Minutes of the Meeting August 02, 2006 NCNPR
Present: James Akey, Dotty Baker, Pam Barefield, Debbie Binkley, Joey Brent, Dennis Bullard, Kim Dixon, Shellie Harrison, Ron Kitchens, Shannon Lovejoy, Patti Mooney, Susan Neal, Jennifer Pardoe, Paula Park, Randall Pinion, Emily Smathers Ratliff, Laurie Richlovsky, Deetra Wiley, Benita Whitehorn and Timothy Woodard
Excused: Robert Bishop, Rachel Bost, Brenda Brannan, Nina Cheshier, Kim Chrestman, Corrie Free, Ann Mason, Priscilla Melton, Ardessa Minor, and Amy Saxton
Unexcused: David Blackmarr, Mae Johnson, Cary Lee, Jennifer Phillips and Patricia Stewart
Call to Order: President Ron Kitchens called the meeting to order at 2:35p.m. .
President Kitchens introduced our guest speaker, Allyson Best, Assistant Director for Technology Management at the National Center for Natural Products Research.
Allyson Best stated that the Natural Products Center was started in 1995 and that there are three primary missions, which are finding new drugs for human use, finding agri chemicals to help improve the growth of crops, and testing the safety of dietary supplements. The Center uses natural products for the sources of these three things.
Ms. Best stated that most Cancer medicines come natural sources. She explained that drugs are so expensive because of the clinical trials that they must go through. She referred to this process as a Pipeline that all drugs must go through from test tube to pharmacy. The time frame for this process is approximately 15 years and cost around 800 million dollars per drug. The Natural Products Center’s role is testing of drugs for the first to fifth years and cost between 1 and 5 million dollars.
It was interesting to know that some of the plants that are tested are grown in our own back yards and also are sold at Wal-Mart.
Some of the Staff Council members were able to stay for a tour of the facility that was very impressive.
Approval of Minutes: The July minutes were approved conditionally pending changes sent by President Kitchens.
Treasurer’s Report: Nina Cheshier provided the Staff Council with the Treasures Report
The General Fund- Operating Account received funding for the 07 Fiscal Year. The amounts were for, $1,700.00 in Travel, $1,800.00 in Contractual Services, $8,200.00 in Commodities, and $25,000.00 in the Textbook Scholarship Account
Commodities had expenditures for printing of the retirement brochures in the amount of $396.55.
Expenditures were also reported in the Textbook Scholarship Account for Textbook Scholarship Purchases in the amount of $10,502.77. There was a loss of funds for the amount of $44.04 from excess 06 Fiscal Year funds.
The treasurer’s report was approved with no corrections.
Committee Reports: There were no committee reports at this time.
Old Business: President Kitchens requested that the Staff Council members who have not turned in their survey to please do so.
President Kitchens reported that all the openings for the Standing Committees had been filled.
Timothy Woodard requested help for “ Meet and Greet ” on August 21-22. Timothy passed around a sign up sheet for the Staff Council members to sign.
President Kitchens announced to the members that he would be taking up donations in honor of De Lain Horne to go towards the Anchor Cemetery Fund, in his name.
New Business: Staff Council will be having their group photo taken before the next Staff Council meeting on the steps of the Lyceum at 2:30. Please wear your new t-shirts. Members need to get their Staff Council t-shirts from Brenda Brannan. Brenda’s office is located in the Lyceum, room 137.
Volunteers are needed for “Move In” Day.
President Kitchens requested for Staff Members to represent their EEO categories and to let Staff know they have a voice through the Staff Council.
Chancellor Khayat requested help from the Staff of Ole Miss to help with the “Freshman Experience” project. Chancellor stated that Dr. Carolyn Staton would be getting in touch with President Kitchens to inform him of the details.
Announcements: Timothy Woodard was chosen as the Staff Council Member of the Month for coordinating the “Meet and Greet” project.
Karen Tuttle has resigned from the Staff Council due to conflicts with her schedule. Karen stated that she has enjoyed being on the Staff Council and wishes everyone the best of luck.
Concerns: There were no concerns at this time.
The next meeting will be Sept. 06, 2006 in the Union, room 404b, after the group photo in front of the Lyceun.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 P.M.
/s/ Ron Kitchens, President
/s/ Debbie Binkley, 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