vending machines the Senate will need to begin looking at another source for scholarship revenue.
G. Information Technology Advisory Committee – No Report
H. Strategic Planning Committee – Schroeder - reported that President Milliken and the new Provost, Linda Pratt, met with the Strategic Planning Committee in August. President Milliken talked about the NU Strategic Framework document and the accountability measures outlined in it. He said that each campus has a distinct role and mission within the university and the level of differentiation makes sense for Nebraska. It is the responsibility of Varner Hall to help each campus to be the best it can be within its role and mission. He wants each campus to be a leader among its peers.
VIII. New Business -
A. EOM Awards - Benitz - Regarding the EOM Awards given each month. Len Fangemeyer with the Antelope Bookstore has contacted the Senate asking if there is a way we can encourage the use of the Gift Card that is given each month - Len said that only 30% of those are being used. The senate members discussed ways that we can encourage the staff to use. An announcement has already gone in the newsletter - The EOM committee will go back and contact past recipients reminding them of the gifts that they receive as well as e-mail hints on items for sale in the Bookstore.
B. Goals Review and Update -
- Listserv is unable to happen
- Change format of newsletter to text only
- Set up Blackboard organization for Staff Senate Members - when new Blackboard is
on board - training will take place at next meeting
- Get input from constituents - Executive Board Meeting scheduled for September 13 - some discussion points:
+ Budget 2006-2007
+ Leadership UNK
+ Faculty/Retreat attendance by Staff Senate
+ Facilities Master Plan
+ Progress on new halls - early communication to staff prior to media
+ Operating Budgets - equipment needs
- Recruit at least one new member for each Staff Senate committee - Committees are all now full
- Serve as advocate for staff participation on U-wide committees - Currently we have three who
serve on U-wide Benefits committee - Bressington to determine if additional participation is
necessary.
- Be a proactive organization - Encourage participation in open forums to address campus issues and scheduled by campus search committees - the Senate was asked to supply four names for
current staff searches. Three of those individuals are currently serving on search committees
- Review feasibility of instituting "Leadership" program, as provided for by "Leadership UNK
proposal" - Draft" document - No discussion - more at later meeting
IX. Roundtable -
Jan - UNK Loper Dollars - Faculty/Staff can have "dollars" put on their ID for purchases throughout all campus food outlets, vending machines, copiers and laundry machines. Watch for information in the Newsletter!
Audrey - 2 Exhibitions scheduled - Jun Kaneko Drawings & Paintings August 12 - December 31, 2006 an internationally known artist based in Omaha, displays his two-dimensional drawings and prints - art forms that exemplify his versatility and Catlin Chronicles August 22 - December 10, 2006 - Selected lithographs from George Catlin's North American Indian Portfolio, published in 1844, show romanticized images of Native American life based on the artist's observations of tribes west of the Mississippi River
Deb - Randall Hall completed - Custodians are back in their halls
Fauneil - #120 new visas! - a reminder of the English Language Institute where students can continue to learn to write and speak English
Jami - Blue n Gold is ready to go - This years location for showcase is in and around the Bell Tower - Map and line up will be available on the web Thursday
Mark - Renovating and upgrading the Pool. Bruner Hall should be ready Mid- October - November. Also Refinishing floors
Cheryl - All facilities reported back on Monday. Remember convocation on Friday at 9 a.m.
Mike - Repairs and general maintenance continue in the halls.
Deb - Theft of computers is wide-spread - Several reports in the last couple of weeks - most recently to UNK connections - The biggest concern is the stealing of confidential information. If information such as non-directory is stolen all individuals must be notified of compromised data. The ITEC department deployed secured wireless network across campus. All employees have access.
Joni- Our office is now back to full staff (two members are 9 month positions) Two upcoming events - September 19 & 20 - OPEN HOUSE and October 12 Fall Career Fair
Brandon - Need volunteers for Poker Walk on Tuesday from 6 - 7. Contact Brandon - Also, watch for all the weeks' events in your Blue n Gold calendar or check the website www.unk.edu/blue_gold
X. Announcements
A. Next Meeting – Tuesday, September 19 @ 10:30 a.m. Room 310, Nebraskan Student Union
XI. Adjourn – Meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.