The University of Memphis

Staff Senate Minutes

Thursday, October 19, 2006

University Center - 404

9:30 AM

Senators present: Bekis, Barbara; Bell, Karen; Boyce, Susan; Brown, Annette; Cantler, Ed; Carman, Gary; Channell, Jessica; Colburn, Dorothy; Fair, Angela; George, Elise; Harbin, Bill; Hawkins, Yolanda; Hudson, Rika; Hurley, Nancy; Johnson, Mary; Lee, Bernadette; Lim, Lorrean; Moses, Sheila; Muldrow, Vanessa; O’Bryan, Kathy; Prahalathan, Pat; Sirignano, Eric; Swinger, Sandra; Taylor-Strowder, Ora; Turner, Debra; Turner, Gary; Walsh, Elaine; Wheeler, Helen; Wilson, Deborah; Wilson, Faye; Woemmel, Clay;

Senators absent (Excused): Dimond, Joellen; Fitzgerald, Peggy; Hawkins, Roy; Laney, Carol; Young-Taylor, Geraldine.

Senators absent (Unexcused): Ballard, Evell; Claunch, Reba; Cogdal, Pamela;  Harrison, April; Underwood, Bill;

Minutes from the Oct 19, 2006 Meeting: Minutes approved.

President Hurley was scheduled to meet with David Cox concerning the staff senate and faculty senate combining office facilities, but the president of the faculty senate could not attend, so the meeting has been rescheduled and there is no report.

Last week a rally against racism was held on campus.  President Hurley was contacted by the Provost for a statement from the Staff Senate.  Due to the fact that there was about a 45 min time frame for preparing a statement, there was not enough time to contact every senator so Pres Hurley submitted the following statement from the Staff Senate:

“The Staff Senate of The University of Memphis feels strongly that racial slurs are totally inappropriate on our campus and organizations associated with our University, and in society. We support all efforts to eradicate such behavior by anyone associated with the university both on and off campus.”  President Hurley asked if this statement could be approved by the Staff Senate, after the fact. The motion to approve this statement as expressing the feelings of the Staff Senate was made, seconded and accepted.

Executive Committee Reports: No Report

President’s Report: President Hurley brought up the matter of Issues and the proper way for these to be handled/channeled.  In the past issues were brought before the Senate, but should first go to the Issues and Review committee. There is nothing in the by-laws about procedure.  But according to Roberts Rules of Order, issues should be brought before full body and then the full body refers the issue to the committee.  She suggested forming a committee to review the Staff Senate by-laws as they need to be refined.  There were no objections from the Senate, so Senators Channell, Hudson, Woemmel, Boyce, and Harrison will meet with President Hurley on Nov. 13 to study, and possibly redefine, some of the by-laws.  An e-mail will be sent as to place and time of meeting. Senator Bell of Dining Services asked that any dining issues be e-mailed to her attention at kbell@memphis.edu.

Vice President’s Financial Report: No financial report.  But Senator Johnson announced that the October meeting is the last time the Staff Senate will be meeting in the UC. An e-mail will be sent as to the location of the November meeting.

Secretary’s Report: Senator Wilson and asked patience in removing resigned senators from the list.  She asked if everyone was receiving the minutes and Senator Sirignano did not receive his.  Senator Lim stated she sent out a revised list of senators today so this should resolve the problem. 

New Business:

Membership Committee: No report but Pres. Hurley announced that membership is down to 42 senators out of 50, have had several resignations due to work schedules, etc.  Due to shortage of time Senators Channell and Lim will meet to discuss these vacancies.

Public Relations: Senator Channell needs 3-4 volunteers for the food drive; she has been in contact with Mr. David Biggers of the food bank, who would like to double the amount donated last year.

Due to the closing of the UC, alternatives for Appreciation Day are being considered for next year.

Senator Channell is also working with Marketing/Communications to get the new design/logo for the Staff Senate pins. 

Procedures to follow when asked for campus information by media will be given to next chairperson.

Website Coordinator: Senator Turner has posted/updated our Web Site. She asked that she be notified if changes need to be made.

Election Committee: Chair: Senator Lim discussed the senate vacancies and decision was made to wait until next term to fill the seats as we have adequate representation.

Issues and Reviews: Staff Evaluations are still in investigation process.  Senator Cantler will check on Innovation Drive approach lanes to Central.

Legislative Advisory Committee: No Report

By-Laws Committee: No Report

President’s First Friday Forum: Senator Turner reported that the issue of the danger of oversized vehicles in the parking garage was addressed by Edwina Washington who said additional manpower would be needed and the garage would need to be reconfigured to safely accommodate these vehicles, but this will be put in the planning for the future. Another issue discussed was insurance for Faculty International Travel.  Calvin Strong addressed the recycling issue and noted that the University no longer offers canned drinks, everything is bottled.  The Provost’s Office has some funds available for promoting use of the FedEx Institute of Technology for holding conferences, etc., so if anyone is interested in taking advantage of this offer please contact his office.

Pres Hurley received notice from Jean Rakow that on Wed., Oct. 25^th there will be a Campus Environmental Sustainability Day Web Cast from 11:30 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. and she would like a volunteer representative from the Staff Senate to attend.  Sen. Turner will contact Jean for more details.

University Wide Committee Reports (Standing Committees, volunteers)

Bookstore: No Report

Campus Safety and Security: No Report

Facilities and Services: Senators Harbin and Carmen attended the monthly Facilities and Services meeting and were given lists of current and proposed projects.  Nothing major going on.  The realignment of Central Avenue was briefly discussed, but we have no start date on this. Senator Harbin volunteered to give the electronic reports of this committee to Senator Wilson to be attached to the minutes.

Sen. Carman said department personnel will be allowed to choose desired salvageable furniture, fixtures, etc. from the University Center before demolition.

Introduction of Dr. Raines

Dr. Raines thanked the Senate for inviting her to speak.  She asked if anyone had seen a presentation on the Master Plan and suggested contacting Tony Poteet to do the presentation. She emphasized that the Vision for 2012, which will be the 100^th anniversary of The University of Memphis, is to embrace Research One University, which is a Carnegie classification.  The goal is to award over 100 PhD’s yearly and have an active funded research program.  She stressed the importance of everyone working together to run/promote the University.  She also highlighted University achievements, partnerships, and recognitions accomplished since her arrival as our president. She recognized each department represented and again encouraged, and thanked the senate for their part in helping to make the University what it is today.

Fee Refunds & Appeals: No-report

1^st Year Experiences: No report

Food Services/Dining: No report

IT Administrative Advisory:   No report

Public Records and Forms: No report

Space Planning: No report

Traffic & Parking: No report

Old Business:  

There were no further reports and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Faye Wilson

Staff Senate Secretary