MINUTES of STAFF SENATE
Meeting date: July 9, 2014
Call to order: A general meeting of the Staff Senate of the University of Montana was held in the Gallagher
Business Building, Room 119, of the University of Montana on July 9, 2014. The meeting convened at 9:05
a.m. with President Maggie Linder presiding and Gloria Phillip as acting secretary in lieu of Maria Mangold.
Senators in attendance: Andi Armstrong, David Crowley, Kristine Csorosz, Matthew Filer, Molly FishburnMatthew, Geri Fox, Chuck Harris, Grace Harris, Rozlyn Haley, Jefferson Heath, Natalie Hiller-Claridge,
Rochelle Krahn, Maggie Linder, Mike Maas, Becky Maier, Denise May, Roger McDonald, Shaunagh
McGoldrick, Denise Nelson, Paulette Nooney, Gloria Phillip, Chelsey Porter, Kathy Reeves, Brandie Terpe,
Renee Valley, Angela Weisenburger, Jennifer Zellmer-Cuaresma and Judy Wellert (Administrative Associate).
Senators not in attendance: Lisa Marie Hyslop (excused), Maria Mangold (excused), Maryann Robison
(Dunbar) and Hannah Singleton (Ex-Officio - excused).
Approval of minutes: Senator Maas’s name was misspelled. President Linder suggested that the minutes with
the finalized changes be approved. MOTION CARRIED.
Following a verbal roll call, a quorum was announced by Vice-President Matthew Filer.
Senators shared with the group:
1. What they were proud of in his/her job position this past year.
2. What is one quirk or hobby each Senator possessed that was not known about them?
UM Minute: Senator Zellmer-Cuaresma announced that athletic students had logged over 2,100 hours of
community service time. Senator Filer announced that UM had graduated more students in Spring semester
than ever before. Senator Maas announced that the Mansfield Library has a 3-D printer which provides a
unique service to the community.
There was no discussion about the Financial Statements. President Linder stated that they would be filed for
audit purposes, but they do not need to be approved as per Robert’s Rules of Order.
Senator Linder reviewed the duties of Staff Senators. Senators were asked to email Maria Mangold with their
expected absences or planned late arrivals to meetings. She noted that Fundraising, CVC and Bylaws
committees are year-round committees. Senators are also encouraged to attend two CVC events a year.
Communications will be more often electronic and will include copies of proposed resolutions before Senate
meetings.
Vice-President Filer described resolutions as official statements from Staff Senate as a body. Resolutions can
be statements and/or a call for action. Resolutions would also strengthen the goal of shared governance with
faculty and ASUM. Resolutions could be ignored in future years but may continue to be adhered to and would
be posted on the Staff Senate website for public comment. The process of writing a resolution was reviewed.
A Robert’s Rules of Order handout was distributed and practiced.
Topic: Guest speakers. Vice President Filer made a motion to restrict or limit the time a guest speaker could
present at Staff Senate meetings and to have their purpose for addressing the Staff Senate and the action the
speaker is requesting from the Senate stated prior to the presentation. This motion was amended to state guest
speakers must present their accompanying information a week before the Staff Senate meeting. This motion was
further amended by “the allowance for urgent or spontaneous appearances by whomever as necessary
exceptions may be made at the XO’s discretion.” CARRIED.
Then the original motion: “Guest speakers are expected to follow the structure of being limited to a time to
discuss the topic and state their purpose and having to provide supporting materials at least one week before the
meeting.” CARRIED.
Topic: Committee Reports. It was stated that attendance on committees will be checked.
GOALS for the Upcoming Year were listed on a board as:
1. Better Physical Presence on Campus
2. Actively Promote Staff Development
3. More Consistent Fundraising Events
4. Be Aware of Legislative Actions Coming Up
5. Be Aware of Staff Working Graveyard Shifts
6. Wear at a “Staff Senate Day” a bandana or some other thing to indicate to staff our presence.
7. Table at the UC at Welcome U.
8. Note the NACADA Conference.
9. Stronger Shared Governance.
10. Impact Student Success by Putting Students First.
11. Provide Students Good Customer Service to ensure their Success.
12. Gain Good Customer Service through Staff Training and Staff Development.
13. Performance Evaluations need to be changed for the better with accountability after they are done.
14. Continued improved communications.
15. Increasing support from Administration/Supervisors to provide INCENTIVE to Staff.
16. More Visibility on Homecoming.
17. Understand Robert’s Rules of Order for a governing body.
.
Senators then chose which committees they would serve on, which are listed as follows:
CVC
Chairs: Andi Armstrong and Geri Fox
Mike Maas
Jennifer Zellmer-Cuaresma
Kathy Reeves
Shaunagh McGoldrick
Rozlyn Haley
Denise May
Matt Filer
Fundraising
Chair: Mike Maas
Rochelle Krahn
Renee Valley
Roger McDonald
Natalie Hiller-Claridge
Jeff Heath
Angie Weisenburger
Maria Mangold
Bylaws
Chair: Gloria Phillip
LisaMarie Hyslop
Molly Fishburn-Matthew
Chelsey Porter
David Crowley
Survey and Assessment
Chair: Chuck Harris
Paulette Nooney
Shaunagh McGoldrick
Rochelle Krahn
Grace Harris
Outstanding Staff Awards
Chair: Geri Fox
Kris Csorosz (Previous Winner)
Mark Potter (Previous Winner)
Cheryl Minnick (Previous Winner)
Kathy Reeves
Jeff Heath
Brandie Terpe
Scholarships
Chair: Kris Csorosz
Renee Valley
LisaMarie Hyslop
Roger McDonald
Mike Maas
Nominations and Elections
Chair: Denise May
Jennifer Zellmer-Cuaresma
Natalie Hiller-Claridge
Technology Solutions
Chair: Becky Maier
Denise Nelson
Rozlyn Haley
Executive Committee
President – Maggie Linder
Vice President – Matt Filer
Secretary – Maria Mangold
Finance Officer – Rochelle Krahn
Fundraising Chair – Mike Maas
Public Relations Officers – Geri Fox and Andi Armstrong
Senators broke into their committee groups for the rest of the session.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:06 p.m.