University of Southern Maine

Professional Staff Senate

Meeting Agenda for
Wednesday, October 1, 2003
2pm – 4pm, Room 103, Lewiston Auburn Campus

 

I.  Attendance –  meeting called to order at 2:10PM by Senate Chair, Robin Day.

Present:  Robin Day, Sandra Bogdonoff, Joy Britting, Dana Gray, Anita Higgins, Sheera LaBelle, Joyce Lapping, Pat Marston, Mark Menezes, Kathleen Pease, Pamela Roy. 

Excused: Julie Archibald,  Sharon Bannon, Dona Bird, Norma Charette, Kathleen Gowen, Rebecca Hodges, Rebecca Warsinsky.

Absent:  Casandra Fitzherbert, Thomas Wood.

Guest: Beth Shore.

 

II.  Acceptance of September 3, 2003 minutes

Minutes accepted as written.

 

III.  URIC Discussion

The Chair called for an open discussion:

Senator Britting suggested that the mission seemed conflicting, commenting that it seemed narrowly focused.  The Senator expressed concern about budget cuts not being conducive to long term goals.  She also asked how long URIC would be examining the budget.  Senator Day responded that URIC will be looking at priorities in order to fund USM’s goals.  Short term goals would be to reduce expenses. Long term goals would be to examine USM’s future growth. Senator Britting shared some ideas to help in reducing costs: 1) Centralize Students Services, 2) Identify facility upgrades that would improve upon and/or encourage energy conservation. Senators Lapping and Menezes responded, saying that centralized student services does exist through Enrollment Services and Advising Services. It was mentioned that these services are more prominent on the Portland campus and less on the Gorham campus. Beth Shore talked about process and to keep in mind the USM vision and USM values.  Beth also talked about the World Wide Café and how it is intended to generate discussion and ideas. The Café will take place in the campus centers throughout the University.  Over the coming month, the senators agreed to share and respond to Senator Day’s questions regarding URIC:

 

1.  Strategic planning is key to driving the USM mission.  How would you/your department/center/program prefer to be involved in the communication process involving strategic planning?

 

2.  How do we eliminate waste?, i.e., the way we budget departments/offices?, how we recycle?, how we share our resources?

 

3.  How can USM's work climate be improved to assure we are welcoming and supportive of the needs of our various cultures - gender, ethnic, age, etc.?

 

4.  If you had the option and productivity would not suffer, would you consider an alternate or reduced work schedule? (e.g. - 10 months, 4 days, 6 hrs. day)  

 

Senator Marston mentioned how some programs (i.e. TQI and CQI)  tend to come and go without any outcome and hoped that the World Wide Café would be productive. In response to question 2, Senator Marston thought there was a need to eliminate waste and felt there were too many duplicate resources at USM.  In addition, Senator LaBelle commented that the USM Sustainability Group has offered ideas that have been implemented and many that have not. Senator Day questioned the autonomy that many departments seem to have in regards to their budgets.  Senator Bogdonoff suggested streamlining the new hire process for USM employees. Senator LaBelle suggested looking at the context of the new employee orientation for Welcome Matters.  She commented that it was dry and offers out-dated information.  Senator Lapping suggested that President Pattenaude could offer more inspiration to new employees by meeting with them during Welcome Matters.  Senator Day asked that any additional comments be sent to her directly.  Pam Roy said that the Lewiston / Auburn campus will be having a staff meeting for comment on October 10. 

 

IV. President’s Office Report

Enrollment is down slightly form last year. Non-matriculated student enrollment is down, possibly due to the new Community Colleges. FTE and graduate student enrollment is up. A Bond before the voters will give $2,000,000.00 for use at USM at LA. An additional $2,000,000.00 is ear-marked for instructional laboratories and $1,000,000.00 for a traffic pattern analysis on the Portland campus.

 

V. Executive Committee

Updates from the Senate Chair – Senator Day asked for feedback on the Breakfast. Senator Roy said that, though staff at LA received vouchers they were for the Portland or Gorham campuses and not Lewiston / Auburn. Beth Shore acknowledged that was on oversight by the President’s office.  Senator LaBelle felt that the classified staff was often “singled” out diminishing the feeling of staff collaboration. Several senators thought it unnecessary to read all the names of the new hires since it is printed in the program. Senator Lapping felt the last speaker, Kenny Nelson, would have been better placed at the beginning of the Breakfast. Beth Shore reported that about 800 employees attended the Breakfast. 

Treasurer’s Report – funds remain at $1,150.00

2003-04 Meeting Dates and Location Review (handout) – available online

Committee List Review (Handout)- list accepted, available online

 

VI. Committee Reports/Updates

 

a. Elections Committee – need to elect a new co-secretary, Becky Hodges will be leaving USM October 31.

b. Bylaws Committee – committee has met but is not yet prepared to present a report. However,  the committee reviewed USM’s organizational chart and discovered it was confusing and did not make sense. The only known organizational chart is printed in the USM Directory. The committee will look into this further.

c. Communications Committee – no report.

d. Space Planning Committee –  a Space Committee meeting was scheduled for October 2.

e. Other Committees – no report

 

VII. Senate Reports

 

a. Classified Staff – no report
b. Faculty – no report
c. Student – Senator Pease reported that the Student Senate feels a lack of direction. They would like to meet with LAC Student Senate.

 

VIII. Open Forum

Senator Marston announced that the library has hired David Nutting as the new director. Senator Britting suggested inviting speakers to future meetings.

 

IX. Old Business

a. $250.00 contribution to the 5^th Annual Employee Development Day – A motion made to contribute $250.00, motion second, 8 yea, 3 nay. Motion passed.  A written report submitted by Senator Charrette (requested information from 9/3 tabled discussion) addressing questions regarding the budget and expense of AEDD’s in prior years was read and discussed prior to the vote.

 

b. Senate Goals – A revised draft of the goals in the form of the Executive Committee minutes was distributed for review of Senators and will be scheduled as a discussion at the November 5th meeting.

 

 

X. Adjourn – meeting adjourned at 4:00PM by Senate Chair, Robin Day. Next Meeting is November 5, 2003, 2-4pm, 11 Baxter Boulevard, Portland