Staff Senate

at Missouri State-West Plains

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09/19/2024 Staff Senate Meeting Agenda

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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.

Call to Order

Approval of Agenda

Approval of August Meeting Minutes

Chancellor’s Report – The chancellor is with the Foundation Board of Trustees and President Biff Williams throughout the day.

Welcome Guests

  • Laura Derrick, Springfield Staff Senate President

President’s Report (Trish Smith)

  • That Friday Thing:
    • A big thank you to Advising and Academic Support for hosting the September event. Sincerely appreciate your efforts.
    • Is there a department that would like to host the October event?
  • Volunteer opportunities:
    • As mentioned during last month’s meeting, I have been speaking with Birthday Blessings about setting up volunteer opportunities (wrapping gifts, making treat bags, unpacking boxes, sorting toys/inventory). They need a group of 3 to 5 people from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. for one or more of the following dates:
      • Tuesday, October 8
      • Wednesday, October 9
      • Thursday, October 10
    • I spoke with the chancellor about volunteering during work hours. To stay consistent with the Springfield campus, we will follow their example. Both exempt and nonexempt employees interested in volunteering during their regular work schedule should request permission from their immediate supervisor. If the volunteer event is supported and encouraged by the Chancellor, which this is, nonexempt employees shouldn’t be required to use vacation leave but cannot incur overtime hours as a direct result of volunteering.
    • We will schedule things as soon as we determine how many people can volunteer and when.
  • Staff Senate welcome gifts for new employees:
    • We spoke about the mugs that were given before. The cost is too high.
    • Several other suggestions were submitted:
      • A gift card to Drago College Store to help cover a small portion of their initial GrizzGear purchase
      • A planner like the one that was recently distributed
      • Please note that while it’s everyone’s desire to welcome a new staff member, we won’t be able to provide very much for very long if we don’t get fundraising ideas and make them a reality.
  • The next Administrative Council meeting is Wednesday, September 25. Please let me know if you have any questions or issues to bring before the Council. My extension is 57900, and my email address is WPStaffSenate@MissouriState.edu. My office door is always open (Kellett Hall, #203).
  • Welcome to the Grizzly family:
    • Dustin York, Custodian I
    • Laura Underhill, Assistant Director, Workforce Development & Community Education
    • Alec Matlock, Assistant Athletics Coach, Women’s Softball

President-Elect Report (Trevor Cressman)

Secretary Report (Kileene Collins)

Treasurer Report (Alex Graham)

Committee Reports

  • None this week

Department Reports

  • Human Resources (Alyssa Collins)
    • Earn the 2025 Wellness Discount on Medical Premiums: To educate employees about health benefits resources, support proactive health management, and reduce the impact of influenza on our workforce, full-time employees enrolled in the Health Plan will qualify for the full 2025 wellness incentive by completing any two (2) of the following actions:
      • Watch/complete an educational “Did you know 2.0” questionnaire through My Learning Connection(Nov 1-Dec. 1, 2024).
      • Receive a flu vaccination (between Aug. 1-Dec. 1, 2024).
      • Complete a biometric screening(between Jan. 1-Dec. 1, 2024).
    • Each activity is worth a $15 monthly incentive. Employees may complete any two of the three activities to receive the full $30 monthly incentive, a savings of $360 yearly. Completing all three activities is encouraged to maximize health benefits. However, the maximum incentive is $30 monthly. Refer to the HR blog for more information.
    • Free Flu Vaccination Clinics:
      • Oct 2: Student Recreation Center, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (appointment availability to be announced)
      • Oct 24: Student Recreation Center, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (appointment availability to be announced)
    • Biometric Screenings:
      • Oct 2: Student Recreation Center, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (provided by Magers, by appointment)
      • Oct 24: Student Recreation Center, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (provided by Magers,by appointment)
    • Mammogram Bus Appointments: The OZH Mobile Mammography Unit will be on campus Wednesday, October 23, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the north Lybyer parking lot. Call 417-257-5912 to schedule an appointment. Preventative screening is available at no cost to female employees over 40 with the MSU health plan. Refer to the flyer for more details.
    • MOSERS Ready to Retire Seminar Oct. 2:MOSERS will host a retirement seminar from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Oct. 2, in Hass-Darr 100. Representatives from the Missouri State Employees’ Retirement System (MOSERS) will present pertinent information concerning retirement benefits. The seminar is designed for MSEP and MSEP 2000 members who are considering retirement within the next five years. Refer to the attached flyer for registration instructions.
    • Staff Excellence in University Service Awards:Do you know a coworker who has proven superior service to MSU-WP? Nominations are now being accepted for the Staff Excellence in University Service Awards. Staff, faculty, and administrators are encouraged to nominate full-time staff employees for this award. The nomination deadline is Friday, November 8. The Staff Excellence in University Service Awards recognize excellence in service to the university among staff employees. University officials wish to recognize those staff employees who strive to do their jobs well daily, those who go above and beyond the call of duty in special situations, and those who have contributed in a significant way to the success of the university. Six full-time staff employees will receive a one-time $1,500 award. Nomination forms and additional information can be found at http://www.missouristate.edu/seusa.

Upcoming Events & Important Dates:

  • A few reminders from University Communications:
    • Get The Word Out:  Please submit your important dates and events for the fall semester to the Master Calendar web calendar. It will help all offices and departments to keep track of upcoming events and avoid conflicting events. To place an event on the calendar, you will need to become a calendar editor. Please go to this web page and sign up for calendar training to get started. Once you have finished the training and have access to the calendar system, you can access the calendar via https://calendar.missouristate.edu/admin. (You can bookmark this link to make it easier to access the login.) Once you are in the calendar system, on the left side of the screen check the West Plains Calendar box to see our events. Then you should be able to create a new event using the + New Event button in the upper right corner. If you have questions after the training, please contact Kris Brinkerhoff at 417-255-7918 or KrisBrinkerhoff@MissouriState.edu.
    • Use Online Forms for Publicity & Print Services’ Needs:  Do you have an upcoming event you’d like to publicize off campus? Please remember to use the university communications online Publicity Request Form when requesting such services as news releases, photography, banners, posters, invitations, signage, logos, social media assistance, etc. The form can be found on the “News and Events” website under the “Online Forms” link. Also remember to review the Event Planning Checklist before making your requests to ensure you take the steps needed for a successful event!
    • Alumni and Student Spotlight Suggestions:  Do you know a student or alumnus in good standing with the university who would be a great candidate for our Alumni and Student Spotlights? If so, please fill out this online form so we can reach out to the student to see if that person would like to be profiled for this online series. Who better to tell the story of us than our students? If you have questions, reach out to Drew Clark or Vickie Driskell.
  • For a complete list of events, please go to https://calendar.wp.missouristate.edu/

 Adjournment