PSS -

Professional Staff Senate
Regular Meeting – June 6 , 2003

Senators Present: Ruth Smith, Phyllis Spethman, Lin Brummels, Stan Gardner, Cheri Polenske, Mitch DeBoer, Jeff Cartsens
Senators Absent: Rollie Bulock
Liaisons from Other Senates Present: none
Guests: Dr.Stearns, Carolyn Murphy
Visitors: Mary Carstens, Marilyn Liedorff

The meeting was called to order at 9:37 a.m. by Lin; a quorum was present.

Carolyn Murphy distributed a handout of the final schedule regarding the 2003-2004 holiday schedule. The decision by the administration is to have no classes on Martin Luther King Day (an observed holiday), but make it a work day for staff. Staff will then be given December 24th as a non-working day. The plan is to try this for a couple of years to see how it goes.

Carolyn also distributed a handout regarding tuition waivers. There are two changes: 1) an employee may take courses unrelated to work or a degree program and receive a 50% tuition waiver; and 2) waivers are strictly for tuition - the employee must pay any/all fees connected with course enrollment. The new policy will take effect on July 1 of this year and pertains only to Professional Staff covered by the NSCPA bargaining agreement. Changes in board policy to bring all employees under a consistent policy are currently being considered.

Dr. Stearns presented her thoughts about the whole budget picture up to this point. Until the Trustees meet (week of June 9) to set tuition rates, it remains a question as to exactly what the budget will be. She is preparing a restoration of funds plan and will keep the campus community informed as the budget process proceeds.

Minutes of the last general meeting were approved as written. M-Stan. S-Ruth.

Treasurer's report: no revenue and no disbursements during the past month.

Committee reports:

Mentoring (Brummels) – the mentoring program is being included in the WSC strategic plan.
Social (Spethman) – committee will plan a potluck for late summer.
Recognition (DeBoer) - see agenda item below
Continuing Education (Gardner) – summer plans not yet confirmed; will know more next month.
Membership (Polenske) – still waiting to see what the final employee changes will be; will be updating the database.
Hospitality (Bulock) – Lin reporting for Rollie -- there is a balance of $74.50. Cards were sent to members who will be leaving WSC.
Policy (Carstens) - no report
Communication (Smith) – no report; will need to recruit new members for this committee.

Plan for summer recognition event:

Mitch has asked Derby for a current list of names/years of service of the professional staff; based on last year's list, there will be 10-12 people receiving service awards. The recognition will take place during the annual meeting to be held in August. The format for the event will be the same as last year with recognition, seating of new senate members, hearing reports, and selecting committee members. Mitch will check with Dr. Stearns about underwriting the cost of refreshments.

There was brief discussion about the discrepancy in how various employee groups on campus are recognized. It seems that college funds are used for recognition certificates and/or plaques for some groups but not for others. It was the consensus of the senators to continue to pursue resolution to this issue.

There had been an all-campus email sent in May soliciting everyone's input regarding a recognition/farewell event for people not returning to WSC. There was no response to the email, so the consensus of the senators was to let the cards that have been sent serve as the farewell.

The next regular meeting will be July 11th at 9:30 a.m. in the Bluestem Room.

Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Spethman, Secretary

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