Minutes for October 1, 2008
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- Call To Order:
- 2008-2009 Staff Senate President, Ron Nail
- 3:00 PM, Senate Room, Student Union Building,
- Officers Present:
- Ron Nail, President
- Chris Leisinger, President Elect
- Tamara Ginter, Treasurer
- Len Markham, Secretary
- Pledge:
- Chris Leisinger led the senate in the pledge
- Guest Speakers:
- President Nail indicated that representatives from FIT Tech would need to speak to the senate before roll call and treasurer’s report as they needed to leave to attend another meeting. A list of FIT Tech fall events was distributed with a special note that the Staff Senate would be the Tech celebrities for Wednesday, October 8, 2008 FIT Tech walk. The walk will begin at two locations: one at the Preston Smith statue by the Administration building and the second one would begin at the Student Rec Center.
- Roll Call:
- Present 49 of 61 Senators.
- Absent:
- Kar Sata, Jess Schwintz, Becky Evans, Melanie Chaffin-Poeling, Dawn Moreno, Janie Ramirez, Steve Allsup, Brad Jury, Linda Champion, Alicia Marez, and Frances Watson.
- Guests:
- Nathanael Haddox, Staff Ombudsman Patricia Coakley, Staff Ombudsman office Mary Jane Hurst, Special Assistant to the President Sandra River, President, Faculty Staff Senate Judy Hunter, Communication Services Representatives from FIT Tech
- Quorum:
- 78% of the Senate Body is in attendance, a quorum was present.
- Treasurer’s Report:
- September Treasurer’s Report
- Beginning balance: $28,700
- Expended: $1,374.90
- Ending Balance: $27,325.10
- Treasurer’s report for September was approved as read.
- September Treasurer’s Report
- Guest Speaker:
- Dr. Guy Bailey, President of Texas Tech University
- President Nail introduced the 15th President of Texas Tech University, Dr. Guy Bailey.
- Dr. Bailey noted that through his tenure at different universities, he always looked at the staff of the institution, the people who are usually there for longer periods of time than faculty and administrators. The staff is the backbone of most universities.
- Dr. Bailey noted that he is focused on three main priorities:
- University officials trying to fill the empty positions—the main priority is to fill the position of provost.
- Position Tech to become a tier-one university—right now Texas A&M and the University of Texas at Austin are the only flagship universities in the state. Texas Tech is among seven emerging universities in Texas trying to become “tier-one” institutions. The Higher Education Coordinating Board provides the legislature with the criteria that every university needs to meet in order to reach this status. This includes the amount of doctorate programs a university has to the amount of funding it receives. Research is another very important component.
- Working on increasing the amount of funding the university receives—Dr. Bailey indicated that private donations have increased but the university still is working on increasing the amount of the private funds it receives. There will be a focus on Texas formula funding.
- Mac Cooper and Judy Hunter—Communication Services
- Mr. Cooper and Ms. Hunter discussed the new AT&T Teleconferencing Plan with DIR rates, that saves money and time in setting up conference calls. Department’s requests will come through Communication Services who will set up the account and get access codes. Departments may go to their website at http://www.ites.ttu.edu for forms and details concerning the service. Encouraged senators to help spread the word to associates to help save money on conference calls.
- Announcements:
- Staff Senate pictures will be taken at the November 5, 2008 meeting. Please wear your Staff Senate shirt or a red shirt for the picture.
- Quality Service Awards deadline approaching.
- SECC campaign – make sure your area turns forms in on time.
- Parking tickets—if a senator receives a parking ticket during the meeting, please bring the ticket to President Nail.
- Mary Jane Hurst announced future events in the Lecture & Performance Series (see www.presidentialseries.ttu.edu) include:
- October 19 – pianist Marc Andre Hamelin, 7:30, Hemmle Recital Hall; tickets available at Select a Seat
- October 28 – President’s Book Award panel, 3:30, Matador Room of the SUB; no tickets needed
- March 3 – Sarah Vowell
- April 3&4 – Jazz Festival
- April 9 – Ana Castillo
- April 13 – Santa Fe Opera Apprentice Singers.
- The Staff Senate Executive Board meeting has been moved starting time to 4:00 pm (from 3:00 pm).
- Committees:
- Ron Nail noted which committees still needed senator representation and sign up sheets were provided for committee assignment.
- By-Laws - No report
- Communications & Public Relations
- The committee is working on the December Meet-n-Greet
- Promoting the 10 year anniversary of the Staff Senate
- Will be requesting staff accomplishments and stories for the Staff Senate Insider
- Elections – No report – Still need chairman
- Grievance- No report
- Issues – No report
- Nominations - No Report
- Scholarship
- Accepting scholarship applications through October 10th.
- Technology – No report
- Child Care Committee – The committee is starting back up and will be meeting soon.
- Salary Advisory Committee – No report
- University Parking
- Car Clinic on November 12, 2008, 2 pm – 5 pm in C17 parking lot.
- UPS will be doing the Toys for Tots campaign in exchange for parking tickets during the holiday season.
- Employee Recognition Committee – No report
- Adjournment:
- Adjourned at 4:30PM.