PSS -

Professional Staff Senate
Regular Meeting – March 3

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

Senators absent: Mitch DeBoer, Cheri Polenske

Liaisons from Other Senates Present: Bill Long

Guests: Gretchen Bauman, H. R.

Visitors: Derek Anderson, Terri Heggemeyer, Ron Vick

Lin called the meeting to order at 11:00; a quorum was present. Minutes of the last general meeting were approved as written. M-Stan S Phyllis

Treasurer’s Report was given

Committee reports:

Mentoring (Brummels) will discuss with new H.R. person
Social (Spethman) possibly a Friday afternoon, after hours, all campus event
Recognition (DeBoer) no report
Continuing Education (Gardner) no report
Membership (Polenske) no report
Hospitality (Weber) card to Mary Jo Gross. Balance in Courtesy Club fund remains $160.04.
Policy (Bulock) no report
Communication (Smith) will be checking results of other groups doing research on campus communication

Agenda Items:

Guest, Gretchen Bauman (pronounced Bow-man) was introduced as the new Human Resource Person. She is on campus part-time until the end of March or April when she will be here full-time. Her campus address is 204 Hahn, former Graduate Office, extension 7403. She has a campus e-mail address. It is Gretchen’s intention to visit the senate meetings to listen.

Everyone is encouraged to attend the open General Education Forum on March 17, 2004, in the Frey Conference Suite. The General Education Committee (GEC) is an established committee on campus and replaces the assessment committee. At this time there is no representation from the professional staff, however, we are invited to come and offer our comments regarding the current policy of general education requirements: a. no change, b. modifications to current program, or c. adopting a completely new model.

The Program Viability Audit document was discussed and Lin reported on the comments she received from the membership. It was suggested that the viability issue be placed within the union negotiations. It was suggested that we present the idea to the negotiating team while we are fine-tuning the document. Professional Senates at the other State Colleges are not currently working on a viability audit document but they want to see our completed document and process.

Lin will make changes to the document and get it out to the members. Phyllis suggested we present some type of forum to inform our membership of the workings of the document.

Spring elections will be run the same as in the past. Lists will be sent to eligible voters with a June 1 election date. Senate terms expiring this spring are Phyllis Spethman, Ruth Smith and Mitch DeBoer. Each is eligible to run again.

Student Senate is hoping to select a member to attend the Professional Staff Senate meetings on a regular basis. Any Professional Staff Senator is welcome to attend the Student Senate meetings held on Sunday evenings, 8:00 every other week.

The next regular meeting will be Friday 9:30 A.M. April 2, 2004, Bluestem.

Meeting adjourned 12:00.

Respectfully submitted,
Dorothy Weber, Acting Secretary

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