Saint Mary’s College of California Staff Council Meeting Minutes

February 14, 2012

Rheem Conference room -Saint Mary’s College, Moraga California

Council members present: Laurie Aguirre Joseph Arone Libby Bernard Tim Farley Gail Garrett Robert Henderson Jane Joyce

Karen Miller Christine Oh Melinda Oliver Alle Porter Amy Walters Patricia Wade Carole Wolf

Council members not present: Monica Mendenhall Robert Whalen OPEN SESSION Call to Order Council Chair Tim Farley called the meeting to order at 12:20 pm. Roll Call Council Secretary Laurie Aguirre took roll. Audience Discussion: “Open Mic” Staff Council was open for questions while attending the Staff Activities Pizza Event at the Rheem Campus.

CLOSED SESSION Announcements There were no new announcements. Approval of the Minutes Correction to the January minutes were noted and a revised copy will be sent to the Council members for approval. Motioned: Melinda Oliver Seconded: Jane Joyce Abstained: Tim Farley, Gail Garrett, Robert Henderson (due to non-attendance)

Subcommittee Reports Bylaws and Elections

o Proposed changes to the Staff Council by-laws were brought forth by Amy Walters. Nomination and Election Procedure (Section V., B., 1) 1. The current language reads that any staff member of the College may nominate another

staff member for election to the Council. Nominees must have worked for the College for at least one (1) year to be eligible for nomination and/or to be elected to the Council.

The proposed change is the nominees must have worked for the College for at least one year [as of July1] to be eligible for nomination and/or elected to the Council.

The goal is to define the parameters around how long an employee has worked for the College before they are eligible to be nominated and/or elected.

2. Nomination and Election Procedure (V.,B.,5) The current language reads that all nomination forms must be received by the Elections

Committee no later than two (2) weeks prior to the beginning of the Election Period. The proposal is to change the time to one (1) week prior to shorten the amount of time

between when nominations are received and election period begins.

Moved: by Robert Henderson Second: by Melinda Oliver Motioned Carried: Proposed changes to Nomination and Election Procedure (Section V., B., 1) and (V., B., 5) approved.

Staff Development and Climate

o Christine thanked those that were able to attend the Colors workshop; the opportunity of the workshop being available campus wide was being researched.

o The new “Spotlight on Staff” recognition program was said to have went well-Melinda suggested that it be posted revealing the winner being a random process.

o The results of the survey regarding Long -Term Staff Recognition were distributed by Jane Joyce with discussion around recognition being based on years of service. Jane asked that those who had not completed the survey do so, so she can have accurate information.

o Patty Wade announces the Library Workshop scheduled for March 29 from noon – 1p.m. Clarification of the rental policy of the laptop computers on campus will be brought to the next meeting.

o April event is being planned at the Library introducing staff to social media, business-related networking sites such as “LinkedIn”.

Compensation and Benefits

o Alle reported the Committee is involving various student groups on campus to support the Child Care initiative and is ready to submit a proposal to Pete Michell Moved: by Tim Farley Second: by Joseph Arone and Amy Walters Motion Carried: To submit the child care proposal to Pete Michell.

o Authorization to have access to edit the SMC Staff Council webpage was asked by Alle.

Moved: by Melinda Oliver Second: by Jane Joyce

Motion Carried: To designate all Staff Council to have authority to submit documents or make changes to the SMC Staff Council webpage providing the staff member has SALLI training.

o The Commuter Check proposal has been submitted and Human Resources Director Eduardo Salaz has responded that the College is already considering such a program in order to address the current parking problems on Campus. Eduardo will consider implementing the program sooner but must first meet with others in Human Resources to discuss further action.

Staff Activities Committee No report due to Rheem Pizza Event in progress

Treasurer’s Report

o The treasurer reported a balance of $1799.13 remaining in the Staff Councils budget. Old Business

o Karen gave an update on the CTO interviews in progress. Jane Joyce reported that there are only two remaining candidates with final interviews next week.

New Business

o Robert Henderson reported on the awareness issues around campus regarding transgender students, faculty, and staff. A committee has been formed addressing issues such as preferred name verses legal name along with issues such as gender neutral dorms, restrooms etc. Karen agreed to write a staff memo on behalf of Staff Council supporting the issues.

o Tim Farley announced the Costco breakfast will be held on March 16th in Hagerty Lounge. Costco agreed to donate continental breakfast for up to 200 people with Sodexo supplying the coffee. Time agreed on is 8:30am to 9:30am.

Chair-Elect Report

o Karen Miller announced her resignation from her position on Staff Council as chair elect. Alle Porter has been asked to step in pending her supervisor’s approval.

Chair Report

o Tim Farley reported Brother Ron and Carol Swain approached him with interest to make a presentation regarding the Task Force for Mission. After discussion an April date was set.

o Tim brought the details of the 2012-13 California budget proposals calling for significant cuts to the Cal Grant program. Individual students could see as much as a 44% reduction in their grant. Staff Council was encouraged to help fight these cuts by contacting state legislators.

Adjournment Motioned: Karen Miller

Seconded: Tim Farley Meeting adjourned at 1:30 pm

Next meeting scheduled for March 13th location to be determined

Respectfully Submitted, Laurie Aguirre, Staff Council Secretary February 16, 2012