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You are here: Home / Minutes / Staff Senate Meeting Minutes October 8, 2026

Staff Senate Meeting Minutes October 8, 2026

2026 October 8 by kc0503

Date/Location:

October 8, 2026 – 10:30 a.m. in the NAC Classroom with Zoom option available.

In Attendance: Lauren Willis, Kileene Collins, Wayne Cahoj, Alexandra Graham, Laura Underhill, Autumn Collins, Trace Winfrey, Douglas Cooley, Cedric Wooledge, Kristi Huff, Sheila Sparks, Kris Brinkerhoff, Sophia Skinner, Emilie Brotherton, Chad Corley, Marc Hubbell, Trevor Cressman, and Joshua Gregory. Zoom participants: Alyssa Collins, Barbie Mustion, Misty Davis, Cindy Bridges, Sue Icenhower, Michelle Bryan, Melvin Steele, and Keri Elrod.

Approval of Agenda – Motion to approve by Emilie Brotherton and seconded by Alex Graham – motion passed.

Approval of September Meeting Minutes – Motion to approve by Douglas Cooley and seconded by Alex Graham – motion passed.

Chancellor’s Report

  •  Enrollment – continued efforts to find ways to increase
    • Overall degree seeking down 7%
    • Continuing reg down 29.8%
    • First time new up 41%
    • Transfer up 44.7%
    • Total non-degree down 5.2%
    • Credit hours down 4.9%
  • Budget
    • FY 2026 finished in the black
    • FY 2027 Working with Springfield to align on projections based on fall enrollment – more will be shared during the State of the Univ address in November.
  • Updated Org charts and Committee lists will be shared soon.

 SGA Presentation (President, Michelle Robles and Vice President, Morgan Beukers)

  • Annual Halloween party hosted by SGA
  • Visited Springfield SGA
  • Future initiatives
  • Finish and host the Halloween party
  • Recruit SGA Senate members
  • Start looking into Capital Projects

 President’s Report (Lauren Willis)

  • Lauren is working on campus on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays & remotely on Mon/Thurs.
  • The State of the University event is November 4, at 3:30 p.m.
  • Department Spotlight (Workforce Development & Community Education)
    • Assist programs with Workforce Alignment, Non-Credit Programs, Credentials, Registered Apprenticeships, Community Workshops and Courses, and Makerspace.
    • Oct 30 – soft opening of the makerspace
    • Their top priorities currently are growing their non-credit program offerings through Registered Apprenticeships, Manufacturing and Healthcare training.
    • They are always looking for people who have skillsets and would like to teach. Workforce related or hobby/interest based.
    • Shout out to Trevor Cressman and Laura Underhill for all they do!

 President Elect Report (Wayne Cahoj)

  • No report this month

 Secretary Report (Kileene Collins)

  • No report this month

 Treasurer Report (Alex Graham)

  • $1,768.62 in our account

Department Updates, Announcements, and Committee Updates/Reports

  • Committee Reports
    • Activities Committee:
      • Secret Grizzly Sign-ups must be submitted by October 22
      • Chili Cook-Off October 23 in the NAC
      • Next meeting will be in November & they will be focusing on Homecoming plans
  • Department Reports
    • Human Resources (Alyssa Collins)
      • MO Deferred Compensation 1:1 Sessions: Kevin Polley, Financial Education Specialist with the Missouri Deferred Comp Plan, will be available to meet one-on-one with employees on Tuesday, October 13 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. in Kellett 101. Schedule an appointment
      • Employee Benefits Fair: Thursday, October 29, 9 a.m. – noon, Student Rec Center. All full-time and part-time employees are invited!
      • Flu Vaccination Clinics & Employee Biometrics: Appointments are required through the MyHealth Portal.
        • Wednesday, Oct 14, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Student Rec Center
        • Thursday, Oct 29, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Student Rec Center
      • Save up to $360 on your annual health insurance premiums! Earn the 2027 wellness incentive discount
      • Medicare 101 Session: Thursday, October 29, 1:00-2:30 p.m., Hass-Darr 100​. Register online
      • SEUSA: Nominations are now being accepted for the Staff Excellence in University Service Awards. The awards recognize excellence in service to the university among staff employees. Six full-time staff employees will receive a one-time $1,500 award. Staff, faculty, and administrators are encouraged to submit nominations by Sunday, Nov. 8. Additional information can be found at http://www.missouristate.edu/seusa.
      • Change in Healthcare Premiums:  2027 Health Plan Premium Rates and Open Enrollment
    • OHRC (Rebecca McKinney)
      • October 27 – Lost Love, Murder, and Hillbillies…Songs of the Ozarks
    • Drago College Store (Wayne Cahoj)
      • Rodeo this week! Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Get your tickets ahead of time at the bookstore to avoid the line at the gate! They also have Grizzly Rodeo Gear available at the store and will have merchandise available during the rodeo.
    • Admissions (Marc Hubbell)
      • Heavy recruiting this month.
  • Drawing for giveaway winners:
    • Douglas Cooley
    • Kileene Collins

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 11:18 a.m.

Filed Under: Minutes

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