WCU Staff Forum Meeting Minutes
August 11, 2005
Fine and Performing Arts Center
Members: Bill Studenc ; Mike Stewart; Michele Sutton; Homer Harris; Nancy Carden; Katie
Spear; Alicia Estes; Elizabeth Frazier; Jeff Gunter; Marvin Bumgarner; Terry Riouff; and Dawne
Coward
Ex-Officio Members: Kathy Wong
Absent: Cory Causby (excused); Julie Walters-Steele (excused); Lisa Frady (excused); William
Frady (excused); Ronnie Amster; Sue Grider (excused); and Jed Tate (excused)
Prior to the start of today’s meeting, the Forum was given a tour of the Fine and Performing Arts
Center courtesy of Martin DeWitt and Paul Lormand. Following the tour, the group decided to hold
their meeting in the performance hall.
Members were welcomed and the meeting was called to order by Terry Riouff.
Approval of Agenda: The agenda for today’s meeting was approved unanimously.
Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the July 14, 2005 meeting were approved as
submitted.
Guest Speaker: Rhonda Bryant was present at today’s meeting to talk with us about the Staff
Mentoring Program. She explained that this program is now in its second year and said that the
first year was very successful. The program has been altered some this year, however, in that
she will now be offering work sessions known as “1 st Thursdays”, which will be held on the first
Thursday of each month. During these times, staff mentors are encouraged to bring a brown bag
lunch (as well as their mentee, should they so desire) and attend these work sessions. The first
session is scheduled for Thursday, 9/8/05. Rhonda also invited those who are mentors to come to
Family Weekend as this would be a good way to meet the mentees’ families.
Information Items: The next Executive Committee meeting is scheduled forThursday,
September 1, 2005, from 2:00-3:00 p.m., in the Dogwood Room of Hinds University
Center.
The next Staff Forum meeting will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2005, 8:30-10:30
a.m., in the Cardinal Room of Hinds University Center.
Human Resources Report: Kathy Wong gave a few highlights regarding the recently adjourned
legislative session, but she emphasized to the group that these are preliminary until the governor
has signed everything
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A flat $850 or 2% salary increase (whichever is higher) was given, and this is to be
implemented in the September paychecks.
Each State employee will receive one additional week of bonus leave.
The fair minimum wage act passed which means that all minimum wage employees must
make at least $20,112 per year.
The employer contribution to the State Retirement System was increased to 6.82%;
contributions for faculty in the Optional Retirement Program were also increased.
The employer’s contribution to the State Health Plan per State employee is $3,748.
Prescription drugs costs and out-of-pocket costs increased.
Chancellor’s Office Report: No report.
Campus Committee Reports: University Advisory Council – No report. Calendar Committee: No
report.
SF Committee Reports: Human Resources : No report. Resources and Environment: No report.
Public Relations: Bill said a story will be printed in the next edition of The Reporter regarding the
Staff Forum Scholarship Fund. Scholarship: A brief discussion was held regarding our
participation in Mountain Heritage Day. Things seem to be taking shape for this event.
Governance: No report.
Issues Status Report: No report.
Old Business: None.
New Business: Mountain Heritage Day Fund Raiser – This item was discussed in the Committee
Reports above. System-Wide Videoconference – The next videoconference is scheduled for
tomorrow, 8/12/05, beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the Outreach Center. Everyone was encouraged
to attend.
Open Comments: Folks were reminded that freshmen move-in is scheduled for Saturday,
August 20, 2005. In addition, Kathy Wong reminded us that Employee Appreciation Day is
scheduled for September 21, 2005, from 11:00-2:00 at the Ramsey Center Main Arena.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted: Dawne Coward