The University of Mississippi                                   Staff Council

Minutes of the Meeting:  February 2, 2005                    200 Lyceum

 

Present:  James Akey; Hilarie Bain; Shannon Beeman; Brenda Brannan; Joey Brent; Kim Chrestman; Judy Fos; Cathy Grace; Mary Harrington; Shellie Harrison; Jeff Howell; Melissa Hudson; Buddy Kahler; Ron Kitchens; Shannon Lovejoy; Ardessa Minor; Patti Mooney; Paula Park; Deidra Phillips;

Randall Pinion; Tony Seaman

 

Excused:  Pam Barefield; Debbie Bishop; Rachel Bost; Nina Cheshier; Carra Hewitt; Judy Mills; Traci Mitchell; Jennifer Pardoe; Bettie Puckett

 

Unexcused:  Corrie Free; Sue Hodge; Renee Moore; Kathy Sanders

 

Call to Order:  The meeting was called to order at 2:30 pm by President Mary Harrington. 

 

Guest Speaker:  President Harrington thanked all members for attending, and then introduced Andy Mullins, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, as the guest speaker.  Dr. Mullins distributed copies of the IHL’s Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations Request and gave a report on the State budget situation and how it will affect the University.  Dr. Mullins stated that the University’s budget could be cut an estimated $3-$7 million. 

If enrollment remains constant, a tuition increase of approximately 16% will be needed to counteract the loss of State funding.

 

Approval of Minutes:  The January minutes were approved with no corrections. 

 

Treasurer’s Report:  The Treasurer’s Report was postponed until the next meeting.

 

Committee Reports:

 

·          Judy Fos, chair of the Staff Council Elections Committee, reported that the elections process is currently underway.  Members of the Elections Committee were asked to meet briefly after the Staff Council meeting.

·          As coordinator of New Employee Orientation, Ms. Fos also reported that Staff Council letters had been mailed to all new employees hired between December 1, 2004 and January 31, 2005.  Cathy Grace is considering taking over the position of coordinator of New Employee Orientation, as

Ms. Fos will be rolling off the Council in March.

·          The Executive Committee met with Chancellor Khayat on February 1, 2005.  The Committee reported that “Ole Miss Cares” raised $1,236.03 and recruited numerous volunteers for local charitable organizations.  The Chancellor encouraged all Staff Council members to participate in campus-wide events, especially events involving students, in order to help keep enrollment strong.

 

New Business:

 

·          President Harrington thanked those Staff Council members who participated in “Ole Miss Cares.”  Thirteen members helped with set up in the Union, collected donations, and signed up volunteers.

·          The following outgoing Staff Council members were awarded certificates of appreciation for their service to the Council:  James Akey; Hilarie Bain; Shannon Beeman; Rachel Bost; Brenda Brannan; Joey Brent; Judy Fos; Shellie Harrison; Melissa Hudson; Buddy Kahler; and Shannon Lovejoy.  Mary Harrington was given special recognition for her role as Staff Council president.

Announcements:

 

·          In appreciation for her work in coordinating the distribution of staff textbook scholarships, Melissa Hudson was named Staff Council Member of the Month for February.

·          The next Staff Council meeting will be held on March 2, 2005 in the Indoor Practice Facility.

 

Meeting adjourned, 4:00 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