Staff Senate
The University of Montana
Shelley Hiniker, President
(406) 243-6643
DRAFT Minutes: Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Present: Jo Beck, Michelle Crowe, David Crowley, Kris Csorosz, Katie Dalessio, Stacia Graham, Marvin Hess, Colleen Hoffman, Cheri Hollist, Teressa Keenan, Gregg Potter, Darlene Samson, Renee Valley, Kathy White, Steve Wing, Tammy Yedinak
Excused: Amy Casamassa, Jone Hayes, Susan Hess, Shelley Hiniker, Tim McCue, Cheryl Minnick, Cheryl Neilson, Judson Ulvestad, Ann Weiler
Absent: Lisa Arends, Shelly Gay, Sue Malek, Gary Taylor, William Turner
President Katie Dalessio called the meeting to order and took roll.
June meeting minutes were approved as amended.
No Financial Report was presented
New Senator Orientation:
Renee Valley presented the new Staff Senators with a handout detailing the responsibilities of Staff Senators, listing the basic role Senators play and the Staff Senate and University of Montana Committees.
Announcements and Discussions
The format of New Employee Orientation will be changing; a signup sheet will be distributed. Discussed having an Administrator present at monthly meetings, some feel that this may discourage open discussion and create an uncomfortable atmosphere. Ideas given included limited the amount of time administrators spend at meeting and including administrators on the agenda.
The Staff Senate Retreat during the August meeting was discussed, Todd Goodrich will be asked to take pictures. The Senate will meet for approximately one and a half hours for the general meeting and then move to "Out to Lunch." A motion was made by Michelle Crowe and seconded by David Crowley to spend $5.00 per Senator for Out to Lunch Bucks.
Constituent Lists were distributed.
Steve Wing brought up the idea of a sliding scale cost for staff parking permits.
The question was asked if Staff Senate could help with the discrepancy between faculty and staff related to computer rotation.
Speaker
Lucy France, EOAA Officer, described her role: ensure Equal Employment Opportunity in hiring and in the workplace, continue to implement federally mandated Affirmative Action laws to increase women and minorities, create a better, healthier population through diversity. Lucy performs investigations when complaints are filed, uses alternative dispute resolution to solve conflicts, and promotes diverse employment searches. One of her goals is to create an atmosphere of acceptance.
Committee Reports
Communications and Visibility Committee: Renee reported that the Homecoming Float will proceed, the float will receive $1000 to be used for construction. A motor pool truck will be used to pull the float. Mark LaParco, Dining Services, will be donating food for the float construction party. A $100 gift certificate for the UM Bookstore will be given to the person who submits the winning float idea.
Toastmasters: David reported that a staff Toastmaster group will be starting in mid-August. The group can have up to 20 members; the cost is a $47 initial fee and then $27 per year. The group will meet Thursdays at noon and can be used for Professional Development.
Staff Caring for Staff: Tammy Yedinak reported that there is a new Direct Leave request coming for a staff member in need of sick time.
Campus Facilities Committee-Kris Csorosz reported that trees are being removed from campus without the notification of the CFC. Seven trees will be removed for the new Native American Studies building.
The meeting was adjourned.
