Staff Senate Minutes
University of Nebraska at Kearney
November 20th, 2007 - 10:30 a.m. in the
Nebraskan Student Union – Sandhills Room
Present: Administrative: Kauders
Managerial/Professional: Benitz, Morehouse
Service: Geiger, Gilbertson, Heinowski
Office: Meier, Beerbohm
Ex-Officio: Lakey
Absent: McQueen, Bressington, Schaffnitt, Wardyn
Recognition of November Employee of the Month
Diana Jones
Office Associate, Registrar’s Office
Recognition of Department of the Month
Finance Office
Guest Speaker – Peter Longo
UNK Interim Dean of Student Life
Peter discussed with Staff Senate some of the things he has been working on since he assumed the Interim Dean of Students position. To help with retention, Peter said that he has been working on a different type of orientation where incoming freshmen are divided into small groups and are teamed with a faculty member and two upperclassmen. Peter said that Faculty Senate has embraced this idea and that an ad hoc committee has been formed. He also said that his office is paying careful attention to returning veterans by helping them feel comfortable on campus and not letting them feel isolated. Peter indicated that Brandon Benitz is serving as a liaison for the current and returning veterans at UNK and that a student veteran’s organization has been formed. With respect to the international student population, a Global Learning Community is being developed that will match an international student with a domestic student. Not only will these students’ live together but they will take shared classes and participate in class activities together.
Guest Speaker – Jon McBride
UNK Athletic Director
Jon McBride told Senate members that the community theme for Division II athletics is “I Chose Division II”. He shared a DVD with the Senate that showed how the UNK community fits into this theme. Jon said that he is working with Curt Carlson to promote the accomplishments of the UNK athletic teams. He did indicate that a major emphasis of NCAA Division II athletic programs is community service and engagement (connecting with the community) and that athletics serves as the front porch to a university. Jon said that he would like to work with Staff Senate to develop ways to get faculty/senate more involved with UNK athletics. He also informed Senate members that there will be an inaugural Lopers’ Women’s Walk on September 13, 2008. This event will raise money for women’s athletics and he encouraged everyone to participate in this worthwhile cause.
I. Call to Order – Meier
II. Open Floor – Staff members are welcome to have open discussion with Senate
III. Adoption of Agenda – Kauders, Heinowski
IV. Approval of Minutes - Morehouse, Beerbohm
V. Financial Report - Audrey presented the financial report to the Senate. She stated that Staff Senate received a generous donation of $169.00 from an anonymous donor. It was requested by the donor that the money be used for either the Staff Recognition Day or the UNK Day Breakfast. Geiger, Beerbohm
VI. Correspondence – None
VII. Unfinished Business
A. Emergency Operation Team Updates
1. Pandemic Flu Town Hall Meeting – John reported to the Senate about the
Town Hall meeting UNK hosted in cooperation with Two Rivers Public
Health Department on Wednesday, November 7.
2. TEREX 2007 – Statewide Emergency Preparedness Drill – John explained
the scenario of the emergency preparedness drill to the Senate members. He
said about fifty people participated in the event on Thursday, November 15.
John said this was an excellent drill and our campus is better prepared now
than we were two weeks ago.
B. Campus Food Preparation Policy – Lakey stated to the Senate that he is in the
process of trying to create a food preparation policy for UNK. He is working
with organizations on campus to make the food handling process as safe as
possible.
VIII. Committee Reports
A. Election Committee – No Report
B. Employee Recognition Committee – No Report
C. Performance Management Committee – No Report
D. Procedures Committee – No Report
E. Professional Development Committee – Kauders – January 3, 2008 is the Staff Recognition Day in the Ponderosa Room of the Student Union between 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. The winners of the New U Makeover and Loper’s Designer Challenge have been chosen.
F. Mentoring Committee – Gilbertson – The UNK Leadership group is learning a lot. The Mentoring Committee is discussing fundraising ideas.
G. Office/Service Dependent Scholarship Committee – No Report
H. Information Technology Advisory Committee – No Report
I. Strategic Planning Committee – Benitz, tabled for December meeting
J. Fundraising Committee (ad hoc) – No Report
IX. New Business
A. Donation to Staff Senate Foundation Account – Fauneil expressed her “thanks” on behalf of Staff Senate to the anonymous donor for his/her generous gift of $169.00.
X. Staff Senate Roundtable – Staff members update the Senate on events happening in their offices/departments
Fauneil Meier – getting ready for the new spring arrivals
Mike Geiger – Routine maintenance – doing day to day things – no special projects.
John Lakey – NuFlex enrollment begins today – remember this is the year that you have to complete a form stating whether you are a smoker or non-smoker.
Also, a reminder that there is a two-year lock in period for the dental and vision plans.
Mark Morehouse – Residential hall projects on schedule; getting ready for snow and ice
Wilma Heinowski – got through athletic events
Deb Gilbertson – nothing new in custodial
Audrey Kauders – Quarterly board meeting was held yesterday; our web site is playing an important role at MONA.
Jan Beerbohm – Collecting fall tuition
X. 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. Anyone in the UNK community is encouraged to attend Staff Senate meetings
C. Next Meeting – December 18th @ 10:30 a.m. in the Sandhills Room of the Nebraskan Student Union.
XI. Adjourn – meeting was adjourned at 11:52 a.m. – Kauders, Morehouse