Eastern Kentucky University s1

Eastern Kentucky University Staff Council

Minutes Meeting of September 11, 2007

Call to Order

Chair Burrus called the meeting to order on Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the Martin Room of the Coates Building.

Members present were: Sheila Adkins; Beverly Burrus; Ann Cotton; Tamala Cox; Jennifer Evans; Steve Fulkerson; Becky Hacker; Stephanie King; Jey Marks; Debbie Simpson; and Carol Thomas.

Guests were: President Doug Whitlock, and U.K. Staff Senate members Kenny Blair and Holly Jones Clark.

Chair Report

Chair Burrus announced that Secretary Cotton had stated that the July 10, 2007 Staff Council Meeting Minutes were unanimously approved by members through email.

Chair Burrus announced that our next Staff Council meeting will be October 11, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. in the Teleconference Room (SSB 549).

Chair Burrus welcomed EKU’s President, Doug Whitlock and additionally welcomed two U.K. Senators to our meeting. Chair Burrus then turned the floor over to President Whitlock. The President asked for questions, issues/concerns, or comments from the individuals around the table. He stated that due to the fact that he had been a staff member for many years, prior to his return to faculty that he felt as if he understood many of the issues facing the staff at Eastern Kentucky University. There were several questions addressed to President Whitlock about the Search Committee for the President, staff representation on various University Committees, and the future of EKU with the respect of the Council of Postsecondary Education prediction of 20k students in the year 2020. President Whitlock briefly discussed with the Council about the Staff Council’s idea of having an inclusive staff appreciation day for EKU. He thought that this was a wonderful idea and stated that he supported this initiative. After President Whitlock addressed the Council, the U.K. Senate briefly spoke about various problem issues and what they offered at their Staff Appreciation event. This discussion will continue in the Council to come up with ideas, cost, etc. on an EKU Staff Appreciation Event.

Chair Burrus also stated that she had met with President Whitlock. Chair Burrus stated that they had a very good discussion on past issues that the Council had been working on, and that have not yet been completed. They additionally discussed job descriptions and pay ranges being posted online, something that Human Resources is working on but has not yet completed. President Whitlock stated that he was very supportive of the Staff Council and their continued growth and initiatives.

Chair Burrus also stated that the Staff Council will have November elections for four areas. These areas are as follows: 1. Athletics, Development, EKU Foundation, Arlington 2. Custodians (Facilities Services, Housing) 3. Financial Affairs, Administration 4. Student Affairs, Public Safety

Staff Regent Report - Chair Burrus asked Mr. Fulkerson to give a Staff Regent report regarding the Board of Regents Meeting on September 8, 2007. Staff Regent Fulkerson stated that the Board of Regents had addressed and passed many Action Agenda items including: the Proposed Modifications to EKU’s Six-Year Capital Plan, The Amended University Policy 3.5.5 (Promotion and Tenure), and the suspension of Residency Requirement (“Earn at least 30 of the last 36 hours through Eastern Kentucky University”). Also discussed was the new Science Building construction, the Phase II of the Business and Technology Building, and the Construction and Project Update/Assessment for Blanton House Renovation. Additionally, Staff Regent Fulkerson stated that the Board of Regents will review RFP’s from Presidential Search Companies. The RFP process will be open from August 27, 2007 – September 28, 2007. There will be a special meeting held for addressing the RFPs sometime in October.

Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Cotton handed out the Treasurer’s Report for approval by Staff Council. The balance for Staff Council’s account is $3,377.55. There were no questions regarding the Treasurer’s Report.

Reports from Standing Committees –

Executive Committee – Chair Burrus stated that the Executive Committee had not met. The Executive Committee did attend a Retreat with the U.K. Staff Senate and the U of L Staff Senate in Lexington at U.K. There were a lot of ideas exchanged.

Communications – Chair Evans stated that the Communications Committee did not meet in August but each member had a charge to look newly designed at the brochure for ideas and corrections. The next meeting will be at Stratton on September 24th at 11:00 a.m.

Elections and Credentials – Did not meet but will be meeting in the very near future to start on the election process for the Staff Council elections.

Issues & Benefits – I&B Chair Thomas stated that the Issues and Benefits Committee did not meet in August.

Staff Recognition and Professional Development – Chair Cotton stated that the Staff Recognition and Professional Development Committee had not met in August 2007 but the charge for the members was to finalize there comprehensive/benchmark research. Due to busy calendars the next meeting may be postponed until October.

OLD BUSINESS – There was not any old business brought up for discussion.

NEW BUSINESS – Chair Burrus brought up that the “Meet and Greet” day would again be Wednesday, and that we would be holding this event in the Faculty Dining Room/Upstairs Powell Building. Chair Burrus asked for ideas on speakers that would provide information that would be an interest to staff. Our first “Meet and Greet” will be October 3rd. Meals for the “Meet and Greet” have gone up from $3.00 to $4.00 which is still a bargain.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Staff Council will be October 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the Teleconference Room, SSB 549. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ann Cotton Secretary/Treasurer