Staff Senate

at Missouri State-West Plains

You are here: Home / Minutes / Staff Senate Meeting Minutes May 8, 2025

Staff Senate Meeting Minutes May 8, 2025

by

Date/Location:

May 8, 2025 – 10:30am via Zoom

In Attendance: Trish Smith, Kileene Collins, Alexandra Graham, Trevor Cressman, Trace Winfrey, Neva Parrott, Nina Williams, Mikala King, Christina Kerley, Michelle Bryan, Jon Allen, Jennifer Edgeller, Mel Steele, Sue Icenhower, Tanya Miller, Julie Dulaney, Donna Monticelli, Wayne Cahoj, Lindsey Hicks, Joshua Gregory, Carrie Steen, Jessica Johnson, Melissa Jett, Douglas Cooley, Cindy Bridges, Pam Tate, Kristi Huff, Alex Cochran, Mark White, Cyneca Huddleston, Barbie Mustion, Tara Shahan, and Kris Brinkerhoff.

Approval of Agenda – Motion to approve and seconded.

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

Chancellor’s Report

  • Chancellor Lancaster is on the Springfield campus, attending the May Board of Governors meeting.

President’s Report (Trish Smith)

  • Retirement reception for Chancellor Lancaster. There will be a combined reception with the BOG reception and Neva Parrott stated that the Friends of the Garnett Library plan to also have their own reception. After discussion, it was agreed to have a separate reception for faculty and staff. Trish will keep us updated with more details.
  • That Friday Thing: If any department(s) wants to host next, please send me an email at the WPStaffSenate@MissouriState.edu email address.
  • Fundraising For Staff Senate:
    • “Grizzly Campus Recipes” cookbook:
      • Only three more need to be sold to cover the cost of the cookbook. Everything past that is 100% profit for the staff senate coffers.
  • Welcome to the Grizzly family:
    • Jose Mercado – Custodian
  • A message from the Public Affairs Committee:
    • Colleagues, we want to give a BIG Thank You to everyone who helped in one way or another during the Interscholastic Contest. Thanks to you, we were able to provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge, be proud, and to celebrate. We know everyone had a busy schedule. However, you were an important part of making this event a success, and we want you to know your support was noticed. Like we hear around, “it takes a village” to bring this event to this level. The ISC has become a signature event for our campus, an important tool for recruitment, and an opportunity to bring our people together. Infinite thanks, MSU-WP Public Affairs Committee.
  • The next Administrative Council meeting is Wednesday, May 14. 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). This will be Trish’s last meeting as President and Trevor Cressman will begin duties on May 14.

President Elect Report (Trevor Cressman) – 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)
      • GAP Graduation: The GAP team will be recognized this Friday during the end-of-year cookout.
      • Vacation Leave: As summer draws near and the fiscal year winds down, it’s the perfect moment to check your vacation leave balance. At Missouri State University, full-time employees can carry forward vacation leave– but only up to a point. If your balance exceeds twice your annual allowance by June 30, you’ll lose those extra hours. Check your leave balance through the Employee Dashboard in MyMissouriState.
      • Shared Leave Pool: The Shared Leave Committee is working toward a goal of 2,500 donated vacation hours by June 30. Donations can be made in one-hour increments, and every hour matters. When you give to the Shared Leave Pool, you’re not just donating hours – you’re providing peace of mind, relief, and support to someone in your MSU family during a time of need. Refer to the HR Blog for more details.
    • Garnett Library (Rebekah McKinney)
      • Si Siman, the Ozark Jubilee, and Music Business at the Crossroads. May 13 at 6 pm.
    • Summer Scholars (Trevor Cressman)
      • Sign-ups to volunteer for Summer Scholars will be available soon, watch your email.
    • Drago College Store (Wayne Cahoj)
      • Sidewalk Sale today and tomorrow (May 8-9) 70% off.
  • Upcoming Events & Important Dates:
    • 5/9 Campus Cook-out from 11am – 1pm in the Commons between Hass-Darr and Melton Hall. Come out and enjoy burgers and fellowship.
    • For a complete list of events, please go to https://calendar.wp.missouristate.edu/

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 10:42 a.m.