2002 Meeting began at 9:a.m. Present: Mary Jane Arden, Bill Ayers, Karen Bourne-Douglas, Robin Burke, Dan Ehmann, Mandy Emerson, Barbara Ives, Nancy Vance, Marie Van Ess, and Monica Staszesky. Monica began the meeting by thanking Bill Ayers and Dan Ehmann for agreeing to join our meeting. Bill and Dan joined us to discuss ways that the Senate can work together with Administrative Services. Mary Jane explained that the By-laws of the Staff Senate are clear about the parameters that the Senate may work within. Many issues that are brought to the Senate fall within the aegis of Administrative Services. Bill informed us that he and Dan are adamant about working closely with the Staff Senate. It was suggested that someone from Administrative Services attend Senate meetings as a representative of the division. Bill agreed that this is a great idea and would get back to us with a recommendation. Cafeteria issues were addressed by Bill and Dan. They informed us that the reason for the early closing of the Cafeteria was due to the fact that the Cafeteria is not generating enough funds in order to keep it in operation all day. Dan informed us that they are currently considering vending machines for after-hours purchases; however, vending machines are very expensive. The cost of each machine per campus is $6,000. No decision has been reached on this yet. Mary Jane extended a special thank you to Bill and Dan for the framing of the "Art for All" memorial quilt. A unanimous vote was taken and the revised Staff Senate By-laws were ratified. Monica will send a copy of the By-laws to Mr. Miller. Nancy Vance updated us on the cookbook. She is planning to publish it by the end of October. On October 19, 2002 there will be a Quilt for Comfort workshop – all are encouraged to attend; materials will be provided. Participants should bring a dish to share. Quilts that are made at this workshop will be given to parents who are suffering from the loss of their stillborn child. This will give them something personal to remember them by. Mary Jane informed everyone that the website has been updated. All agreed that we would discontinue the Advocate and send out the Buzz Sheet more frequently. Next meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 30 or 31, 2002. Date will be confirmed as soon as possible. Meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m. Recorded by Karen Bourne-Douglas, Staff Senate Secretary Members present at the meeting: Mary Jane Arden, Karen Bourne-Douglas, Robin Burke, Mandy Emerson, Catt Houser, Barbara Ives, Marilyn Monk, Monica Staszesky, Nancy Vance, Patsy Kelly-Waters, Bernadette Wilmore Dr. Ewusi, Chair of the Wilmington Math Department, attended the meeting as an observer. The meeting was opened at 9:05 a.m. by Catt Houser. The minutes of the February 27, 2002 meeting were reviewed and approved. Mandy Emerson motioned and Nancy Vance seconded. Chair’s Update: An effort is being made to ensure that Staff Senate information will reach C personnel. Monica is creating labels. On mailings that do not have labels, the Copy Room will receive extra copies so that C’s will receive the material. Catt Houser attended the Administrative Council meeting on March 25 and informed the Senate of the positive feed back she had received. She informed the Administrative Council members of the activities of the Staff Senate and the work being done. The Administrative Council members were impressed at the work of the Staff Senate in all areas (cookbook, bylaws, etc) Catt emphasized that publicity will be attached to cookbook. We need more input from Wilmington. The cookbook forms will be sent out soon. Staff senators must personally encourage co-workers to submit material for the cookbook. Joe Walther informed Nancy Vance that the printing of the cookbook can be done in our Copy Room. We will reimburse for the material used when we have sold some cookbooks and have enough money in our fund. Stacey Brown and Tina Mann have resigned from the Staff Senate. Monica will contacting the four B employees who are next on the list (by number of votes) to find out if they are interested in being on the Staff Senate. Bulletin Board Catt pointed out that Robin had done a great job on the Wilmington bulletin board and asked if she would be able to help with board at Stanton, possibly when she is at the Stanton Campus for the next meeting. People are noticing and commenting about the Staff Senate board at the Wilmington Campus. Staff Senate bulletin boards should be on more than justthe top floor. Patsy Kelly-Waters will check with Dean Moxley about the possibility of another location. Catt Houser suggested a board where her information rack was. At the Stanton campus a good location might be near the Marketing/Human Resources, Copy Room area. By-Laws The ByLaw Committee has been working very diligently on our bylaws. In addition to reviewing our current bylaws, the committee has been examining bylaws from other colleges. The committee will have a draft ready after their next meeting Staff concerns/feedback: Monica and Catt met and decided every person who submits a concern will receive a memo from the Senate and the concern will then be forwarded to the appropriate administrators along with a copy of the memo from the Staff Senate. Many of the administrators have already responded to memos from the Staff Senate regarding staff concerns. Administrative Services would like to be included when issues that relate to their department are discussed. Two of the concerns being addressed are: handicapped parking areas and smoking on campus. Security and state police will be giving tickets to persons parking in the handicapped areas. Smoking – various options have been suggested and being looked into (one place for smoking, having a smoke free campus, etc. Many B’s have expressed appreciation for the attention paid to their concerns. Meeting times: Karen Bourne-Douglas can not attend most of the meetings as they are currently scheduled. Several options were discussed. Catt will discuss with Karen her exact schedule and at the next meeting a decision will be made as to what we will do. Some of the options offered were: rotating secretary’s duties, compromise, having a recorder, changing times, Karen stepping down from her position. Another issue is that the Secretary is on the Executive Council. Dr. George’s Open Forum Staff Senate members from both campuses attended Dr. George’s Open Forums. Catt was contacted by Dr. Winner’s office and it was requested that the Staff Senate be represented. Thanks Becky Lawson sent a thank you note to Staff Senate for the Valentine basket she received from the Staff Senate. Becky was the winner of the drawing for the Valentine “B” gift. Flowers were sent to Patsy during her recuperation. She gave us a “heartfelt” thanks Office Professional Day Office Professional Day was discussed. Some of the discussions were regarding a raffle, magnets, chair massage, CCP’s program, and computer workshops. It was decided that we would have a presentation by a massage therapist on Office Professional Day. It was decided that we would have a presentation on each campus. Catt will call Gary James and Mary Jane will work on the flyers and contact massage therapists to get more information. Also, there should be a gift certificate awarded on each campus for a free massage. Additional information Patsy Kelly-Waters informed the members that faculty senators serve two-year terms. Their officers serve two years as vice chair and two years as chair. Also faculty senate chair attends Enrollment Management meetings and is given some sort of release time for serving. Catt is going to inquire. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30. The next Staff Senate meeting will be held at the Stanton Campus on Friday, April 19 at 2:30 Submitted by Nancy Vance. Meeting began at 9:00 a.m. Present: Mary Jane Arden, Robin Burke, Mandy Emerson, Catt Houser, Barbara Ives, Hilda Rafal, Monica Staszesky, Linda Watts, and Bernadette Wilmore. Minutes from the last meeting were distributed and reviewed. Approval of minutes was motioned by Mary Jane and seconded by Robin. Minutes were approved as written. Self-introductions were made. Chair's Update: Catt announced that Patsy Kelly-Waters had a heart attack and has been out of the office. It was agreed that the Senate would send Patsy a basket of flowers to let her know we are thinking of her; a motion was made by Barbara and seconded by Mandy—motion passed unanimously. Catt shared that the Senate is becoming well known, not only on our campus but at the other campuses, as well. A staff member from the Owens Campus has contacted Catt for information on our Staff Senate. We are becoming more formalized and our outreach efforts are for marketing purposes. Catt clarified the role of the Senate and what an open meeting really means since several staff members were confused. The Staff Senate's role is to provide a forum for the consideration of matters of interest to its members and to facilitate better communication among the administration, faculty, and support staff. Staff Senate meetings are open to the Staff Organization to observe the operation of the Senate. If a staff member would like to be put on the agenda, advance notice is required. Concerns may be shared at any time before a meeting is held. Committee Updates: By-law Committee: The committee had a first review, which was very productive; another meeting will be scheduled for the near future. Marketing/Communications: Staff Senate Bulletin Board: Catt asked Robin to be in charge of the Bulletin Board at Wilmington; Robin agreed to head this up. Catt will ask Stacy Brown to take care of the Stanton Bulletin Board. Wilmington's Bulletin Board is located on the Fourth Floor of the East Building; Stanton's is on the second floor outside of Mr. Miller's office. Feedback Forms: Catt distributed copies of the forms to all the members to have on hand. Robin will put a supply on the Wilmington Bulletin Board. Name Badges: Catt gave each member their name badge, which were designed and made by Mary Jane Arden. Newsletter: Robin shared a concern that was expressed to her with the last issue on the use of the word "frustrations" referring to the Plan B/C staff. It was noted and the group discussed the careful use of language in future issues. It is not the intent of the Senate to offend anyone. Flyer: A flyer was posted at each campus listing the meeting dates so staff members may plan to attend a meeting at their convenience. Feedback Forms – seven returned: Catt shared the concerns that have been submitted through the Feedback Forms. One form concerned a potentially difficult issue but had a good outcome. She and Monica will meet to formally address the concerns as they come in and respond to those who submit them. Valentine's Day Raffle: Becky Lawson won the Valentine's Day basket raffle and was very excited to win. Catt shared photos of Becky and the basket, which will be posted on the web page and in the next newsletter. Catt thanked everyone for their help and their donations. Activity for Office Professionals Day: Linda Watts will chair this committee with help from Marilyn Monk. This activity will be held in April. Possible Workshop Ideas: The possibility of having a workshop on Angels was discussed. The Employee Enrichment Committee hosted this workshop in the past and it was very successful. The next Senate meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 26 at 9 a.m., Wilmington E214. Meeting Adjourned at 10:15 a.m. Submitted by Monica Staszesky. Meeting began at 12:00 p.m. Present: Karen Bourne-Douglas, Robin Burke, Mandy Emerson, Joyce Holman, Catt Houser, Barbara Ives, Patsy Kelly-Waters, Pamela MacPherson, Marilyn Monk, Tammy Patone, Monica Staszesky, Nancy Vance, and Bernadette Wilmore. Minutes from the last meeting were distributed and reviewed. Approval of minutes was motioned by Barbara Ives and seconded by Catt Houser. Minutes were approved as written. Traffic - Concerns with throughway traffic at Stanton were addressed in response to a request from a staff member. After contacting Administrative Services, the Staff Senate learned that Delaware Department of Transportation indicated that all traffic using that route were well within their rights, since the road is shared with JP Morgan. DELDOT is currently studying the traffic pattern on the throughway. Voting Process – Catt informed us that a staff member had a concern with the voting process, and indicated that his or her department was not represented on the Senate. Since the voting process is a concern for some departments, it was suggested that all departments vote or appoint someone to represent the department at the Staff Senate meetings. The voting process will be studied further as part of the By-law review. By-laws – Kim Gregor, Chair of Faculty Senate, requested a copy of the By-laws for Middle States. A committee was appointed to review the By-laws. The following members volunteered to be on the committee: Barbara Ives, Mandy Emerson, and Bernadette Wilmore. Meeting Times – Normally, each meeting is scheduled for noon alternating at each campus; however, this does not seem to work in favor of each person. We all agreed to schedule a meeting time that does not interfere with lunch. Therefore, it was decided that we should alternate meeting locations between campuses each month and meet at various times of the day. Valentine Activity – Valentine cards with raffle tickets will be distributed a week before Valentine's Day. Tickets should be filled out and sent to Catt Houser to be entered into a drawing on Valentine's Day. The lucky winner will get a basket filled with goodies, compliments of Staff Senate. Nancy Vance volunteered to coordinate the filling of the basket using various donated items from Staff Senate members. Miscellaneous – Staff Senate will sponsor on a cookbook as a fundraiser. This will be done in house. Karen Bourne-Douglas, Mandy Emerson and Nancy Vance will work on this project. Next meeting is undecided; Catt Houser will follow-up with a meeting schedule for the rest of the academic year. Meeting Adjourned at 1:00 p.m. Submitted by Karen Bourne-Douglas. |
