Administrative Staff Council Meeting Minutes September 5, 2012

Members Present: Cheryl Ballard, Robin Boyles, Lynn Buford, Justin Chandler, Craig Clemons, Edwin Craft, Donna Fitzgerald, Dana George, Bert Herbison, Ted Hochradel, Julie Jackson, Matt Jones, Emily Jones, Shirldonn Labastida, Bevin Lamb, Paula Laws, Leslie Magee, Rodney Martin, Don Allan Mitchell, Cheryl Oleis, Marilyn Read, Christy Riddle, Suzanne Simpson, Jeff Slagell, Vicki Williams

Guests Present: Jordan Thomas, Assistant Director of Alumni Affairs

I. Call to Order/Welcome • Chair, Matt Jones, called to order the meeting of the Administrative Staff Council at 8:35 a.m. In the Simmons Room of the Alumni Building.

II. Approval of Minutes: • Minutes from the August meeting were distributed by e-mail. Jeff Slagell made a motion to approve the minutes. Donna Fitzgerald seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously by the membership.

III. Program: • Christy Riddle and Emily Jones presented information regarding the ‘Year of Service’. Christy informed the membership that this includes service to the University and service by the University. The committee has been given $20,000 to spend throughout the year. A contest will be held to choose the Motto of the Year and a Logo for the ‘Year of Service’. Four sub committees have been established and each Staff Council member was asked to sign up for one or two sub committees. The Sub committees are: Community Service; Cultural Committee, New Media, and Service Learning. One campus wide event will take place on Saturday, October 20, for Make a Difference Day. Then there will be another campus wide event in the Spring: Campus to Careers which will be helping to recruit elementary and Jr High students. This committee meets every Wednesday in Union 308, anyone is invited to attend.

IV. Officer’s Reports:

CHAIR Matt Jones No Report

Chair-Elect: Robin Boyles Asked the membership to let her know if they had ideas for programs that they would like to see presented.

Secretary: Vicki Williams Presented balances for Staff Council Accounts Beverly Lindsey was asked to have a check written in the amount of $250.00 from the New Designated Staff Council fund to the Staff Development Foundation Account.

Past Chair: Suzanne Simpson No Report Ombudsman: Julie Jackson No Report

V. Committee Reports

• Incentives and Recognition: The Smile on You award for September was presented to Rhonda Williams; she received a $25 gift certificate to King Buffett The Employee of the Month was awarded to Mary Ruth Phillips, Secretary to Dean of College of Ed

• Projects: No Report

• Staff Development No Report

• Year of Service See Program Notes

VI. Faculty Senate Report • Don Allen Mitchell reported that all is quiet on the Faculty front for now. He also reported that the new United States Poet Laureate and Mississippi Poet Laureate, Natasha Tretheway, will give her first Mississippi reading as the nation’s 19th Poet Laureate at Delta State University on Tuesday, September 18th, at 7 p.m. in Kethley Hall.

VII. New Business • Matt Jones discussed the design and purchase of an Administrative Staff Council t-shirt or polo to be worn by the membership during our ‘service projects’. • Matt also discussed the reinstatement of the Staff Excellence Awards……..this would be a joint resolution with Faculty to bring back the monetary awards for staff members. Bert Herbison made a motion to reinstate the Award and Dana George seconded the motion. There was a unanimous vote from the membership to reinstate the Staff Excellence Awards. • Matt also asked that each of us encourage all Administrative Staff Council members to attend every monthly meeting. • Matt also asked for Committee Preference & Needs.

VIII. Announcements • Christy Riddle announced that if any department had student jobs available for GA, RSE, or Work Study to please contact her office. There are lots of students looking for jobs. • Christy also announced that the Student Success Center is located in Union 308 and that the academic support lab holds tutoring sessions for most all disciplines. • Matt Jones announced that the Athletic Communications Department has moved to Union 218. He said to contact his office if Communications and Marketing were available to help with updated pictures needed for release. • The Football game for September 8, 2012 is away. • Pig Pickin’ is scheduled for Saturday, September 22, 2012. • Suzanne Simpson presented the ‘Award of Service’ plaque to Dana George for Chair-Elect, Chair, and Past-Chair service. • Dana George stated that she had enjoyed all her time in service to the Administrative Staff Council. • The next meeting is scheduled for October 3, 2012 a.m. in the Simmons Room, Alumni Building.

IX. Adjournment Matt Jones adjourned the meeting at 9:05 am.