Eastern Kentucky University s5

Eastern Kentucky University Staff Council Minutes Meeting for September 9, 2008

Members Present: Adkins, Sheila; Burrus, Beverly; Cox, Tamala; Cotton, Ann; King, Stephanie; Smith, Debbie; Debbie Simpson; and Zabawa, James

Staff Regent Present: Fulkerson, Steve

Absent: Evans, Jennifer; Marks, Jey; and Thomas, Carol

Guest: Bohannon, Betsy; and Good, Claire

Call to Order

Chair Burrus called the meeting to order on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in SSB 523 of the Student Services Building.

Chair Report

Chair Burrus announced that the August 12, 2008 Staff Council Meeting Minutes were unanimously approved by members through email.

*Chair Burrus announced that our next Staff Council meeting will be on October 14, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the Conference Room, SSB 523.

Chair Burrus introduced our guests Ms. Betsy Bohannon and Dr. Claire Good.

Ms. Bohannon and Dr. Good handed out materials for the “911 Guide – Helping Students in Difficulty”. This guide is an educational piece that is designed for faculty to use when they confront or identify a distressed or disruptive student. This guide will give the faculty examples as to what steps need to be taken to keep other students and members of the campus community safe, and additionally get help for the student in question. This educational piece was designed for other universities after the VA Tech shootings. Ms. Bohannon stated that most students that have these types of issues have probably had multiple happenings of this same nature. With faculty member’s instruction, hope is that the student will be able to receive valuable help before they are in danger of doing something harmful to themselves or others. Dr. Good stated that EKU would be enlightened by a presentation given by Scott Lewis on this same subject. Mr. Lewis was on EKU’s campus in July and brought a very educational program on helping students that display signs of distress. In July the program was only open to Administrative staff and Faculty. Ms. Bohannon and Dr. Good felt that the rest of the University’s employees needed to have this education, and that it would be beneficial to hear Mr. Lewis’ presentation. Dr. Good stated that the staff at times sees more students on a day to day basis due to the fact that their jobs are front line positions. Ms. Bohannon and Dr. Good did express their concern regarding funding for Mr. Lewis to return. His fees are $3000 for the program. Staff Council, after taking a vote, decided to contribute ½ of the cost of Mr. Lewis’s return. Mr. Lewis hopefully will be returning for an encore appearance in January, and hopefully will help educate all staff with this very important student help information. Additionally Chair Burrus pointed out that the flu shots offered at the Student Health Center on campus will be free this year. Staff can get a form from HR and take it to SHC for their free flu shot.

Chair Burrus also discussed the Benefits Expo and passed around a sign-up sheet for Staff Council members to man the Staff Council table.

The Ride Share program that has been started this semester seems to be very popular. The spaces allocated for these individuals that choose to ride-share are full and the Staff Council is beginning to hear positive comments regarding the availability.

Staff Regent Report – Staff Regent Fulkerson reported that the Board of Regents met on September 6, 2008 for their quarterly meeting. Regent Fulkerson gave a quick overview regarding items that were discussed that could affect staff. The Internal Affairs Committee of the Board discussed the Revision of the Staff Council By-laws regarding term-limits for officers. It was passed by the Board of Regents to suspend the term-limits of re-election for officers to allow staff the choice to reelect incumbents to allow for the continuation of such representatives or to elect a new representative, as staff may deem appropriate.

Additionally Staff Regent Fulkerson discussed an Action Agenda item regarding first-time Freshmen Admissions Policy. Terminology presently used for description of the type of admission for Freshmen was difficult to understand and interpret for students and their parents. The verbage has been changed to reflect easier determination of either “full” admission or “admissions with conditions”. Admissions with conditions will prompt those “high risk” freshmen students to have to take other coursework to bring them up to “par” for college coursework.

Also, Staff Regent Fulkerson discussed the survey conducted at EKU regarding the flex time pilot that was implemented during summer break. He stated that the survey showed a high margin for liking the flexible work day schedule and upon further discussion and review will probably be implemented again in the very near future. One benefit of the flexible work schedule is that the employees and offices will take the cross-training of jobs and employees more serious with a better continuance of services offered by the University.

Staff Regent Fulkerson also reported on enrollment numbers in a comparison to last year. Total enrollment is up 1.6% to 15,859. Undergraduate and Graduate enrollment numbers are both up.

Treasurers Report

The Treasurers Report was given by Ms. Cotton, Secretary/Treasurer with a passed motion for approval. Our total balance is $6,745.12.

Committee Reports –

The Executive Committee – Chair Burrus stated that the Executive Committee did not meet.

The Communication Committee – Chair Burrus stated that Ms. Evans the Chair of the Communication Committee could not be at today’s meeting due to her father being ill, but had brought her up to date regarding the projects that the Communication Committee had been working on. The Committee has been doing web-site updates keeping everything current. The Committee will meet again on September 22nd.

The Elections and Credentials Committee – Chair Burrus reported that the Elections and Credentials Committee was meeting after the Staff Council meeting today to discuss the upcoming Staff Council elections. There are 4 areas that will be up for re-election. They are: College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business and Technology; Continuing Education and Outreach (including the extended campuses and the Planetarium); Enrollment Management (includes Graduate Studies, Financial Affairs, Co-op, Education Talent Search and Upward Bound); and Maintenance and Skilled Trades (includes Facilities Services administration and offices, plant operations, grounds crews, carpenters, electricians, mechanics, painters, general maintenance, energy management, skilled trades/maintenance, pest control).

The Issues and Benefits Committee – the Issues and Benefits Committee met on August 8th and Mr. Zabawa gave the report for Chair Thomas. Mr. Zabawa stated that we needed to get the spousal sick leave sharing information out to campus. He stated that it will be coming out very soon to make all aware of the new policy. Gary Barksdale, Director of HR stated that the job descriptions and pay information will hopefully be out in the next few months. This is something that Staff Council has been adamant about having since it helps people determine their professional options for moving up in their offices, etc. Additionally, Wally Skiba explained the Home Owners and Auto (Property and Casualty) insurance being offered to staff which will be at a lower rate and will be payroll deduction. He also discussed the High and Low option insurance plans briefly.

The Staff Recognition and Professional Development Committee – Chair Cotton stated that the Staff Recognition and Professional Development Committee did not meet but that The University Staff Development Fund Committee had been looking at applications for approval. The next meeting for the Committee will be September 24th.

Old Business - Old Business brought up for discussion was the possibility of Staff Council polo shirts. Everyone agreed that this would be a good idea due to recognition at certain events. This will be discussed further in the upcoming meetings. Also, the next few “Meet and Greets” will be very interesting and beneficial to all. Speaking in October will be Jackie Couture from EKU Libraries, November will be Coach Hood and December will be President Whitlock.

New Business - No New Business was discussed.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Staff Council will be on October 14th at 10:00 a.m. in the Teleconference Room, SSB 549 unless otherwise communicated prior to the meeting.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:33 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Cotton Secretary/Treasurer