Staff Senate Minutes -January 18, 2005
10:30 a.m., Nebraskan Student Union – Room 310
Employee of the Month: Shawn Deiger Sound Production Coordinator, Fine Arts and Humanities
Department of the Month: Interior Design Studio Class #309 – Students and Dr. Janice Kimmons (This presentation was made on January 12, 2005 in the Classroom)
Present:
Administrative: Audrey Kauders, Debbie Schroeder
Managerial/Professional: Brandon Benitz, Cheryl Bressington
Service: Aaron Asay, Susan Frerichs, Bruce Uden
Office: Linda Clark, Dixie Larson, Joni Weed
Absent:
Administrative: Kathy Livingston
Managerial/Professional: Dusty Newton
Ex-Officio: John Lakey
I. Call to order – President, Linda Clark
II. Adoption of Agenda with changes: No report from Making a Difference subcommittee or from Centennial Committee; add new policy proposal – Foundation Account and request for purchase of Digital Camera from Employee Recognition Committee. Benitz/Bressington
III. Introductions – Clark introduced Susan Frerichs from Public Safety who will be completing the term vacated by Clayton Willis’ resignation from Staff Senate.
IV. Minutes of December 21, 2004 meeting – approved: Kauders/Bressington
V. Financial Report – Kauders distributed printed Financial Reports showing a balance of $1388.55 in the two accounts. Bressington/Weed
VI. Correspondence – Thank you from Tim Danube
VII. Unfinished Business
A. Staff Senate Anniversary Celebration – It was agreed that the celebration was a success. Ideas were discussed for continuing the event and including recognition of Employee of the Month, Department of the Month and KUDOs recipients for the previous year.
B. Program for Employees to purchase computers – Lakey had contacted the Kearney Federal Credit Union - The Credit Union will offer a short-term (1-2 year) loan to UNK employees at 10.5% interest for computer purchase by UNK employees. The employee must establish a Credit Union Savings account and maintain a $25.00 minimum balance.
VIII. Committee Reports
A. Election – No report
B. Employee Recognition Committee – Weed reported that future Employee of the Month and Department of the month awards will be announced in the Antelope newspaper.
Glenda Wilson will continue as webmaster for Staff Senate until the new web page is completed. Wilson has made the change to the on-line EOM nomination instructions that was approved at the December meeting. Also nominees will know who nominated them for the recognition.
C. Performance Management Committee – No Report
D. Procedures Committee –No Report
E. Professional Development Committee – Bressington and Benitz reported that the furniture had arrived for the Loper Office Makeover. Unveiling is tentatively planned for February 7, 2005.
F. Office/Service Dependent Scholarship Committee – Clark read a report from Lakey stating that the proceeds from the recent Foundation Drive were $500.00 less than last year. This may impact the scholarship awards for the next year. It was noted that the $66.50 in donations from the recent Friday Afternoon club (hosted by Staff Senate) will be donated to the Scholarship fund.
G. Making a Difference Subcommittee – No Report
H. Mentoring Subcommittee – Clark reported that there has been good response to the recent campus mailing of the Mentoring Committee brochures with two new volunteer mentors - Gayle Rawlings and Shelly Urkoski. New employees will be contacted regarding the mentoring program.
Benitz reminded Senate members that there are still a plethora of mentoring cups available. Benitz also reported that the committee is planning a special Administrative Assistant’s Day offer as well.
I. Information Technology Advisory Committee – Schroeder announced that the staff survey should be ready for distribution in February.
J. Strategic Planning – Next meeting scheduled for January 19, 2005.
K. Centennial Committee – No Report
L. Search Committees – Clark reported that Shortlists have been developed for both the Dean of Fine Arts and Humanities and the Dean of Business and Technology searches.
IX. New Business
A. Staff Senate Budget Request – 2005/06 – Clark presented a budget for approval. The proposed budget included an increase in framing costs for the EOM award and an increase in copy costs to cover the cost of printing Staff Senate brochures. Budget was approved as submitted. Bressington/Weed.
B. Proposal to establish a Staff Senate University Foundation Account – Benitz presented a proposal to “create and voluntarily donate to a University of Nebraska Foundation Account so that Staff Senate can have the opportunity to spend its own privately donated funds for those expenditures not otherwise allowable under state fund spending guidelines.” The account will be funded by donations. Following some minor word revisions, the proposal was approved. Kauders/Weed. Clark asked Benitz to bring the final proposal to the February meeting.
C. Employee Recognition Committee is requesting use of Staff Senate funds for purchase of a digital camera to be used for the EOM and DOM as well as for other Staff Senate activities The proposal was approved. Kauders/Benitz. Asay suggested that the network be used as storage for Staff Senate digital pictures.
X. Announcements
A. Loper Office Makeover “Unveiling” - tentatively scheduled for February 7, 2005 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. The event is open to the campus.
B. Greetings at President Milliken's Installation- Kauders announced that Staff Senate President Linda Clark has been asked by University of Nebraska President Milliken to bring greetings from the staff of the four campuses at his installation ceremonies to be held in Omaha. Clark encouraged Staff Senate members to RSVP and attend the Kearney campus event celebrating the installation on January 26, 2005 – 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at MONA.
C. Next meeting – February 15, 2005, 10:30 a.m. Nebraskan Student Union Room 310
XI. Adjourn 11:35 a.m. Bressington/Benitz