THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
STAFF SENATE
(NORMAN CAMPUS)
Wednesday January 16,
2013
Chair Chris Cook called the meeting to order at 1:33 p.m. in the Sooner
Room of the Oklahoma Memorial Union.
Officers present – Chris Cook, Chair; Amanda
Pai, Chair-Elect; Fran Stephens, Immediate Past Chair, Cathy Trujillo,
Recording Secretary
Staff
present – Melissa Lane, Administrative Coordinator
Representatives present – Hourly Employees Council: Carolyn Taylor,
David Houck, Cindy Simpson, Cecilia McEwen,
Julie Hamburger, Jack Shoopman, Laura Shoopman, John Bishop, Carmen
Eppler, Kim Haddad, David Kizer; Informational Staff Association: Gordan Carrie, Shawn Gralla, Priscilla Crawford, Elaine
Bradshaw; Organizational Staff Council: Reta Tarver, Nancy Matthews, Jackie
Downing, Betty Love, Justin Daniels, Chris McNabb
Representatives absent — Hourly Employees Council: Sena Golden; Informational Staff Association: Connie
Smith, Bruce Alcock; Administrative Staff Council: Jennifer Doughty, Robbie
Wahnee
Guests present — Debbie Copp, Cathy
Yeaman, Lezlie Marsh, Angela Hawpe, Stacy Powell, and Scott Mauldin.
SPEAKERS
Laura
Palk from the Office of Equal Opportunity
Cassie
Gillman of the President’s Associates
Nick
Kelly from Human Resources
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF November 21, 2012
On motion by David Houck,
the minutes of the November 21, 2012, Staff Senate meeting were accepted.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES OF December 19, 2012
On motion by John Bishop,
the minutes of the December 19, 2012, Staff Senate meeting were accepted.
CHAIR’S COMMUNICATIONS
Chris met with Nick Hathaway, Vice President for Executive and
Administrative Affairs they discussed the expiring Bush Tax Cuts, specifically
the Social Security withholding rate returning to 6.2%. University employees
will be feeling that in their January paychecks. Vice President Hathaway
indicated that conditions at the State Capital appear positive for Higher
Education. He also reiterated that, if allocations allow, the President would
like a salary program in the coming year.
Lastly, Associate Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer Julius
Hilburn retired in December. His retirement reception is today at 3pm in the
Union.
REPORTS FROM MEMBER GROUPS
Administrative
Staff Council: President Jennifer Doughty reported that they did
not meet.
Hourly
Employees Council: President
Carolyn Taylor reported that over $1,000 was raised
for their holiday fund raiser, which benefited the Norman Backpack Program and
the Help yOUr Neighbor Fund. OU’s Help yOUr
Neighbor Fund was set up to assist OU employees and their families after the
occurrence of natural disasters, such as the recent wild fires. OU Housing and Food Services provided a
complete holiday meal for each of these families. Wal-Mart gift cards were given to every
family member. They also discussed the
importance of attendance at the HEC and Staff Senate meetings. Representatives were encouraged to attend all
meetings for voting purposes and to stay up to date and involved with ongoing
issues.
Informational
Staff Association: President
Gordan Carrie reported that
they did not meet.
Organizational
Staff Council: Representative
Betty Love reported that Dr. George Richter-Addo gave them a tour of the
Chemistry facilities before the business meeting. They heard updates about the
new website and the OU families that were supported over the holidays. Amanda
appointed Cathy Yeaman as chair of the Awards Selection Committee and solicited
for volunteers for that committee. The OU Credit Union has asked that we obtain
a Federal Tax ID Number for their bank account so Kristi Wright is going to
research this for them.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Awards
Committee: By email Chair Liz Cooley reported that they did
not meet.
Communications
Committee: By email Chair Gina Powell reported that they did
not meet.
Staff
Initiatives Committee: Chair Dan Hough reported that they did not
meet.
Staff
Week Committee: By email Chair Terri Smith reported that they
discussed each subcommittee and where they stand as far as preparation.
They voted to sell a t-shirt for the spring fundraiser. There was no
miscellaneous discussion.
REPORTS OF SPECIAL (AD HOC) COMMITTEES
Employee
Benefits Committee: Debbie Copp reported that
they did not meet
OTHER REPORTS
The
following reports were linked to the January agenda:
Staff Senate Foundation account report
Minutes of Employment Benefits Committee meeting
for September 2012
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business, the meeting
adjourned at 2:09 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: February 20, 2013
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Lane
Administrative Coordinator
Cathy Trujillo
Recording Secretary