Members Present: Dean Foster, Barbara James, Tina Rippa, Anita Rios, Margaret Soucy, Shawn Sias, JoAnn Fischer, Julia Biglin, Leonor Mendoza, Virginia Manzano, and TJ Robinson

Members Absent: Teresa Holguin and Jon Saari
Proxy: Cynthia Bettison and Julia Morales

I. President Barbara James called the meeting to order at 10:05 am.
A. The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance.
B. Roll call was taken.

II. Approval of Agenda-Senator Fischer made a motion to approve the agenda and Senator Soucy seconded the motion. Motion carried.

III. Approval of January 7, 2004 Staff Senate Minutes-Senator Foster made a motion to approve the January 7, 2004 Staff Senate Minutes and Senator Sias seconded the motion. Motion carried.

IV. President’s Report-President Barbara James reported the following:

· President James reported that Dr. Counts would be attending the special session of the state legislature for two weeks. She also reported that the Board of Regents had met in Santa Fe and the meeting was very informative.

· President James announced the softball game would be cancelled on February 4, 2004 due to the weather.

· President James announced the Great Race would be held on April 18, 2004.

V. Treasurer’s Report-Senator Manzano reported that the balance in the Staff Senate account is $203.42; three nameplates have been ordered for the following senators; Senator Soucy, Senator Holguin, and Senator Rios. The cost of the three nameplates will be $30.00. The balance on the staff recognition account as of December 31, 2003 is $832.48.

VI. Old Business

A. Committee Reports
1. Staff Handbook-Senator Fischer presented the following proposed changes to the staff handbook: Page 5, Procedures for Amendment of Staff Handbook, Page 31, New Employee Orientation, Page 41, Trial Period, Page 48, Worker’s Compensation and Unemployment Compensation, Page 49, Educational Assistance Program (Tuition Waiver), Page 55, Annual Leave Hours. Senator Soucy made a motion to approve Procedures for Amendment to Staff Handbook and Senator Biglin seconded the motion. Motion carried. Senator Rippa made a motion to approve New Employee Orientation and Senator Soucy seconded the motion. Motion carried. Senator Rippa made a motion to approve Trial Period and Senator Biglin seconded the motion. Motion carried. Senator Rippa made a motion to approve Worker’s Compensation and Senator Soucy seconded the motion. Motion carried. Discussion followed on Unemployment Compensation and no action was taken. Senator Biglin made a motion to approve Educational Assistance Program (Tuition Waiver), Senator Sias seconded the motion. Motion carried. Senator Biglin made motion to approve Annual Leave Hours and Senator Soucy seconded the motion. Motion carried. Senator Fischer thanked the Handbook Committee for their help with the proposed changes.
2. Rewards & Recognition-Senator Biglin reported the requested changes to the Staff Employee Sick Leave Recognition Plan on item 1.1, to read during the previous fiscal year. The changes to the Staff Employee Sick Leave Recognition Plan addressed full time employees and part-time employees. The policy will be sent to Dr. Counts for his approval to reward part-time and full time employees. Senator Sias made a motion to approve the changes to the Staff Employee Sick Leave Recognition Plan and Senator Fischer seconded the motion. Motion carried. Senator Rios inquired if the policy would utilize funds from the Staff Recognition account. She was informed that the policy would not use funds from the Staff Recognition account and no cost would be involved with the policy.
3. Salary & Classification- Senator Soucy reported that the Salary & Classification committee was waiting for Dr. Counts approval on the recommendation of the 6% Cost of Living Adjustment to be added to the salary midpoint.
4. New Employee Orientation-Senator Foster reported that his committee had met on January 13. Seven new employees were invited to attend the January 29 meeting and the seven new employees didn’t attend the meeting. Senator Foster reported that his committee would be working on New Employee Orientation goals on their March 26, meeting.
5. Election-Senator Rios reported that she would be working with her committee on the nominations for Staff Senate President. Nominations for Staff Senate President will be held in March.
6. AQIP-Vice President Rippa reported that she had met with Dr. Kathie Gilbert regarding the process management report for accreditation. Vice President Rippa encouraged staff to attend the open forums for the creation of the systems portfolio. The AQIP SP Forums will be held in Meeting Rooms A, B, C of the Global Resource Center on February 6, February 20, and March 12 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

VII. New Business
A. Employee of the Month-February, 2004- President James and Senator
Biglin recognized Kathy Cordo, employee in Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation, as the February Employee of the Month.

VIII. Open Forum-Senator Biglin discussed the Issues & Goals for Rewards & Recognition Committee. Senator Biglin addressed the staff suggestions regarding the Rewards & Recognition Committee.

Senator Fischer discussed having the March General Assembly Meeting at ITV. Senator Fischer stressed that the off site campus is not being included at General Assembly Meetings. The March General Assembly meeting may not be possible at ITV because there are not enough connections for ITV to off sites. Senator Fischer discussed meeting with Steve Liebhart regarding the General Assembly Meeting. Each off site should be invited to participate in the General Assembly Meeting.

Steve May, former Western New Mexico University Public Information Director, requested that the Student Memorial Building be named after Tom McDonald. Tom McDonald was a graduate of Western New Mexico University. Tom McDonald served two years as Student President and he was instrumental in getting the new Student Memorial Building built. Tom was killed in an automobile accident. Steve stressed that all requirements are met to name the building in honor of Tom McDonald. Steve also reported that Tom attended New Mexico State University and New Mexico State University has a memorial in honor of Tom. President James recommended that the naming of the Student Memorial Building after Tom McDonald would be voted on the next Staff Senate meeting after discussion among the Senators. Based on whether the Staff Senate supported naming the building after Tom McDonald would determine Staff Senate’s next move.

President James reminded everyone of the nominations to be held in March for Staff Senate President.

President James also reminded everyone of the General Assembly Meeting to be held on March 1, 2004.

IX. The next meeting will be on March 3, 2004 at 10:00 am in Seminar Room of the Student Memorial Building.

X. Senator Fischer made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 am; Senator Soucy seconded the motion. Motion carried.