Non-Exempt Staff Council Meeting
Meeting Notes for February 17, 2017
Present:Monica Anderson, Sandy Bauer, Sam Boyd, Laurie Dimond, Zachary DuBois, Andy Leet, Kate Salvatore, and Reggie Wright.
Absent: Ann Marie Heimel, Roxanne Kendle, and Carol Leegard.
Guests: None.
REFLECTION
The reflection was shared by Reggie Wright.
WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION
Sandy Bauer welcomed council members.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motions were brought to the table and approved for the meeting minutes from November 18, 2016 and January 20, 2017.
BUDGET REPORT
Sandy reported that we have now received all invoices for the Children’s Christmas Party event. She noted that NESC has $2,200 remaining in the FY17 Children’s Christmas Party budget. The group discussed options for using the funds to purchase some of the gifts for next year’s party.
NESC MEMBERSHIP UPDATES
Christine Seymour, NESC Secretary, has left the University and there is a need for her NESC seat to be filled. Sam Boyd will take over NESC Secretary duties through May 2017. Sandy noted that there is a former Council member who expressed willingness to return to the Council though the end of FY to fill the last seat. Members were in favor of asking the former member to return and a formal invitation will be extended.
UNIVERSITY COMMITTEE UPDATES
Diversity and Inclusion
Reggie Wright shared a summary of recent results of an alumni survey of students of color and invited Council members to spread the work on several upcoming events, including a High Tea at the Law School on March 1, 2017 and a Health Circle Luncheon on March 21, 2017.
Benefits Advisory
There was no update to report.
UTAC
The UTAC meeting conflicted with the NESC meeting this month, however, meeting notes will be distributed via email once available.
NESC SUBCOMMITTEE UPDATES
NESC Election
Sandy reported that there had not been anyone nominated yet to fill the open seats for the 17-18 year. There was discussion of other avenues to get the word out to staff members who may not have regular access to email. The group discussed extending the deadline an additional week to March 10, 2017. The election will occur March 15-29, 2017. Kate will schedule a meeting for March 30, 2017 with the subcommittee to determine the new committee members.
Employee Appreciation Breakfast
April 12, 2017 from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM has been confirmed for the event. President Sullivan will present the Non-Exempt Staff Appreciation Award. The group discussed inviting a recipient of the Vision Scholarship to speak about his/her experience at the event. A call for nominations for the award will be sent February 23, 2017 and nominations will be reviewed at the March 17, 2017 NESC meeting.
Wellness Committee
Kate Salvatore reported that she and Tonia Jones Peterson met with Augsburg and discussed bringing back a wellness challenge between staff at Augsburg and St. Thomas. They agreed upon a four week challenge in which a staff member could earn up to 100 Vitality points each week for reporting a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise each day. There will also be a weekly drawing and the challenge will work on the honor system.
OTHER BUSINESS
New Employee Welcome
Laurie Diamond noted that she had met with Human Resources and the individual she met with seemed receptive to looking at ways that NESC could welcome new employees. HR is working to determine if they will be able to provide a list of new employees and/or identifyother options for NESC to welcome new non-exempt employees.
College Sustainability Grant Program
A member noted that the proposal will be due mid-March.
Two Year College
A member reported that Administrative Assistant finalist interviews for the Dougherty Family College will begin soon. The faculty searches have begun. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) site visit is scheduled and once HLC has approved, UST will be able to actively recruit students for the College.
Summer Tuition
A member noted that summer tuition will be ½ price for 2017 summer term.
The meeting adjourned at 12:03 PM.
Respectfully submitted by Sam Boyd.
Next meeting:
March 17, 2017, Anderson Student Center, Room 240, 11:00 AM -12:30 PM.
Non-Exempt Staff Council Meeting Notes
February 17, 2017
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