University of Nebraska Kearney

Staff Senate Minutes - November 16, 2004
10:30 a.m., Nebraskan Student Union - Room 142

Employee of the Month: JoLene Williams, Staff Secretary III, Admissions and Honors Program
Committee of the Month: Midwest Affiliation of College and University Residence Halls (MACURH) - Gail Sims-Auburt, Adviser - Presented 11/04/2004 in the Committee Office, Randall Hall

Present:
Directors -- Audrey Kauders, Kathy Livingston, Debbie Schroeder
Managerial/Professional -- Brandon Benitz, Cheryl Bressington, Dusty Newton
Office -- Linda Clark, Dixie Larson
Service -- Bruce Uden
Ex Officio: John Lakey

Absent:
Office -- Joni Weed

1. Call to order - President, Linda Clark

2. Adoption of Agenda with changes of no report from Weed regarding the Employee Recognition Committee and adding a report by Schroeder from the Information Technology Advisory Committee. Kauders/Newton

3. Introductions

4. Minutes of October 12, 2004 meeting - approved: Kauders/Livingston

5. Financial Report - Kauders distributed printed Financial Reports showing a balance of $1584.98 in the two accounts. The report was approved as presented. Bressington/Benitz

6. Correspondence - None

7. Unfinished Business
   1. Staff Senate Coffee with Residential and Greek Life Employees - Nov. 1 - Uden reported that four Staff Senate members served ice cream sundaes to Residential and Greek Life service employees with good interaction between Senate members and employees. Uden will place hard copies of nomination forms for Employee of the Month and the SAFE award in meeting rooms for both Residential and Greek Life and Facilities Service employees due to their lack of time to read or input information on-line. All attending Senate members agreed that is was a good meeting and encouraged Staff Senate to continue to host the coffees.

   2. Staff Senate Polo Shirts and Sweatshirts - Bressington announced that the first order had been received and delivered. A new order will be submitted on November 22.

8. Committee Reports
   1. Election - No report

   2. Employee Recognition Committee - No Report

   3. Performance Management Committee - No Report

   4. Procedures Committee - No Report

   5. Professional Development Committee - Bressington reported a good attendance at the Loper Office Makeover presentation of design ideas. An Open House is tentatively planned for November 30, 1-3 p.m. to "unveil" the make-over office. Bressington requested funds from Staff Senate to provide refreshments for the open house. Motion to sponsor was approved. Kauders/Livingston

   6. Office/Service Dependent Scholarship Committee - Lakey announced that the Foundation Drive had just concluded.

   7. Making a Difference Subcommittee - Bressington reported that the committee had met and due to declining numbers of participants and the hours of work involved in planning/hosting the Day, the decision was made to change the format and simply hire a speaker for a morning and afternoon session. The event will still be scheduled during Fall break. Ideas for speakers are welcomed.

   8. Mentoring Subcommittee - Benitz announced that the Mentoring Committee meeting is November 18, 2004.

   9. Information Technology Advisory Committee - Schroeder advised members that the Chancellor had requested a review of the status of technology on the UNK campus. The information would be used in development of a new strategic plan. As a result the Committee is currently conducting an on-line survey of all UNK students and will soon be forwarding a similar survey to all faculty members. Schroeder requested volunteers from Staff Senate to assist with development of a survey for staff. Livingston and Kauders will assist with developing the staff survey.

   10. Strategic Planning - No Report

   11. Livingston reported that the Centennial Committee is gearing up for the culmination of activities in 2005. Events being planned include an Arbor Day tree planting on April 29, a Centennial Scholar-ship, opening the time capsule (possibly burying a new time capsule at the same time), and a formal celebration in the Fall possibly coordinated with Homecoming Week festivities. Livingston presented a proposal from the Centennial Committee requesting that Staff Senate consider moving the 2005 July 1 celebration to June 21 and combining it with the opening of the Time Capsule. The Time Capsule is to be opened on June 19, 2005 which falls on Father's Day. The Committee is proposing that combining it with the July 1 celebration (which falls on a Friday and no classes will be held on Fridays in the summer) would enhance the attendance at both events. Following discussion Staff Senate agreed to move the July 1 celebration to June 21 in 2005 to combine it with the Time Capsule opening. Bressington/Newton. Livingston asked for volunteers for the combined event. Newton asked if there are plans to honor the class that will be graduating or the group that began classes during the centennial. Although ideas have been discussed no formal decisions have been made.

   12. Search Committees - Clark reported that the College of Business and Technology Dean search committee has met and is in the process of developing criteria and questions. Review of applications begins in January, 2005. The College of Fine Arts Dean search has just been advertised and the Committee plans to meet in the near future to develop criteria and questions as well. Application review also begins in January, 2005 for this search.

9. New Business
   1. Election of Vice President - Due to the resignation of former Senator Willis and the untimely death of former Senator Leibhart, election of a Vice President was tabled until new Service Staff Senate members are on board and present at the December meeting.

   2. Program for Employees to purchase computers - Bressington proposed that Staff Senate look into a program that would assist employees who are interested in purchasing a home computer. The proposal included the possibility of payroll deduction, a bulk purchasing deal through UNK Connections, and even assistance with computer set-up and trouble-shooting. Following discussion Lakey proposed that he, Senator Schroeder and Director of Finance, Larry Reissland, meet to discuss the proposal. The group will then report back to Staff Senate at a later date.
   3. Proposal for use of Staff Senate funds - Tabled until December meeting.

   4. Strategic Planning Committee - Clark has been asked to serve on the Strategic Planning Committee. The group has met and will be looking at major goals and themes, possibly revising the mission statement. Clark reminded Senators that many of the meetings will be open to the public, and encouraged all who are interested to attend.

   5. Holiday Coffee - Following discussion it was agreed that the tentative date of December 21 for a Holiday Coffee for UNK employees might not be a good time to schedule the event due to those taking vacation, etc. It was decided to move the coffee to January 6, 2005 in the a.m.

10. Announcements
    1. Newton reminded members that Staff Senate is schedule to host the Faculty Staff Club on Friday, January 14. He has developed a sign-up sheet for set-up, clean-up and food for the event and will send e-mail reminders.

    2. Bressington announced that a Creating Opportunities for Respect and Equity (CORE) workshop will be held on December 6 from 11:30 - 3:00. Registrations are due by November 29. Staff Senate members who have not attended a workshop were encouraged to register.

    3. Next meeting - December 21, 2004 - 10:30 a.m. - Nebraskan Student Union Room 312
11. Adjourn 11:40 a.m. Kauders/Newton