Staff Senate Meeting

October 4, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:  Margaret Soucy, April Hanson, Vangie Chapin, Tina Rippa, Adele Springer, JoAnn Fischer, Michele Rorabaugh, Maria Dominguez, Julia Biglin, Mary Hokom, and Deb Cosper-Hughs.

Outgoing Members Present:  Mary Camerena-Hittle, Melissa Busby

Proxy:  Kelly Riddle

I. President Mary Camerena-Hittle called the meeting to order.  The meeting began with the          pledge of allegiance.  No roll call was taken.

II. Approval of Agenda:  Senator Rippa made a motion to approve the agenda as presented.          Senator Hanson seconded the motion.  The motion carried.

III. Approval of Minutes:  President Camerena-Hittle asked if the senators had received      copies of the minutes for April, May, June, July, August and September.  Since they had not been sent out for review, approval was tabled until the next meeting.

IV. President Camerena-Hittle swore in Margaret Soucy as the new President of Staff Senate.

V. President Soucy swore in the newly-elected senators.  The new senators are Maria        Dominguez, Julia Biglin, Mary Hokom, Deb Cosper-Hughs, JoAnn Fischer, and Michele           Rorabuagh.

VI. Election of Officers:

            A.        President Soucy opened the floor for nominations for Vice President.  Senator                           Biglin nominated Deb Cosper-Hughs and Senator Chapin nominated Maria                            Dominguez.  Senator Cosper-Hughs was elected vice president. 

            B.         President Soucy opened the floor for nominations for Secretary/Treasurer.                                 Senator Springer nominated Mary Hokom who declined the nomination.  Senator                                   Dominguez nominated Tina Rippa.  Senator Rippa nominated Michele Rorabaugh               who declined the nomination.  Since there were no further nominations, Senator                             Rippa accepted the nomination.

            C.        President Soucy opened the floor for nominations for Parliamentarian.  Senator                          Rippa nominated Maria Dominguez.  Senator Dominguez nominated Mary                               Hokom.  Senator Dominguez was elected Parliamentarian.   

VII.      Appointment of Committee Chairs:

            A.        Staff Handbook:  Senator Rippa and Senator Hughs will co-chair the committee.

            B.         Rewards & Recognition:  Senator Maria Dominguez will chair the committee.

            C.        Salary & Classification:  Senator April Hanson and Senator Deb Cosper-Hughs                                    will co-chair the committee.

            D.        New Employee Orientation:  Senator Biglin will chair the committee.

            E.         Election:  Senator Fischer will chair the committee.

            F.         Senator Fischer made the recommendation that all senators participate on a                               committee to see how they are run for mentoring purposes.  President Soucy                                  asked those who are not chairing a committee to select a committee on which to                             serve.

            President Soucy provided a classification list of all staff members to all senators.  Senator           Rippa stated that she had a revised list that was used for elections, and President Soucy               asked Senator Rippa to provide that list to all senators.

            Senator Fischer suggested making a change to the Constitution concerning the                           composition of the standing committees.  She thinks that three or four members would be   a sufficient number of committee members. 

VIII.     President’s Report:  President Soucy stated that staff members in Maintenance had only             submitted two ballots, and the person who was elected declined to serve on Staff Senate.        She would like to attend a Maintenance meeting to distribute ballots.  Senator Chapin     stated that the best opportunity would be to attend the end-of-month meeting with all             maintenance staff on the last day of the month.  President Soucy asked Senator Chapin to          tell all the maintenance staff that until negotiations with the union are complete that they        can still be represented by Staff Senate.

            President Soucy stated that ballots will need to be sent again to staff in the         Administrative   classification since only one of the two positions was filled. 

            President Soucy said that if any senator is unable to attend a meeting that they should     submit a proxy to Secretary Rippa before the meeting.  She provided a proxy form to           each of the senators to be copied as needed. 

            President Soucy reminded everyone that the Staff Picnic will be held on Wednesday,     October 18, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  She has sent an invitation to state Senator      Altamirano.  President Soucy requested volunteers to serve on the committee.  She said       they will need to make posters.  Senator Hokom volunteered to chair the committee, and             Senator Biglin said that she would assist her.  Senator Fischer stated that Bell Crotts has            always been willing to assist with this event.

            President Soucy stated that the NMHESA was organized in July for all New Mexico     higher education staff.  They are the working voice of higher education.  They will be             advocates in Santa Fe for staff issues.  The priority issue will be compensation.  Their            next meeting will be November 2.  Each campus is allowed one voting delegate.  Past             President Camerena-Hittle suggested that chair of the Salary & Classification Committee           attend the meeting in November to provide input.

IX.       Open Forum:  Past President Camerena-Hittle said that the Assessment Committee is    looking for staff representatives to attend their convocation planning meetings.  The first meeting will be tomorrow at 3:30 in the Bach Room in Miller Library.  The committee           meets the first Thursday of the month at 3:30 in the Bach Room.  Senator Rorabaugh        volunteered to   attend the meeting.  Senator Dominguez said that she is already a member          of the committee.

X.        President Soucy said that the next Staff General Assembly meeting will be held on          Monday, December 11.  The next Staff Senate meeting will be on November 1.

Senator Rorabaugh made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The vote was unanimous, and President Soucy adjourned the meeting at 10:40 a.m.