University of Southern Maine

Professional Staff Senate

Meeting Minutes for
Wednesday, September 3, 2003
2pm – 4pm, 128 School Street, Gorham

I.                    Attendance

Present:  Donna Bird, Norma Charette, Robin Day, Casandra Fitzherbert, Kathleen Gowen, Anita, Higgins, Rebecca Hodges, Sheera LaBelle, Pat Marston, Mark Menezes, Kathleen Pease.

Excused: Julie Archibald, Sharon Bannon, Sondra Bogdonoff, Joy Britting Dana Gray, Joyce Lapping , Pamela Roy, Thomas Wood.

II.                  Acceptance of July 9, 2003 Minutes & August 6, 2003 Minutes: 

Robin Day asked that the July 9 minutes be amended to change from she suggested to she reported the Emerging Professional Staff Award Committee is changed to the prior 2 recipients and 2 at large members instead of prior 3 recipients and 1 at large. Minutes unanimously accepted after amendment. 

III.                President’s Office Report:

No report. Beth Shore was not present at the meeting.

IV.       Executive Committee

Updates from the Senate Chair:  University Review and Inquiry Committee (URIC) was discussed. It seemed unclear as to whether or not University Business Process Improvement Committee had formally requested representation from the Professional Senate. Pat Marston reported that URIC’s goal was to, in the words of President Patttenaude, “generate bits of ideas to help reach the savings goal of $550,000.”  Within URIC a Task Force on University Life would be created and a committee for University Business Process Improvement.  Pat reported that a Human Resource review committee would be established.  Pat and Dana expressed interest in serving on the committee. 

Robin reported that Tom Wood may not be able to be on University President’s Budget & Advisory Committee (UPBAC).  Robin will contact Tom to see if he will or will not be able to be on UPBAC.

Treasurer’s Report:  no money spent. Funds remain at $1150.00

2003-04 Meeting Dates and Location Review (handout):  Handouts received by all in attendance. Motion was made to change the November 5th meeting from Augusta to 11 Baxter Blvd. in Portland.

Committee List Review (Handout):  Handouts received by all in attendance.

     V.      Committee Reports/Updates

Elections Committee: Donna Bird reported that Sharon Bannon was confirmed via an email-vote to the a two-year at-large term to the Senate. Since Dan Axford has left USM, there is a one-year vacancy.  Rebecca Warsinsky was asked to take the seat and to date, as of this meeting, has not responded.  Motion was made to pre-confirm Rebecca should she accept the position, motion second and the vote carried.  It was mentioned that the senate pre-confirm all nominees, but it was then decided to first see if Rebecca might accept.  

Bylaws Committee: Not yet met. Donna Bird suggested addressing in the Bylaws communication with Faculty and Staff and making this separate from the responsibility of the Communications Committee. 

Communications Committee: Not yet met.  Kathleen Gowen agreed to join the committee. Kathleen expressed an interest in creating the Professional Senate Newsletter.

Space Planning Committee:  As per Dana Gray and reported by Robin Day, there are no longer funds available to renovate Bailey Hall. 

     VI.      Senate Reports

 Classified Staff: no information was presented.  Donna Bird said she will gather information from the next Classified Staff meeting.
 Faculty: Not yet met.
 Student: Not yet met.  

     VII.     Open Forum

Concern was raised as to the fluctuating cost of USM parking stickers.

Joyce Lapping expressed concern over missing Senate meetings due to family issues. Since Joyce’s absences are excused and fall within FMLA, it was agreed that no action was necessary. 

     VIII.    Old Business

$250 for Employee Development Day (vote postponed due to lack of quorum at last meeting):  It was reported that the Classified Staff Senate have contributed $250.  Anita Higgins asked what the money was specifically used for and addressed concern about donating funds that would serve a very limited number of people (75 to 80). Becky Hodges raised the point as to whether or not the Senate wants to support an Employee Development Day at that level alone. Kat Gowen suggested we examine how the money for the Employee Development Day is used. Norma Charette agreed to examine how the funding is used and report back to the Senate.  Sheera LaBelle asked how the Classified Staff gain funds.  Robin Day explained that they have fund raising programs.  Concern was raised that the Senate’s funds are compromised because the President is no longer financially supporting next year’s luncheon.  Motion was made to table deciding to donate any amount until next meeting. Motion was second, the vote carried.

Need Senators to attend Faculty Senate meetings: Casandra Fitzherbert agreed to attend as many Faculty Senate meetings as possible, but does not think she could attend them all.  There is a continued search for someone to attend these meetings and help Casandra. Meetings are held on Fridays from 2:00 to 4:00 (It was mentioned that when the meetings are held at LAC, there is a lot of food provided.)

Senate Goals:  Robin Day and Pat Marston suggested establishing an ad-hoc committee to examine the 6 Goals. Becky Hodges will be emailing a copy of the goals to all Senators.  The Communication Committee might re-evaluate their duties.  Becky suggested that existing committees might be able to address some of the goals. She raised the issue that the existing six goals were created by past members of the Senate. New existing members never committed to these goals. Robin Day suggested having the executive committee address the goals. Motion was made to have the executive committee address the goals. Motion was second, vote carried.

     IX.     Adjourn

At approximately 3:50 pm, Meeting adjourned by Senate Chair, Robin Day.

Reported by co-secretary, Mark Menezes

                                   

Next Meeting is October 1, 2003, 2-4pm, in Room 170C at Lewiston Auburn College.