1
STAFF SENATE MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, February 10th, 2016
Cameron Hall 214
2:00 – 4:00


Called to Order 2:00
Confirmation of Quorum 2:30
In Attendance: Melissa Cox, Linda Register, Dawn Brown, Beth Valdrighi, Mary Browning, Jordan Hinkley, Kat
Pohlman, Megan Allred, Charley Ferguson, Diane Edwards, Lauren Auton, Erin St. Ledger, Daniella Murray,
Colleen Opalka, Ashley Cribb, Karanda Jolly, Jennifer Coombs


Approval of minutes from January meeting 2:32
Reading of Conflict of Interest Statement 2:33
Special Guest: Bradley Ballou, Chief of Staff 2:00
Presentation: 2016 Connect NC Bond Vote March 15
Summary: Bond was approved by GA. Bond touches every part of state. $ 2 billion One Time money. Lion share of
bond would come to NC University system. $66 million to UNCW. For more information, go to about Connect NC tab
on Chancellor’s website. Chancellor, Upper Administration, and BOT can advocate. As staff we are no allowed to
advocate for the bond at work, but we can share info and tell folks at home.
Questions:
 Is bond attached to transportation bill? No
 When will construction begin? Not until 2018
 What about Parking? Preliminary plan in place
 What will go in building? Not decided at this time. More discussion after bond passes.
 What happens if bond does not pass? We will still build two buildings, but not sure where the funding would
come from.
 Where did $66,000 campaign investment from UNCW come from and can we get it back? These funds went
to campaign fund, so, no; we cannot get it back. This was private funds, not general funds
 What can we say about this bond to co-workers? You cannot use university resources or time, but you can
inform. You must stop short of telling anyone to vote for the bond.
In addition: Ballou indicated that he wants to come to Staff Senate meetings on a regular basis and is looking to
establish a regular meeting schedule with Staff Senate Executive committee.
Chairs’ update:
Met with Chancellor and anticipate in depth discussion with Chancellor regarding fall survey.
New business:
 Staff Assembly is sending “Salary Letter” to BOT. We will get final draft of letter to Staff Senate to share with
constituents.
 Open forums for strategic plan will be held in late February. Feedback is needed so please attend. Goal is to
make the Strategic Plan simpler to create greater buy in. Dawn is on strategic planning committee which
meets 3/week (usually 2 hour meeting). Goal is to have it approved before Chancellor’s installation.
 Ann Freeman is working with Dawn and Lauren to add more staff to committees on campus. This is in the
planning stages now. Overall goal is to create list (survey) to have names of interested staff to put on
committees as needed.
 We received an anonymous submission to suggestion box regarding health plan and we sent it to Rosalyn
and Mark Lanier.
2



We did let the Chancellor know that there has been a buzz about possible increase in health insurance cost
and also had a conversation about possible compensation increases. Please let Dawn know if constituents are
concerned about benefits being more costly and/or limited.
We had a general question and answers session. In summary: State considered removing 80/20 coverage and
spousal coverage. Not actionable at this time. "Off table" maybe because it’s an "election year". We are selfinsured. State tells BC/BS what they want to offer and BCBS administers it. Staff Senate suggested to
Administration that staff-wide correspondence be sent out, but it was off the table so quickly that it was not
necessary. Staff Senate Executive team will suggest that the Chancellor address issues like this in campuswide correspondence to clear up fear confusion and concerns. This will be a top agenda item for next
meeting with Chancellor.
Spring Community Service Event discussion is tabled until next month pending more info.
Treasures Report
Nothing to report
Human Resources Report
 HR total compensation statements went out last week
 Performance evaluation tool has been approved and will roll out in fall for campus. This will include talent
development plan.
 There will also be a performance evaluation tool for EHRA employees rolled out at the same time.
Committees Reports
 Orientation- “Lingo” bookmark for New Employee Orientation
 Scholarship- working on marketing in SWOOP
 Staff Senate scholarship will be open soon.
 Creating video for OIP scholarship will have to hold until after Installation
Bylaws
Nothing to report
Nominations
Will be on agenda for March
Communications
New website is up. It will include more stories of scholarship recipients. Please go to website and send Ashley and
Dawn feedback.
Faculty Senate
Chancellor spoke to Senate and indicated that Upper Administration visited over 150 (potential) donors.
Provost spoke about working with Business Affairs to make processes more efficient. She made references to faculty
senate standing rules. All Upper Administration has commented on how easy going/relaxed Staff Senate is.
Announcements from Departments
Megan Allred asked for volunteer to hand out shirts at Yellow Out game. Meet at 2:30. Let her know.
Adjourned 3:45
Minutes taken by Melissa Cox, Staff Senate Secretary