October 3, 2002 Minutes

1. Call to Order - A regular meeting of the Staff Senate of Missouri State University was called to order at Plaster Student Union, Room 313 at 1:30 p.m.

2. Roll Call -

Present - John Avery, Mike Clark, SuzAnn Ferguson, Mary Lynne Golden, David Liss, Steve Mills, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Phil Nichols, Lisa Reed, Pam Sailors, Edie Sartin, Chris Strodtman, Myril Stewart

Absent - F. Chris Brown, Kelly Brown, Patrick Byers, Sara Clark, Shirley Keck, Belinda Davis, Chuck Donald, Betty Lewis, Alan Roland

Guests - Ron Boaz, Angie Cockrum, Sheila Ponder

Mary Lynne Golden, Chairperson, presided and Edie Sartin recorded the proceedings of the meeting.

3. New Business -

Lisa McEowen-LeVangie spoke on the Board of Governors meeting held September 20, 2002. Governor Dye expressed appreciation for the easily understood format of the Staff Senate survey results. Governor Franks wants Staff Senate to convey to staff that the members of the Board of Governors do read the survey results and they do care about staff concerns. Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Issues and Concerns Committee member spoke on the Staff Survey. Staff Senate will go forward with the committee's recommendations of options to pursue with Administrative Council.

David Liss spoke on employee health insurance. Based on a recommendation of the University's Health Care Plans Review Committee, the Board of Governors approved awarding a contract to St. John's Health Systems for a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). The contract period, which begins January 1, 2003 and ends December 31, 2003, also includes four one-year renewal options. The committee will decide on how the University will market the new insurance coverage, and hope to hold some informational meetings in the coming months.

Steve Mills presented a resolution to Staff Senate to support the reduction of the production and distribution of printed materials on campus. Staff Senate voted to approve the resolution and it will be presented to President's Council on October 5, 2002.

Pam Sailors, Faculty Senate Representative, discussed the issue of the University replacing up to sixty faculty positions for 2003 who have retired or left the University. The University will advertise in one ad for the faculty positions in The Chronicle for Higher Education, a national educational newspaper.

Staff Senate will sponsor activities in conjunction with Lee National Denim Days during the week of September 31 – October 4. The official day to wear denim is Friday, October 4, 2002. Donations collected from faculty, staff and students will go to the Susan G Koman Breast Cancer and American Cancer Society. Through further research and the promotion of regular screenings of mammograms lives can be saved.

Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, Library Associate reported that the Meyer Library would be participating in the local Reading Roundup with Springfield Public Schools. Other University
organizations are encouraged to join the effort. If anyone is interested in Staff Senate participating, please contact Lisa.

Jana Estergard, Equal Opportunity Office, Human Resources will be invited to speak to Staff Senate during the November 2002 meeting to discuss conflict resolution on campus.

4. Old Business -

Phil Nichols, Veterans Recognition Chair, reported that Jack Hunter; Director Career Services will be the guest speaker at the Veterans Day Ceremony. The ceremony will be held on Veterans Day, November 11, 2002 in the Plaster Sports Complex.

5. Announcements -

The next meeting of the Staff Senate will be held Thursday, November 7, 2002, at 1:30 p.m. in Plaster Student Union, Room 313.

The meeting adjourned at 2:30.

Respectfully submitted:
Edie Sartin
Staff Senate