PSS -

Professional Staff Senate
Regular Meeting - June 7

Senators Present: Ruth Smith, Phyllis Spethman, Lin Brummels, Cheri Polenske, Jeff Carstens, Mitch DeBoer

Senators Absent: Jamie Vaughn, Stan Gardner

Guests: none

Visitors: 2

The meeting was called to order at 9:35 a.m. Minutes of the previous meeting were approved as written on a motion by Carstens, second by Smith.

There was no treasurer's report.

Committee reports:

Mentoring (Brummels) - The committee is in the process of gathering copies of mentor applications from various organizations with mentor programs already in place. These will be reviewed and used as a basis for developing a form for WSC. A process will be developed for selecting and training mentors and assigning partners. The committee will also develop a handbook and website for new staff. Information about mentoring has been sent to the other three campus senates, with the thought of making mentoring a campus-wide effort. The committee is still in the data-gathering and research stage, but may have something in place by fall.

Social (Spethman) - Jason Barelman and Terri Heggemeyer have agreed to serve as co-chairs of this committee. Plans are being made for a kick-off/welcome event to be held on August 22 at the
Alumni House from 11:30-1:30 p.m. The meal will be potluck; each building/work area will be asked to bring the following:

  Hahn Building -- desserts
  Library -- side dishes
  Student Services -- main dishes/meats
  Athletics -- appetizers

The members of the committee will split the expense for the beverages and the plates, cups, etc. The purpose of the event is to get acquainted with other members of the professional staff, and to relax and have fun. Invitations will be sent in early August.

Recognition (DeBoer) - no report

Continuing Education (Gardner) - no report

Membership (Polenske) - Work continues on developing a current list of professional staff.

Hospitality (Brummels reporting for Vaughn) - The committee is considering asking each person on the professional staff to contribute $3.00 annually to a hospitality fund. The money will be deposited into a checking account and will be used to send cards, flowers, etc. The fund should be in place by fall.

Policy (Carstens) - Jeannine Wriedt has agreed to serve on this committee. Committee hasn't met yet.

Communication (Smith) - Chris Fletcher has agreed to serve on this committee. She has shared some data collected by the AQIP committee. Plans include developing a questionnaire that will help this committee determine its focus.

Other Agenda Items:

There was consensus that someone from the professional staff (not necessarily a senator) should sit on the Computer Usage committee. It was noted that this committee is actually a Faculty Senate committee, and that we should have further discussion regarding the level of involvement in committees established by other groups on campus. Lin will gather more information before our next meeting.

The annual meeting of the full professional staff will be held on August 9th. Mitch will talk with Dr. Stearns about making this a recognition event similar to the one designated for the support staff, including a brunch and recognition for years of service. Other business for the meeting will be to install officers, to introduce all people present, and to inform the membership about the work of the various committees.

Lin distributed some information about policy related to tuition waivers and sick leave. The consensus was that we should submit suggested changes through proper channels. The information was turned over to the policy committee for review and revision.

Lin distributed a brief report of information she had received at a budget update meeting.

Following discussion, the consensus was to continue holding Senate meetings in the Student Center.

The next regular meeting will be August 2 at 9:30 a.m.

Meeting adjourned at 10:25 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Spethman, Secretary

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