August Meeting Minutes
August 12, 2015 10:00am – 12:00pm
UC 330/331
Welcome & Call to Order
Senator Porter called the meeting to order at 10:06am.
Roll Call
Attendees: Luke Alford, Andi Armstrong, Kris Csorosz, Cindy Ferguson, Mark Fritch, Kiley Gage, Rozlyn
Haley, Grace Harris, Jefferson Heath, Rochelle Krahn, Carlie Magill, Maria Mangold, Denise May, Shaunagh
McGoldrick, Candy Patrick, Chelsey Porter, Caitlin Sager, Edi Stan, Renee Valley, Sara Wade, Angela
Weisenburger, Kellyn Younggren, Jennifer Zellmer-Cuaresma, Judy Wellert (Administrative Associate)
Excused: Geri Fox, Maggie Linder, Gloria Phillip, Stella Phipps
Absent: David Crowley, Daphne Felker
Minutes of July Meeting
Senator Sager: Amend minutes “11:56pm” to “11:56am.” Motion to approve July minutes PASSED. Motion to
approve June minutes with amendments to Sara Drake’s comments PASSED.
Financial Report
Judy Wellert – Bookstore charge includes prizes for fall Homecoming raffle (pro card). Senator Krahn
recommends changing Internal Assessment charge date to the 2014-15 fiscal year instead of 2015-16 fiscal year.
Senator Krahn will follow up with Senator Linder (excused absence) regarding this charge. Rosi Keller
previously waived this charge. Senator Krahn will ask Senator Linder to follow up with Admin & Finance Office
regarding waiving the fee.
University Committee Reports
(full report distributed prior to meeting; this info was discussed at the meeting)
Shared Governance
Senators Porter and Zellmer-Cuaresma met with ASUM representatives. ASUM is developing First Year
Seminar and updating Student Code of Conduct.
ADA committee
The committee has three vacancies, but they’re not seeking any new members. Senator Csorosz is no longer
serving on this committee (her commitment ended 6 mos. ago), but she’s concerned that a Staff Senator is not
represented on the committee. Senator Zellmer-Cuaresma will contact President’s Office to inquire about how to
fill positions with SS representation.
Staff Senate Committee Reports
Survey Committee
Senator Harris is working with Amy Kinch on survey design/content. The committee is hoping to send it out by
October. Cami Foos, Administrative Associate for Faculty Senate, will also be in the loop.
Bylaws Committee
Senator Patrick is acting as interim Committee Chair while Senator Phillip is on vacation.
Old Business
Discussion of MPEA meeting
Senators Weisenburger, Mangold, Valley, and Krahn gave details from the meeting for those who couldn’t attend.
Senator Haley wishes there were more clarity for what we can discuss about the union. Senator Krahn mentioned
the SS meeting Chris Vance attended during AY 2014-15 and gave more info on MPEA upcoming initiatives.
Senator Csorosz gave historical perspective on MPEA reps/SS interaction (MPEA bylaws changed approx. 10
years ago to include SS reps as officers). Senators CAN serve as MPEA officers. Negotiations are grueling but
important. Senator Weisenburger reminded Senators that union members can fight for their rights by NOT
ratifying the negotiated terms.
A senator could volunteer to serve as UM’s MPEA officer/representative (Staff Senate XO Committee members
are prohibited from serving on this post). Senator Alford is interested in possibly attending negotiations. Senator
Mangold will forward Chris Vance’s email and MPEA contact info to Senator Alford.
New Business
Resolutions
SB 2 15/16 “Resolution to Amend Staff Senate Bylaws Article II – Staff Definition”
Motion to make a bylaws exception until December 31 st so that Senators Younggren & Porter can continue their
term given their pending employment status changes. Motion PASSED. Senator Porter has formally resigned.
XO committee will meet to discuss her resignation and this recent motion passed. Motion approved to TABLE
SB 2.
SB 1 15/16 “To Support the Purchasing of Carbon Offsets with Portion of UMPD Parking
Permit Fees”
Guests Chief Marty Ludemann (Director, UM Police Department) and Eva Rocke (Sustainability Coordinator,
Facility Services) provided comments. The purpose of their visit was to provide more information on how this
resolution will impact the UMPD and UM as a whole.
Chief Ludemann: The parking permit fund helps maintain parking lots (resurfacing concrete, etc.). The ASUM
president (2014-15) proposed raising parking permit fees and restructuring the parking fine schedule. ASUM
came to UM Police because students were receiving fines when they parked in decal lots. They suggested raising
the permit cost and adjusting the fine structure. The first ticket is waived. If permit-holders forget to display their
permits in their cars, their next few offences are $5 each. Non-permit holders will pay $50 per ticket after first
offence is waived. The idea is to change behavior and open up more parking on campus.
A student group on campus missed the deadline for including an addendum to secure some funds from permits for
carbon offsets. The student group approached UM Police to see if some of the increase could be put toward
carbon offsets. Chief Ludemann didn’t plan to give money to carbon offsets; they already contribute to carbon
offsets by paying ASUM buses $160k per year.
Senator Alford: If UM Police sees increase in money in parking fees/ticket revenue, could the money go towards
carbon offsets? Ludemann: Perhaps. Alford: Will fee increase deter people from buying permits? Ludemann:
We’ll see. It is possible to track data on parking fees each fiscal year. We want people to park in the proper
place. Anything I can do that is positively received is great.
Several senators agree that customer service is important. Suggestions/brainstormed ideas include: installing info
kiosks regarding parking and making pamphlets available (give to grounds crew to distribute), speaking to
Missoulian about the permits/fine structure, allowing campus visitors a “freebie” waived ticket, linking tickets to
electronic applications (smartphone apps), and buying blocks of time to “share” a parking spot.
Ludemann: First ticket is waived only if student/staff/faculty speaks to the parking clerks. If not, ticket fee goes
on bill (in connection with 790#). For non-campus-related vehicles, the fee goes through a collection agency.
Improved signage is a big issue. When large groups are expected on campus, contact UM Police before the event
(406)243-6132. They can assist with parking issues.
Eva Rocke: A concerned group of students submitted the original proposal to link parking fees with sustainability
efforts. They asked for numbers from Eva’s office. Eva’s role is to encourage sustainability to be part of budget
planning process, but not to ask for specific earmarked money. Appalachian State University is leading the
charge on associating emissions with daily commuting costs. App State created an optional program (students
can opt-in and make it really visible/community-building). Students discovered the proposed increase at UM and
they tried to jump on bandwagon. No one on campus budgets for sustainability. The students’ intention is to
connect commuting with carbon emissions. They’re open to other ideas. Buying offsets is incredibly
complicated yet tangible. Offsets are certified. UM can choose which projects (local, global, etc.) in which to
invest. By funding public transportation, we’re offsetting emissions. When we committed to a 2020 neutrality
goal, we knew that offsets would be part of that. It’s an ongoing goal. Offsets MUST be part of neutrality
because we can’t eliminate all carbon footprint (due to maintaining and heating buildings on campus, etc.). First
steps – energy efficiency in our existing buildings. We met first goal (10% 2007 levels). We have five years to
get the other 90%. Due to lack of regulation, offsets are really cheap right now. Projects are multi-faceted (IT,
buildings, etc.).
Senator Sager: Is the $5 optional fee still a possibility? Ludemann: It is a possibility. UM Police are committed
to being a part of sustainability. Timing was just off because the carbon offsets weren’t on the table when fee was
approved.
Senator Krahn: Add an optional checkbox to the parking permit renewal form to donate additional money toward
carbon offsets.
Judy Wellert: I am shocked that parking permit fees pay for UM Police, especially since it’s such an important
role on campus. Senator Haley agrees. Let’s discuss more and explore alternatives.
Motion to approve SB 1 15/16. Resolution FAILS.
Resignation of Staff Senate President Chelsey Porter
TABLED until XO committee can reconvene and revisit bylaws in light of discussion surrounding SB 2 15/16.
Meeting adjourned at 11:43am.
Next meeting: September 9, 2015, 10:00am – 12:00pm (The Iron Griz, University Golf Course)