August Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2014 10:00am-12:00pm
University Center 331/332
Welcome & Call to Order
President Linder called the meeting to order.
Roll Call
Attendees: Andi Armstrong, Kris Csorosz, Maryann Dunbar, Matt Filer, Molly Fishburn-Matthew, Geri Fox,
Rozlyn Haley, Chuck Harris, Grace Harris, Jefferson Heath, Natalie Hiller-Claridge, Rochelle Krahn, Maggie
Linder, Mike Maas, Becky Maier, Roger McDonald, Shaunagh McGoldrick, Denise Nelson, Paulette Nooney,
Chelsey Porter, Kathy Reeves, Brandie Terpe, Renee Valley, Angela Weisenburger, Jennifer Zellmer-Cuaresma,
Judy Wellert (Administrative Associate)
Excused: David Crowley, Lisa Marie Hyslop, Maria Mangold, Denise May, and Gloria Phillip
Absent: None
UM Minute
Natalie Hiller-Claridge reported that the Campus Recreation summer camps have been a great success this year
with 240 campers enrolled. UM students have taken on the bulk of the responsibility for the programs and have
proven to be wonderful counselors for the campers.
Minutes of July Meeting
Judy Wellert amended the July minutes to correctly report the number of hours of community service by the
University athletes as 2,100 hours. The July 2014 minutes were approved with that revision.
Financial Report
Rochelle Krahn reported that there is approximately $700 in the Staff Senate Scholarship Fund at the UM
Foundation. She will be asking Business Services for an explanation on a Journal Voucher (JV) that was made on
our General Fund Account. The Senate will approve the financial report for July when we meet in September.
MUSSA Report
Maggie Linder reviewed the video conference meeting of MUSSA representatives from many campuses that met
in July. She pointed out that, though the Board of Regents targeted the topic of advising as the issue they wanted
staff organizations to pursue, some campus staff organizations will be concentrating on other topics. Mary Ann
George (Helena) was elected as MUSSA Chair, and Maria Mangold (Missoula) was elected as MUSSA ViceChair. Matt Filer reminded the Senators that issues that deal with compensation and other negotiated concerns are
to be handled through our union representation, not by MUSSA. Concerns raised by Senators:
 Define what staff members should be discussing with students.
 Clarify the number of hours students can be employed by the University.
 Identify the best practices for overseeing student employees.
 Recognize the importance of the University hiring someone to oversee the Degree Audit system.
 Develop a clear communication method throughout MUS for transfer student issues.
Staff Senate Committee Reports
Scholarship Committee
Kris Csorosz made the motion that “The Scholarship Committee requests $3000 per year as a minimum
fundraising goal for scholarships.” PASSED
“Decisions on the number of scholarships given will be left to the Scholarship Committee.” Motion TABLED so
that the committee can further discuss.
Bylaws and Resolutions Committee
Maggie Linder stated that the template for resolutions is located on the Staff Senate website. The resolution
process can be used to amend the Staff Senate Bylaws if a permanent Bylaws change is to be made.
Communication and Visibility Committee
Andi Armstrong reported that on September 11 there will be a lunchtime presentation about the UM Dining
Garden. Meet at the barbeque area next to the Garden.
Fundraising Committee
The date for the Cheers for Charity fundraiser will need to be changed.
Executive Committee
To accommodate reductions in the Staff Senate budget, Maggie Linder made the motion “The Staff Senate will no
longer purchase padfolios for new Senators.” PASSED
She also moved “The Staff Senate will not have a catered Holiday party in December.” PASSED
Judy Wellert will change the time of the December 10 Staff Senate meeting at Missoula College to 10 a.m.
Senators will have the option to stay afterwards and purchase lunch in the restaurant there.
University Committees
Maggie Linder urged Senators to submit Committee Reports for the University-level committees on which they
serve.
Guest Speaker
Peggy Kuhr, Claudine Cellier, and Jasmine Zink Laine briefly reviewed the purposes of the “Recommendations
for improving internal communication at UM” document. They asked for Staff Senate feedback on which goals
recommended in the document the Senate would target.
Some of the comments from Senators
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Urged working toward a campus culture in which staff want to be a part of campus activities and
in which staff feel personally invested.
Some Senators urged us to remember that not all classified staff want to participate or have the
ability to participate in activities due to interference of work shifts.
Some supervisors do not accommodate their employees participating during working hours.
Weekly summaries of activities would be helpful (like the TGIF e-mails).
Digital coffee pots could allow for informal interaction similar to a centralized “water cooler”
concept.
Utilization of the reader boards for communication
Professional Development
Maggie Linder named professional development a goal for the 2014-15 Senate. Mike Maas is working on a
document defining what professional development means. Rozlyn Haley will Chair a Professional Development
ad hoc Committee. Mike Maas and Molly Fishburn-Matthew will serve on that Committee. Judy Wellert will
circulate to the Senators the results of the 2012 Survey that had to do with Professional Development.
Resignation
Roger McDonald has accepted a new position and no longer will be working at the University. His dedication
and contributions to Staff Senate were recognized.
The meeting was adjourned.
Next meeting: September 10, 2014, from 10 a.m. – Noon in SELL 204