Approval of Minutes:
- President Grayson Gordon called the meeting to order at 3 pm in L200. In addition to the president, those present included Melissa Smith, Joan Ragon, Martha Tuttle, Kelly Becker, Lee Anna Kinder, Vickie Taylor and Administrative Council Liaison Cheryl Caldwell.
Old Business:
Self-Study Discussion:
- STAC President Grayson Gordon led the discussion concerning STAC’s strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats statement for stage III of the accreditation self-study. After vigorous discussion, the following evaluation was adopted for the report.
Strengths
- Promote positive communication among staff members of the campus community
- Involves staff in campus’ decision-making process
- Addresses staff issues and concerns
- Benefits from strong and regular involvement by Executive Board members.
- Reaches out to new staff members by providing welcome packets with university information and gifts
Weaknesses
- An inadequate promotion of STAC’s purpose among staff members
- A lack of participation by non-Executive Board staff members at open STAC meetings
- Limited input from non-Executive Board staff members
- Budget limitations that restrick the council’s ability to address some staff concerns
- An inability to meet deadlines for Executive Board elections due to time constraints as a result of job duties and disinterest among staff.
Opportunities
- Better promotion of STAC’s purpose through the present communication infrastructure (i.e. STAC web site, Take Note, Campus Connection, Master Calendar) to increase staff involvement.
- Revision of the STAC bylaws to better represent the council’s purpose.
- Providing more social activities to promote staff involvement.
- Encourage staff to become more active as a group in community events.
Threats
- Increased staff turnover.
- Unfilled positions due to hiring freeze as a result of budget constraints.
- Threat of further budget cuts lowering morale and staff efficiency.
- Inability to fulfill goals due to lack of staff input and participation.
Suggested Action Plans and Strategies:
- Develop a calendar of events detailing STAC’s activities and meetings
- Create an annual marketing plan that will aid in communicating and promoting STAC’s purpose
- Encourage staff participation by hosting additional social functions and promoting meetings through the present communication infrastructure (i.e. STAC web site, Take Note, Campus Connection, Master Calendar)
- Develop a brochure explaining STAC’s purpose for distribution to new employees.
- Continue working with the administration to address budget needs in relation to staff concerns.
- Continue to request equitable funding for staff positions.
- Complete bylaws revisions.
- Assess staff involvement in community activities and encourage participation in such events as Lee Denim Days, the Heart of the Ozarks United Way annual fund-raising campaign, and the Relay for Life.
Board Secretary Vickie Taylor will create a handout of this evaluation for distribution to staff at the Oct. 25 open STAC meeting.
Staff Survey:
- President Grayson Gordon distributed a copy of the Springfield campus’ staff survey concerning budget priorities to board members for review. A similar survey would be helpful for budget discussions at the West Plains campus this year, he said.
Bylaws Changes:
- President Grayson Gordon reported the mission/goals/objectives statement adopted by the board for Stage I of the accreditation self-study must be submitted in writing to the bylaws subcommittee for formal adoption into the STAC bylaws. Martha Tuttle made the motion to submit the mission/goals/objectives statement to the bylaws subcommittee, Joan Ragon seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
- Board members also discussed amending the bylaws to create a new ex-officio position on the board that would be filled by a member of the SMSU Springfield Academic Outreach staff in order to promote inclusion and create better communication between the West Plains campus staff and Academic Outreach staff. Vickie Taylor made the motion to recommend to the bylaws subcommittee that the new position be created, Joan Ragon seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month/Lee Denim Day:
- Lee Denim Day coordinator Kelly Becker reported $360 was raised during the Oct. 4 fundraiser. An estimated 55 faculty and staff participated. A photo taken of several of the participants will appear in the Nov. 21 University News Page in the West Plains Daily Quill.
Chili Luncheon:
- Board Treasurer Joan Ragon reported a total $91 was raised through fees and donations during the Oct. 4 Chili Luncheon. A total of $127.58 is now shown in the STAC bank account. Money will be used to fund welcome packets for new employees and other STAC needs. President Grayson Gordon reported he had received numerous positive comments about the event.
Adjournment:
- The next STAC Executive Board meeting will be at (?) in L200.