The meeting was called to order by Diann Brodnax, President, at 2:01pm. Roll was taken by Stephanie Allen, Secretary. A quorum was present.
Officers present: Diann Brodnax, Stephanie Allen, Dimples Jones
Members present: Lauren Gatto, Paula Gregory, Alicia Hargreaves, Sharlene Hatch, Charlotte Holliman, Margo Hymer, Karen Kessinger, Sharon Mistrot, Natalie Rhodes, Ashley Sheehan, Ciera Vaidya, Julie Walker, Jon-Michael Wallace
Guests present: Jeremy Alltop, Kenneth Rodriguez
Guest Speaker Jeremy Alltop, VP Finance and Operations spoke on the following items:
- Approved budget for this academic year
- Based on student credit hour enrollment
- Fall revenue met expectations, there were no budget cuts for the Fall semester
- Full budget books are available on the Board of Regents website
- A handout was given to the members for the Operating Budget Comparison
- Council on Instructional Departments
- LU has enough funds in reserves to run for one month – the goal is to build cash reserves to have enough for 11 months
- $5000 was added to the Staff Council budget
- Working to set a LU minimum wage of $11.00/hr
- Working to do away with all of the paper forms
- How do we reward and recognize employees – asked for suggestions
- How do we make LU a better place to work – asked for suggestions
- Working with Human Resources on retirement, resignation, job classification, etc
- Budget will be revisited to see what programs are growing (AP, Campus)
- Alltop is now the Staff Council financial liaison
Diann Brodnax, Staff Council President, addressed the following items:
- Please sign up for committees and passed around the committee sign-up sheets
- Staff Council Shirts – being ordered for those who do not already have shirts
- Please email Diann with size, color, and fabric preference
- Regarding a Staff Council T-shirt, Staff present voted and preferred the long, raglan sleeve, black with red sleeves
- Staff Council Meeting time was change to 2:00 from 10:00.
- Margo suggested having a TEAMS meeting during the meeting for those members who cannot attend in person
Committee Reports:
Community Service Committee: Diann made the following announcement:
- The Nutrition and Services for Seniors Spooky Spud sale deadline is October 25th.
Staff Relations Committee: Paula Gregory, Chair, made the following announcements:
- The committee met with Tony Sanchez, Assistant VP Human Resources and will have a more detailed report at the next Staff Council meeting.
Nominations Committee: Jon-Michael Wallace, Chair, gave the following report:
- 17 valid nominations were submitted
- 10 areas still not represented
- Nominations will be open through Friday (10/15)
Bylaws Committee: No report
Staff Awards Committee: Julie Walker, Chair, gave the following report:
- Distinguished Staff Awards nominations are due by 5:00 on October 22, 2021
- The DSA Luncheon will be held November 15 from 11:00-1:00.
Ad Hoc Committee: Sharlene Hatch, Chair, gave the following report:
- Looking at recognition options
- Rookie of the Year
- Staff of the Quarter
- Behind the Scenes
- Human Resources/Staff Council collaboration
- Will bring items to officers, them Mr. Alltop, then Council
- Bi-weekly meetings
Old Business: There was no old business.
New Business: The was no new business.
Good of the Order: No report.
The next Staff Council meeting will be November 9, 2021 at 2:00pm, location 8th floor, Library.
Alicia moved to adjourn the meeting and Paula seconded the motion.
There being no further business, Diann adjourned the meeting at 3:05pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie Allen
Stephanie Allen, Secretary
Lamar University Staff Council