Staff Senate Minutes - October 16, 2006
10:30 a.m., Sandhills Room, Nebraskan Student Union
Present:
Administrative: Bressington, Kauders, Schroeder
Managerial/Professional: Schaffitt, Benitz, Morehouse
Service: Geiger, Gilbertson, Uden
Office: Beerbohm, Meier, Weed
Ex-Officio: Bressington
Recognition of Employee of the Month: Chilene Black, Clerical Assistant III, Student Records and Registration
Recognition of the Department of the Month:UNK Pride of the Plains Marching Band
Guest Speaker – Curt Carlson, Vice Chancellor for University Relations and Glennis Nagel, Communication Specialist, Office of Communications
Curt and Glennis reported on the introduction of “Columns”, a Faculty/Staff newspaper. A 4-page modified tabloid size – allows covering the news of the campus. The Editorial Board is asking the Senate to nominate three individuals (one being selected) to serve on the board. The Senate will submit three names upon completion of meeting. At this time a time commitment of 1 hour every two weeks will be requested. The newspaper will include stories about administrative development, new policies, faculty development, construction, and strategic planning. The department will also be launching a new calendar for special events.
Guest Speaker – Juan Guzman, Assistant Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs
Juan gave the Senate an update of events hosted by OMA – Closing Ceremony Dinner and Dance (October 20), Multicultural Scholars and Leaders Day (October 24), and Native American Heritage Month (November). Dusty noted that the Latino population has risen 40% and the campus has the highest number of American minorities since 2001 at 7 – 8% of the study body. Juan requested from the Senate that they be supportive of OMA and collaborate with departments and especially attend events being sponsored by the department.
I. Call to Order – Benitz
II. Open Floor – Staff members are welcome to have open discussion with Senate
III. Adoption of Agenda – Kauders/Beerbohm
IV. Minutes of August 15, 2006 meeting – Kauders/Morehouse
V. Financial Report approved – Meier/Bressington
VI. Correspondence –Thank you card from the CT Ryan Library for their selection as DOM
VII. Unfinished Business
a)Update on Facilities Master Plan – Benitz reported that he and Schroeder are serving on the Facilities Development Plan Advisory Committee. The committee is updating the 10-year Master plan to be delivered to President Milliken mid-November and to the Board of Regents by January. Some of the areas of interest are the 330 acres south of Highway 30, increased parking and green space as well as Otto Olson renovation, tennis courts, lack of meeting space along with a number of other items being considered.
b) Update on Campus-Wide Search Committees
-Vice Chancellor for Business & Finance – Deb updated the Senate that the committee will attempt to begin on campus interviews with candidates the first week of November
-Dean of Library – Audrey reported that the committee is preparing interview questions for telephone and campus interviews.
VIII. Committee Reports
a)Election – No Report
b) Employee Recognition Committee – Joni reported ERC has enough nominations through end of year but will once again send out a request for more nominations!
c) Performance Management Committee – Cheryl reported that the committee convened and they are reviewing the evaluation form hoping to improve the form.
d) Professional Development Committee – Cheryl brought to the attention of the Senate that it continues to struggle getting members to attend meetings. New events and promotional ideas are being introduced.
e) Mentoring Committee – Bruce reported that the boss’s day was being promoted this week – Deb reported that they are working on “hot spots” for the new employees to be given tours.
f) Procedures Committee – No Report
g) Office/Service Dependent Scholarship Committee –No Report
h) Information Technology Advisory Committee – No Report
i) Strategic Planning Committee – No Report
IX. New Business
a) Homecoming Update – Jan needs 4 volunteers to assist with handing out candy and carrying the Staff Senate banner – Deb volunteered – Joni will send out a request for additional volunteers to all committee members. The parade is October 28 beginning at 10:00 a.m. Volunteers should report no later than 9:00 – see Jan for details.
b) January Staff Appreciation Breakfast – scheduled for January 3 – more information to follow at subsequent meetings
X. Roundtable
Jan Beerbohm - Finance Office – Continue to collect Tuition and fees for fall
Fauneil Meier - International Education – Somewhat quiet – Jerry is in China recruiting
Jami Schaffnitt – Nebraskan Union – Busy with Homecoming – details for homecoming can be found at the website:http://www.unk.edu/studentlife/student_org/LPAC/index.php?id=5929
Bruce Uden - The Fountain is running for homecoming
Brandon Benitz (Student Senate) – The Senate is helping with Senior Day
Mark Morehouse – Facilities Management – All the heat is on in all buildings – snow removal is ready – plan for removal begins with handicapped entrances to all buildings, Union building has priority, then the residence halls, and then rest of campus. Fixing leaky roofs – New lift now in Health and Sports Complex (permanently). Student Governments like the picnic tables left over from Blue and Gold – thinking of purchasing additional tables to put around campus. Reminder: when you set your clock back at the end of the month be sure and replace the batteries in your smoke alarm!
Mike Geiger – Residential and Greek Life – Taking advantage of fall break to do fix ups
Deb Gilbertson – Residential and Greek Life – Keeping up with the kids! – Picnic with facilities was a success! – About half of the staff attended
Deb Schroeder – Information Technology – Coordinating the Heartland Technology Fair – UNK Connections has some “old style” iPods reduced for sale. Website will be up and down today due to Ektron update. Wireless installation @ Health and Sports Center continues.
Cheryl Bressington – Human Resources/Affirmative Action – CORE workshop continues this Friday. This will be the last one for this semester. Benefits Fair is scheduled for October 25, 1:30 in the Cedar Room. Nuflex begins in November just before Thanksgiving. Child Development kids will be trick or treating morning of October 31. The Human Resource office will be under “carpet” replacement over the next week or so. Apologize for any interruption.
Brandon Benitz – Student Life – Kudos nominees are now being accepted. UNK has the largest homecoming parade in the State and the third largest in Nebraska! Student Life will begin a weekly podcast of events happening within the division. It could potentially go to a daily release. Congressman Osborne will be on campus October 26 to speak to the Chancellor’s Leadership Conference on the issues of integrity and credibility in leadership. The Emergency Operations Team will be conducting a “table top” drill at one of its next meetings.
XI. Adjourn - Meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
XII. Next meeting – November 21 – Sandhills Dining Room, Nebraskan Student Union, 10:30, a.m.