Date/Location:

February 10, 2022 – 10:30am via Zoom

In Attendance: Rachel Peterson, Bryan Moore, Kileene Collins, Alex Graham, Greta Myers, Heath Lair, Rebekah McKinney, Lauren Franz, Jack Bates, Pam Tate, Melissa Jett, Nancy Leeper, Charles Rietman, Christina Kerley, Angela Marcak, Neva Parrott, Krista Lair, Julie Dulaney, Erica Puckett, Biff Bird, Brittney Adkisson, Douglas Cooley, Jennifer Walker, Carrie Steen, Joan Wright, Kelley Towell, Alyssa Collins, Jared Cates, CJ Collins, Laurie Wall, Kris Brinkerhoff, Mike Scheidt, Sheila Barton, Keri Elrod, Mark White, Tara Shahan, Amanda Collins, and Sophia Skinner.

Approval of Agenda – Motion to approve made by, Jared Cates, seconded by, Alex Graham, motion carried

Approval of January Meeting Minutes – Motion to approve the January 13, 2022, meeting minutes by CJ Collins, seconded by, Alex Graham, motion carried

Chancellor’s Report – not present

Welcome Guests

• Deidre Mings, Asst. Director of Human Resources-Benefits, Missouri State University
  • Reminder to check out the HR Blog – https://blogs.missouristate.edu/human/
  • Dental Enhancements are in affect this year
  • Send her any benefits enhancement ideas
• Gary Phillips, Faculty Senate Chair
  • Feb 11 Faculty Senate meeting

President’s Report (Rachel Peterson)

• Employee Assistance Program
• Honorary Degree nominations
  • Honorary Degrees – Office of University Advancement – Missouri State-West Plains
  • Reminder to think outside of our area
  • Send names to Rachel by end of day Feb 11
• What do we need to be doing? Discussion Ideas:
  • Release time for exercise
  • Health/Fitness Class opportunities
  • More events on campus for student involvement
  • Staff/Faculty vs Students competition events – board games
  • Ice cream social – staff appreciation events
  • Bring in external support or partnership events for staff
  • Identify local businesses to show appreciation with small gestures
  • Faculty/Staff free tickets to athletic games
• Staff Senate t-shirts are still available at the Book Store
  • Money from our fundraising efforts to be used to sponsor campus events, go towards a scholarship to be used by staff, etc…

President Elect Report (Bryan Moore) – no report

Secretary Report (Kileene Collins) – no report

Treasurer Report (Alex Graham) – $1,684.09

Department Updates, Announcements, and Committee Updates/Reports

• Committee Updates
  • Grizzly Ambassador Program
    • Tomorrow’s event hosted by Dr. Totty
    • Next event, March 11 Team Building exercise, hosted by Jared and April’s event will be hosted by Krista Lair
    • Be thinking about applying for next year!
• Departmental Reports
  • Theater and Events
    • *Reminder* that ALL MSU-West Plains Faculty and Staff, including part-time employees can take advantage of the FREE U/CP Offerings, including the fitness center, swimming pool, and all our U/CP hosted events. To attend an event for free, please present your BearPass at the Civic Center Box Office the evening of the event to redeem your ticket.
• GOCAT
  • Asking for ideas for classes/workshops they can offer
    • Cake/Cookie decorating
    • Painting Class
    • Excel
    • Hobby driven – photography
    • Self defense
    • Communication with different generations
    • Mushroom hunting
• COVID
  • Springfield is reviewing our current masking policy
• Student Life
  • May 5 Celebration of Leaders
  • Black History Month events
    • 2/14 – movie – “The Harder They Fall”
    • 2/15 – Friends of the Garnett Library presentation by Dr. Jason McCollom
    • 2/22 – movie – “The Five Bloods”
    • 2/28 – Lyle Foster from Springfield will be here for Tough Talks – What Will History Say About Us? 11am in the Student Union
• OZCon
  • April 22-24 – Volunteers needed
  • When ordering tickets, use Code: MSUSTAFF for discount
• Friends of the Garnett Library
  • Feb 11 – Amy Ackerson speaking about the Nursing Program

Upcoming Events & Important Dates: For a complete list of events please go to  https://calendar.wp.missouristate.edu/

• Feb 11 The Cubanisms Concert 7pm WPCC Theater
• Feb 15 Friends of the Garnett Library-Black History Month Presentation by Dr. Jason McCollom 4 pm
• Feb 16 Grizzly basketball home game
• Feb 21Presidents’ Day – no classes, offices closed
• Feb 24 Buffalo Soldiers: From Slave to Soldier 7 pm WPCC Theater
• Feb 25 Red Carpet Day
• Mar 4 Eimear Arkins 7 pm WPCC Theater

Next Meeting: March 10, 2022 at 10:30am via Zoom

Adjournment: Motion to adjourn made by Laurie Wall, seconded by Jared Cates. Meeting adjourned at 11:27