Staff Senate
Annual Report 2009-2010

Introduction
Staff Senate's purpose is to facilitate communication and cooperation between the classified staff, the Administrative leadership, Faculty Senate (FS), Professional Council (PC), and ASMSU (students).  To collaborate with peer organizations from other campuses, and to similarly communicate and cooperate across the Montana University System (MUS); to promote improvement of higher education in the State of Montana; to promote and provide for improved working conditions and professional welfare of the staff; to assist in the development of staff training programs and policies; and to carry out such other goals and activities deemed to be consistent with the overall purpose of Staff Senate and the Administration of MSU. Staff Senate has no union/bargaining unit affiliation. In existence since 1976, Staff Senate's activities are increasing with the growth of Shared Governance at MSU. In October, 2004, we assumed full partnership in Shared Governance (with Administration, FS, PC, ASMSU, and Staff Senate) and opened our office in Hannon Hall. We are an active member of the Montana University System Staff Associations (MUSSA).

Staff Senate focuses on tying classified staff priorities into the mission, goals and strategy of MSU, the MUS, and the Board of Regents. We place great emphasis on communications with our constituents, partners, and governing bodies such that our research, presentation materials, and input are relevant within the context of others' objectives. As Staff Senate's role expands, we bring to the Shared Governance and MUSSA forums our belief in the benefits of consolidating experience and strengthening communication in building foundations, and fulfilling mutual goals and objectives.

Staff Senate's constituents are the classified employees of MSU. They comprise approximately 1100 staff in 193 titles from 5 categories of employment, working locally and remotely; from all union/bargaining unit affiliations, as well as non-union/bargaining unit covered positions; State and auxiliary-funded staff.
Staff Senate's membership is composed of two groups.  The first group, are elected representatives who are nominated and elected “at large” from the following EEO categories; Secretarial/Clerical, Technical/Paraprofessional, Skilled Crafts, Service/Maintenance and Classified Professional.  Additionally, one representative will be nominated and elected “at large” from off campus classified employees regardless of EEO category.  And the second group, are duly appointed classified employees who represent the staff on University committees.  All members' contributions are offered voluntarily, with supervisor support.

Year in Review
Staff Senate continued ongoing efforts to foster recruitment and retention of classified employees and to effectively represent the positions of classified employees with the University, the Commissioner’s Office and the Board of Regents.   Staff Senate hired a new employee as a half-time program coordinator in May 2009.  MSU’s Administration & Finance Division provided base funding for the Staff Senate salary and operation costs.  We helped develop and promote the idea for the employee education project “Solid Finances” developed by MSU Extension Economics and MSU Human Resources which was well received and highly attended by classified employees.  We ensured that the Dependent Premium Waiver was not lost by employees who received across the board pay increases (which had system wide impact).  Staff Senate was instrumental in representing the classified point of view on the MSU Presidents Search Committee.  We communicated information and promoted the activities of the Wellness Program.  We began an investigation of 2.3.3 Hiring Authorities as stated in MAP Implementation & Compensation Guidelines and its effect on hiring and retention of new employees and raised this issue to the attention of the Board of Regents.  Staff Senate joined the grass roots efforts of the Training Council in providing training and professional development to classified employees.  We investigated two policies as it related to classified employees; the voluntary leave without pay and donation of vacation time.  During the summer of 2010 HR began the process of rewriting all or part of these policies and is considering Staff Senate suggestions for rewording confusing language.  We met with Facilities Services regarding pedestrian safety and dual-use corridors for walkers, bikers, and skateboarders.

Staff Senate members were active participants on five work groups formed by President Cruzado.  Governance Working Group - To explore ways in which we can optimize our institutional policies, processes and practices, while enhancing institutional coordination and communication; Academics Working Group – To explore ways in which we can optimize academic policies, procedures and practices that will guide and implement MSU's academic agenda; Research Working Group – To explore ways in which we can optimize policies, processes and practices that will guide and implement MSU's research agenda; Budget Working Group – To explore ways in which we can regularly formulate an institutional budget proposal that, incorporating effective representation, will help implement MSU's strategic plan, based on specific measurable objectives; and Planning Working Group – To explore how we can formulate a new strategic plan that, based on specific measurable objectives, can be tied to our budget allocation processes and guide the future of MSU.  Classified employees will have representation on all but Research and Academics/Deans.

We continued research and analysis highlighting the unique situation created by the high cost of living in the Bozeman area and its impact on MSU classified employees through the 2009 update of our MSU within the Community Context study.  At the system level, Staff Senate attended major meetings of the Board of Regents and coordinated with our MUSSA counterparts when presenting the classified perspective to the Regents as regularly scheduled during the January and May Regents meetings. 

Membership
Staff Senate (elected members)

Staff Senate Committee Representatives (appointed members)

Meeting Dates and Locations