The Staff Senate met on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in Reynolds 207. Senators in attendance were LaTricia Davis, Brenda Garrett, Charles Honza, Keli Honza, Sarah Jennings, Essie Moore, Eric Plummer, Becki Talley, Houston Taylor, Shelly Whaley.
Approval of Minutes
The meeting was called to order by President Shelly Whaley. A motion to accept the minutes of April 18, 2009 was made by Keli Honza and seconded by Essie Moore. Shelly Whaley turned the meeting over to Chief Eric Plummer, the new president of the staff senate.
Old Business
Staff Senate Elections
Houston Taylor gave a report on the staff senate elections. Due to the baseball tournaments, the election surveys have not gone out, but he asked for volunteers to help him get the election process going. He also noted that there might need to be a change to the constitution changing when new staff senators start. He suggested July when the universities fiscal new year begins.
Committee Reports
Staff Development
Shelly Whaley gave a report on the staff development. She noted that Tammy Sims in Human Resources has been doing a great job getting a website set up that will address many of the issues that staff has been asking for.
Essie Moore announced a new option for staff retirement is now available through Fidelity Investments. She also reported that minimum wage is increasing in July to $7.25.
New Business
There was no new business.
Other
Questions for the Senate
At last month’s meeting there had been a question about recycling efforts on campus. Shelly Whaley had researched how to start a recycling program and had talked to different organizations on campus about recycling. Student Activities is planning a recycling push with the students in the fall. Shelly suggested that the staff senate plan to work with Student Activities in getting the recycling program started in the fall. LaTricia Davis mentioned that energy conservation could start with simply turning lights off when they are not needed.
Clean Air Initiative Act
Chief Plummer announced that the Clean Air Initiative Act was recently passed in Arkansas. This will prohibit smoking on any state run property. He also noted that the seatbelt law goes into effect July 1 which enables officers to give tickets for people not wearing their seatbelt. The old law only permitted seatbelt tickets if the driver was stopped for another violation.
Baseball Tournaments
Houston Taylor thanked everyone for their help in making the NCAA Regional Baseball Tournament a success. Many SAU faculty and staff helped on short notice to accommodate all the teams, coaches and family members that came to the games.
Special Recognition
Chief Plummer presented Shelly Whaley with a plaque in recognition of her service as president of the staff senate.
Upcoming Events
Latricia Davis noted that August 21 will be the back to school dinner. Sarah Jennings announced that October 2 will be student preview day.
Adjournment
The motion to adjourn was made by Houston Taylor and seconded by Charles Honza. The next scheduled meeting will be June 17 at 2:00 p.m. in Reynolds 205.
