Minutes of the Meeting September 3, 2003 Union 404 A&B
PRESENT: James Akey, Shannon Beeman, Rachel Bost, Joey Brent, Joni Camp, Tiffany Edwards, Judy Foss, Shellie Harrison, Carra Hewitt, Melissa Hudson, Regina Jordan, Ron Kitchens, Cathy Laswell, Shannon Lovejoy, Ardessa Minor, Renee Moore, Jean Pinion, Randall Pinion, Bettie Puckett, John Sharpe, Gina Starnes, Doug Stuart, Jeanette Wells
EXCUSED: Brenda Brannan, Dennis Bullard, Joann Carothers, Nina Cheshier, Mary Harrington, Buddy Kahler, Barbara Leeton, Hilarie Pryor Tony Seaman, Karen Tuttle
2:35pm. President Joni Camp welcomed everyone and introduced the guest speaker, Chancellor Robert Khayat. Chancellor Khayat began by thanking the University staff members for their contributions to the success of the University. He then opened the floor for questions or suggestions from Staff Council members. Joey Brent mentioned complaints from the staff concerning getting on and off campus. Chancellor Khayat replied that he has emailed the Traffic and Parking Committee regarding this concern and urged others to do so as well. He also stated that he and Johnny Williams were looking at 14 sites for additional parking. A concern was brought up regarding the health insurance and some doctors not being a part of our network. Chancellor Khayat replied that Clay Jones needed to be informed of this concern. There being no further questions, President Camp thanked Chancellor Khayat for taking time to meet with the Staff Council. After Chancellor Khayat left the meeting, another concern was brought up regarding pay increases for faculty. President Camp replied that Chancellor Khayat had commented at the Executive Committee meeting, that everyone would be treated fairly in regards to pay increases. The increase will have to be approved by IHL and the Legislature before it would be in effect.
The minutes of the August meeting were approved without correction.
TREAURER’S
REPORT:
The treasurer’s report was approved without correction.
OLD
BUSINESS:
· President Camp explained that the Radiology Group had joined the health insurance network as of July 15th, however, it will not be made retroactive. The Emergency Room Group was added on August 1st and the adjustments for their services will be retroactive. There was much discussion regarding the coverage of doctors. It was suggested that before a person is seen by a doctor, that doctor should state in writing that they are in our health insurance network.
· Appreciation was given to Ron Kitchens and the staff for their hard work in making Meet ‘N Greet days successful.
· President Camp stated that she had given Dr. Gloria Kellum the names of the Staff Council members who were interested in helping with the Committee for the Children. Dr. Kellum will be in contact with those people.
NEW
BUSINESS:
· President Camp asked for suggestions regarding the parking and traffic concerns. Melissa Hudson, staff member of the Traffic and Parking Committee, will bring the suggestions before the committee. Melissa stated that the Chancellor had made a suggestion at the Executive Committee meeting that involved using a shuttle service. Staff members would have a designated parking space and then use a shuttle to be taken to their offices. The Council discussed the pros and cons of using this service. Other suggestions that were made were students not being allowed to drive on campus during the day, as well as, freshmen not having a vehicle on campus.
· A concern had been brought up that the Bookstore had stopped giving the 10% discount to staff. President Camp spoke with Corey St. John, Manager of the Bookstore, and he replied that it had not been stopped. He also stated that if any staff member had not received the discount, they should take their receipt to the Bookstore and a reimbursement would be given.
· President Camp announced that the campus-wide Fall Staff Meeting would be held October 9, 2003, at the Performing Arts Center. The time will be announced later.
· Melissa Hudson explained that at the Executive Committee meeting, Chancellor Khayat stated that he would ask Johnny Williams to develop a plan for funding an increase in the Textbook Scholarship fund from $10,000 to $12,500 for next year, and $15,000 for the year after. Melissa then asked for approval to increase the textbook vouchers from $100 to $150, with the increase taking effect in January, 2004. A motion and second were made to approve the increase, motion carried. Melissa also wanted approval to award the Textbook Scholarship to those staff members whose salaries are just over the $35,000 limit. It was decided that the Textbook Scholarship committee would have to vote unanimously to raise the salary cap.
Meeting adjourned, 3:45 p.m.
/s/Joni Camp, President
/s/Mary Harrington, President-Elect
/s/Cathy Laswell, Secretary
Staff Council e-mail address: staffcouncil@olemiss.edu
Staff Council Homepage: http://www.olemiss.edu/orgs/staff_council
Staff Council Webmaster: dptjb@olemiss.edu