Staff Senate Minutes - January 16, 2007
10:30 a.m., Sandhills Dining Room, Nebraskan Student Union
Present:
Administrative: Bressington, Kauders, Schroeder
Managerial/Professional: Benitz,
Service: Geiger, Gilbertson
Office: Weed, Meier
Ex-Officio: Bressington
Absent:
Managerial/Professional:, Morehouse, Schafnitt
Service: Uden
Office: Beerbohm
Recognition of Employee of the Month - Dawn Adams, Corporal, Public Safety
Recognition of the Department of the Month - English Language Institute
Guest Speaker – Kurt Siedschlaw, UNK Ombudperson
Dr. Siedschlaw brought to the committee information regarding the Ombudsperson Office. Many individual are not aware of the duties of the office – There are three principles used in the office 1) Voluntary Contact 2) Confidentiality & 3) Neutrality.
Primary role of the office is to be a neutral volunteer source of information available to anyone on campus or related to the campus. Referrals do not need to go through AA/EOE – You may contact the office directly with an issue. Brochures are available - If you are unsure of who to contact regarding an issue, you may contact your Ombudsperson.
I. Call to Order - Benitz
II. Open Floor – Staff members are welcome to have open discussion with Senate
James Paul presented information regarding the increase in pricing for Chartwells. Mr. Paul addressed the Staff Senate to help foster a better understanding of the increase of catering prices in relation to other vendors in the community. Chartwells has a contractual commitment to pass on preferred pricing to all UNK-sponsored events. Therefore, each year it researches pricing for comparable goods and services and submits the results to the VCBF. They always strive to be below market and achieve great quality and exceptional service. Before May 2006, catering prices had not been in line with the local market for over five years. When prices were brought into line, prices went up. As a direct result of the price increase, Mr. Paul said that the quality, service, and professionalism have also increased and they are now able to consistently showcase great talent and create memorable events. As a result of the new structure, his team has the opportunity to re-establish themselves not as an obligatory caterer for UNK, but one that is sought out for refined, quality-driven, well-executed events. Additionally and of note, Chartwells strives to be a major strategic partner with UNK and as such, contributes 15% of every catering dollar back to UNK for unrestricted projects. Campus departments who are unhappy with the quality of service or food for an event should contact Mr. Paul.
III. Adoption of Agenda – Bressington, Kauders
IV. Approval of Minutes –Geiger, Kauders
V. Financial Report – Audrey Kauders – Approved, Bressington, Schroeder
VI. Correspondence – Joni Weed – please let me know if you need a plastic Staff Senate name badge
VII. Unfinished Business
a) Updates
1. January Staff Appreciation as been moved to March 13, 9:00 – 10:00 Nebraskan Student Union – Everyone encouraged to attend!
2. Professional Development Leave Proposal – There is a policy already in place for leave
3. The parking issues raised at an earlier meeting have been documented and presented to Interim Vice Chancellor Lakey.
4. Food Cost Issue – See Open Floor
b) Dean of Library Search – Kauders reported that three individuals will be brought in to interview
VIII. Committee Reports
a) Election Committee – No Report
b) Employee Recognition Committee – Joni Weed –The SAFE awards display case is now up to date – The Antelope Bookstore has yet to determine type of “gift” to be awarded to EOM
c) Performance Management Committee – No Report
d) Procedures Committee – No Report
e) Professional Development Committee – Cheryl Bressington – The Staff Appreciation has been moved to March 13 – 9:00 – 10:00 a.m., February 13 “Tums” prescription for burnout – co-sponsored by Health & Wellness Committee has decided not to pursue Pepsi Development Funds at this time
f) Mentoring 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) New Location of Staff Senate file cabinet
1. Key – key is now located in Human Resources as well as Joni’s office
2. Pruning/Cleaning of office –The office has been cleaned is now
located In the basement of Founders
b) Updates to Staff Senate webpage – Dixie has added the EOM/Dom
nomination forms to their respective web pages.
X. Staff Senate Roundtable – Staff members update the Senate on events happening in their offices/departments
a) Mike Geiger – Residential and Greek Life –University Heights did lose power during the power outage – Residents were moved to CTE. Continue to work on deferred maintenance.
b) Deb Schroeder – Information Technology –Three residence halls (Conrad, Stout, and Randall) will be wireless by March 1. Awaiting approval from the Board of Regents for funding to install wireless in the other halls.
c) Fauneil Meier – International Education –41 new students. Residential & Greek Life need to be commended for their work during the storm. Columns first issue has been published – any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
d) Audrey Kauders – MONA was closed for seven days during the Holidays due to the storm. Now open and have a new series of Exhibits – Quarterly meeting scheduled for next week. MONA gift shop has a new point of sale system that supports bar coding – this will make the purchase of items easier for customers!
e) Deb Gilbertson – Facilities – Spent most of the day on Wednesday (after the storm) cleaning sidewalks – W/O power – had to catch up before students returned – Kudos to students conserving energy!
f) Cheryl Bressington – W2’s should go out this week although the deadline is not until January 31. Transitions plans are underway for the office when the new Vice Chancellor arrives.
g) Brandon Benitz –Attended the Mental Health Conference in Houston, TX – Very good conference
XI. Announcements
a) Staff Senate is always seeking nominations for Employee and Department of the Month! All nomination forms are available on-line on the Staff Senate webpage
b) Staff are always encouraged to attend Staff Senate meetings – open comments are now happening at beginning of meetings
c) Next Meeting – February 20 @ 10:30 a.m. in the Sandhills Dining Room of the Nebraskan Student Union. Guest speaker, Dr. LeAnn Obrecht, Director and Counseling and Health Care.
XII. Adjourn – meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m. Kauders, Schroeder