Minutes of the Meeting July 6, 2005 Union 404 A&B
Present: Dotty Baker, Pam Barefield, David Blackmarr, Brenda Brannan, Joey Brent, Nina Cheshier, Carra Hewitt, Jeff Howell, Ron Kitchens, Patti Mooney, Jerry Moore, Jennifer Pardoe, Paula Park, Ben Pharr, Deidra Phillips, Randall Pinion, Amy Saxton, Karen Tuttle
Excused: James Akey, Debbie Binkley, Debbie Bishop, Rachel Bost, Kim Chrestman, Cathy Grace, Mary Harrington, Ann Mason, Ardessa Minor, Traci Mitchell, Susan Neal, Bettie Puckett, Timothy Woodard
Unexcused: Robert Bishop, Corrie Free, Eddie Lovin
Chief Jeffery M. Van-Slyke comes to us from the University of Texas at Austin. Chief shared some of his work history and talked about his family with the council members.
Chief Van Slyke opened the discussion with how political our jobs can be as well as the University. He explained that trust is one of the most important things in any relationship. In other words “you can’t work with people you can’t trust”. Chief compared the Staff Council members to that of a Police Chief in that both are faced with a lot of input as to how things should be done to improve the campus community. Chief said he did not come here to be served, but to serve. Chief stated that you should not ask anyone to do something that you yourself would not do. He indicated he will use the “CAT” (Communication, Accountability, and Trust) approach. Trust will be the underlining emphasis for leadership and practice. This approach will have the ability to influence others. His formula is: Communication + Accountability = TRUST.
Chief encouraged any thoughts or suggestions that will help him do his job better. He invited council members to do “ride along” so that they could be more knowledgeable as to what the University Police Officers do on a daily basis. His mission is to transform adolescents into adults with a positive experience. Chief wants UPD officers to demonstrate a positive professional attitude whether with a student or an employee because it could be their first encounter with an officer. Those that have already experienced an encounter are probably biased or prejudice already.
President Joey Brent expressed concern about the “parking problem” to Chief. Chief commented that with all due respect there is not a parking problem on the campus. Chief explained the problem is that parking is not convenient. Chief told the council members that he is looking at the parking map to see what changes could be made to improve it as well as the parking. Chief expressed concern that the parking committee does not meet on a regular basis and will encourage the committee to start meeting.
Chief discussed the problems with out sourcing security for special events. The Athletic Department is responsible for hiring Cobra for security for the football games. Chief is going to talk with Wayne Mills about the uniforms that Cobra wears to work the football games. Chief also expressed his wish to have the University Police officers work the inside perimeter and have the temporary officers and Cobra in other areas. Chief wanted all the departments to know that they had the option to ask the University Police to work security for events on campus instead of Cobra.
Chief said he is not sure how he will turn the Grove into a family experience but it has been expressed to him and he is going to give it try.
Council members expressed concern about golf carts being driven on sidewalks and Chief indicated there must be a written Standard Operating Procedure for this.
Chief encouraged the council members to write down any concerns they might have and send them to him and the “powers that be”. He thanked the Staff Council for inviting him to speak and said he would like to come again. The Staff Council expressed their wish for him to come back when the football season is over with.
President Brent introduced Amy Saxton to speak on “Move in Mania”. Amy told the council members that volunteering to helping with move-in would be a very good opportunity to interact with the students and parents. Joey told the members that if they volunteer to help to be sure to wear their staff council t-shirts.
Approval of Minutes:
The June 2005 minutes were approved with no corrections.
Treasurers Report: Nina reported that expenditures were made in contractual services for plaques, nameplates for outstanding winners for the awards ceremony and in commodities for the plaque for the outgoing president and 500 blank certificates. Significant expenditures were also made in the textbook scholarship account. The treasurer’s report was approved with no corrections.
Old Business:
Imaging services will have the pictures done soon so that President Brent can get the link to everyone to look at the pictures.
New Business:
The fire works for the July 4, 2005 celebration went very well.
Ron Kitchens has t-shirts left from the July 4th celebration for $10.00.
Announcements:
The meeting for August 3, 2005 will be in the Union room 403.
Barbara Collier will be the guest speaker.
September 7, 2005 the meeting will be at the Depot.
Gloria Kellum will be the guest speaker.
Concerns:
The Staff Council suggestion box had two anonymous suggestions.
1.Why don’t departments hire from internal personnel on campus?
2.Delta State pays full tuition for the spouse scholarship. Can Ole Miss do the same? Delta State also pays for employees to take online classes from other universities and not just Ole Miss. Can we do the same?
President Brent will refer both questions to Human Resources.
Ron Kitchens received a concern from a staff member regarding being discouraged by his supervisor from running for Staff Council.
This issue will be addressed at the meeting with the Chancellor to find out where the administration stands when a department acts in this manner.
Staff Council wants everyone to know this is a serious matter and they are very concerned about this situation.
Also, the campus-wide retirement party was cancelled due to a lack of interest.
There were several suggestions made that might improve the interest but no action was taken at this time.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:55 pm.
/s/ Joey Brent, President
/s/ Ron Kitchens, President-Elect
/s/ Paula Park, 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