STAFF SENATE MINUTES
Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
McNeil Hall 1028
2:00 – 4:00
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Called to Order 2:08
Confirmed Quorum 2:10
Approved minutes from September meeting 2:10
Reading of Conflict of Interest Statement 2:10
CHAIR’S UPDATE
Staff survey had 533 responses which is 45 to 50 percent participation.
We are trying to utilize more SWOOP to share info.
The Staff Assembly meeting was attended by Terry and Linda. Dawn went for one day.
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Update on Search for new President of University of North Carolina System coming soon. Not enough
transparency.
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State budget update: our school fared better than most schools in system. Best budget allocation for
UNCW in 8 years. This is 7th year of growth in post-recession. 3 year projection looks good. Bonus may
have been strategically in place in preparation for bigger raises next year.
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One goal is to get better participation in Staff assembly scholarship $500. Not limited to tuition. Also
includes professional development and conferences. This is a great benefit and it is not a conflict of
interest for senators.
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Terry Ismert shared two human resource items that she learned about at the Staff Assembly meeting:
1-Effective 10/1 probationary period moved to 12 month.
2-Significant Federal changes regarding overtime for exempt employees making under $50,000.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Linda Register updated the Senate on the balances and the status of our incoming budget
HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT
HR representative not named, however, Dawn is meeting with Associate Vice Chancellor of HR, Dr. Martin, to
discuss needs.
COMMITTEES REPORT
Communication-not met. Still making updates to website. Goal is to have it finished by end of semester because
of staff assembly connecting to our website.
Orientation: basically showing website. What can we use for a handout? Please think about it for Dec Neo.
Faculty senate:
A sincere “Thank You for helping with weather preparedness” was issued and there was a lengthy debate about
academic probation.
Scholarship:
Applications deadline is tomorrow. We have 4 applicants now. Voting will be in November. We will invite the
winner to the December meeting.
Also, please note that applications for the Global scholarships closing tomorrow. As of today, there is only 1
applicant. There are 2 scholarships. Not enough communication this year. Last year we helped advertise it and
received 11 applications. Dawn and committee chair to Schedule meeting with OIP to see how we can help with
global scholarship.
OLD BUSINESS
1-On behalf of Amelie -->Bylaws committee has been asked to review article 4 Section 3. Discussion followed.
Senate voted to remove the current wording regarding length of service for qualification for Chair-Elect to “only
current members on the Senate shall be eligible for nomination as Chair-Elect”. None opposed. Bylaw change
passed.
Per request for clarification, the information below is provided by Amelie Brogden, Chair of Bylaws committee:
Article IV Officers of the Senate: C. Election Procedures for Officers was changed so that all elected officers
to the Executive Committee have the same eligibility requirements. The revised by-laws states:
The Officers of Senate shall be elected at a regularly scheduled meeting each July, with the exception of
the Chair-Elect which will occur at a regularly scheduled meeting each May, using the following
procedures:
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Nominations may be made to the Chair of the nominations and Elections Committee. The ChairElect, Secretary and Treasurer positions may be filled by current members without regards to years
of service on the Senate. A firm time will be set to close all nominations and absolutely no
nominations can be accepted after that time.
The Nominations and Elections Committee shall contact the nominees. Each person named on the
ballot must accept the nomination and consent to their name being placed on the ballot.
Once the nominations have been confirmed, the ballot shall be prepared for the election.
The Chair and Chair-Elect shall begin service on July 1 of each year. The Secretary, Treasurer, and
Parliamentarian shall begin service at the conclusion of the Senate meeting in July.
2-New senator taking Tara's seat is Jeff Janowski.
NEW BUSINESS
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Opening nominations for chair elect today. Will send email out. Closed ballot. No floor nominations in
November meeting. Expectations and dates will be included fin email.
Volunteer/service opportunities: Advancement asked us to participate in Giving Tuesday. Is staff senate
interested in getting involved with advancement? Several options: staffing a blood drive, delivering baskets,
angel tree adoption, others. Missy Kennedy can come discuss our options.
Discussion followed: interest in angel tree, blood drive, something you can do while you are at work and on
campus. Something we can add to blood drive. Maybe we can ask for stocking stuffers. Erin St Ledger
suggested holiday card stations.
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Staff senate survey discussion: 533 responses. Just under 50% Shared names of Winners of prizes.
Announcements included acknowledgement of sponsors. Jennifer and Megan were very helpful in getting
donations.
Obvious that there was Problem with staff not knowing what division they are in. Many people did not
include it.
Good participation of temp and part time (under 40 hours) employees.
Paper copies: lot of responses from night shift employees.
Sorting has been challenging. We will work on data report. It takes much more time to work it than we
realized. Information will be sent to us in email once it's done.
Comments vary and will be shared to applicable department.
Thank you to Lauren. Thank you to Jordan for giving us table at alumni breakfast.
Terry Ismert suggested a “Thank You” in SWOOP.
Suggested to staff priorities should join the communications committee to send responses out.
Maybe have a priority of the week and post it on our website. Discussion on social media followed. Goal is
not just reach staff but engage them. What avenues are available? Twitter?
“Our response is critical to encourage future participation.”
“People who pushed back will not go to social media. Low morale in back of campus. Fear of retaliation.”
Survey monkey or campus labs better than survey select. Survey select makes it very difficult to sort. This
survey downloaded “weird”. Lauren will contact administrator to see if it can be sorted again and resent.
Next year, we will do all the planning for survey in June/July so we are ready for fall launch.
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Dawn: staff involvement survey going out by administration to see what staff is interested in getting
involved with outside of staff senate.
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM DEPARTMENTS
None
ADJOURNMENT 3:45