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Staff Senate Meeting Minutes 10/10/24

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Date/Location:

October 10, 2024 – 10:30am via Zoom

In Attendance: Trish Smith, Kileene Collins, Trevor Cressman, Barbie Mustion, Christina Kerley, Jennifer Edgeller, Alyssa Collins, Mel Steele, Jon Allen, Jacob Colangelo, Pam Tate, Trace Winfrey, Nina Williams, Sophia Skinner, Wayne Cahoj, Joshua Gregory, Julie Dulaney, Carrie Steen, Jennifer Walker, Neva Parrot, Michelle Bryan, Mark White, Melissa Jett, Cindy Bridges, Kristi Huff, Kris Brinkerhoff, Alex Cochran, Kelly Becker, and Lindsey Hicks.

Approval of September Meeting Minutes – Motion to approve and seconded.

Chancellor’s Report

  •  Thanks to all for the great enrollment numbers – we are up 9%
  •  Oct 25 – early release at 3pm

Welcome Guests

  • Laura Derrick, Springfield Staff Senate President
    • Not present, no report
  • Dee Dee Mings, Springfield HR
    • Open enrollment reminder – beginning Nov 1 – Dec 1 – if you receive a flu shot or biometrics done outside of Magers, send her your information.  There will also be a Virtual benefit Fair – check the HR Blog for more information.
    • MedPay premium increase to Buy-Up Plan to adjust for higher expenses.

President’s Report (Trish Smith)

  • That Friday Thing:
    • Looking for a department that would like to host the October event. Please notify Trish if interested.
  • Volunteer opportunities:
    • Birthday Blessings update: a group of 4 volunteered and it was wonderful and look forward to going back in the future.
    • Looking into United Way and Red Cross opportunities.
  • Welcome gifts for new employees
    • Update from Trevor Cressman – Grizzly resin statue (standing) cost is $10ea – can be scaled down to (walking) for $5ea. Trevor will work on one with a base that will allow space for MSU-WP Staff Senate or something similar and will report back during next month’s meeting.
    • Please note that while it’s everyone’s desire to welcome a new staff member with a gift, we will not be able to provide much for a long period of time if we do not make some fundraising ideas a reality. Christina Kerley will check on this and let Trich know if it would be acceptable. If approved, the contribution jar will be in Kileene’s office in Student Services.
  • The next Administrative Council meeting is Wednesday, October 16. They did not meet this week. Please let me know if you have any questions or issues to bring before the Council. For the Oct meeting, I will not be able to attend, so please send items to Trevor Cressman, as he will be attending on my behalf. My extension is 57900, and my email address is WPStaffSenate@MissouriState.edu. My office door is always open (Kellett Hall, #203).

President Elect Report (Trevor Cressman) – no report

Secretary Report (Kileene Collins) – no report

Treasurer Report (Alex Graham) –not present but we have $1,866.58 in our account.

Department Updates, Announcements, and Committee Updates/Reports

  • Committee Reports
    • No reports this month
  • Department Reports
    • Human Resources (Alyssa Collins)
      • 2025 Health Plan and Prescription Premium Rates
      • Wellness and Benefit Dates: Refer to the HR Blog for information regarding open enrollment, the 2025 Wellness Incentive, flu vaccination clinics, and biometric screenings.
      • Employee Wellness & Benefits Fair: All full-time and part-time employees are invited to Missouri State University’s Wellness & Benefits Fair from 9 a.m. to noon, Thursday, Oct. 24, in the Student Recreation Center. Employees will have the opportunity to meet with our various insurance and benefit providers in an informal setting. Plus, attendees will have a chance to win one of many door prizes! No appointment is required.
      • 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.
      • 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 recognizes 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.
    • Website Corrections (Kris Brinkerhoff)
      • If you spot something incorrect on our website, please notify Kris.
  • Upcoming Events & Important Dates:
    • The Campus Trick or Treat event is Thursday, October 31, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.
      • Departments, student organizations, and any of our campus members are encouraged to participate by having treats or prizes, decorating, and dressing in costume to welcome our students’ children for a fun afternoon of Trick or Treat.  Faculty and staff with children of the age to trick or treat are also welcome to participate but may need to make the appropriate arrangements with their supervisor. Those participating can choose to remain in their work location, or they may also set up at tables in other locations around campus. Please contact Kileene Collins (kcolllins@missouristate.edu) or Dr. Totty (angelatotty@missouristate.edu) if you would like to participate.                                             **NOTE: Candy cannot be purchased using operational university funds, so please take that into consideration if you plan to participate.
    • Oct 25 at 6 p.m. the Dark Ozarks presentation, “Mysteries, Legends and Noir History of the Ozarks”, in the Ozarks Heritage Research Center, located in the Garnett Library.
    • Oct 12 & 13 Ozarks Renaissance Faire
      • 9:00am-5:30pm, in West Plains, Missouri at the Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Associate grounds. Entertainment will include music, games, food, armored combat, presentations, crafts, and vendors. They are still needing volunteers. Please contact CJ Collins or Trevor Cressman if interested.  ozfaire.com

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 11:06