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Staff Senate Meeting Minutes January 14, 2021

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Date/Location:

January 14, 2021 – 10:30am via Zoom

In Attendance: 

Jared Cates, Amber Carr, Alex Graham, Kileene Collins, Becky Estes, Trish Smith, Douglas Cooley, CJ Collins, Cindy Bridges, Christina Kerley, Sophia Skinner, Neva Parrott, Alyssa Collins, Roy Crouch, Mark White, Nancy McCartney, Rachel Peterson, Missi Jett, Marcie Bean, Carrie Steen, Colter Billings, Jennifer Walker, Biff Bird, Charles Rietman, Laurie Wall, Donna Monticelli, Mike Scheidt, Bryan Moore, Joan Wright, Tara Hensley, Angela Marcak, Sharon Holland, Bruce Cavitt, Susannah Kelley, Brenda Polyard, Pam Tate, and Rebekah Mckinney.

  1. Approval of Agenda – Motion to approve and seconded, motion carried
  2. Approval of December Meeting Minutes – Motion to approve December 10, 2020 meeting minutes and seconded, motion carried
  3. Chancellor’s Report
    • Thanks to all for a good start to the semester.
    • Resident students were tested and it went smoothly.
    • At this moment, we do not know when vaccines will be available to us but will keep all informed as we learn more. You can sign up on the Ozarks Health Care website if so desired. https://www.ozarkshealthcare.com/about-us/coronavirus-updates/covid-19-vaccination-sign-up/
    • Governor has released ALL our withheld appropriations for this Fiscal Year with strings attached. Small portion will go to our operating budgets. The rest which is referred to as the Stabilization Fund will go to Capital Projects, which will consist of the welding lab.
    • $600 will be added to everyone’s base pay beginning on January paychecks, which will amount to approx. $50 per month.
    • Looking forward to the Grizzly Ambassador program – hats off to the team for all their hard work.
    • Lawler expressed we are in her thoughts and prayers.
  1. Welcome Guests
    • Lyn McKenzie – Assistant Director of Human Resources-Compensation and Information Management
      • Be sure to look at your January paystub to verify your benefit deductions – contact Denise Lofton or Paula Huey for inaccuracies.
    • Jeff Gettys – MSU Springfield Staff Senate Representative
      • Looking to increase the dental benefits opposed to increasing the credit fee waiver from 15 to 18. Both proposals will be presented but Springfield staff senate voted to request the dental benefits over the credit fee waiver increase. Discussions & poll amongst our WP staff resulted in majority choosing the dental benefits increase.
      • LinkedIn Learning sign up is encouraged.
    • Brenda Smith – Faculty Senate Chair
      • Faculty Development Day was Jan. 7
      • Feb 5 Faculty Senate meeting will welcome President Smart
      • Granvil Vaughan voting will take place next week
      • Selecting Excellence in Educators recipient
      • Committees working on completing tasks
    • Scott Schneider – COVID Response Team Report
      • Vaccine update:
        1. We thought we would be in Phase 1B but the state is looking into updating that and we may fall into Phase 2 – more to come.
        2. Ozarks Health Care Vaccine sign-ups are 1st come, 1st served based on when you sign up.
        3. Brenda Polyard reported if MSU Springfield ends up getting vaccines for campus population, we will be included.
      • Campus Safety email went out Tuesday, with important information regarding Covid testing for the campus community.
      • Dashboard tracking information reflects this semester, with last semester’s information being archived
      • Questions:
        1. If we receive the vaccine outside of the Ozarks Health Care, do we need to report it to the university? No, but you are still required to follow CDC guidelines in regards to social distancing and masking policies.
  1. President’s Report (Jared)
    • Admin Council Report
      • Governor has released ALL our withheld appropriations for this Fiscal Year.
      • No changes for now in inclement weather “remote working” policy; to revisit in summer along with a general telecommuting policy.
      • Virtual tour promoted on social media and digital ad starting this week.
      • Banner upgrades scheduled for this coming Saturday at 12:00 PM through Sunday 12:00 PM.
    • Checking Our Temperature- “How Are We Doing?” Survey – Jared will share results with the Chancellor
    • Grizzly Ambassadors Program Presentation – a website will be developed soon and stay tuned for more information.
    • Granvil Vaughn Founder’s Award nomination – voting took place via a poll and results will be forwarded
    • Staff Senate Emeritus Wall Update:
      • Faculty Senate members gave donations towards their wall and placards – more discussions to come
    • Staff Senate T-Shirt Proposal- Rachel Peterson
      • To be tabled until the February meeting
  2. President Elect Report (Amber) – no report
  3. Secretary Report (Kileene) – no report
  4. Treasurer Report (Alex) – $1,684.09
  5. Department Updates & Committee Reports
    • Committee Updates
      • Grizzly Strong – Grizzly Country Banner/Grizzly head sticker presentation to be held on January 15, 2021.
      • Food Pantry – Presentation from Laurie Wall/Michael Scheidt on updates from Bear Pantry tour.
        1. Brenda Smith will present ideas to the Faculty Senate and seek out those interested in participating on the committee.
        2. Will discuss further at future meetings.
    • Department Reports
      • W-2 Annual Wage and Tax Statements will be mailed by January 31. Electronic statements will be available in My Missouri State.
      • Employees are encouraged to check the accuracy of their January pay stub.
      • Reminder: The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a great resource available to both full and part-time employees. Services are free and confidential.
      • Wellness Opportunities: Nutrition Talks will be offered via Zoom this spring. Sessions are free and immediate family members are welcome to attend.
    • Announcements
      • Melissa Jett expressed thanks to Sheila Barton for help with the connection to a local videographer that filmed the virtual tour and to Rachel Peterson for all her hard work on the project.
  6. Upcoming Events & Important Dates: For a complete list of events please go to https://calendar.wp.missouristate.edu/
    • 1/18 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No Classes/Offices Closed)
    • 1/22 & 1/23 – Grizzly Basketball Home Games at 7pm each night
    • 1/26 – Erik Rivera, Comedian at 7pm at the Civic Center

11. Next Meeting: February 11, 2021 at 10:30am via Zoom

12. Adjournment – Motion to adjourn and seconded, motion carried