Dickinson State University
Staff Senate Minutes

October 19, 2005, 2:30 p.m.-Klinefelter Conference Room 108

Members present:  Kathy Bercier, Loretta Heidt, Heather Meek, Kathy Obritsch, Twila Petersen, Cecilia Taylor, Sr. Faith Wanner

Members absent:  Laurie Beach, Stacey Buckman, Michael Calhoun, Rita Ennen, James Haaland, Dustin Heick Sandy Klein, Roberta Kudrna, Kathy Lang, Karen Madler, Amy Markwardt, Kim Thiel

Loretta Heidt, President, called the meeting to order at 2:35 p.m.

Sr. Faith Wanner made a motion to adopt the agenda as is; Kathy Obritsch seconded the motion; motion carried.

Heather Meek made a motion to approve the minutes as written.  Kathy Bercier seconded the motion; motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Standing Committees:

Continuing Education Committee: 
Joanne Fields from Extended Campus was a guest at the meeting.  She presented the results of the Staff Training Survey.  Senators discussed the types of training that are of interest to Staff and combining of some of the training sessions that are related topics.  Other suggestions regarding Staff training included something on Blogging, do PeopleSoft training as in-house additionally to the four per year training sessions, do a survey of interest in PeopleSoft topics.

Social Committee:
|Heather Meek reported that the committee may host a social in December after finals.  There was discussion about ways to include both Faculty and Staff as a morale and communication booster.  Perhaps have something in the Alumni/Foundation House.

Hiring Process of Staff Committee:
There is nothing new to report by this committee.

Emergency Preparedness Committee:
Kathy Obritsch reported that it will take some time for the campus Emergency Preparedness Committee to get through all the items to be addressed regarding emergency preparedness on campus.  The campus emergency procedures committee will be meeting on Wednesday October 19th.

Staff Salary Issues Committee:
Kathy Bercier reported that the committee continues to gather data from Valley City and Minot to do a comparison.  There was a handout with some statistics about ND jobs in the Far West Region.

Bulletin Board Committee:
There was no report from this committee.  However, there was some discussion about having community bulletin boards on campus to put up fliers from retailers, organizations in the area.  There were retailers stating we are not reciprocating the good will passed on to us when we have items placed in their stores.

Job Discipline and Dismissal:
There is nothing new to report by this committee.

Parking Issues:
This committee has recently been reactivated.  It was discussed that Staff Senate should work with Faculty Senate regarding parking issues.  This item was noted on the Faculty Senate agenda.

BUSINESS

Old Business:

(1)    Sexual Harassment Policy/Procedures:  Twila Petersen reported that Gail Ebeltoft from Human Resource informed her that the committee is gathering information from other NDUS campus policies and the NDUS attorney.  Gail indicated there should be a meeting soon.

(2)    Staff Recognition Awards Procedure:  No report.

(3)    Campus Senate:  Loretta Heidt reported that Campus Senate officers from Student Senate and Staff Senate met with Dr. Vickers.  Dr. Vickers has outlined several priorities to be addressed including Strategic Plan, Declining enrollment & funding, State fiscal outlook, Roundtable-promote education as an investment, Shortage of workers in North Dakota.  There was also discussion and comments at the Campus Senate meeting regarding goals/objectives of State Board of Higher Education (SBHE), DSU hiring an architect to review use of space, Russian - enhance trade relations, reschedule Murphy Hall Celebration, Dr. Melnychuk visiting from Ukraine, Student Senate strategic plan.  There was discussion regarding the rescheduled date for the Murphy Hall celebration falling on a Holiday next year.

New Business:

(1)    Senate Election By-Laws:  Twila Petersen suggested making a change to specify that staff eligible to be a Senator should be off the probationary period.  Staff Senate will form a committee to discuss this further.

(2)    Other:  Several staff members expressed concern about the students employed with the International Trade Center and receiving $12 per hour while it is possible DSU full-time staff are not receiving comparable pay.  Funding for these students was another concern.  It was decided to get more information before any further discussion on this matter.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at 2:30 p.m. in Klinefelter Conference Room 106.

Kathy Bercier made a motion to adjourn the meeting, Heather Meek seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 3:35 p.m. by President Loretta Heidt.

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Cecilia Taylor

Staff Senate Secretary