September 5, 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, Kelly Brown, Patrick Byers, Mike Clark, Sara Clark, Belinda Davis, SuzAnn Ferguson, Mary Lynne Golden, Lisa McEowen-LeVangie, David Liss, Steve Mills, Phil Nichols, Lisa Reed, Alan Roland, Pam Sailors, Edie Sartin, Chris Strodtman, Myril Stewart

Absent - Chuck Donald, F. Chris Brown, Betty Lewis

Guests - Ron Boaz, Joan Newman, Norm Griffith

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

3. New Business -

Mary Lynne Golden opened the meeting and the members voted to approve the August 2002 minutes.

A motion was made to vote in a new member; Shirley Keck's name was drawn and voted on. She has since accepted the position.

Phil Nichols, Veterans Recognition Committee Chair, spoke on the Veterans Recognition ceremony to be held on November 11, 2002, Veterans Day. A flag ceremony will be held in the Plaster Sports Complex, more information will be released later.

4. Old Business -

Myril Stewart presented an Employee Handbook Resolution. The Staff Senate voted to approve the resolution.

Sara Clark, Issues and Concerns Committee Chair discussed the recent Staff Survey. The priority of issues is viewed differently by unclassified and classified staff. The new Salary Committee, to be appointed by Dr. Keiser will discuss salary issues. It was decided that Staff Senate would compile more facts and review all ideas presented in the Staff Survey. After further discussions are held, it will be decided on what options to pursue with Administrative Council.

David Liss spoke on employee health insurance. The recent Health Insurance Committee meetings have been discussing the options of insurance coverage for faculty and staff. The committee will be meeting on September 13, 2002 to review the bids. A final decision for recommendations that will be presented to the Board of Governors during the September meeting will be made.

Mary Lynne reminded Staff Senate members to think about volunteering for the positions of Secretary and Chair-Elect during 2003.

Phil Nichols brought up a discussion of the University conflict resolution process for employees. After much discussion it was decided that this falls under the duties of Jana Estergard, Equal Opportunity Officer in Human Resources. Staff Senate decided to invite her to a future meeting to discuss her role in mediating conflicts.

Steve Mills brought up a discussion of the large volume of paper fliers sent out on campus. Staff Senate members discussed the options of using email or web announcements to reduce the expense of paper and recycling. It was decided to discuss this further with Greg Burris, Acting Associate Vice President of Administrative Services/Information Services and consult the campus email policy. Steve will bring a resolution to Staff Senate at the October meeting.

Myril Stewart, Bylaws Committee Chair, brought up the membership of Staff Senate and the Bylaws Committee. The Bylaws Committee will meet soon to discuss membership and attendance of Staff Senate meetings.

5. Announcements -

Mary Lynne will meet with Dr. Keiser to discuss the formation of the Salary Issues Committee.

The next meeting of the Staff Senate will be held Thursday, October 3, 2002, at 1:30 p.m. in Plaster Student Union, Room 313.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:30.

Respectfully submitted:
Edie Sartin
Staff Senate