STAFF SENATE AGENDA
Wednesday, December 9th, 2015
Fisher University Union, Azalea A&B
2:00 – 4:00
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Called to Order 2:09
Confirmation of Quorum 2:09
In Attendance: Melissa Cox, Dawn Brown, Jordan Hinkley, Courtney Lee, Colleen Opalka,
Ashley Cribb, Lauren Auton, Karanda Megan Jolly, Kat Pohlman, Diane Edwards, Kimberly
Cockrell, Mindi Miller, Charley Ferguson, Mary Browning, Jeff Janowski, Zach Morgan, Angie
Edwards, Gina Bowen, Amelie Brodgen, Megan Allred.
Also in attendance but not voting: Jennifer Coombs and Terry Ismert
Approved November minutes 2:10
Read Conflict of Interest Statement 2:10
CHAIR’S UPDATE-Dawn Brown
-I would like to host a Staff Senate drop in to socialize together next Thursday. Please check your
emails for more information.
-Staff assembly yesterday but did not attend. Lauren and Dawn presented survey result to cabinet.
Cabinet wants us to get more information for them in possible second survey: how campus is meeting
staff priorities? May meet with chief of staff and head of OUR once a month in addition to meeting
with Chancellor.
-Survey-getting results out to campus in upcoming SWOOP along with thank you to staff who
responded.
-Welcome New Senators.
-Met with provost about Bridges program. Is staff senate interested in "vetting" a recipient? We could
have the same type of involvement with this election process as we have with OIP global scholarship.
Funding/ committee / process is not in place at this time but Provost is getting direction from
Chancellor and looking to getting permanent funding.
Discussion and questions followed. Senate agreed we would like to be involved in process. Dawn will
invite Provost to come discuss Bridges program.
NEW BUSINESS
2:30 GUEST SPEAKER: Dr. Kent Guion, Chief Diversity Officer
Highlights from presentation:
 “Thanks for the invite…I get nothing done without staff and other partnerships".
 Goal is to become the best place to work in the state.
 Next week we are hosting the first black Minority enterprise development program.
Questions and Answers followed.
3:00 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
Staff Senate Scholarship winner: Melissa Dionesotes, Executive Assistant, CMS (in attendance)
Special Guest Dr. Raymond Burt, interim director for OIP, told us a little about the different
scholarships available through OIP and we presented Global travel grant for staff to:
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Olivia Causby, Administrative Associate, World Languages & Cultures (in attendance)
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Bonnie Monteleone, Administrative Associate, Chemistry & Biochemistry (not in attendance.)
NOTE: we offered scholarship, but Bonnie had to decline.
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Beau Cummings, Development Director Major Gifts, University Advancement (not in
attendance)
TREASURER’S REPORT-Linda Register
We used about $100 for salute our troops and for staff senate posters and we are using some funds for
orientation "bookmark"
HUMAN RESOURCES REPORT- Jennifer Coombs
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Good news coming. Business is good (in regards to the amount of new hires at UNCW).
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Problems with Benefits vendor (which were hired by State). Please send in feedback for open
enrollment process and we will forward it to the vendor and the State.
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$750 bonus in December check and lapel pin. Also, benefits deductions will be in this check.
COMMITTEES REPORT
Committee’s rosters will be updated. We will assign new Senators to committees before next
meeting.
Bylaws-did not meet
Election-meeting next week
Communications- new website will be ready soon. SS will be able to give feedback before it
launches. It has changed a lot this year and consistently updated this year.
Faculty senate-Provost discussed budget. Faculty Senate is now interviewing for Pt administrative
position for Faculty Senate. Much of the discussion was on the curriculum. 50% of seniors surveyed
said they didn't understand curriculum
Staff priorities: Look over Handout which was used in meeting with GA Send feedback to Lauren
regarding survey. Lauren has been in touch with a faculty about using grad students to help with
survey. Chancellor offered to allow us to use the office of assessment for next year’s survey in order
to take load off this committee.
Dawn asked for names of anyone who has helped Staff Senate this semester so she can send out
thank you cards.
Kimberly Cockrell asked Jennifer Coombs for I-9 process update. Jennifer Coombs and Melissa Cox
discussed the new process, expectations, and time line.
OLD BUSINESS
 Update on Salute Our Troops Card Program:
Salute to Troops was very successful. 1100 cards are to be delivered next Wednesday by a
couple of Staff Senators. This event may be a new UNCW tradition. Thank you to all who
participated.
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM DEPARTMENTS
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Bookstore ugly sweater party next Monday 10-2. Discount all day. Food and coffee.
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Graduation this weekend so traffic will be challenging.
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Students are stressed more than usual this semester so know what resources are available.
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Library-turn in books or renew books now to avoid fines. Library will be open until 23rd. Do not
put electronics in drop boxes. Also, student workers checking out items for professors or
departments must have a prior approval email sent to Dawn.
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Jeff Janowski-OUR- any students hired to work on websites and are in need to access the
UNCW photo library must get permission from Jeff. Supervisors must sent email request to him
and let him know how long student will be working for department.
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Return Textbooks (scholarship textbooks) by Thursday (to Aux Services, Meagan Allred).
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Contact Ashley Cribb if you or your department is interested in advertising or putting
announcements on Teal terminals.
Adjourned 3:40
NEXT STAFF SENATE MEETING:
Wednesday January 13TH, 2016
**Fisher Student Center: Sunset Beach Room 1025**
Special Guest: Chancellor Sartarelli