MINUTES:

STAFF TEXTBOOK SCHOLARSHIP:

• The Staff Textbook Scholarship criteria will be reworded to better explain eligibility for qualified staff members.
• The Staff Council will vote at next meeting on whether to increase the income level to $30,000 a year for the scholarship. This would allow more people to qualify, thanks to Chancellor Khayat's funding of $10,000 for the fall semester 2002.
• This will be a "first come first serve" basis. New applicants will have priority.
  One staff council member asked if the amount of the scholarship could be raised to $150 for the lower income staff members. The answer was that the agreement is for up to $100 so that more will be available for more applicants.

MEETING WITH CHANCELLOR:

• Chancellor Khayat wants to encourage everyone to keep working hard to seek ways to use efficiency and to continue to work together and share a smile. The Admissions personnel have helped to increase student enrollment by 28% over the last 4-5 years. Let's thank them for their hard work and support.
• Benefits in Project Discover are more visible; wages have gone up for almost all EEO categories thanks to Pam Roy, Johnny Williams and Bob Dowdy. They have really worked hard for us, and we should show them our appreciation.
• The Chancellor has once again approved the Physical Examination program that was so successful last year. The exam will be offered at a reasonable cost to employees. Dates will be announced later. All staff are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to get a physical exam at the Student Health Center.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

• Staff Council Elections Committee - Chair, Mary Harrington announced that the ballots have been sent out for voting and have been received. Out of 1800 staff members, only 38 were willing to have their names placed on the ballots for staff council.
• Staff Council Awards Committee - Chair, Shannon Lovejoy will take over the arranging of preparations for this year with the help of Shirley Fisher, Chair 2001.
  • Staff Appreciation Day this year will be May 17, 2002.
  • The Awards Ceremony will begin at 9:00am at Fulton Chapel.
  • Picnic in the Grove will be from 11:00am - 1:00pm.
  • The Outstanding Staff Members winners will have breakfast with the Chancellor at 7:30am in the Chancellor's dining room on May 20, 2002.

TREASURER'S REPORTS:

CONCERNS:

• One staff member questioned: What is the policy regarding Nepotism and why is it not enforced?
  Nepotism can be defined as favoritism shown by relatives to gain or be appointed to a position just because related and not based on qualifications. There is a policy in "A Handbook for Faculty and Staff" section V.00003: Employment Policies, for those interested in reading up on that policy.
• Another staff member asked how were raises determined for the EEO categories?
  The answer is by administrative formula. We would like to acknowledge and thank the administrative committees for their financial management that enabled increasing the compensation base of those categories.
• Parking is an on-going concern. There is no real solution at this time. For those of you who need information on parking, there is a map to show where parking is allowed for staff and students. Card swiping and gated areas were suggestions, however, there are cost factors and other considerations before this could become reality. There are some Universities that are walking campuses now; a shuttle bus is used. However, there is an inconvenience for being a walking campus: Departments such as Physical Plant, Printing, and Mail Services need the use of vehicles to get to buildings for service or delivery.