The University of Memphis

Staff Senate Minutes for

Thursday, September 21, 2006

University Center - 404

9:30 AM

Senators present: Bekis, Barbara; Bell, Karen; Busby, Hugh; Cantler, Ed; Dimond, Joellen; Fitzgerald, Peggy; George, Elise; Harbin, Bill; Hawkins, Yolanda; Hawkins, Roy; Hudson, Rika; Hurley, Nancy; Johnson, Mary; Lim, Lorrean; Moses, Shelia; Muldrow, Vanessa; O’Bryan, Kathy; Prahalathan, Pat; Swinger, Sandra; Taylor-Strowder, Ora; Turner, Debra; Wilson, Deborah; Woemmel, Clay; Young-Taylor, Geraldine.

Senators absent (Excused):  Boyce, Susan; Brown, Annette; Channell, Jessica; Colburn, Dorothy; Lee, Bernadette; Harrison, April; Laney, Carol; Patey, Renee; Sirignano, Eric; Turner, Gary; Wheeler, Helen; Wilson, Faye.

Senators absent (Unexcused):  Ballard, Evell; Beacham, Melody; Claunch, Reba; Cogdal, Pamela; Cox, Thomas; Fair, Angela; Magueyal, Christina; Underwood, William; Walsh, Elaine

President Hurley called the meeting to order.  The minutes of the August 17 meeting were approved.

Executive Committee Reports

President’s Report: President Hurley announced that Dr. Raines will be the guest speaker at the Staff Senate meeting on October 19.  James Hudson, who is heading a committee to develop an appeal process for non-faculty performance reviews, asked to address the Senate in October.  He will be rescheduled for sometime after the October meeting.  President Hurley received an email from Tanya Groves stating that the Staff Senate can only endorse a policy from Human Resources.  Senator Clay Woemmel volunteered to represent the Senate on the Policy Review Board, which is a standing committee.  The Issues & Review Committee has been asked to look at campus parking and traffic, specifically the lanes/markings on Innovation Drive.  A TBR policy prohibits smoking within 20 feet of building entrances, air intakes, vents, and windows.

Vice President’s Financial Report: Vice President Johnson reported that the Senate has a balance of $4,330 and that no monies have been spent since the last meeting.  Janet Mitchell stated that the Senate is budgeted $3,000 each year.  In past years, there has been a substantial balance carried over from the previous year.  The Senators discussed staff appreciation and the budget for this event, including a combined faculty/staff appreciation event and something besides BBQ for lunch.  Ms. Mitchell suggested that a proposal with budget for staff appreciation be submitted to Dr. Raines.

Secretary’s Report: No report-absent

Membership Report:  Renee Patey from Cluster H is leaving the university.  Senator Lim reported that there are open seats in Clusters D and I.

Publicity Report:  No report

Website Report: No report

Other Committee Reports:

Election Committee:  Senator Lim reported that there are seven open seats.

Issues and Reviews:  No issues yet for this year.  President Hurley had previously forwarded Draft Proposals 1 and 2 and Helpful Hints from James Hudson to all senators.  These issues were discussed at length.  President Hurley will notify Mr. Hudson that this must be brought before the Issues & Review Committee for consideration.  If warranted, this information will be presented to the entire Senate.  A motion was made, seconded and approved that Mr. Hudson’s appearance before the Senate be deferred until the Issues & Review Committee has completed work on this.  Any other issues will be handled in a like manner.

Legislative Advisory Committee:  No report

By-Laws Committee:  No report

University Wide Committees:  No reports

New Business:  Deborah Wilson attended the September First Friday Forum and gave a report including the following:  freshmen had a smooth move in experience; the Freshmen Convocation was successful for the third year; Living Learning Communities were opened on August 31; fall enrollment figures are in with a gain of 300 undergraduates and a loss of 177 graduate students; no merit raises were approved by TBR due to the previous year’s lost enrollment; parking issues including oversize vehicles in the parking garage, additional crosswalks and a light at Deloach were discussed; and recycling concerns were addressed.

Policy Review and the First Friday Forum will be added to the University Wide Committees for Staff Senate.

Erica Altuve, Director of Annual Giving, spoke to the Senate about the 2006 Employee Charitable Giving Campaign.  The goal is for 25% participation across campus.  Last year saw 16% participation.  The employee may choose to donate to his/her own department.

President Hurley received two tickets for each home football game.  Since she will not be attending the games, a drawing was held.  The following senators received tickets for one game:  Roy Hawkins, Sandy Swinger, Peggy Fitzgerald, Elise George, Yolanda Hawkins and Vanessa Muldrow.  Each Senator may contact President Hurley a few days before the game to pick up a parking pass.

Janet Mitchell asked for an old t-shirt or polo shirt from departments/areas for a project for Dr. Raines.

There was no further business and the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Johnson

Staff Senate Vice President