In attendance: Laurie Wall, Jennifer Walker, Kileene Collins, Bruce Cavitt, Vickie Petkovic, Christina Kerley, CJ Collins, Rhonda Cobb, Wayne Cahoj, Jared Cates, Mary Kellum, Jill Stephens, and Sylvia Kuhlmeier.
Approval of Agenda: Motion carried
Approval of Minutes: Motion carried
Update from the Chancellor:
- Public Affairs Conference this week
- Hass-Darr Groundbreaking Ceremony last week. Construction is in progress and on schedule
- Red, White and True Blue Auction Friday, April 7. Proceeds go to the Veterans Center
- Ask Week is this week and the advisors are using Degree Works
President’s Report (Laurie Wall):
- Updates from Admin Council
- Increasing enrollment is a campus wide #1 goal
- Lu Adams has stepped down from Shannon Hall on the Mountain Grove campus. Pam Tate has been named as the new coordinator and Ralph Jenkins is the new assistant coordinator
- Kelley Towell is the new financial aid counselor and begins April 17
- Faculty Senate announced the Common Reader program has been discontinued
- Tuition is increasing 4.2%, pending BOG approval
- Common Fee will go into effect for the fall 2017 semester, pending BOG approval
- Staff Senate Mission Statement:
- The Staff Senate serves as a liaison to administration as an advocate for staff welfare and productivity, in conjunction with the University’s mission, to support, improve, innovate and promote academic excellence.
- University Mission Statement:
- Missouri State University-West Plains empowers students to achieve personal success and to enrich their local and global communities. As a two-year public institution, we provide accessible, affordable, and quality educational opportunities.
President Elect Report (Mary Kellum):
- Due to recent budget cuts, we will no longer send flowers on behalf of the university when an employee or student passes away. In the case of the death of a student, notify Dr. Totty
- Moral survey deadline to complete is April 7
- Concerns from staff can be directed to Cathy Morrison and/or Joyce Pineda and they will be kept confidential
- Habitat For Humanity volunteer opportunity: Remodeling a home for student and university employee Brian Hite. Mary will follow up with the dates and more information
Secretary’s Report (Kileene Collins): Nothing to report
Treasurer’s Report (Jennifer Walker): $889.64 with one outstanding invoice
Department/Committee Reports/Updates/Discussion:
Drago Bookstore: Graduation caps and gowns for staff & faculty are available for pick-up
IT: OzCon April 28-30
Student Life: Celebration of Leaders April 27, 7-9pm. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Looking for award presenters; SGA election results will be officially announced during today’s SGA meeting
TRiO: Ongoing search for Academic Specialist
Reverse Evaluation Committee Update: Bill Brown not present. Will be discussed further at next meeting
2017 Staff Senate Nominations:
- President Elect – Bruce Cavitt – Motion carried, contingent on approval from his supervisor, Cindy Bridges
- Secretary – Kileene Collins – Motion carried
- Treasurer – Jennifer Walker & Angela Marcak; Paper vote resulted in Jennifer Walker as elected
Staff Senate Polo’s Update (Bruce Cavitt): Screenshots was the lowest quote collected. Ideas were discussed on what to have printed on the shirts. More discussion at next meeting
Diversity Activity (Grayson Gordon): Not present
Announcements:
- HURTS Donuts will be on campus May 17 at noon in FUMC parking lot (10% of proceeds will go to Staff Senate)
- Spring Dipper Ice Cream will be on campus May 16 at 11 am in front of Grizzly Den dorms (no proceeds will go to us)
- Looking in to Shaved Ice stand too week of finals
- Pineapple Whip didn’t work out- we’re out of their service area
- Diversity Conference April 20-21, 2017
- Public Affairs Conference April 4-7, 2017
- GOCAT Ribbon Cutting April 21 11am-1pm
- Supervisor HR Training May 12 10am-3:30 pm
- Faculty & Staff Morale survey due April 6
- IT Security Training was due on March 31-if you haven’t done this please do so
- Check leave balances and take vacation days so not to lose them
Next meeting is May 4