Wednesday, April 10, 2002

8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Room 327

Present: Mary Evans, Renee Dobbs, Billie West, Amanda McKasson, Dave Robinson, Elizabeth Pape (Chair), Mary Myrick, Stan Johnson, Marsha Richmond, Ann Terka

Items discussed:

1. Council Members discussed having a volunteer member at each meeting take the minutes of the meeting and distribute them via e-mail to staff. The minutes would be approved by the Chair before distribution. Terry College staff members would therefore be informed as to what was discussed at each meeting.

2. Council Members discussed putting into place some sort of "control" wherein if a Council Member was absent, that this Council Member's department would still be represented. Further discussion ensued as to whether smaller departments should be grouped with larger departments when naming a representative, or whether each individual department should be represented.

3. Concern was shown for Custodial Staff and the fact that they must reach into the recycling bins on each floor and, by hand, empty one bin to combine this bin's contents with the second bin. The filled bin is then hauled down to the ground floor for the recyclers to pick up and empty.

Some Council Members feel that there should be a "stronger, perhaps younger" Custodial Staff Member available to fulfill this duty; Council Members do agree though that this could possibly be misconstrued as discrimination as a "younger, stronger male" would probably be the Custodial Staff Member picked to do this job.

4. The Chair asked if anyone would volunteer to help with the rewriting/updating of the Council Bylaws.

5 Council discussed briefly the new parking plan.

6. It was brought to the attention of Council that some staff where questioning as to whether or not the nominator of a staff member to receive an award should remain anonymous. Some Council Members feel that the person receiving an award may like to know who nominated them so that they may say thank you; some Council Members felt that this could be an "option" achieved by having a small box on the nomination sheet that could be checked off should the nominator wish/or not wish to remain anonymous.

7. Council Members require clarification as to whether the nomination letter was good for one year or needed to be submitted each time with that particular nomination.

8. A Council Member mentioned that some staff felt that perhaps the time period for awards should be longer than quarterly. There was concern that the "quantity" or regularity of awards may lessen the importance of the award.

9. Concern was shown by some Council Members at the lack of staff attending the awards ceremony. Faculty was believed to attend in good order, but it was felt that staff attendance could be better. Staff Council Members were asked to urge other staff members to attend future awards ceremonies. Council Members did discuss that morning awards ceremonies may be easier for all to attend than late-day ceremonies.

10. Council Members were asked to please make staff aware that part of a Council Member's duty as serving as a Council Member is to bring to these meetings any issues/comments or suggestions on behalf of other staff members. The above items can be anonymous on behalf of the staff member.

11. Council discussed the lack of interest displayed by some staff members regarding serving on the Council.

The meeting was then adjourned.

Should anyone have any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to speak with a Staff Council Representative.