Staff Senate Meeting Minutes

THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DEARBORN
2006 STAFF SENATE
October 25, 2006
9:00-11:00
1227 UC
MEETING #10

MINUTES

1. Call to Order

2. Adoption of Agenda

3 ANNOUNCEMENTS:

3.1          Committee Reports:

3.1.1       Benefits Committee – Nothing to report.
3.1.2       Budget Committee – Nothing to report.
3.1.3       UMake a Difference Committee – Vera gave out one award this month.
3.1.4       Recognition Committee – see 4.3 under Items for Discussion.
3.1.5       Voices of Staff – The middle of the month meeting was cancelled. At the first Monday meeting they discussed dial-up being discontinued and the University providing ISP discount information for staff.   Discounts for restaurants, theaters and health clubs were also discussed.
3.1.6       Longevity Recognition – Included in the budget request to Senior officers.
3.1.7       Leadership and Development Committee – Nothing to report.
3.1.8       Hospitality Committee – Committee waiting to hear the dates for the brown bags so they can make the appropriate arrangements.
3.1.9       Workplace Environment Committee – The committee was charged with compiling a list of ideas for future brown bags. Cindy Kecskes distributed a list to the Senate. Cindy asked that the Senate look over the list and let her know what they thought. Once she receives the Senate’s comments and suggestions she will look into their plausibility. The committee submitted two suggestions for discussion: 1) have defibrillators in each building – the Senate agreed that the suggestion should be forwarded to Campus Safety; 2) that the PTO plan have an annual buy back of vacation - it was noted that Voices of Staff is discussing this issue.
3.1.10     Election Commission – Vera made it known that she wishes to run again for the Senate. She will turn over the election to Diane Sigler. Nominations will be open Nov 1-7, with elections November 13-20. The labels have already been prepared for the envelopes. There are two seats in Academic Affairs (Diane Leach, and Amy Kazanowski) to fill to complete their terms to 12-08. 2 four year terms in Business Affairs (Laura Drabczyk and Vera Kapulak), 2 four year terms in EMSL (Bill Romej and Judy Walker) and an at large seat for a remaining one year (Betty Greco) to fill. The unit specific seats will be filled first
3.1.11     Communication Committee – Nothing to report.

3.2          Chancellor meeting – It was suggested that the chair and vice-chair talk about enrollment, the campaign intermission and housing at their next regularly scheduled meeting with the Chancellor.
3.3          HR Brown Bags – Still waiting on confirmation of date.
3.4          Senate File Cabinet - Diane Leach will place the order with Facilities Management to have the cabinet moved to FCN.
3.5          Civic Engagement – Patty Jones gave a synopsis of the Civic Engagement project and what affect it’s had on the University.

4. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTION:

4.1          Open forum/Holiday brunch – The vice-chair will look at the expenses for January-June and figure out if we have enough money left in the Senate budget to do a Holiday brunch.
4.2          Planning for Staff Senate Retreat – The Secretary will email the members of the Retreat committee and arrange for a planning meeting before the November Senate meeting.
4.3          Recognition Committee – Judy Walker will check to see if any of the members of the Recognition Committee who’s term expires this year is willing to continue. This item will be added to the next Senate agenda for additional nominations. The vote for the replacements will take place at the Retreat.
4.4          HR Brown Bags – the Chair will check with HR
4.5          Budget Request – A motion was made by Judy Wilson to approve the longevity recognition proposal submitted by the Longevity Recognition Committee, seconded by Marlene Pruitt. VOTE: Unanimous. The Chair distributed the 2007-2008 the budget request to the Senate for comments. Several suggestions were made for changes. The Chair will make the corrections and redistribute the proposal at the November Senate meeting for approval.

5. Roundtable

Respectfully Submitted:

Judith K. Wilson
Secretary