The University of Mississippi Staff Council

Minutes of the Meeting, January 8, 2003 Union 404 A&B

A message from the President:

As we enter into 2003, we have the opportunity to make a difference how we will look back on, and view 2003. As a University community, we are fortunate to be surrounded by terrific coworkers. We are unique in the fact that we are a supportive and compassionate group of individuals. We care for each other. We are given outlets such as the Staff Council, which allows us to communicate on all levels within our University. The Chancellor makes himself available to genuinely listen to our voice and when possible, acts to help improve our working environment. We all face some uncertainty with regard to the economy and the threat posed to our nation but we must remain optimistic. We can be part of the solution or we can become part of the problem. The choice is ours. Yes! We have a choice. Let us move into 2003 choosing to be part of the solution. Working together to achieve that seemingly, out of reach goal. Do not settle for “good enough” instead, strive to improve the work process, our environment and our approach to life. If we act in positive ways we will become positive individuals and influence others in a positive way. Catch the spirit, and ride it all the way to success.

PRESENT: James Akey, Rachel Bost, Joey Brent, Dennis Bullard, Joni Camp, Nina Cheshier,

Matthew Deming, Judy Fos, Earlene Foster, Mary Harrington, Shellie Harrison,

Melissa Hudson, Buddy Kahler, Cathy Laswell, Shannon Lovejoy, Steven Maples,

Jean Pinion, Dave Sagaser, Tony Seaman, Doug Stuart, Karen Tuttle, Jeannette Wells

EXCUSED: Brenda Brannan, Regina Jordan, Renee Moore, Hilarie Pryor, Amelia Rodgers, Rosa Vance

UNEXCUSED: Dino Johnson, Sam Johnson, Michele Mize, Conny Parham

2:33pm. Welcome to 2003 was made by President Tony Seaman. There was no guest speaker today. The meeting started with the approval of the December 2002 Minutes. The approval of the Minutes was made unanimously.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Approved with no corrections.

OLD BUSINESS:

• The continued concern of e-mail access for campus employees who do not have access to computers was addressed. Campus Management will use e-mail as a primary source of communication. Approximately 600 employees do not have access to a computer to receive emails. At the Executive Committee Meeting on January 7, 2003, the Chancellor was advised of the problem and one possible solution was offered. Supervisors could post important e-mail messages concerning staff in designated areas of their facility. This will be taken into consideration, but further research will be done to develop a possible solution. Mary Harrington suggested and offered to assist in working with Human Resources to find a solution to capture employees who would require hard copy communication in place of e-mail. In the meantime, Staff Council Minutes will continue to be mailed to those who do not have e-mail access.

NEW BUSINESS:

· President Tony Seaman introduced Steven Maples as the new Staff Council Secretary.

· Joni Camp was recognized for doing such a great job with December’s Exam Breakfast. It was a great success. Thanks, Joni!

· It is time again for Staff Council Elections. Since RSVP is no longer available for the voting process, it was decided to use paper ballots. Tony Seaman asked for volunteers to help with Staff Council Elections. More about the elections will be discussed at the next Council meeting.

· It was mentioned that Staff Appreciation Day is coming up again soon. During the next meeting, a call for volunteers will be made to help with the Staff Appreciation Day. Everyone was encouraged to think about possible ideas for door prizes and approaching vendors in the community for donations.

· A discussion was held regarding the Staff Textbook Scholarship. It was stated that in order for a person to remain eligible to receive the Textbook Scholarship they must successfully pass their course work. If a class for which the scholarship was utilized is not passed, the scholarship must be paid back in order for it to be available again to that person in the future. A clarification to the scholarship criteria was proposed: if the scholarship recipient drops his/her class during the drop/add period, the recipient must take the receipt and book back to the Bookstore so that the scholarship fund is reimbursed. Therefore, that person would continue to be eligible to receive the scholarship. If the class is dropped after the drop/add period, the scholarship fund would have to be reimbursed by the recipient before he/she would be eligible to receive the scholarship again.

· It was discussed that the annual salary cap for the Staff Textbook Scholarship should be raised from $30,000 to $35,000. After discussion, a motion was made to accept this change. The motion was passed unanimously by the Council. This change will be effective beginning with the summer 2003 intersession.

CONCERN:

· There was a concern that since Jonnie Manning is retiring this year, the Council would be losing its webmaster. Jonnie currently updates the Council website with the monthly minutes and special announcements. Jonnie wants to remain involved and has volunteered to continue her work for the Council at home after she has retired. Joey Brent (dptjb@olemiss.edu) volunteered to become the new Staff Council webmaster. Joey will contact Jonnie regarding assisting her with these duties, so there will be two people fully conversant with the needs of S/C webmaster.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

· Joni Camp reported that Intercollegiate Athletics Committee met. Joni reported that Pete Boone spoke at that meeting and highlighted some strategies in keeping with the needs of the athletic department and that it was a very productive meeting. She said that they are a very active committee.

· The Honors Day Committee will be meeting on January 16, 2003.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• The Staff Council, speaking for the University Staff, wanted to thank Chancellor Khayat for giving campus employees extra time off during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. We appreciate it and thank you Chancellor Khayat!
• Chancellor Khayat stated at the Staff Council Executive Meeting on January 7, 2003 that Health Screenings will be made available again this year for campus staff sometime this summer. It was also decided that the Staff Textbook Scholarship will be offered throughout the year to include the intersession and summer sessions. Previously it was only available for fall/spring.
• Reminder: Next Staff Council meeting will be February 5, 2003.

Meeting adjourned. 3:20pm.

/s/Tony Seaman, President

/s/Joni Camp, President-Elect

/s/Steven L. Maples, Secretary

Staff Council e-mail address: staffcouncil@olemiss.edu

Staff Council Homepage: http://www.olemiss.edu/orgs/staff_council