UNIVERSITY STAFF ASSEMBLY MINUTES

Tuesday, February 19, 2008 10:45 a.m.

President’s Conference Room

Called to Order by:  Chair Penny Merritt

Mission Statement:    Read by Penny 

Roll Taken:     Yes

Attendees:      12

Approval of Minutes:

Will approve at next meeting

Announcements/Remarks from Chair/Executive Board Report:

Dr. Morris canceled her monthly meeting this Thursday, the 21^st, due to the breakfast scheduled for the same morning at the Welcome Center.  Dave Todt, Acting Provost, covered the expenses for SSU staff to attend. 

Dr. Morris spoke on the University Systems and mentioned the new push to enroll high school seniors into the postsecondary program so as to allow them to start in as sophomores when they are enrolled at SSU.

There will be a change in how degrees are offered.

The Capitol Campaign has attained 95% of its goal.

Announcements from the USA Floor

Bane Sylvia, HR Director, was asked to speak to the USA Open Meeting, but had just gotten back to work from bereavement leave and could not attend.

Penny will invite Attorney Marc Cardinalli, the new Legal Counselor, to speak to the March USA Open Meeting, but she suggested that perhaps we should invite Chuck Warner, UIS Director, to speak instead concerning internet safety.  It was agreed that we invite Cardinalli at another meeting.  Penny will invite the new library director to speak at one of our summer meetings if one has been chosen by that time.

CWA

Brenta Childers, Success Center Student Representative and longtime SSU employee, passed away at her home this morning, the 19^th.  Lori Perry will see that flowers are sent on behalf of the CWA.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Election          

Elections for new USA Officers will begin in April.  Jacque Allen will send out an email notifying members of the coming elections and will update the committee spreadsheet to reflect 2008 officers.

Professional Development:                            None

Newsletter:                

Debra Schwamberger said there have been no meetings called.  Other members include Gina Bradley and Sandi Delabar.  Debra reminded attendees that USA Newsletter needs news.  Cindy Hopkins suggested they include Brenta Childers’ death notice, and the newsletter could spotlight Marcia Tackett’s retirement.  Several other suggestions were mentioned.

Spirit Committee

Penny stated that the new committee coordinator, Nikki Montgomery, was doing an excellent job. 
 

UNIVERSITY WIDE COMMITTEES

ADA Compliance                                            None

Affirmative Action                                          None

Athletic and Intramural

Cindy Hopkins said they have not met since before the Christmas holidays.  There was talk about tiered sports and was asked about the possibility that football would be added to SSU, but Cindy denied that rumor; said football was too expensive a sport. 

Budget and Finance                                        None

Facilities:

Lori Perry stated the committee discussed safety issues with the street behind the Athletic Center near the old tennis courts and around the corners of the Health Sciences building and pedestrians crossing 3^rd Street.  She stated that crosswalks and speedbumps have been suggested.

Personnel Development

Those who attended the breakfast at the Welcome Center acknowledged it was an enjoyable event and appreciated Dave Todt’s generosity. 

Leah Campbell asked if any staff had looked at the Atomic Learning sight.  She iterated that it was a good opportunity for free learning; some have used the site.

Records Commission                                     None

Special Events                                                            None

UTAC                                                             None

OTHER COMMITTEE REPORTS

Insurance Committee                                     None

Parking Review & Appeals Committee        None

Veterans Committee                                      None

Unfinished Business:                                     None

New Business:           

It was suggested that USA commemorate Brenta Childers’ 19 years as an SSU employee.  Penny said she would ask Dale Taylor and Denise Brockett about a scholarship in her name.  It was suggested that a brick with her name would be appropriate, or perhaps a plaque could be placed in the Success Center with her picture and name as a memoriam.

Penny stated that it had been decided at the executive meeting to ask for volunteers each month for refreshments for USA Open Meetings to try and encourage attendance.  Judy Morrow and Cindy Hopkins volunteered to supply refreshments for the March meeting.

Adjournment:

Penny Merritt adjourned.