Date: June 17, 2004
Time: 10:00 a.m.

Members Present: Amanda Canup, Jeff Carter, Jim Cooper, Sharon Hodge, Leigh Ann Holton, William Ketchum, Randall Scarboro

Members Absent: Bennie Houck

Advisors Present: Mary Phillips, Dawn Ramsey

Advisors Absent: None

Member Elect for the 2004-2006 Staff Council Present:

Ann Lay
Peggy Romanowski
David Stone

The meeting was opened by Leigh Ann Holton who welcomed all of the newly elected Staff Council members to the meeting. Leigh Ann stated that she and Jim Cooper’s term had expired and they will be “rolling off” Staff Council for the coming Fiscal Year. Leigh Ann noted that Jeff Carter, Sharon Hodge, Randall Scarboro, Bennie Houck and Amanda Canup will remain on Staff Council to serve the second year of their term.

Leigh Ann congratulated William Ketchum for being re-elected to serve a second term from Category 4.

The minutes of the May 18, 2004 meeting were discussed and approved.

Leigh Ann provided the budget update and stated that there was no money available in the Foundation Account. All of those funds were expended to pay for the Outstanding Faculty/ Staff Awards and the Service Recognition ceremony.

Dawn Ramsey stated that Staff Council has $3,459.74 in the Agency Account. Dawn stated that funds in the agency account are not restricted as to their use. Dawn stated that there will not be a specific Staff Council Foundation account next fiscal year unless a donor to the Foundation requests that their donation be used for that purpose. Jim Cooper stated that the Staff and Faculty Recognition ceremony will continue next fiscal year and will be funded by the Foundation.

Leigh Ann stated that job descriptions for administrative secretaries and senior administrative secretaries are complete and will be discussed at an open forum to be held June 22, 2004 in the Student Center Ballroom at 11:00 a.m.

Leigh Ann announced that David Stone and Fola Teru will represent Category One. Category Four will have a run-off election between Brandon McClain and Gregory Scott to fill one seat. Category Five will be represented by Jeff Carter and Amanda Canup. Category Six will be represented by Sharon Hodge, Bennie Houck in their second year and the newly elected representatives are Ann Lay and Peggy Romanowski. Category Seven will be represented by Jerry Millwood. Category Eight will require a run-off to fill the three vacant positions.

Leigh Ann stated that a re-count was requested in Category Six. Dawn Ramsey suggested that Staff Council may want to tweak the election procedures during the next term and formalize the appeal process.

Jeff Carter stated that Category Five is over represented when related to the number of staff members in that category. William Ketchum stated that this occurred when the University had to convert to reporting under IPEDS rather than EEO categories. Jim Cooper said that if a number of employees left service from a particular category, that category could be over represented and Staff Council has no control over that event. Jim Cooper further stated that there is nothing in the By Laws requiring anyone to vacate Staff Council due to over representation due to attrition or other causes outside the control of Staff Council.

Regarding the Sick Leave Bank, Charles Azebeokhai has requested input from Staff Council before August 01, 2004 because he has been asked by President Rossbacher to assist her in preparing a recommendation to the System Office regarding this issue. Jeff Carter asked who would be responsible for the record keeping in such an environment. Everyone agreed that this is one of the many challenges facing the formulation of a Sick Leave Bank.

Regarding Old Business, Leigh Ann announced that William Ketchum will represent the SPSU Staff Council at the USG meeting in Macon. The meeting is scheduled for June 25, 2004. Leigh Ann asked that we obtain information on USG Staff Council dues so that SPSU can remain in good standing.

Regarding New Business, William Ketchum stated that the Staff Council representatives should make their constituents aware that many items are being stolen throughout the campus. These include wallets, purses, attaché cases and we all should lock our offices upon vacating if possible and keep personal items close at hand. We should all be observing for persons wandering around through buildings and advise Campus Safety of anyone looking particularly out of place.

Jim Cooper said that the Human Resources Office is obtaining information regarding the feasibility of flexible work scheduling and telecommuting for the campus.

The next meeting was scheduled for Thursday, July 22, 2004 at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m.