October Meeting Minutes
October 10, 2012
10:00-12:00 UC 332-333
I.
Welcome & call to order: Vice-President Hannah Singleton called the
meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. She announced that thank you emails had
been sent to President Engstrom, the Executive Cabinet members, and
Deans and Directors who attended the September SS meeting. A suggestion
was made to break up the attendance next year so they wouldn’t have to sit
through the whole meeting waiting their turn to speak.
II.
Roll call: Carol Bates
Attendees: Senators: Andi Armstrong, Carol Bates, Lisa Coon, Kristine Csorosz,
John DeYoung, Molly Fishburn-Mathew, Phillip Flukas, Geri Fox, Chuck Harris,
Maggie Linder, Becky Maier, Maria Mangold, Denise May, Jaylene Naylor, Sandi
Nelson, Maryann Robison, Sharon Schneider, Hannah Singleton, Jimmy Stevens,
Kathie Tattory, Brandie Terpe, Maureen Ward, Kelly Wasson, Angela Weisenberger,
Administrative Assistant, Judy Wellert
Excused: Jay Bruns, Natalie Hiller-Claridge, Gary Hagler, Darlene Samson
Absent: Kennden Culp, Slade Johnson,
III.
IV.
V.
Approval of September Minutes: Vice-President Singleton presented the
minutes of September 12th. Clarification was made that Registrar Ed
Johnson was in attendance. Motioned to approve with changes; seconded;
motion carried.
Financial Report: Financial Officer Coon passed around copies of the
Operating Statement dated 10/10/2012. Motioned to approve; seconded;
motion carried.
Old Business:
Staff Senate Survey: Committee Chair Bates thanked all senators for their
comments regarding the upcoming survey. The survey is scheduled to be
launched Monday, October 15th and will be open for 2 weeks. Wellert will
provide paper copies to Senator DeYoung for distribution to classified staff
not having access to the online version.
VI.
New Business
UM Foundation Account: Scholarship Committee Chair Nelson reported
that the committee is investigating moving this account to the UM
Foundation. Benefits include the ability to track who is donating into the
fund which is available through Business Services but we haven’t been
requesting it since they give us salary information along with the donation
list. Foundation management would not affect our requesting donated
parking passes or Bookstore donations. We need to explore the possibility of
additional fees. Senator Coon stated that we could do our own needs
analysis which had been seen as an advantage of moving the account to the
Foundation. The decision was tabled until more information was presented.
VII.
VIII.
Staff Senate Committee Reports:
CVC: Committee Chair Armstrong reminded senators of the social at Ten
Spoon Winery on Oct. 11th. Senators Fox and Schneider will go before 5:00
p.m. to set up. Pizza will be available at 6:00.
Also, coming up in November is a “Family Swim” night and in January,
another “Movie” night. Some discussion ensued regarding the possibility of
inviting other non-classified staff members and co-sponsoring an event with
Faculty Senate.
Fundraising: Committee Chair Mangold reported $670 was made from the
raffle which was a lot of work setting up and then following up with
businesses. She suggested we may want to rethink our fundraising efforts –
possibly do a 50/50 raffle. If all the senators sold 50 tickets the senate
would make $1500. That is how the fundraising began but there are tax
implications for the winner. She also reported that the committee applied for
a fundraising night at the Kettle House and we should know in November
whether we are accepted.
Technology Solutions: Committee member, Naylor reported some of their
committee went on a computer field trip and are investigating how to divert
a stream of used computers before they hit the junk pile. They are trying to
secure a newer computer for the facilities services staff. Also in question: is
there a need for more than one, how much usage would they get, and port
charges.
University Committee Reports:
University Planning: Wellert reported for President Samson. The University
Planning Committee is working to budget and plan for the 2014-15
academic year. The legislature gives money to the Board of Regents to
divide among the Montana University System schools. Issues in the plan
will include sexual assault, veterans, emergency services, capital campaign,
and Disability for Student Services. There will be a deficit in athletics in
2014-15 because there is no room for a 7th game in the schedule.
Department requests are delivered to the budget committee in January.
Shared Governance: VP Singleton noted the BOR meeting coming up in
November. ASUM and Faculty Senate attend all BOR meetings and she
recommended that Staff Senate work to ensure we have a presence at all
BOR meetings, even when we are not on the agenda. It will strengthen our
presence in the MUS System and hopefully play into a stronger relationship
with ASUM and FS.
Singleton also mentioned the Faculty Roll Out and that we may want to look
into what happens to the computers Faculty no longer need and make sure
any Staff equipment needs are met with these, if possible. Some units are
doing this internally but we could look into the other units.
University Council: Wellert reported on the latest UC meeting. ASUM is
buying one new bus annually for the next five years. There have been
complaints of noise made by the older busses. The BOR is meeting in
Missoula for the November meeting during which time there will be an
unveiling of a new stone marker for the Missoula College. An analysis of
UM’s autumn 2012 decrease in enrollment is being done over the next
several months. Next year PETSA will be available and required for all
faculty and staff.
Library Committee: Senator Armstrong noted that Shali Zhang is the new
Dean of the Mansfield Library. A new high-end scanner will be purchased for
the library, and fundraising is underway for $3-million Learning
Commons/library renovations. The committee also discussed the
controversy of standardizing learning platforms (IE. Eres, Moodle, class
websites, etc.)
ADA Committee: Senator Csorosz reported this is a proactive group
working on electronic access for DSS. All new purchases must be accessible.
A new policy is forthcoming. Several areas of campus are in the process of
upgrades including the Bitterroot College.
IX.
Guests
Cindy Boies is a representative of committee members for Day of Dialogue.
She encouraged everyone to attend the all-day event on Oct. 25th. There will
be a special topics session for UM employees on understanding differences.
Maria Cole is the Diversity & Recruitment Coordinator on campus. She
reported her role on campus is to be in collaboration and communication
with every department and with students on campus. She is developing
processes and tools to make UM more inclusive through some diversity
initiatives to include: changing new employee orientation; guidelines for
hiring nationals; faculty & contract professionals search committees; exit
interviews for all employee classes (what is being done well, what needs to
improve); Day of Dialogue; research & data sharing with President Engstrom
& others; focus groups, collaboration with TA’s in the classrooms; outreach
efforts with the Missoula Development Council & others; and is attending
conferences & seminars as a UM representative.
Loey Knapp, the interim CIO in Information Technology provided the
senators with an update on IT’s latest accomplishments and works in
progress. Campus wireless was implemented in several new locations while
others received expanded services. Their most recent efforts include (but are
not limited to) working on technology in the classrooms, version 3 of the
Academic Planner, the Community Hub, Emergency Notification system
(new system, new processes), and centralizing the campus data center. The
IT Strategic Plan is in keeping with UM’s overall Strategic Plan with
overarching goals, action plans & a working plan. The IT directors oversee
the IT Senate in coordinating their efforts.
Loey asked for representation on the IT Senate from SS.
Meeting adjourned at 12:00 p.m.
Next meeting: November 14, 2012 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon, UC 332-333