Staff Senate Minutes - (approved 7/28/2010)

A regular meeting of the Staff Senate was held on Wednesday June 23, 2010 at SUB Bobcat Grill 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.  The following, marked with an X, were present.

Elected Members:

Attendance Code Key:  X = Attended     A=Apologies for Absence       Staff, Joan Ford, was present.

Appointed Committee Members:  Ron Brekke, Molly Anderson, and Shari Curtis.  Apologies received from Pam Fraser, Mandy Hansen, Donna Kelly, Steve Beasley, Kristine Mashaw, Kevin Thane and Shana Wold.  Guests present Wendy McCarty and Deb Wilke.

A motion, made by Bill and seconded by Gale, to approve the May 26, 2010 minutes was unanimously approved. 

New Business:

Prescription benefits changes are causing some concerns.  Gale raised the issue regarding the effect of URx changes on herself as well as three fellow employees. Gale’s examples included financial impact that appears to stem from the URx change.  Ron Brekke, an appointed representative to the MSU Benefits committee, volunteered to investigate.  Members present requested that Staff Senate take appropriate action.  First, it was suggested that a message be sent to all classified employees asking them to review their prescriptions with their doctors, to notify employees there may be some unintended effects of the plan change, there will be a survey coming soon, and that the Staff Senate is working to clarify the situation.  Second, it was recommended that once Ron and Staff Senate have more information, that this information be shared with other campuses via MUSSA.  After the survey has been conducted, results need to be shared with the MSU Benefits committee and the bargaining units who have the negotiating position on benefits.

Shared Governance:

• MUSSA members met prior to the Board of Regents meeting in Havre on May 27th and 28th.  The agenda for the presentation for the Regents at a 7:00 a.m. breakfast meeting on May 27th was finalized.  Member turnout was low due to distance and workloads.  The Dillon representative presented some examples of the impact that budget cuts have had on their campus and the cascading effects that such cuts can have. The Regents acknowledged and appreciated the input. 
• ASGL is on hiatus through summer.
• The Governance Workgroups convened by President Cruzado finalized their missions and membership recommendations.  The Workgroup leaders documented the recommendations and forwarded them to the President’s office. 

Goals and Directions Subcommittee Reports:

• Training and Employee Recognition, Neil is continuing to work with Susie Taylor and the Training Council.  Members present discussed a variety of issues around training including having a track system for training, having a training progression plan, using training as a way to cultivate employee retention, resurrecting a Pooled Resources list, and noted that under the current system the cost of training small groups is very expensive for departments so controlling the cost of training will be key to the Councils success. 
• New Hire Policy - has been added to the MUS Staff and Compensation subcommittee agenda.
• Leave without Pay - no update.  They are pursuing the clarification of MSU Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual, Section 1045.00 – Sick Leave Fund (bulleted item, “take five days of leave of absence without pay following the exhaustion of all accrued leave and compensatory time”.  HR states that it can be appealed per 1045.60 - Exceptions but it is not clear.
• Pedestrian Safety - no report.  The proposed roundabout at 11th and College was raised as a concern.  Molly, appointed representative on the Parking and Transportation Advisory Committee, noted that studies show roundabouts safely control traffic flow and speed.
• VEBA - no report.

Committee Reports:

• MSU Benefits Committee, reported at last month’s Staff Senate meeting.  http://www.montana.edu/staffsenate/CommitteeReports/ctteerep-benefits.html.  
• Space Committee, reported at last month’s Staff Senate meeting.  http://www.montana.edu/staffsenate/CommitteeReports/ctteerep-smc.html.
• Parking and Transportation Advisory Board, Molly reported the committee met June 4th.  The main topic of discussion was the summer maintenance program of sealing and striping parking lots.
• University Facilities Planning Board, from Mandy’s June 23rd notes, UFPB voted yes to additional light post banners that would go north to south through Romney oval down to the Alumni Plaza. The only other item of discussion this month was Construction Staging guidelines which are being reworked and brought back to the board.

Other Business:

• University Budget, no update.
• Temporary Chemistry Labs, no update.
• Kevin agreed to work with Joan to finalize the 2009 update to the MSU within the Community Context document.
• Jeannette passed the gavel to Bill Van Horn, 2010-11 chair and Raechell Nielsen, chair elect.
• Bill assigned homework to each Staff Senate member requesting they email the office with:  Why did you join Staff Senate?  What would you like to accomplish as a member? What would you like Staff Senate to accomplish?

A motion to adjourn was made by Bill and seconded by Raechell at 11:00 a.m.

Next meeting:  Wednesday July 28, 2010 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in SUB #236.