Guest:

Announcements:

• Traci Mitchell announced that there was an article in the June 6th edition of The Clarion-Ledger where University of Southern Mississippi President Horace Fleming is quoted as saying "Mississippi should create a $50 million higher education fund to retain university faculty and staff who are fleeing the state in search of higher pay". The article goes on to say that President Fleming will present his proposal to the University Presidents and the College Board later on this month. The full article can be read online at http://www.clarionledger.com/news/0106/06/m05.html.
  
  
• Sherry Wall reported that the Staff Appreciation Day went well. The attendance at the Awards Day ceremony was down some, but part of that was due to the fact that the Physical Plant employees were out in the Grove working to set up for the picnic and were unable to attend. The Council extends its thanks and appreciation to Johnny Williams for funding the picnic. Sherry also thanked Shirley Fisher, chair of the Awards Day ceremony, and Denise Knighton, chair of the Outstanding Staff Member committee, and the members of their committees for their hard work in pulling the ceremony together. Sherry also expressed appreciation to Sandra Crowe, Bill Kingery, and their staff for planning the afternoon events; to Jeanette Wells and Karen Tuttle for planning the Blood Drive; and to Mary Chrestman for taking up tickets at the picnic when the lines opened early. Jeanette Wells thanked everyone who worked on the Blood Drive, as well as the people who gave blood. Shirley Fisher expressed thanks to her committee members for their hard work.
  
  Buddy Kahler and Sherry Wall asked that the chairs of the committee jot down notes on what had to be done in what timeframe to accomplish what their committee did. They are planning to compile a "How To" manual as a reference for next year's committee chairs.
  
  
• Buddy Kahler announced that he had received a request from the Chancellor's Office for staff members to be appointed to Standing University Committees. He asked everyone to stop by after the meeting and sign up for a committee.
  
  
• Mary Chrestman gave the Treasurer's Report.
  
  
• Joni Camp thanked the people who volunteered and worked at the Exam Breakfast on May 8th. Everyone seemed to have a good time.
  
  
• Because the scheduled date for the Staff Council meeting in July falls on July 4th, it was decided that the July Staff Council meeting would be moved to July 11th at 2:30 p.m. in Union 404 A/B.

Committee Reports:

• Concerns - Buddy Kahler asked the council members to encourage their constituents to make a suggestion for correction and/or improvement when they voice a concern. This would help us to be able to take their concern forward toward a possible satisfactory resolution. These concerns were received this month:
  1. A staff member from Pharmacy asked if it would be possible for the University to waive the parking permit fee this year, since there would be no raises, insurance premiums were increasing, and a lot of parking places had been eliminated. Buddy talked to Johnny Williams who stated that he did not think it was appropriate to use state appropriated funds to subsidize parking permits. Currently all money from parking fees go toward the maintenance of roads, parking lots, painting and striping of streets, curbs, etc.
  2. There was a concern about parking on the street along University Avenue by the Grove and Pharmacy. It seems that "road rage" has occurred a couple of times because there is no formal striping of parking places, so parking distances are not uniform. Buddy Kahler said that the reason this has not already been striped for parking spaces is because there had been talk about permanently closing this street to traffic and parking. However, they have recently heard that the road is not going to close for a "good little while" yet. They are talking (just talking for now) about allow parking at an angle along this road. This would allow more cars to park along the street.
  3. Another concern was about the ever-increasing cost of health insurance premiums. Buddy suggested that everyone call their individual congressmen about this issue. He also stated that it might be advisable to "shop around" for health insurance for your family at individual insurance companies. Of course, the university pays the health insurance premium for the employee, so the employee only pays for his/her family's insurance. Sometimes, it is possible to find health insurance for your family at a cheaper rate, and with a lower deductible, than it is through the University. However, the Staff Council is not advocating that anyone drop their family coverage. We are just suggesting it as an option. Remember, though, that changes to your health insurance can only take place at certain times of the year, so check with Human Resources before you make any permanent decisions.
  4. There was a concern from an employee on campus who needed to go to the employment office during lunch. However, the employment office was closed. This is basically a "one-person" office, so it is necessary to close for a lunch hour. However, Clay Jones stated that if someone wanted an appointment during lunch, they just needed to call and arrangements could be made. If you want to fill out an application, you might consider printing out the application from the web and filling it out prior to going to the employment office. This will save you some time.

Further Announcements:

• At a previous staff council meeting, a suggestion had been made to see about purchasing a laptop computer for use by the council secretary. Melissa Hudson made a motion that we purchase this laptop. Buddy Kahler seconded the motion. The motion was carried with no opposition. Jonnie Manning agreed to work with Johnny Price to get the specs and the price. Sherry Wall stated she would contact Pam Roy about getting a budget revision to our account to allow us to purchase this piece of equipment.
  
  
• President Sherry Wall announced this was her last meeting as President. She stated that she had enjoyed serving as president, and that it "had been a real learning experience". She thanked Buddy Kahler, President-Elect; Mary Chrestman, Treasurer; Jonnie Manning, Secretary; and Buster Clark, Project Discover liaison for their help and support during her term. She extended special thanks to Past President Traci Mitchell for all the help and words of wisdom she passed along. She also expressed appreciation to all the council members for everything they had done. She encourage everyone to extend this same willingness and support to the new officers, which will take over at the July meeting. They are:
  

  Buddy Kahler	President
  Tony Seaman	President-Elect
  Amanda Wood	Secretary
  Shannon Lovejoy	Treasurer

  
  
• Buddy Kahler stated that he was looking forward to working with everyone as President. He is currently working on some goals and issues that he would like to see the council pursue. He encouraged everyone to participate and to make suggestions on solutions to problems and/or issues that arise. He stated that he had been encouraged by Chancellor Khayat's support of the council and his willingness to work with the Executive Committee on issues that had arisen.