The Staff Senate met June 13, 2016, in Chao Auditorium, with Chair Angela Lewis-Klein presiding.
May’s minutes were approved by the body.
Parliamentarian Missy Long Shuter facilitated officer elections for three open positions, including secretary/treasurer, vice chair and chair. There were two nominees for the secretary/treasurer position: Wendy Metcalf and Sabrina Haug. Both nominees provided time for a Q&A with the Senate body. When the ballots were tallied later in the meeting, Haug was named to the position and will be the body’s new secretary/treasurer.
The other two positions were unopposed, with Vickie Tencer elected as vice chair and Will Armstrong elected as the new Senate chair.
Armstrong thanked the senators for their support and promised to center his role on service.
“I can only be informed by the feedback you provide me,” he said.
Committee Reports:
Staff morale: The final report is linked online.
Policy: Did not meet, but the committee continues to make changes to the RIF policy.
Grievances: Two were filed within the past month, one ruled in favor of the employee filing the grievance, and the other in favor of the supervisor.
Services and Facilities: No report
SHARE: No report
Secretary/Treasurer: There is $1,584.07 in the general fund and $0 in expenses.
Senate Chair Report: Lewis-Klein noted that many items are stuck in a confidential phase now and that it is unprecedented we didn’t get the budget passed through the Board of Trustees.
She also said there was a good turnout for the Aramark dining services’ open house. The budget advisory committee is up and running and it will be different than it was in the past. “It will be focused more on long-term solutions, philosophical needs, work groups and trying to come up with ‘think outside of the box’ options,” Lewis-Klein said.
Report: Jeanell Hughes, AVP for Administration and Operations
Jeannell Hughes, AVP for Administration and Operations, provided an update about UofL’s new travel partner, Anthony Travel, which replaced Pan Am. Hughes said there had been some service issues with Pan Am and since Anthony Travel already does business with the university’s athletic department, it was chosen as the new partner. We currently have a year-to-year contract with Anthony Travel. Information sessions and training were made available for employees who frequently use the travel partnership.
“We didn’t intend to switch that quickly but it was in the best interest of the university,” Hughes said.
Travel policies remain the same.
Hughes also addressed parking, noting that the team is working through a plan to ensure adequate parking spaces despite new construction taking place around campus.
Jim Sears, the university’s new AVP for facilities, was introduced to the senators. He was selected to oversee physical plant after a nationwide search and has 25-plus years of experience.
“What impressed me the most is how proud you all are of the University of Louisville. Your dedication and commitment is impressive. I’m honored to be here,” he said.
Hughes noted the two active searches in the department, including HR AVP and the AVP for finance and controller.
Other business
A discussion was held about at-large seats. Senators noted they hope to bring in more diversity and people from as many areas across campus as possible. One goal is to get more information out about the Staff Senate to new hires. A motion was brought forth to increase the staff senate to 99 members. It passed.
The next meeting is July 11 in the Chao Auditorium.
