Staff Senate Minutes - February 15 , 2005
10:30 a.m., Nebraskan Student Union – Room 310
Employee of the Month: Charlene Copple, Staff Secretary III, Student Health
Department of the Month: Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies - Dr. Paul Bishop (Presentation of the award box was made to department members on February 4, 2005 in Cushing)
Present:
Administrative: Audrey Kauders, Kathy Livingston, Debbie Schroeder
Managerial/Professional: Brandon Benitz, Cheryl Bressington, Dusty Newton
Service: Bruce Uden
Office: Linda Clark, Dixie Larson
Ex-officio: John Lakey
Absent:
Service: Aaron Asay, Susan Frerichs
Office: Joni Weed
I. Call to order – President, Linda Clark
II. Adoption of Agenda: Livingston/Kauders
III. Minutes of January 18, 2005 meeting - approved: Newton/Uden
IV. Financial Report – Kauders reported a balance of $1369.30 in the two accounts. Bressington/Newton
V. Correspondence – Thank you from Anita Kucera
VI. Unfinished Business
A. Proposed Foundation Account for Staff Senate - Benitz presented a revised proposal to create and voluntarily donate to a University of Nebraska Foundation Account. Concern was expressed that the account may "take away" from donations that would normally go to the Office/Service Dependent Scholarship fund. It will be made clear that this account will be used for employee awards, etc. Benitz will contact the Foundation Office regarding the procedure to pay for items from the Foundation account. The proposal was approved. Kauders/Bressington
B. Program for Employees to Purchase Computers - Lakey reiterated that he 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 have/establish a Credit Union Savings account and maintain a $25.00 minimum balance. Lakey will follow-up with the credit union regarding exact details regarding loan application. Details will be announced in a campus-wide e-mail and also in the next Staff Senate newsletter.
C. Loper Office Makeover – Benitz announced that approximately 50 people attended the open house and approximately a dozen more have stopped by since then to look at his office. Benitz also conveyed that Glennis Nagel, Senior Writer/Editor in the UNK Office of Communication has been forwarding information about the makeover to Varner Hall who in turn will send it to the Chronicle of Higher Education. As a result an article may appear in that publication about the activity.
VII. Committe Reports
A. Election - Larson reported that Darren Addy has agreed to manage the on-line election process again this year. Nomination ballots will be distributed on March 3, Election ballots on March 17.
Larson reminded the Senate members that the on-line election process resulted in an increase in election participation from 35.5% to 54%. The largest increase was reported in the service area from 7.4% in 2003 to over 42% participation in 2004. Following discussion about how to increase the percentage of voter participation again this year, it was decided that the Election Committee will forward information to Uden to present at the next Facilities meeting and also to Rick Larsen, Associate Director of Residential and Greek life, to present at their next service area meeting. Announcements will also be sent via lotus notes and included in the next Staff Senate Newsletter.
The Executive Committee proposed adding a survey to the election process asking UNK staff for suggestions for future projects/concerns that Staff Senate should address. It was decided that the survey should be a separate endeavor and not included in the election process. Clark distributed copies of a previous survey (including results) for senators to review prior to the March meeting.
B. Employee Recognition Committee - In Weed's absence, Clark circulated a proposal for purchase of a digital camera for use at Staff Senate functions. Proposal approved: Kauders/Bressington.
C. Performance Management Committee - No Report
D. Procedures Committee - No Report
E. Professional Development Committee - Bressington announced that the committee is working on a joint effort with the UNK Wellness program to sponsor a Loper Walk - probably in the summer.
F. Office/Service Dependent Scholarship Committee - Lakey stated that he had just recently learned that the proceeds from the recent Foundation Drive were more than originally reported. There should be enough money to again finance $1000 in scholarships for dependents of Office/Service staff. Lakey further reported that Financial Aid is requesting that Staff Senate be represented at the scholarship meeting. Lakey will request volunteers at the next committee meeting.
G. Making a Difference Subcommittee - No Report
H. Mentoring Subcommittee - Benitz reminded Senators that the Mentoring committee is still planning to host a "cup promo" for Secretary's Day. The committee will again be contacting new UNK employees to offer the mentoring program.
I. Information Technology Advisory Committee - Schroeder announced that the Committee has not met yet this semester but that the staff survey has been distributed and will be closing soon.
J. Strategic Planning Committee - Schroeder stated that the committee has been meeting weekly and has completed a list of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and has prepared a revised draft of the mission statement. The committee will begin reviewing the statement on vision.
K. Centennial Committee - Livingston advised Senate members that this year's July 1 celebration to be held on June 21 in combination with the opening of the time capsule will be titled "Happy Birthday UNK". Staff Senate members may be asked to assist with hosting the event.
L. Search Committees - Kauders reported that interviews for the Dean of Fine Arts position have begun. Clark reported that Dean of Business and Technology interviews are being scheduled.
VIII. New Business
A. Goals for 2004-2005 - Clark reviewed Staff Senate goals that were proposed at the beginning of the year and stated that most of the goals were either completed or in process with the exception of promoting prorated tuition remission for part-time benefit-eligible employees and addressing staff salary improvements as noted in the North Central recommendations. Lakey advised that the benefits committee had not met, but he will bring up the tuition remission issue at the next campus wide Human Resource Directors meeting. The prospect of completion of the NU Values project in the near future should bring staff salary improvement issues up for discussion.
B. UNK Calendar of Events - Clark has been asked why Staff Senate meetings were not on the UNK Calendar. University Communications will be contacted to have meetings posted on the calendar.
C. Staff Senate Survey - discussion reported under Election Committee Report.
IX. Announcements
A. Fall Convocation Committee - Clark announced that Jan Beerbohm, Clerical Assistant III in the Finance Office will serve a one year appointment and Pam Proskocil, Staff Secretary III in the History Department will serve a two-year appointment on the newly organized Fall Convocation Committee. Senior Vice Chancellor Murray had requested that two staff employees be included on the committee.
B. Next meeting - March 15, 2005, 10:30 a.m. Nebraskan Student Union Room 310
X. Adjourn 11:45 a.m. Kauders/Newton