THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DEARBORN
2007 STAFF SENATE
August 22, 2007
9:00-11:00
1227 UC
MEETING #8

 MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT: Michelle Barnes, Rima Berry-Hung, Paul Beteag, Sharon Lobdell, Monica Hetu, Vera Kapulak, Cindy Kecskes, Bernadette Lis, Sandie Post, Marlene Pruitt, Diane Sigler, Linda Southward, Judy Walker and Judy Wilson

MEMBERS ABSENT: Rachel Buzzeo, Shelly Harris, Belinda Soliz
ALSO PRESENT: Chancellor Little and Jeff Evans

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

3. Visitor – Stan Henderson – A committee for the Fairlane Center is being organized and will consist of 5-6 people to provide feedback and input on what food service is needed in the FC. The University will subsidize a full-bore operation for fall. The peak time for student traffic is in the evening.  Any franchise coming in will cost $65000 for building fees, a franchise fee of $12,500 plus a percentage of sales.  We owe Aramark $393,000 in building costs when their contract ends.  Aramark is closed on Friday because there isn’t enough traffic to warrant being open. It costs $1261 to breakeven, and Friday’s only generated $500. The food service open hours is based on industry standards.  At all universities, food service is closed when the students are not on campus. Aramark will be rolling out a new menu and price structure. The 18% service charge will be going away.

4.             ANNOUNCEMENTS
4.1          Committee Reports:
4.1.1       Benefits Committee – Linda Southward’s and Sandy Beck’s terms expire this year and they are interested in continuing.
4.1.2       Budget Committee – Nothing to report.
4.1.3       UMake a Difference Committee – Nothing to report.
4.1.4       Recognition Committee – Nothing to report.
4.1.5       Voices of Staff – The committee talked about Ann Arbor promoting exercise and laughing to improve health. They talked about M-Care being replaced with Premiere Care.  Dearborn’s Dependent Tuition Scholarship program is still being evaluated. The committee talked about discounts for Ann Arbor staff to go to Dearborn. Staff would like to see the dependent tuition program expanded to include graduate students. Ann Arbor is looking at changing the dental plan for the better and it will probably go into effect in 2009.
4.1.6       Public Relations Committee – Nothing to report.
4.1.7       Leadership and Development Committee – Susan Steele attended the meeting. The committee has been working for about 8 months.  They will have some training recommendations and suggest having an orientation for new Senators with the Senate’s senior leaders.  They suggested training in respectful dialogue and listening skills.  The committee will focus on orientation for Senators, since it will take place in December.
4.1.8       Hospitality Committee – There was an article in the Senator about the picnic. 51 vendors are scheduled to attend and over 400 staff members have signed up.
4.1.9       Workplace Environment Committee – The committee discussed brown bags and other items for next year if the committee continues. The Open Enrollment brown bag has been scheduled for Oct 2 or 3.  It was suggested that a FAQ section be added to the HR website regarding Open Enrollment and someone should keep track of the questions at the brown bag.
4.1.10     Election Committee – The elections will be in November. The committee needs white and campus envelopes to conduct the election.
4.1.11     Communication Committee – The committee is working on the new Senator.

5.             ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTION:
5.1          Vote on members of Benefits committee – A motion was made by Cindy Kecskes, seconded by Vera Kapulak, to approve Sandy Beck and Linda Southward as continuing members on the Benefits Committee. Vote: Unanimous
5.2          Vote on members of Bylaws committee – Sandy Beck, Sandie Post and Sharon Lobdell have volunteered to serve on the By-laws committee. A motion was made by Vera Kapulak, seconded by Cindy Kecskes, to accept the three volunteers for the By-laws committee with Linda Southward and Judy Wilson serving as resources. Vote: Unanimous
5.3          There was an email vote to establish the Longevity Committee. Paul Beteag, Linda Southward and Sandie Post will be the members.

6.             Senate Goals – The Senate needs to be working with the Agenda for Women and Commission for Women.

7.             Roundtable – It was noted by the Chair that committee participation needs to be improved. If members are unable to serve they should look at whether or not they should continue.
The Student Government asked to attend a Senate meeting. It was suggested that the SG be invited to a Senate meeting to discuss what they have in mind. The Senate had no objections to inviting them to the September or October meeting.
It was suggested that the Chair and Vice-chair only meet with the Chancellor when it is necessary i.e. if there is an issue that needs prior conversation or if the Chancellor is unable to attend a regular meeting.

Respectfully submitted,
Judith K. Wilson
Secretary

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