Minutes of the Meeting January 4, 2006 Union Room 404
Present: James Akey, Dotty Baker, Pam Barefield, Debbie Binkley, Robert Bishop, David Blackmarr, Rachel Bost, Joey Brent, Nina Cheshier, Kim Chrestman, Corrie Free, Mary Harrington, Shellie Harrison, Jeff Howell, Ron Kitchens, Ann Mason, Ardessa Minor, Patti Mooney, Susan Neal, Jennifer Pardoe, Paula Park, Deidra Phillips, Randall Pinion, Amy Saxton, and Timothy Woodard
Excused: Brenda Brannan, Carra Hewitt, Traci Mitchell, Bettie Puckett, and Karen Tuttle
Unexcused: Debbie Bishop, Cathy Grace, and Laurie Richlovsky
President Brent introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Robert C. Khayat, the Chancellor of The University of Mississippi.
Dr. Khayat started by expressing how there is no group of people that warms his heart more or brings him a greater sense of gratitude of being a human being than the staff at Ole Miss. Dr. Khayat listed the University’s four primary constituents: the students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Dr. Khayat stated that the University’s family is in the business of creating opportunities for students to be successful. Dr. Khayat continued to say that all four primary constituents must work together. He said that the four constituents are inter-related and integrated. Of the four constituents, Dr. Khayat mentions that the staff is the key component.
Dr. Khayat extended a genuine invitation to the Staff Council to express any concerns or to ask questions.
Due to the increase student enrollment and tuition, the university has not had to have any employee cutbacks, according to Dr. Khayat. The Chancellor said that raises are always one of the top priorities for each fiscal year.
The Chancellor encouraged the staff to be helpful, supportive, and encouraging to the students. Chancellor Khayat informed the Staff Council that the University had an 81% retention rate for first year students, last school year.
The Chancellor announced the admissions requirements would not be changing.
Chancellor Khayat discussed the many impressive changes on campus due to construction and stated that there is more construction and changes to come in the future.
According to Chancellor Khayat, the Civil Rights Monument of James Meredith sends a message about the role of the University of Mississippi in the integration of higher education.
Approval of Minutes: December Minutes were approved with no corrections.
Treasurers Report: There were expenditures in the General account for travel in the amount of $154.23 for the MASCO meeting in Jackson, $1.15 in Contractual Services for postage, and for $2,150.30 in Commodities which include the Staff Council Party, Holiday Reception Invitations, Exam Breakfast Flyers, and the December Staff Reception. There were expenditures in the Textbook Scholarship account for the amount of $247.11 for textbook purchases. The treasurer’s report was approved with no corrections.
Committee Reports: None
Old Business: Nina Cheshier stated that she has contacted some outside companies who manage daycares and could help determine what our needs are. Nina is getting information from these companies, looking at the different markets again to do a survey to see if there is a need on campus for the daycare.
Paula Park announced that the Exam Breakfast was very successful with nearly 600 students participating. We would like to thank all the Staff Council members and Angie Williams and her crew who helped serve food, Aramark for cooking the food, the vendors who brought their own specialties, all the departments on campus who donated the great door prizes and especially for Tony Seaman for his entertaining and unique style of giving out the door prizes.
The Holiday Reception was a great success. There was good feedback from the staff.
New Business: President Brent stated that Deidra Phillips will coordinate the Staff Council Elections and Debbie Binkley will coordinate the Staff Appreciation Committees.
Amy Saxton volunteered to be the new public relation person for Staff Council.
Concerns: There were concerns on how the beginning and ending dates of payroll were chosen.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:55 P.M.
/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