Staff Senate Minutes

Sunset Room

June 5, 2001

Members Present: Maria Rolfe, Greg Rolfe, Orpha Gonzalez, Patsy Madrid, Henry Sanchez, Mason Door, Michelle Murati, Peggy Lankford, April Matthews, Adele Springer, Raul Yanez and Kathy Ryan

Members Absent: Troy Hudson and Diana Portillo

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by President Lankford. President Lankford announced that Vice President Rolfe would be running the meeting and then read a statement stating her reasons for stepping down from this meeting.

Vice President Rolfe stated that the meeting was called at the request of a senator from maintenance to discuss maintenance personnel issues. This will be the only topic discussed.

Senator Sanchez expressed his strong belief in the university's mission statement and that of his fellow employees at the maintenance department. He also feels that to subcontract would go against the mission statement and stated that he would like to have the support of the Staff Senate regarding this issue. Quentin Guillam addressed the senate by saying it is very difficult to raise a family on a fixed income and would be even harder without the benefits that the university provides. Senator Maria Rolfe stated her strong support for the maintenance staff. She stressed the importance of having the university be one team and not divide among departments. Senator Rolfe made the motion to go to Dr. Counts and ask that he listen to WNMU as a whole before making a decision. Discussion on how to word the motion followed. Senator Gonzalez asked to be informed of what exactly has gone on. Several responses were made to the request and simply stated that the university may be looking at subcontracting all of their maintenance services with Sodexho Marriott. There were other concerns such as claims from employees that a Sodexho Marriott harassed them at their home at the request of the President. Discussion followed and the general concensus was that an apology should be made to those employees who were harassed. A maintenance employee also claimed that he tried to file a grievance against Dr. Counts and Mike Martinez, but was told that he could not file against Mike because he is not a WNMU employee. The point was made regarding the comfort level of having the AA/EEO department directly under the President. It was also stated that Marriott has been asked to leave from many other schools. Support for the maintenance employees was also given by a Marriott employee. Dr. Martinez asked for reassurance in that everyone, including the Staff Senate, unite as a group to voice their concern. It was stated that these issues were discussed with Senator Altamirano and that he would be addressing them again this Saturday at Gough Park. Amendments to the motion made by Senator Rolfe were discussed. Vice President made the motion to table this issue to allow the senate to finalize the previous motion made by Senator Rolfe. The motion was seconded by Senator Gonzalez and carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 11:37 a.m.