PSS -

Minutes Archive

Professional Staff Senate
Regular Meeting - February 4

Senators Present: Ruth Smith, Phyllis Spethman, Lin Brummels, Stan Gardner, Rollie Bulock, Dorothy Weber

Senators Absent: Mitch DeBoer, Cheri Polenske

Guests: none

Visitors: Derek Anderson

The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by Lin; a quorum was present.

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

No treasurer's report.

Committee reports:

Mentoring (Brummels) - no report
Social (Spethman) - no report
Recognition (DeBoer) - no report
Continuing Education (Gardner) - no report
Membership (Polenske) - no report
Hospitality (Weber) - No activity this past month. Balance in Courtesy Club fund
remains $160.04.
Policy (Bulock) - no report
Communication (Smith) - no report

Other Agenda Items:

Lin distributed a draft and did a read-through of a proposed Program Viability Audit, a document that is a template to assist staff in non-academic programs at WSC to evaluate the effectiveness of their program. Discussion followed with senators making suggestions for changes in language and/or content. Consensus was to have Lin make the suggested changes and then re-distribute to all senators. It was noted that the process of approving this document will take time because of the need/desire to seek input from all professional staff and administration. For comparison purposes, Lin will also contact Peru and Chadron to see if those institutions have a similar viability plan.

Lin distributed a letter from Dr. Barbara Black regarding her wish to establish a new standing committee at WSC on the Status of Women. Discussion followed and the consensus was to suggest instead that a President's Council for Gender-Related Issues be established that would cover a broader range of issues. Lin will respond to Dr. Black.

Rollie expressed his concern about being available to serve as Chair next year. His travel schedule when his team is in season makes it impossible to attend meetings. Any action was tabled until our next meeting.

Ruth gave an update on the HR candidate search. Due to scheduling conflicts, the search committee has not yet met since Gretchen Bauman was on campus.

The next regular meeting will be on Wednesday, March 3 at 11:00 a.m. in the Bluestem.

Meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Phyllis Spethman, Acting Secretary

______________________________________