Date/Location:

January 16, 2025 – 10:30am via Zoom

In Attendance: Trish Smith, Kileene Collins, Alexandra Graham, Alex Cochran, Alyssa Collins, Sophia Skinner, Trace Winfrey, Mark White, Brittney Adkisson, Mel Steele, Pam Tate, Robert Greim, Sue Icenhower, Lora Davis, Christina Kerley, Lauren Willis, Jacy Miller, Deana Bell, Jennifer Edgeller, Michelle Bryan, Carrie Steen, Kelley Towell, CJ Collins, Cindy Bridges, Lindsey Hicks, Neva Parrott, Rebekah McKinney, Laura Underhill, Joan Wright, Jess Johnson, Misty Davis, Tara Shahan, Donna Monticelli, Barbie Mustion, Julie Dulaney, Jennifer Walker, Cyneca Huddleston, Biff Bird, Mike Scheidt, and Vickie Petkovic.

Approval of Agenda – Motion to approve and seconded.

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

Chancellor’s Report

• Enrollment is flat with additional numbers expected.
• Introduced Robert Greim, Director of Development.
• Budget related items: 3% increase, possibly – some possible changes coming. More to come.
• Snow days – apologized for some not getting the message of late start on Monday, Jan. 6. We will use MSU alerts going forward.
• Employee luncheon – next Friday – noon – RSVP – more information in the Human Resources portion of the meeting. Crockett Oaks – Community Service Award winner; Biff Bird – the University Service Award winner.
• A big thank you to Carrie Steen and Jennifer Walker for all their work to gather information for the gainful employment initiative and thanks to CJ Collins and Biff Bird for helping on the IT side.

Welcome New Staff

• Robert Greim, Director of Development
  • Robert expressed his excitement to be here. He will be focused on major gifts. If you speak to or know of someone as a potential donor, please let him know.

President’s Report (Trish Smith)

• That Friday Thing:
  • ASCEND plans to host the next event in February with a time adjustment of 10am to noon, and snacks will be provided. Date TBD. They hope everyone will be able to attend and check out their new digs.
• Volunteer opportunities:
  • Trish reached out to Birthday Blessings for dates that a group of staff volunteers can help. Watch for email with dates.

• Welcome gifts for new employees:
  • Trevor is not present, no update.
  • 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.
• Fundraising Ideas:
  • The following ideas have been presented and warrant discussion:
    • A book of recipes titled “Grizzly Campus Recipes” filled with recipes from staff members. We could have them printed and sell them. Some ideas and notes were brought forward:
      • Past winning Chili competition recipes.
      • Past potluck recipes.
      • Books would be sold out of the bookstore.
      • Send recipes to staff senate email WPStaffSenate@MissouriState.edu  – Deadline by Feb 12, end of day and will discuss more during next meeting, Feb 13.
    • The crafty members of our community and staff members create gift baskets or house décor (anything within their area of expertise), and we sell them. Texas State University did something like this. We could sell them outright or have a silent auction.
      • This would be a bit more complicated as it would have to involve the foundation, and we would have more restrictions.
• The next Administrative Council meeting is Wednesday, January 22. 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).

President Elect Report (Trevor Cressman) – not present, no report

Secretary Report (Kileene Collins) – no report

Treasurer Report (Alex Graham) –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)

• • • The annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon will be from noon to 1:30pm, Friday, Jan. 24, in the Magnolia Room at the West Plains Civic Center. All full-time faculty and full-time staff are invited to attend. Additionally, part-time staff (non-students) are invited. RSVP to Alyssa Collins via email at AlyssaCollins@MissouriState.edu by Friday, Jan 17.
    • The 2025 payroll calendars are available online.
    • W-2 Annual Wage and Tax Statements will be available in My Missouri State no later than Friday, Jan. 31.
    • New Insurance Cards will be sent because the name of the pharmaceutical company has changed. Please watch your mail for new cards.
  • Music Program (Rocky Long)
    • Music Festival events during the spring semester. Assistance running and supervising the events is needed. Please consider volunteering. The dates are as follows:
      • Friday, March 7, 2025 / 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m
        • MO HS Activities Association District Music Festival
        • Solo & Small Ensembles
        • Melton, Lybyer, Hass-Darr, Methodist Church, and potentially Gohn, if needed.
      • Tuesday, March 25, 2025 / 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
        • MSU-WP Music Program Pre-Festival Assessment
        • HS Bands and Choirs
        • WP Civic Center
      • Friday, March 28, 2025 / 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
        • MO HS Activities Association District Music Festival – Bands and Choirs.
        • Civic Center
      • Saturday, April 12, 2025 / 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
        • MSU-WP Music Festival for Vocal & Instrumental Students.
        • Bands, Choirs, Solos, and Small Ensembles
        • WP Civic Center

• Upcoming Events & Important Dates:
  • MSU-WP Community Band
    • The West Plains Community Band will join the MSU Springfield Community Band in a concert on March 3 at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall.
  • Counseling Center (Lauren Willis)
    • Counseling Center Art Reveal on Thursday, January 30, at 5:30 p.m.
  • Garnett Library (Rebekah McKinney)
    • Denise Henderson Vaughn presents “Fire in the Ozarks” on Tuesday, January 21, at 6:00 p.m.
  • For a complete list of events, please go to https://calendar.wp.missouristate.edu/

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.