Hope Phillips, President-Elect
Jackie McDaniel, Treasurer
Vicki White, Secretary
Deanna Barton, Senator
Anthony Carter, Senator
Kevin Chambers, Senator
Shane Copeland, Senator
Danny Faulk, Senator
Janet Hardin, Senator
Peggy Hunt, Senator
Helen McCoy, Senator
Kathy Meyer, Senator
Tami Murray, Senator
Anthony Passalaqua, Senator
Sue Southard, Senator

Absent Members were:
Carol Barnhill, President (Excused Absence)
Tammy Fowler, Past President (Excused Absence)
Jim Counce, Senator
Clint Halcom, Senator (Excused Absence)
Russ Hannah, Senator (Excused Absence)
Robin Hicks, Senator (Excused Absence - Jan Woodruff substituted for Robin)
Robert Hobbs, Senator
Phyllis Hurt, Senator
Judy McCay, Senator (Excused Absence)
 

I.    Call to order:    The meeting was called to order by President-Elect Hope Phillips at 9:03 a.m.

II.    Minutes:    The May 18 minutes were approved as read. Motion: Faulk/Second: McCoy.

III.    Treasurer's Report:   Jackie McDaniel presented the Treasurer's Report.  She reported our previous balance was $432.80.  However, our ending balance at this time is $38.50.  We have paid Staff Senate Stationary ($158.02)/Name Plates ($34.00)/Distinguished Performance Award Invitations ($88.76).  During our End-of-Year Picnic, we raised $488.00 from the Silent Auction and $167.97 from the Bake Sale but had picnic expenses which totaled $281.37.  Money received from the silent auction was put into an agency account which can be carried over from year to year.  Senator McDaniel informed the committee that we have additional expenses from the July 11 Distinguished Performance Awards such as $133.93 for programs printed and approximately $522 to $800 on plaques/certificates.  At this time, we do not know the cost for the desserts.  Doug Mathis suggested that we spend dollars we have first before dipping into the agency account.  Senator Southard recalled at one time Human Resources was in charge of this ceremony and was responsible for paying its expenses.  Since Staff Senate has been assisting in paying for the invitations, programs, certificates/plaques, and desserts, we have not been compensated by HR.  If compensated, Staff Senate's budget would not be depleted as quickly.  President-Elect Phillips and/or President Barnhill will look further into this matter.  Motion to approve Treasure's Report: Southard/Second: Hardin

IV.    Tobacco Settlement Information:    Pam Kail used an hour of her vacation to attend today's Staff Senate meeting in order to discuss the importance of asking Craighead County voters to sign the petition to get the Coalition for a Healthy Arkansas Today (CHART) plan on the November ballot as an initiated act.  The petition process to get the act placed on the ballot is already underway.  We would prefer to have 57,000 signatures on the ballot, but we presently have only 37,000.  Our goal is to have 5000 signatures from Craighead County.  We have 2500 at this point.  The plan will spend an estimated $1.6 billion in tobacco lawsuit settlement monies.  The plan would greatly benefit the funding of research for ASU and Northeast Arkansas.  It calls for creation of research facilities at ASU, the University of Arkansas, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.  Pam asked the senators to pickup a petition from her office and help by taking it to our neighbors for their signatures.  She needs the petition returned by June 30.

V.    Homecoming Committee:    Senator Danny Faulk is the chair for this committee.  Homecoming game is scheduled on Saturday, September 30.  He reminded the committee of the Hospitality Booth offered last year at the cite where the students were making their Homecoming floats.  We had erected a tent and provided free hot chocolate/coffee, cookies, etc. for the students.  The beverage items and cookies were donated from local businesses so we had no expenses.  The Hospitality Booth was opened around the clock thanks to Senator Faulk's staff and fellow senators working shifts.  The booth was made available the day before Homecoming events began.  The senators agreed that we should offer this booth again.  Staff Senate will have a Tailgate Tent on the grounds by Indian Stadium on Sep. 30th where we will schedule a cookout.  The football game begins at 6:00 p.m. so the tent will be open beginning at 4:00 p.m.  Senator Tami Murray asked to serve on the Homecoming Committee.

VI.    General Assembly Committee Report:    Senator Hope Phillips is the chair for this committee.  She reported that this event is scheduled Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 2:30 in the Ballroom.  Instead of the General Assembly, we will entitle it as a "Staff Town Hall Meeting."  Senator Southard requested that we check the By-Laws to be reassured that we can change the name.  Senator Phillips said she would review the By-Laws.   She also stated that we will be distributing a Staff Questionnaire which will be enclosed in our July 14 payroll checks.  Each senator received a questionnaire to review for comments.  We will distribute flyers & e-mail to staff employees informing them of the Staff Town Hall Meeting.  It was recommended that we state on the flyer that this event is not formal.  Additionally, Senator Tammy Fowler is preparing  business cards for each senator to distribute to their fellow employees informing them of this meeting.

VII.    Calendar:    Senator Deanna Barton distributed the Staff Senate Calendar.  She asked senators to contact her if they have additional events to be placed on the calendar.  We discussed having the calendar on our web page.  We need to follow-up with Tracy.

VIII.    Drug Awareness Committee:    Doug Mathis reported on this committee.  The committee is attempting to make ASU a "Drug Free Work Place." They are receiving quite a bit of opposition from some faculty members regarding violation of human rights.

IX.    Newsletter Committee:    Senator Phillips said that three people were listed to serve on this committee.  However, Senator Shane Copeland has stated that he is unable to serve as chair or on the committee due to his workload.  Senator Robin Hicks and Senator Tammy Fowler are also unavailable to serve as chair but they will serve as committee members.  We are presently looking for someone to chair this committee.  It was discussed whether we really want to publish a newsletter.  Donna Kirksey (Journalism)  may help us by assigning this task to a student who knows about Desk Top Publishing.  Dr. Joel Gambill may know a student who could receive credit for this assignment (may include this task as an intership).  Senator Phillips said she would contact Donna Kirksey/Dr. Joel Gambill.

X.    Cookbook Committee:    Senator Jackie McDaniel is chairing the Cookbook Committee.  She updated  the senators about the kind of interest that we have received from employees on a cookbook.  Seventy-seven employees have expressed interest in receiving a cookbook.  She has spoken to Computer Services on making a web page where employees can add their favorite recipe.  If we proceed in establishing a cookbook, we need to begin quickly.  We may consider hiring a student to make copies of the cookbook and bound the copies.  We need to make a design for the cover page.  It would be ideal to have the cookbooks available by the Tailgate Party so we can sell them at that time.  Senator Danny Faulk stated that he would like to serve on the Cookbook Committee.

XI.    Next Meeting:    The next meeting is scheduled on Thursday, July 20, at 9:00 a.m. in the Library's Board Room.  Motion: Faulk/Second: McCoy

XII.    Meeting Adjourned:    10:10 a.m. Motion: Faulk/Second: McCoy