Minutes of the Meeting May 3, 2006 Union 404 B
Present: James Akey, Dotty Baker, Pam Barefield, Debbie Binkley, Robert Bishop, David Blackmarr, Rachel Bost, Brenda Brannan, Joey Brent, Dennis Bullard, Nina Cheshier, Kim Chrestman, Corrie Free, Shellie Harrison, Ron Kitchens, Shannon Lovejoy, Jennifer McLain, Priscilla Melton, Ardessa Minor, Patti Mooney, Jennifer Pardoe, Paula Park, Deidra Phillips, Randall Pinion, Emily Smathers Ratliff, Laurie Richlovsky, Amy Saxton, and Timothy Woodard
Excused: Mary Harrington, Cary Lee, Ann Mason, Susan Neal, Patricia Stewart, and Karen Tuttle
Unexcused: Mae Johnson
Call to Order: President Joey Brent called the meeting to order at 2:35p.m.
President Brent introduced the speaker, Dr. Andy Mullins, Executive Assistant to the Chancellor at the University of Mississippi.
Dr. Mullins summarized the general legislation from the 2006 Legislative Session pertinent to the IHL (Institutions of Higher Learning) system. The topics discussed were diploma mills, meal sales tax, traveling expenses, teleconferencing/utilities, sales tax diversion, borrowing funds, authority to sell land/JSU membership, fleet management/cell phones, private financing, and dual enrollment. Dr. Mullins also discussed the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Summary of the Fiscal Year 2007 Appropriations.
Dr. Mullins stated that the IHL board has appropriated money for merit raises to University employees. The University will receive $9 million from the State that will go toward raises. The merit raises will range from 3 to 7%. There will be a tuition increase to help fund the operational costs of the University. In-state tuition will increase by 6.5% and out-of-state tuition will increase by 9%.
Dr. Mullins stated that the University needs an annual appropriation for cash to make repairs to the buildings around campus. The State gave IHL $17 million for emergency repairs.
Approval of Minutes: The April minutes were approved with no corrections.
Treasurers Report: Nina Cheshier reported expenditures in Contractual Services for Mail Services in the amount of $0.39. Expenditures were also reported in Commodities, for Bookstore-Years of Service Awards for the amount of $566.75 and for Printing Service- Outstanding Staff Member Elections for the amount of $399.25.
The treasurer’s report was approved with no corrections.
Committee Reports: It was reported that the Judicial, Library, and International Program Committees met this past month.
Ron Kitchens announced that University would help host the Fourth of July celebration. Ron Kitchens also requested volunteers to help with the celebration.
Debbie Binkley announced that everything was going great for Staff Appreciation. Debbie Binkley said that everything was ready and to “Bring it on!” President Brent thanked everyone for all their involvement in helping to organize the events for Staff Appreciation Days.
Old Business: Brenda Brannan reported that the Outstanding
Staff Member Elections went well. Brenda
Brannan also thanked everyone that helped in the elections.
Ron Kitchens has had a preliminary conversation with Kathy Gates about looking at the potential for online elections for next year’s Staff Council Elections.
President Brent announced that the conversation over daycare has come to an end. President Brent stated that the University, through past studies and present conversations, has determined that it is not financially feasible.
New Business: The
Staff Council Elections were held and the new officers are:
President: Ron Kitchens
President elect: Debbie Binkley
Textbook scholarship: Jennifer McLain
Treasurer: Nina Cheshier
Secretary: Paula Park
Announcements:
President Brent asked for all available
Staff Council Members to volunteer to help with all the activities for Staff
Appreciation Days.
Exam Breakfast is
May 10 at Paul B. Johnson Commons from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help serve the food
and to give out prizes.
Concerns: President
Brent addressed a concern that Employee Health does not see patients that do
not have state insurance. President
Brent stated that he would find out more information on this concern.
There was a concern
about putting a bike rack on the side of a building. President Brent feels this is something the
building mayor would handle.
Also, there was a
concern over parking at Student Union Drive.
President Brent advised that everyone should look at the Parking Guide,
contact the Parking Committee, or contact UPD to be informed of parking
changes.
The next meeting
will be June 7, 2006 in the Physical Plant’s conference room.
The meeting was
adjourned at 3:55 P.M.