Staff Senate
Full Senate Meeting
January 14, 2009
Senate Chambers
The meeting was called to order at 1:15 p.m. by President Schuman. There was a
quorum present.
Roll Call
Present: Phill Harris, VP of Administration; Joe Montelongo, HR interim director;
Milton Ontiveroz, Public Relations
Senators Present: Kara Bobbitt, Angela Bules, Chris Clements, Avery Cowardin, Lana
Craig, Al Emmons, Cheri Frank, Dorie Gallegos, Kathy Hearne, Carrie Hesco, Laurie
Jaskolski, Stacy Lane, Jamie LeJambre, Lori Lewis, James Logue, Rachel Martin, Pam
Mathewson, Kelly McMicheal, Tammy Scott, Tod Scott, Mary Ann Stout, Diana
Waggener, Kelly Wiseman, Jane Wolfinbarger, Kathi Zubrod
Senators Absent: Janean Forsyth (excused), Janie Phelps (excused), Richard Reynolds,
Becky Riley (excused), Sally Schuman (excused)
Proxies: Alice Hamilton proxy for Ronda Whitman
Approval of Minutes and Agenda
It was moved and seconded to approve the December minutes and January agenda by
Senator Kelly McMicheal and Rachel Martin. Motion passed.
Administration Reports
Phill Harris, VP of Administration, started off by filling us in on the progress of the
various searches going on for University officials.
 Head of HR – The applications are in for the preliminary screening of the
applicants and the committee, which is headed by Janet Lowe. They expect to
have on-campus interviews next month. The campus community will be notified
so that we have a chance to interact with the candidates.
 Internal Auditor – The Fiscal & Legal Affairs Committee of the Board of Trustees
will make this selection. The person in this position reports directly to the BOT –
only one of two positions on campus to do so. The other one is the President.
 Director of Environmental Health and Safety. There are four candidates who will
come to campus for interviews in late February. These interviews will all occur at
the same time, so that we will have a chance to compare the candidates head-tohead, much like we did with the Chief of Police position.
 VP for Administration search is ongoing. Candidates will come to campus in the
early spring.

Manager for Risk Management and Insurance – The committee is in the process
of screening the applicants.
In other Administration news, Governor Freudenthal has asked all state agencies for a
plan for a 5% budget reduction. Wyoming is not broke, just less affluent. The University
already has two years of funding in place through June 2010, so we are talking about
long-term planning for 2011-2012. There is a conversation going on now about
institutional priorities – we will NOT have an across-the-board budget cut. Faculty and
Staff Senates will have a role in the process.
Joe Montelongo, interim Head of Human Resources, reported the closing date for bids for
the Employee Assistance program was January 16th. HR is looking at internal systems
and processes to make sure they comply with regulations for Workers’ Compensation,
Family and Medical Leave Act, and the American Disabilities Act. They are formalizing
processes for handling requests in order to improve efficiency and timeliness. HR is also
in the process of adding Peoplesoft modules for handling job applications, general
employee information, and pay stubs. The application process, pay stubs and employee
information changes will be on line. About 15% of University employees are still not
signed up for direct deposit of their pay checks. Mr. Montelongo strongly urged those
who are not yet having their pay deposited electronically to their bank account to arrange
to have that done before the new system goes into effect. With the new on-line
application process, HR hopes to diversify their pool of applicants for jobs.
Educational Guest Speaker
Milton Ontiveroz thanked Senator Tod Scott for all his work gathering the donations and
reported that the Thanksgiving and Christmas Food and Gift Drive was a huge success.
Three families each received five boxes of food and gifts, a share of $255 in cash and gift
cards and $500 each from President Buchanan. The Foundation also gave $500 each to
both families that were recipients of the Thanksgiving Food Drive.
Old Business
President Schuman gave an update of the bike air stations. The Physical Plant is in the
process of finalizing the paperwork for the unit to be ordered.
Senator Jane Wolfinbarger motioned to postpone the President election until the February
meeting. Possible candidates are trying to work out details with their supervisors.
Senator Tammy Scott seconded the motion. The motion passed
New Business
There was discussion how Staff Senate can foster relations with the Board of Trustees. A
personal invitation to the monthly meetings will be sent to each Trustee. President
Schuman will also get a list of all senators and committee members for the Trustees.
Senator Jamie LeJambre discussed the “Relay for Life” which will be held June 19-20th
at the ice rink. There is a $100 fee for each team. It was moved and seconded by Senator
Kelly McMicheal and Senator Carrie Hesco for Staff Senate to establish a team for Relay
for Life. Motion passed. Jamie will be the team leader. If you have any questions or
would like to help, please email Jamie at lejambre@uwyo.edu.
There was discussion how Staff Senate could present the supervisors of a Senator an
award during Staff Recognition Day. Senators will send the names of their supervisors to
Carrie Hesco, at chesco@uwyo.edu, to be included in this years Staff Recognition Day
program.
Committee Reports
ASUW Representative – Senator LeJambre stated they are working on the budget. Jamie
encouraged everyone to participate in Days of Dialogue which is January 19th – 23rd.
Faculty Senate Representative – No report.
Communications Committee – Senator Chris Clements stated the committee is working
on the next issue of the Lariat. If you have any articles, please email Chris at
clements@uwyo.edu.
Compensation Committee – Senator Jamie LeJambre stated the committee will meet on
Thursday, January 22nd at 10 a.m. in A&S 136.
Credentials & Elections Committee – No report
Employee of the Qtr – Senator Angie Bules said the new EOQ form is on the website and
the deadline for Employee of the 1st quarter is Friday, March 13th.
Ad Hoc Budget and Fundraising Committee – Senator Tod Scott stated the committee is
working on raffling a bike from All Terrain Sports for Earth Day. The bike will be
purchased at a discounted cost. Tod made the motion for Staff Senate to purchase a bike
for up to $250 for the raffle where the funds will be deposited in the Staff Senate
endowment fund. Senator Tammy Scott seconded the motion. Motion passed. The
committee will also have a 50/50 raffle during Staff Recognition Day.
Policy and Procedures Committee – Senator Rachel Martin stated the committee is
finalizing a draft. The committee will meet Wednesday, January 28th.
Recognition Committee – Senator Carrie Hesco reported the Years of Service list for this
year’s Staff Recognition Day is posted on the Staff Senate website. Please see the list at:
http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/StaffSenate/YOS.xls
Please look over the list and send any corrections to Gallegos@uwyo.edu by Monday,
February 2nd.
Ad Hoc Wellness Committee – Senator Lana Craig stated the pilot exercise fitness
program that began December 17th has 21 participants. The next meeting is Thursday,
January 29th at 3 p.m. in room 202 of the Union.
President’s Report
Jauque read a thank-you letter from one of the families that received a Christmas basket.
The next brown bag luncheon will be Thursday, January 29th in Old Main, Room 206 in
the boardroom.
The LRDP (Long Range Development Planning) committee is meeting today from 1-4 at
the American Heritage Center in Room 100. This is the planning process for the east end
of campus. There will be public meetings advertised. Please attend if you are interested.
Open Forum
Lou Ann Chakmakian made an announcement that Sonnet Chakmakian will be giving
free nutrition counseling at the Wellness Center for UW students. Please call the
Wellness Center at 766-3546 and make an appointment with Sonnet for one free halfhour session.
The next Staff Senate meeting will be February 11th in the Senate Chambers at the
Student Union. Myron Allen, VP of Academic Affairs, will be the guest speaker.
The meeting was adjourned by President Schuman at 2:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by L. A. Chakmakian and Pam Mathewson