The University of Mississippi Staff Council

Minutes of the Meeting, December 1, 2004 405 Union

Present: James Akey; Hilarie Bain; Pam Barefield; Shannon Beeman; Debbie Bishop; Rachel Bost; Brenda Brannan; Kim Chrestman; Judy Fos; Corrie Free; Mary Harrington; Shellie Harrison;

Carra Hewitt; Jeff Howell; Melissa Hudson; Buddy Kahler; Ron Kitchens; Shannon Lovejoy; Judy Mills; Ardessa Minor; Traci Mitchell; Paula Park; Deidra Phillips;

Randall Pinion; Betty Puckett; Tony Seaman; Patti Welch

Excused: Joey Brent; Nina Cheshier

Unexcused: Paige Davis; Sue Hodge; Renee Moore; Jennifer Pardoe; Kathy Sanders

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 2:35 pm by President Mary Harrington.

Approval of Minutes: The November minutes were approved with one correction. Carra Hewitt was present at the November meeting.

Treasurer’s Report: Most of the expenditures incurred in November were associated with the Staff Council Kick-off and the upcoming Exam Breakfast. Textbook scholarships in the amount of $143.57 were issued in November. No changes were made to the overhead account. The Treasurer’s Report was approved with no corrections.

Committee Reports:

· Judy Fos, coordinator of New Employee Orientation, reported that the letter to new staff members is ready to be mailed to the 20 people who have been hired since October 14, 2004. Letters will include a coupon for a Staff Council mug and list of Staff Council members.

· Paula Park, coordinator of the Exam Breakfast Committee, distributed copies of the Exam Breakfast flier and requested that Council members post the fliers in their respective areas. Four new vendors will be participating in the program this semester. Volunteers are still needed, beginning at 8:45 pm. The program will run from 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm. Staff Council volunteers should wear their red Staff Council t-shirts. Ms. Park thanked Judy Mills for assisting with collecting door prizes for the students.

· The Executive Committee met with Chancellor Khayat on November 30, 2004. On behalf of the entire Staff Council, the Executive Committee thanked the Chancellor for increasing the textbook scholarship fund and for providing the staff Thanksgiving luncheon. Chancellor Khayat reported that members of a new task force are exploring ways to improve health care for University employees, and that an alcohol awareness group is being formed in order to make alcohol education more visible and available to students, faculty, and staff. Also, the Chancellor stated that even though the Governor has declared January 3 to be a holiday, the University must be open for the start of Wintersession. The Chancellor’s Office is considering how to provide staff this holiday and will notify staff of the decision before winter break begins.

· Tony Seaman reported that plans are underway for the staff holiday reception. The reception will be held in the Union Lobby on December 15 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am. Refreshments will be provided, as well as seasonal music. Invitations that will be mailed to all staff are being prepared.

· Mary Harrington stated that at the last MASCO meeting representatives reported that cell phones at some campuses had been completely banned. Holiday schedules were also examined, and representatives found that schedules at the various universities are very similar, with staff receiving the same number of holidays. At the next MASCO meeting, members will discuss non-monetary ways to award staff for performance.

Old Business:

· Twenty-six Thanksgiving baskets were provided by Staff Council members during the food drive for needy families. A total of 96 baskets were distributed. Mary expressed her gratitude for the generosity of the many Staff Council members who participated in this worthwhile project.

New Business:

· Melissa Hudson announced that she will be ending her term on Staff Council in February, and that an interim volunteer is needed to serve as textbook scholarship coordinator.

· Ron Kitchens reminded everyone that the Christmas Parade will be held next Monday, and asked that Staff Council consider entering a float in the parade next year.

· Judy Fos agreed to serve as chair of the Staff Council Elections Committee again this year. The elections process will begin in early January, and will be completed by March.

Announcements:

· The Staff Council Member of the Month for December is Paula Park.

· Paige Davis has resigned from the Council, and will be replaced by Kathy Grace of MMRI.

· The next Staff Council meeting will be held on January 5, 2005.

Meeting adjourned, 3:05 pm.

/s/ Mary Harrington, President

/s/ Joey Brent, President-Elect

/s/ Shannon Beeman, 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