Staff Senate Minutes: May 11,  2005

SENATORS PRESENT:    Sandy Bingham-Porter, Greg Boyd, Dan Carpenter, Kathy Cartwright, Zoraida Irizarry, Tom Leonard, Matt Pederson, Doug Sloat, Janice Spraker and Linda Strange

SENATORS ABSENT:      Eric Davidson, Katie Rice, Adam Due, and Teresa Sims

GUESTS:                         Sara Amyx, Vice President Cooley, Bill Witsman and several constituents

President Kathy Cartwright called the meeting to order in the Oakland Room.

Vice President Cooley introduced Bill Witsman.  Mr. Witsman presented a brief overview including a PowerPoint handout of the upcoming Banner mainframe system.  He explained that teams have been formed for this implementation and there are 11 people on the Steering Committee.  Departments can have input of their needs before implementation.  There will be a website to communicate updates of this Enterprise Information System Enhancement at www.eiu.edu/~eise and there will be staff training closer to implementation.  The Banner components will be integrated and includes Finance, Alumni Development, Human Resources, Student Information, and Financial Aid.  The software is free, and the benefits and cost savings of efficiencies will out way the costs over an 8-10 year period for the hardware, etc.  Several institutions are using Banner which includes the University of Illinois, Indiana State University, SIU at Edwardsville, etc.; therefore, EIU can network with other institutions who are already using the program.  This will take about four years to implement (beginning Fall 2004) with the first usage tentatively beginning July 2006.

The State Universities Civil Service Advisory Committee, April 14 Quarterly Meeting Minutes, was distributed to the Senators.  Julie Benedict, our EAC Representative, was unable to attend the meeting but wanted to share.

The April Staff Senate Minutes were approved; motion by Sandy Bingham-Porter and seconded by Dan Carpenter.

Kathy Cartwright discussed the Staff Senate Elections of April 27.  The Minority seat to be appointed by President Hencken is still available if anyone would like to serve.   The elected seats are as follows:

Non-Negotiated                            Sandy Bingham-Porter               
AFSCME 981 Clerical/Technical    Sara Amyx
Negotiated Facilities                     Doug Sloat                      
AFSCME 981 BSW/FS                 Tom Leonard
A/P                                              Eric Davidson

Kathy Cartwright asked for volunteers to serve on the Council on University Planning and Budget Committee (CUPB) to begin September 2005.  Gregg Boyd will serve in the Staff seat.  The Senate is requesting a constituent to serve in the A/P seat.  Please contact a Senator if you are willing to serve.

Janice Spraker shared information from the May 2 Executive Board Meeting with President Hencken and VP Cooley.   Information included the FY06 budget, the pension uncertainties, fall enrollment, Fine Arts tentatively will be operating by June 2007, waste from the Fine Arts Building is all being recycled, the demolishing of buildings around the Fine Arts, fund raising status, the donated Alumni Clock Tower, etc.  It was requested to form the committee to write a sample pension letter.  Kathy Cartwright shared the status of the pension letter.  We are gathering ideas, it is being developed, and we’ll email it to constituents upon completion.  Constituents are urged to handwrite their support letters (not using work time or materials) for EIU’s budget and forward them to their representatives.  If a copy of the sample letter and addresses are needed, please contact Janice Spraker.

Doug Sloat, Facilities Planning and Management Search Committee representative, shared that four candidates interviewed, there was good participation at the interviews from campus constituents, the committee will meet the week of May 16 where feedback will be forward to VP Cooley, and the tentative hiring date is July 1.

Kathy Cartwright, VP of Student Affairs representative, shared that four candidates interviewed and the committee’s duties are now complete.  The weaknesses and strengths of the candidates were forwarded to President Hencken.  Kathy shared a memo from Katie Rice that the Civil Service Council will be hosting a “Council of Councils” on October 7 at EIU.  Other Illinois University Staff Representatives will spend the day at EIU, and volunteers are sought to help with this event.  Contact Katie Rice if you can help.

Sandy Bingham-Porter, Parking Committee representative, shared that the President Council will not increase parking permits August 2005; however, this will be reviewed next year.

The Senate is in recess during the summer and the next meeting is September 14, 2005 at 1:15pm in the 1895 Room.  Our meetings are always open and everyone is welcome to attend.  If anyone has any questions or issues that they would like us to ask at our next meeting, please contact one of the Senators.  Senators can be found at http://www.eiu.edu/~stfsenat/members.htm

Respectfully submitted:
Janice Spraker                      

Please email any corrections to: Harold Harris