University of Nebraska Kearney

Staff Senate Minutes - June 15, 2004
10:30 a.m., Nebraskan Student Union Room 310

Employee of the Month: Pam Proskocil, Staff Secretary III, Department of History

Department of the Month: Office of Graduate Studies and Research

Present:
Directors -- Audrey Kauders, Deborah Schroeder
Managerial/Professional -- Brandon Benitz, Cheryl Bressington
Office -- Linda Clark, Dixie Larson, Joni Weed
Service -- Bruce Uden, Clayton Willis
Visitors: Michelle Hamaker, Director, Public Safety

Absent: Kathy Livingston, Dusty Newton, Katherine Liebhart, John Lakey

1. Call to order - President, Linda Clark

2. Adoption of Agenda - approved: Kauders/Bressington

3. Introductions

4. Minutes of May 18, 2004 meeting - approved: Bressington/Weed

5. Financial Report - Kauders reported a total balance of $1357.55 in the two Staff Senate accounts. Discussion was held regarding purchase of Department of the Month frames, medallions, etc. Weed will place the order. Due to absence of Newton, report on banner costs was tabled until July meeting. Weed will check on SAFE award plaque inventory. Due to the significant cost for purchasing the walnut plaques with brass plates for employee of the month, it was proposed that Staff Senate contact either Industrial Technology or the carpenters in facilities for a quote.

6. Correspondence - A sympathy card was signed and sent to Dee Ellingson.

7. Unfinished Business
   1. Staff Senate Budget Request 04/05 - No report

   2. Request for Pepsi funds - Clark will check on possibility of using Pepsi funds to fund the SAFE award.

   3. Staff Award for Excellence - Clark reported that there are currently eight nominations for the SAFE award (some incomplete). Contact will be made regarding the incomplete nominations. Nominations are due in the Human Resources Office by June 30, 2004

8. Committee Reports
   1. Election - No report

   2. Employee Recognition Committee - Weed reported the planning for the July celebration was nearly complete and to watch for e-mails and posters.

   3. Performance Management Committee - No report

   4. Procedures Committee - E-mails regarding concerns about the Staff Senate amendment to the constitution to allow Senators to complete the year of service during which they change service area were discussed. It was agreed that the minutes of the last meeting covered all the concerns that were mentioned. Clark will check with those who expressed the concern to see if there were still questions.

   5. Professional Development Committee - Willis and Clark reported that there was only one female applicant for the Loper make-over and no male applicants. Willis will promote the event in his area and encouraged others to do the same. Willis also reported that the coffee hosted by Staff Senate in Facilities was well attended and that he had received a request from Residential and Greek Life that a coffee be held for their service employees as well. It was agreed that Staff Senate should sponsor a coffee in different areas during the year and invite other employees to attend.

   6. Office/Service Dependent Scholarship Committee - No report

   7. Making a Difference Subcommittee - No report

   8. Mentoring Subcommittee - Benitz reported that the Mentoring subcommittee is proposing purchase of stadium cups with a staff senate logo and the mentoring website on the cups. The cups would be given to new employees and also as promotional items for other Staff Senate activities. The committee will seek quotes from the Antelope Bookstore before making a purchase decision. The motion was made (Kauders/Bressington) to pursue the purchase of 500 cups.

   9. Information Technology Advisory Committee - No report

   10. Strategic Planning Committee - No Report

   11. Centennial Committee - No report

   12. Shirt Fundraiser - No report

9. New Business
   1. July 1 Celebration - Staff Senate members are encouraged to attend the July 1 celebration activities which celebrate the day that Kearney State College became the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Activities will include a complimentary breakfast for all employees at the Nebraskan provided by Chartwells, a lunch in the fountain area catered by Chartwells ($4.50), during which employees will hear an address by Chancellor Kristensen and also see the results of the Loper Make Overs. Residential and Greek Life is providing complimentary popcorn to all employees in the Conrad Hall patio area from 2:30 - 3:30. Posters and e-mails will be forwarded in the coming weeks.

   2. UNK Blue/Gold Day is scheduled for Friday, August 20. Clark requested that Staff Senate members notify her if they are able to "man" a table during the showcase that begins at 4:00 p.m.

   3. Goals for 2004/05 - due to time constraints, tabled until the July meeting.

   4. Update on Committees and Members - Clark distributed a list of committees and members to date. She requested that committee chairs e-mail her any changes or additions to the committees.

   5. Open Floor - Michelle Hamaker, Director of Public Safety explained the purchase of UNK parking permits and the decision to not ticket during the summer, not only because of lack of personnel which would cause inconsistency in lot coverage and ticketing, but also because of the number of camps, workshops, etc. that are held during the summer months. Hamaker did emphasize that vehicles parked illegally (on the grass, in handicapped parking stalls, or other prohibited areas) are ticketed as usual. Hamaker continued that lots were surveyed at different times on several different days. There was available parking in all lots surveyed.

10. Announcements
    Next meeting - July 20, 2004 - 10:30 a.m. - Nebraskan Student Union Room 310

11. Adjourn (Kauders/Weed) at 11:35 a.m.