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Staff Senate Meeting Minutes October 9, 2025

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Date/Location:

October 9, 2025 – 10:30 a.m. Melton Hall 212 with Zoom option

In Attendance: (In person): Trevor Cressman, Kileene Collins, Becky Craig, Douglas Cooley, Wayne Cahoj, Joshua Gregory, Sophia Skinner, Lauren Willis, Lora Davis, Cedric Wooledge, Nina Williams, Justin Wade, Sheila Sparks, Mark White, Lindsey Waggoner, Brian Mitchell, Cyneca Huddleston, Jon Allen, Erica Puckett, Melissa Jett, and Kris Brinkerhoff. (Zoom attendees): Michelle Bryan, Alyssa Collins, Tara Shahan, Sue Icenhower, and Misty Davis.

Call to Order

Approval of Agenda – Motion made by Justin Wade to approve the agenda. Seconded by Jon Allen, and all in favor.

Approval of September Meeting Minutes – Motion made to approve the September meeting minutes by Jon Allen. Seconded by Cyneca Huddleston, and all in favor.

Chancellor’s Report (Zora Mulligan)

  • Chancellor Mulligan shared the following from her “October Talking Points”:
  • Marvin Looney’s contributions during his tenure.
    • Chancellor from 1991-1998
    • Expanded campus through gifts and state-funded capital improvement projects
    • Doubled enrollment
    • Established first athletic programs
  • Fall enrollment:
    • Areas of growth – High School (Dual Credit/Dual Enrollment) and Continuing students.
    • Areas for growth – First-time freshmen, Mountain Grove, and Transfer students.
  • There will be a Town Hall to discuss budget updates – date TBD.
  • Oct 31 HLC Town Hall at 8am in Melton 112 – offices will be closed until after the meeting and all are expected to attend.
  • The Vet Tech program is moving forward. It is funded largely through a state grant. Rachel Gipson has been hired as the director and the program will be housed in Drago Hall. With the hopes of reasonable bids on the renovation, work will take place this winter and spring. The police substation will move to Putnam Hall. Students can enroll in the program beginning in Spring 2027.
  • Campus Safety
    • In an emergency, contact 911. Emergencies include medical events and crime.
    • For other safety concerns, such as suspicious people on campus, contact the university’s centralized dispatch at (417) 836-5509. That number is a 24-hour hotline. The operator in Springfield will take your call and relay the information to the appropriate person in West Plains.
    • The Faculty Senate and Staff Senate Chairs serve on the campus safety committee. If you have more general safety concerns, contact Trevor Cressman.
  • Upcoming HLC visit:
    • The assurance argument was submitted
    • All are encouraged to read the weekly email from Chancellor Mulligan. It comes out on Mondays.
    • Our HLC staff liaison joined the Faculty Senate meeting by Zoom on Friday, Oct. 3.
    • The site visit will be Monday, November 17 – Tuesday, November 18. Not everyone will need to participate. We will share the schedule as soon as it is finalized.
  • Strategic Plan:
    • The co-chairs are working with a consultant to plan schedule.
    • Institutional Research is gathering date.

There will be lots of opportunities to be involved and we are all encouraged to engage, or your priorities may not be considered in the development of the plan.

President’s Report (Trevor Cressman)

  • That Friday Thing
    • The 3rd Friday of the month?
      • Upcoming available dates
        • November 21 – Trevor will follow through with a signup sheet.
        • December 19 – it was decided to skip December’s event due to the Holiday Potluck being the same week and the 19th is the last day for the campus to be open before the winter break.
  • Reminder to sign up for the coffee giveaway

President-Elect Report (N/A)

  • President-Elect nomination: Motion made by Trevor Cressman to nominate Lauren Willis. Seconded by Lora Davis, and all in favor.

 Secretary Report (Kileene Collins)

  • Secret Grizzly Survey – Surveys were provided to those present and will be sent to all staff in an email for those that were not in attendance. Deadline to turn them in is October 24. Names will be drawn on the 24th during the Chili-Cook-Off and the big reveal will be during the Holiday Potluck on December 16.

Treasurer Report (Alex Graham)

  • Alex was not present but asked Trevor to share our account Balance: $2287.98

Committee Reports

  • Staff Senate Activities Committee
    • Chili Cook-Off – October 24, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Hass-Darr Hall Student Union
      • Open to all faculty and staff to compete
      • Prize for Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice
      • Free to come eat and enjoy!
    • Activities Survey
    • If you have any ideas for events or activities, email WPStaffSenate@MissouriState.edu

Department Reports

  • Ozarks Heritage Research Center (Rebekah McKinney)
    • From Archives to Ancestry: Navigating Genealogical Resources – Presented by Blanche McKinney – Tuesday, Oct 14, 2025, 6 p.m., Garnett Library.
  • HR (Alyssa Collins)
    • GAP Update – The GAP team will be touring MSU-Mountain Grove Shannon Hall and the Fruit Station on Friday, October 17.
    • Annual Health Insurance Premium Savings – Save up to $360. To earn the 2026 wellness incentive discount, complete two of the following actions:
      • Educational “Did You Know: Fresh Facts” Video
      • Seasonal Flu Vaccination
      • Biometric Screening
    • Flu vaccination clinics & biometric screenings:
      • The next clinic is Thursday, October 30 in the Student Recreation Center from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
      • Appointments are required through the MyHealth Portal.
    • Mammogram Bus:
      • The OZH Mobile Mammography Unit will be on campus Wednesday, October 29, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the north Lybyer Hall parking lot. This event is by appointment only, no walk-ins. To schedule an appointment, please call (417) 257-5912. A reminder that with the MSU health plan, preventive screening is available at not cost to female employees over the age of 40.
    • TIAA Financial Planning Meetings:
      • One-on-one sessions are available with TIAA representative Erin Day on Wednesday, October 29 from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Lybyer 208. TIAA is an approved retirement asset manager for 403b savings.
    • 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, October 30, in the Student Recreation Center. Employees will have the opportunity to meet with our various insurance and benefit providers. Plus, attendees will have a chance to win one of many door prizes!
    • 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 7. 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 a special situation, 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.

Trevor held a drawing for two winners to win a free coffee from Grizzly Grounds and the winners were: Sheila Sparks and Lauren Willis

Adjournment at 11:25 a.m.