January 18, 2001
Carol Barnhill, President
Deanna Barton, Senator
Kevin Chambers, Senator
Danny Faulk, Senator
Janet Hardin, Senator
Robert Hobbs, Senator
Peggy Hunt, Senator
Judy McCay, Senator
Helen McCoy, Senator
Jackie McDaniel, Treasurer
Kathy Meyer, Senator
Tami Murray, Senator
Hope Phillips, President-Elect
Absent senators were:
Anthony Carter, Senator
Shane Copeland, Senator
Jimmy Counce, Senator
Tammy Fowler, Past President (Excused Absence)
Clint Halcom, Senator (Excused Absence)
Russ Hannah, Senator
Robin Hicks, Senator
Phyllis Hurt, Senator
Anthony Passalaqua, Senator
Sue Southard, Senator
Vicki White, Secretary (Excused Absence)
Darrah Williams, Senator - Part Time
I. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by President Carol Barnhill at 9:05 a.m.
II. Minutes: The November 16th minutes were approved.
III. Treasurer's Report: Senator Jackie McDaniel reported that we now have three accounts: The "Regular Account" has a balance of $1157.60. The "Santa's Tribe" had donations of $1994.76, expenditures of $1079.02, leaving a balance of $915.95. The "Cookbook Account" collected $1344.80, spent $847.83 for the shipment of cookbooks (which are paid in full), leaving a current balance of $496.97. This is profit on the books and all future cookbook sales will be profit.
- A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to Jackie McDaniel. She is leaving ASU and will be missed. Tammy Fowler and Russ Hannah have agreed to help fill in with the vacant Treasurer's position upon Jackie's termination of employment. Her position would have expired in three months, so rather than hold an election, these two senators have agreed to assist as Treasurer.
IV. Committee Reports
- Santa's Tribe: Diane Unger spoke on
behalf of the Santa's Tribe. The project was a huge success with
an overwhelming display of generosity. About 18 families were served.
A TorchBearers account will be available so that employees may give through
payroll deduction. It is the hope that this will be a year long committee
and possibly fill needs other than at
Christmas.
- Cookbook: Danny Faulk said that the Cookbook Sale has been a great success so far. We have about 150 books on hand still to sale. In the future, it will be decided on how to use the funds.
- Drug Testing: Doug Mathis and his committee are still collecting and compiling information. He hopes to have a draft available at the February meeting.
- Child Care: In the absence of Tammy Fowler, President Carol Barnhill reported that RFP is being finalized and Tammy hopes to have it ready in two or three weeks to be distributed.
V. Insurance Changes - Dr. J. W. Mason spoke
about the recent insurance changes. He first wanted to thank the
Staff Senate for their help and support. The points he
addressed were:
(a) The insurance is now on a calendar year as opposed to a fiscal
year as in the past, thus allowing more time to collect data and address
concerns/issues.
(b) The current policy, effective 01/01/01: if a retiree declares his/her intent to retire between 01/01/01 and 06/30/01, they will pay the same health care cost as a currently employed staff member. Any employee that retires after 07/01/01 will pay 50% of the full cost of health care.
(c) A financial consideration will be placed on the table every year as to decide how the health insurance benefit compares with the UPC plans.
VI. Shared Governance Proposal - The Staff
Senate was presented five separate Shared Governance Proposals dealing
with:
Management of Employee Benefits
Repeating of Courses
Transfer Credit Policy
Student Academic Load
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Senator Tami Murray made a motion that all proposals be accepted, Senator
Danny Faulk seconded; motion passed.
VII. Beebe Senate Report - President Barnhill reported that the Beebe Campus is very interested in starting a Staff Senate on their campus. Their main concern at this time is funding as they will not have fund support nor do they expect to in the future from their administration. They may visit one of our meetings in the future.
VIII. New Business -
- Election Committee: Jimmy Counce, Chair of
the Election Committee, has recently left his employment with ASU, thus
creating a void in the committee and his Staff Senate position. Senator
Judy McCay volunteered to serve on the Election Committee, President-Elect
Hope Phillips will chair the committee.
- President Barnhill and Hope Phillips will check the past election results to see who should fill the new vacancies created by the employment resignations of Jimmy Counce and Anthony Carter.
- Senator Danny Faulk also suggested that the attendance records be checked. The Senators that are not attending, should be notified of their commitment to Staff Senate, and what, if any, action should be taken concerning excessive absenteeism.
- Performance Award Committee: Janet Hardin
reported that May 9th is the date chosen for the 2001 Performance Award
Ceremony. It has been placed on President Wyatt's calendar and scheduled
to be held in the Grand Hall of the Fowler Center. The committee
will be meeting for the first time in mid to late February. This
year's committee will have two community
representatives, with one chosen to date, Jerry Morgan of Simmons Bank,
and one yet to be named.
- Spring Picnic: It was suggested to rename
and/or combine the Picnic Committee and Homecoming Committee under one
name since they are usually the same group of senators. The new senators
will be coming on in May and we would want to get them involved.
Danny Faulk will get the Homecoming Committee together and get the picnic
on the calendar. Kevin Chambers agreed to chair the Picnic Committee
this year. Robert Hobbs and Deanna
Barton also agreed to serve on the Picnic Committee. Danny Faulk will
still help with the picnic, although his senate terms expires in May.
IX. University Planning Committee - next meeting is on 01/26/01 at 9:00 a.m., Board Room, Library.
X. Other Business - Senator Danny Faulk is interested in a possible "Mini Orientation" for the new Staff Senators. This would include training in what is expected, parliamentary procedures, etc.
XI. Next Meeting: The next meeting is scheduled on Thursday, February 15, 9:00 a.m. in the Library Board Room.
Meeting adjourned with no other discussion.
