STAFF SENATE MEETING
SMB Seminar Room
December 3, 2003Members Present: Dean Foster, Tina Rippa, Anita Rios, Margaret Soucy, Teresa Holguin, JoAnn Fischer, Julia Biglin, Leonor Mendoza, Virginia Manzano, and TJ Robinson
Members Absent: Jon Saari, Barbara James, Shawn Sias, Cynthia Bettison, and Julia Morales
I. Vice President Tina Rippa called the meeting to order at 10:00 am.
A. The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance.
B. Roll call was taken.
II. Approval of Agenda-Senator Soucy made a motion to approve the agenda, and Senator Biglin seconded the motion. Motion carried.III. Approval of November 5, minutes- Senator Soucy made a motion to approve minutes of November 5, 2003, with the following corrections: item III, changing the title of Senator Bettison to Parliamentarian, correcting the President’s report on Building Occupancy Policy, to read - The policy committee will be asked to redraft the policy. Correcting Committee Reports on New Employee Orientation by adding the following, she asked Senator Foster to discuss the information with President James and AQIP by changing, had been phased out to could be phased out this year. Motion was seconded by Senator Foster to approve minutes with corrections. Motion carried.
IV. President’s Report-Vice President Tina Rippa reported the following:
· Vice President Rippa congratulated Maintenance Department on placing third in their division in the Lighted Parade.
· Vice President Rippa announced that Western NM University had been awarded the QNM Zia ward. The announcement of the award will be on December 4, 2003. The Zia award will be received in March 4, 2004.
· Vice President Rippa thanked Dr. Counts for the extra time off during the holidays.
· Vice President Rippa stated that graduation would be on December 12, 2003. The graduation will be held in the Fine Arts Auditorium, instead of the gym, because a basketball game is scheduled on the same day. She also stated that seating is limited in the Fine Arts Auditorium.
V. Treasurer’s Report-Senator Manzano reported that the balance in the staff Senate account is $203.42; this balance includes the encumbrance of the seven nameplates for the new senators. The cost of the seven nameplates will be
$70.00. The balance on the staff recognition account as of October 31, 2003 is $800.48.VI. Old Business
Vice President Rippa stated that Senator Holguin had been appointed to chair the AQIP committee.A. Committee Reports
1. Staff Handbook-Senator Fischer stated that her committee had met on November 17 in the ITV room. Gallup and T or C were able to participate in the meeting. Deming wasn’t able to participate in the meeting. Senator Fischer stated that changes will be made to the staff handbook. The changes will be presented in March. The staff handbook changes will be presented to the Board of Regents and then sent to staff.
2. Rewards & Recognition-Senator Biglin reported that her committee had met on November 17, 2003. Senator Biglin stated that she had received good recommendations in her meeting. Senator Biglin also made the changes to the Staff Employee Sick Leave Recognition Plan. Senator Fischer made a motion to approve the changes to Sick Leave policy and Senator Holguin seconded the motion. Motion carried. Senator Biglin stated the policy had to be submitted to President Counts for approval. Senator Rios asked for a clarification on the Staff Recognition Account. Senator Rios wanted to know the procedure for utilizing the funds in the Staff Recognition Account. Senator Fischer made a motion that the Staff Recognition account should have a plan for the use of the funds and Senator Soucy seconded the motion. Motion carried.
3. Salary & Classification- Senator Soucy stated that Staff Senate is recommending implementation of a 6% cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment to be added to the salary midpoint in order to meet inflation since the last adjustment.
4. New Employee Orientation-Senator Foster reported that his committee decided not to schedule meetings because of the holidays. His committee will schedule a meeting in January 2004.
5. Election-No Report.
6. AQIP-Senator Holguin reported that her committee has not met. She also reported that she has to meet with Dr. Gilbert concerning the phasing out of the Advising and Funding and she might meet with Dr. Gilbert in late January 2004.
B. Reports on Issues & Goals for Upcoming Year-Vice President Rippa presented a list of Issues & Goals for the upcoming year. She asked the Senators to evaluate the list of Issues & Goals and bring their suggestions for goals for the year to the next meeting. Senator Soucy made a motion to table the action request and Senator Biglin seconded the motion. Motion carried.
VII. New Business
A. Employee of the Month-December-Vice President Rippa and Senator Biglin recognized Pete Marquez, employee in Maintenance Department, as the December Employee of the Month.VIII. Open Forum
Senator Fischer reported that Maria Dominuez-Rolfe, Director of Multicultural Affairs & Student Activities, suggested having the staff potluck during home coming activities.
Vice President Rippa reminded everyone to attend the quarterly staff general assembly on Monday, December 8, 2003 at 10:00 am in the Seminar room of the Student Memorial Building. Topics will include cost of living adjustments for 2004/2005 and QNM Zia Award.
IX. The next Staff Senate meeting will be on Wednesday, January 7, 2004, at 10:00 am in the Seminar Room of the Student Memorial Building.
X. Senator Fischer made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 am; Senator Holguin seconded the motion. Motion carried.