******** PROPOSED MINUTES ********

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI

Proposed Staff Council Minutes

April  7, 1998

Mr. Russ Willis, Associate Director of Human Resources, spoke on the tuition benefits for Southern Miss employees and dependents. For general scholarship info, contact the Admissions Office or Human Resources.

Ms. Mary Ann Cockerham, Chair of the Search Committee for the position of Vice President of Business and Finance. (Handout) She made us aware of the status of the search and solicited our input in the decision process. 

Action items distributed:

Constitution & Bylaws - Standing Rules - Action items turn around time of 60-90 days 

University Relations - Courtyard area between two libraries

University Relations - Smoking in doorway of the universities buildings has not been 10 feet away.

Chair Elect Hill called the meeting to order at 9:55 a.m. Chair Shearer is on the coast today with the Provost Search Committee.

The following members were present: Linda Bass, Patricia Brewer, Carolyn Cawthorn, Myrtice Chapman, Linda Davis, Tommy Dye, Kris Fulton, Berniece Goudy, Mary Griffin, Debby Hill, Becky Holder, Judy Hutto, Susan King, Virginia Kittrell, Cindy Lowe, James Mackabee, Cheryl Mowdy, Pam Posey, Jan Roberts, Joyce Sanders, Sam Thomas, and Stacy Townsend.

The following members were represented by proxy: Carolyn Cawthon for Jackie Dunnigan, Linda Bass for Mike Giles, Susan King for Regina Knight, Pam Posey for Patricia Linton, Larry McMickle for Linda Parish, Debby Hill for Phyllis Shearer, and Stacy Townsend for Carole White.

Ray Scott was not present nor represented.

The agenda was adopted as amended.

The minutes were approved as printed.

4.1 Chair's Report 

Chair Shearer submitted a written report on her March Activities/Meetings.

* March 9 - Monthly meeting with Dr. Fleming. We discussed the amount of time Council members commit to serving on the Council. I thanked him again for openly supporting the Council elections. He reiterated his earlier comments that it should be seen as time committed to the University. He said communication is the key; all managers and supervisors should know his views about service on the Council.

* March 16 - Cabinet. The Godwin Group presented information about their recent Image Study for the University. More information will be forthcoming as the report is analyzed.

* March 17 - Student Government Association Celebration. This was a delightful occasion where the 1997-98 SGA Executive Council and Senate reflected on their achievements and installed the 1998-99 Executive Council. Mr. Robert Sanders is the new SGA President. 

*March 18 - IHL Committee Meetings. (1) The University requested permission to purchase more property adjacent to the USM Gulf Coast campus in Long Beach. (2) One of the more interesting conversations was the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee. The Board ordered a study to review the economic impact of playing football against in-state schools, namely USM, JSU, Ole MS and MSU. Consultants will conduct a 90-day study and report back to the Board. (3) John McGowan and others discussed the Year 2000 conversion and the resources needed for the eight institutions to be compliant ready. USM's portion was $2.4M of the total $17.6M needed for the eight universities.

* March 27 - Honorary Degree Committee. We met and discussed the guidelines and also considered whether the University should present to the Board a honorary candidate for the May graduation. The Committee submitted a recommendation to the President. 

* March 30 - Cabinet. General conversation centered around (1) the death of Dr. Stan Brooking, Management Professor; (2) the on-going searches for Provost, VPs, and Deans; (3) upcoming budget hearings; (4) the electronic sign; (5) the Commission Report; and (6) the Gulf Coast Study.

* April 6 - Expanded Cabinet. (1) Dr. Ginn gave an update of legislative actions. We received $2M of equity money; funds for a 3% raise as a base for salary increases; $80K for the Social Work program at Tupelo; $750K for Gulf Park; Bond money included $5M for Commons; $6M for pre-planning of Library at Gulf Park with $3M in year 2 for technology and furnishings of the Library; $300K for repair and renovation money for GCRL; $678K for built-in funds to help with bringing new buildings on line. (2) Budget Hearings are scheduled for the week of May 11. (3) The University is asking for proposals from architectural firms to conduct a study of space needs for the campus. (4) John McGowan said that we were increasing the number of telephone lines in and out of the campus and would increase modem speeds for quicker access. There is a group working on redesigning the USM Home Page. Samples are available for review on the Web.

* General Information: Salary Structure Committee - I checked with Linda McFall recently to find out how our local data gathering on salary information was doing. She said we have had responses from Pine Belt Mental Health, Pearl River and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Colleges, and Forest General

Chair-Elect Hill distributed the following written report:

* March 9 Cabinet Meeting for Phyllis. (1) Fleming discussed issues concerning University advertisements and publicity information being coordinated through the Public Relations Office. It is extremely important to notify Public Relations PRIOR to any type of advertisement and publicity being distributed. (2) Dr. McGowan discussed the decision to accept bid from PeopleSoft as new software vendor for Human Resources and Financial Affairs. He further stated that the student information systems area may or may not use PeopleSoft although many of the users were in favor of this software.

* March 5 and 10 Honorary Degree Committee for Phyllis. We discussed guidelines that had been drafted by Dr. Joe Paul from a variety of other institutions who currently award Honorary Degrees. The final recommendation was sent to Cabinet where minor editorial changes were made. A copy of the final recommendations approved by Dr. Fleming was distributed to the Council. 

* March 20 - Faculty Senate Meeting at USM Gulf Coast (Carole White attended for me.) Roy Klumb was the speaker. Other than the usual issues such as budget and salaries, he said the Board is still trying to decide if we should all play football together. As for USM Gulf Coast, he sees no overwhelming need for a 4-year institution on the coast. Furthermore, he sees no "will" on the part of the Board to promote freshmen/sophomore classes at USM Gulf Coast. He feels the junior college is meeting the needs of the coastal students.

During Senate meeting discussion - Discussion was held concerning an image study that would compare USM, Ole MS, and MS State. USM is seen as highest paid in regard to salary equity issues, but we are actually in the middle because they are not including summer semesters. The Benefits/Work Environment Committee submitted a resolution which was adopted this month concerning a request to make faculty salaries a priority. Duhon reminded the committee chair that Fleming has committed to making faculty and STAFF salaries his #1 issue or priority.  

Parking fines will have a 50% increase next year. That is the $5 Staff Council made a recommendation that the fines be increased $5 so it could be put in the parking fund to enhance the parking situation. 

* April 2 Electronic Sign meeting for Phyllis. Committee elected chair of committee, Bud Kirkpatrick. Committee agreed all information posted on the Electronic Sign should be funneled through the Public Relations Office. Larry Joe Daughtry discussed costs associated with maintenance and electricity of board, approximately $15,000 first year with an increase of approximately $3,000 annually due to replacement of lamps. The committee is drafting guidelines for sign usage.

4.4 Salary and Benefits - Joyce Sanders - No report 

4.5 University Relations - Linda Bass  

ACTION ITEM: ESTABLISH CRITERIA AND PROCESS FOR OUTSTANDING STAFF MEMBER AWARD FROM STAFF COUNCIL

* Motion from the Committee for the criteria for the nomination to be a permanent employee with a minimum of five years of continuous service. We will present them with a framed certificate as well as their name placed on the permanent plaque. Passed

ACTION ITEM: RECEIVED A COMMENT FROM SOMEONE ON THE COMMITTEE CONCERNING THE NOMINATION PROCEDURE OF STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARD. 

* Linda Bass will get an agenda item to the University committee. The University committee is either going to deal with it or she may be present at their follow-up meeting after the awards in April.

ACTION ITEM: STAFF SCHOLARSHIP FOR STAFF DEPENDENTS

* Linda Bass met with Bill Pace. A pool of money is available in the Foundation to jump-start a scholarship for staff employee child. The Council will have to decide on the criteria. Motion from the committee to pursue the Staff Scholarship and support this idea. Passed

* March 25 - the committee met and came up with a list of the local legislators, draft letter and flyer for "Meet our Legislators" on Friday, May 8, in the Payne Center-Wisteria Room (holds approximately 125 people). This will not be a council meeting but more of a panel discussion format.

It was agreed that Faculty Senate and SGA will be the co-sponsors with Staff Council. A letter will go out under the three signatures. Passed 

* Constitution & ByLaws - Address turn-around time for action items

* University Relations - Courtyard area between the two libraries need improvement

* University Relations - Smoking in doorway of the universities buildings has not been 10 feet away.

* Election process

The committee received the following Interest Survey replies: 33 clerical, 39 professional, 2 service & maintenance, 5 Gulf Coast and 2 GCRL.

The committee is having a difficult time filling a vacant term in the Service & Maintenance category. All procedures were followed as outlined in Division II, Article 4, Section 1, of the Bylaws. However, no appointee was found. 

Motion from Election Committee requesting that a special election of the Service & Maintenance area be held in order to fill the remaining two years of Larry Slade's term. The ballot will include all employees in the Service & Maintenance category with an explanation of why the special election is being held. Passed

* GCRL will hold a special run off election to fill the remaining two year position of Angela Bone. Kris Fulton is handling that procedure.

Nominations from the floor were Kris Fulton, Mike Giles, and Jan Roberts to serve on the Nomination Committee.

Second by Patricia Brewer. Passed

Motion from Executive Board to pursue the draft resolution for relief to the home department of the Council Chair for consideration next month. Second by Linda Bass

Passed with two abstaining

7.0 Announcements 

* USM Employee Appreciation Day is scheduled for May 22, 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. in MM Roberts Stadium. Offices will close at 3:00 p.m. T-shirts, food, games, and music will be provided. More information will follow as it develops. It will be held in the west end under the stadium if there is bad weather.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:25 a.m. 

Back to Top.
 

Making Your Voice Heard  | Minutes  |   Standing Rules  |  Membership
Meetings  |  Constitution and Bylaws  |  Home