Staff Senate Meeting

December 6, 2006

Minutes

Members Present:  Maria Dominguez, Tina Rippa, JoAnn Fischer, Julia Biglin, Pete Marquez, April Hanson and Mary Vigil-Tarazoff.

Proxy:  Adele Springer

Members Absent:  Margaret Soucy, Deb Cosper-Hughs, Michele Rorabaugh, Mary Hokom, Kelly Riddle, Vangie Chapin, and Armando Salaiz

I. Acting President Maria Dominguez called the meeting to order.  The meeting began with the pledge of allegiance.  Roll call was taken.

II. Approval of Agenda:  Senator Fischer made a motion to approve the agenda as  presented.  The motion carried unanimously.

III. Approval of November 1, 2006 Minutes:  Senator Biglin made a motion to approve the   minutes as submitted.  The motion carried unanimously.

IV. President’s Report:  Acting President Dominguez reported the following for President  Soucy:

· A memo sent to the president and vice presidents in support of staff participating in Staff Senate and its committees was read.  It also stressed the importance of the Staff Handbook.  Senator Biglin stated that Randy Jones has not been in the office and asked if a copy of the memo could be sent to Sherri Bays.  Senator Dominguez said that she would make sure that Sherri was given a copy.

· President Soucy contacted Human Resources and was told that new employees were no longer being given a copy of the Staff Handbook due to the cost.  She will make a recommendation to the Vice President of Business Affairs that new employees be given a binder for the Staff Handbook.

· Senator Springer volunteered to put together minutes for the June, July, August and September meetings.  Assistance from those who served on Staff Senate at that time would be appreciated.

· There is no New Employee Orientation PMT at this time; therefore, the Staff Senate committee will continue its attempts to orient new employees.

· Senators Hanson and Riddle need to try to address the classification/election issues with Charlene and Carmen.  We need one reliable source for elections.

· The Policy Committee is under Carmen’s purview.   It is President Soucy’s recommendation that someone find out who is on the committee, when they meet, and what scope of work the committee covers.

· Questions about the sick bank will be addressed upon President Soucy’s return.

· Strategic Planning took place November 2 and 3.  The three areas that took precedence were human resource challenges, technology challenges and student life challenges.  The human resource challenges will be discussed further in January.

· At the Cabinet meeting on November 29 President Soucy reported that we had a full Senate and that vice president support was needed to allow staff to participate.  Cabinet was also notified that some wording changes to the By-Laws would be presented to the Board of Regents this month.

· Student Government is getting ready for the legislative session in January.  They are beginning to look at the Great Race theme.  Great Race week will be April 16 through April 22.

· It was reported at Cabinet that Linda Baldwin won the $10,000 University Car Club drawing.

· It was reported at Cabinet by Dr. Farren that Admissions now has five new posters pointing out the WUE opportunities for out-of-state students.

· Changes to the Staff Senate Standing Committees have now been completed, and the Rules and Ethics Committee has been reinstated.  The chairs are:  Mary T. Vigil-Tarazoff and Tina Rippa – Co-Chairs of Rules and Ethics; Maria Dominguez and Michele Rorabaugh - Co-Chairs of Rewards and Recognition; JoAnn Fischer and Mary Hokom – Co-Chairs of Elections; Adele Springer and Julia Biglin – Co-Chairs of New Employee Orientation; Kelly Riddle and April Hanson – Co-Chairs of Salary and Classification; Deb Cosper-Hughs and Tina Rippa – Co-Chairs of Staff Handbook.

Senator Biglin stated that we should give all new employees a copy of the Staff Handbook.  Senator Fischer believes that Human Resources and Business Affairs should absorb the cost of the handbook for new employees; she does not believe that a new employee should be forced to go on-line to find the handbook.  Senator Hanson said that there are cost-effective ways to produce the handbook.  Senator Dominguez said that not everyone has access to a computer.  Senator Fischer made a motion that Staff Senate send a memo to the Vice President of Business Affairs recommending that Human Resources supply a paper copy of the handbook to a new employee when hired.  The motion was approved unanimously.

Acting President Dominguez provided a report on the NMHESA November 2 meeting in Las Cruces.  Mary Hittle was elected secretary and Margaret Soucy will be her replacement since Mary resigned from NMHESA.

V. Treasurer’s Report:  

· The Staff Senate regular account is no longer in a negative position.  Funds have been transferred to cover the travel costs to attend NMHESA meetings.  There is $62.30 available in Supplies, and $13.80 in bookstore charges will be subtracted from that amount.

VI.       Old Business

            A.        Committee Reports

                          1.       Staff Handbook:  Senator Rippa reported that the committee had their first   meeting.  They will first address the changes that have been made to the   handbook that have not been sent to staff as updated pages to the   handbook.

                          2.       Rewards & Recognition:  Senator Dominguez reported that she obtained documentation from the previous committee chair, but there is not a list   from the inception of Employee of the Month to give us the history.  There is $762.59 in the Foundation account.  Senator Dominguez stated that Fred                               Flores had only been with the university five years which is the reason no   party was given for him.  Barbara Flores will retire in January, and we will   have a retirement party for her.  Senator Fischer stated that we should have    photographs of all past Staff Senate presidents displayed.  Senator   Dominguez agreed.

                          3.       Salary & Classification:  Senator Hanson stated that Senator Riddle did   not know that she was co-chair of the committee and will not be able to    serve on the committee until February.  Senator Hanson stated that the  committee members have not yet been chosen, and her goal is to have the                                                committee members chosen by January.  Senator Fischer suggested having   a transition committee.  Senator Dominguez suggested that Greg Rolfe be   considered as a member of the committee because he worked diligently in   the past on these issues.  Senator Hanson said she will contact Charlene to  obtain the reclassification procedures.  Senator Rippa said she would    forward the information that Charlene had provided to her last year.

                          4.       New Employee Orientation:  Senator Biglin stated that the committee had    planned a meeting of all new employees but none of the new employees                                                 had attended.  She had made packets for each of the new employees with   information from various departments.  Senator Hanson said that she felt    that the orientation should be part of the hiring process, and Senator Vigil- Tarazoff concurred.  Senator Fischer made a motion to table the issue at   this time, and the motion carried unanimously.

5. Elections:  Senator Fischer stated that they had nothing to report.

6. Rules & Ethics:  Senator Rippa provided copies of the proposed amendments to Article VIII. Section I. (A) and (C) of the Staff Senate Bylaws.  Senator Fischer made a motion that as Staff Senate we approve the proposed amendments to Article VIII. of the Staff Senate Bylaws.  The motion passed unanimously.  Senator Rippa will provide the changes to President Soucy for presentation to the Board of Regents.

VII.      New Business:

            A.  Employee of the Month – Senator Dominguez stated that Joshua Saffell was selected  as the employee of the month for November, and Lenora Mendoza was selected as    December’s employee of the month.

VIII.     Open Forum:  The following items were mentioned in the open forum.

· Senator Rippa and Senator Biglin mentioned that they had both received a “thank you” for the donation of the food remaining at the staff picnic to Campus Ministry.

· Senator Dominguez said that there is an appreciation coffee tomorrow morning from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. in the MASA Office.  She also mentioned that the Christmas dinner is tonight from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.

· Senator Dominguez stated that senators who have served during the past two years will be recognized at the annual awards banquet on Friday.  She will ask Carmen to send out an announcement.

IX.       The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. in the     Student Memorial Building Seminar Room.  The Staff General Assembly will be held at   10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 11, in the Student Memorial Building Seminar Room.

X:         Senator Fischer made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned.