2-7-2007

Staff Assembly Meeting Minutes

February 7, 2007

Present:  Abe, William, Jill, Tana, Danielle, Stephanie, Krystal, Mary Beth, Marcia, Connie, Mardell, Janelle, Rick, Tim, Brady

Discussion items:

  • Stephanie Plowman, Danielle Hodgen, and Tana Dugan, members of the “Winter Break Ad Hoc Committee” presented the idea of closing the University between Christmas and New Years.  This has come up several times before but the committee would like to move forward to see if such a winter break is feasible.  They brought a handout showing several comparable universities, some who did not take the time off but many who did.  Points of discussion were as follows:
    • Last July was presented as a project to a panel of 5 administrators at a Strategic Leadership Program meeting. They expressed continued interest.

    • There could be a substantial savings to the university in reduced energy costs. 
    • The break would include 3 more days of paid leave

    • There are some departments, such as Plant, who use this time for special needed projects.  A winter break may produce a hardship for them.  In this case fair compensation may include floating days off.
    • Decision was made to use Survey Monkey to poll all staff about this.

  • Janelle Axtell, representing the Community Service/Outreach Committee, presented the fact that this committee is tasked with more to do than they are able to do in a reasonable amount of time.  She proposed that the 3 member committee be divided into two committees as follows:
    • Community Service Committee – 3 members

      • United Way

      • Volunteer Opportunities such as HFH

    • Community Outreach Committee – 5 members

      • Picnic (with adhoc group)

      • Anniversary Gifts

      • New Employee Orientation

      • Website Events page

Submitted by Connie Hickman