UAA Meeting
March 19, 2009
Micklethwaite Banquet Hall 

Secretary Angela Henderson called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. as co-chairs Bill Rockwell and Jennifer Bailey were unable to attend.

The minutes from the February 19, 2009 meeting were distributed.  Vickie Crawford made a motion to approve the minutes.  Ann Marie Short seconded.  Motion passed.

New Business/Executive Committee

President’s Advisory Council Meeting

Angela reported that she will be attending the PAC meeting this afternoon and if there is anything that needs shared with the group before the next meeting she will do so.

2)      UAA Blood Drive

Angela reported that the UAA is sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, June 2nd from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.  Three Volunteers an hour will be needed to work the sign up table and the canteen.  Anyone interested in helping should contact Kris Liles or Angela Henderson.  Angela said reminders would be sent out closer to the event.

3)      UAA Officer Nominations

Angela reported that the annual UAA elections will be in May and nominations are now being accepted for the five positions: Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Committee At-Large Member (UAA) and Executive Committee At-Large Member (ATSS).  Anyone wanting to make a nomination should send it to Laurie Hatton or Tracy Conn by April 7^th. 

4)      Other Executive Committee/New Business

Sherri Powell reported that based on recent newspaper articles, the state budget looks better than originally thought.

Construction Update

John Temponeras gave an update on the construction projects on campus:

1)      House Demos

       The three house demolitions are complete.

2)      University Center

All the concrete slabs have been poured.  The structural steel is nearing completion.  The steel for the north area is arriving next week.  A lot of progress will be seen in the next month.

3)      Facilities/Security Building

Facilities is planning to move into the building one month from today.

4)      Rhodes Center

The project is going through final inspections.  Everyone is pleased with the “night and day difference” the renovations have made.

5)      Founders’ Plaza

The project is out for bid with a pre-bid meeting at 2 p.m. today.  The initial start date for the three-month project is scheduled for May 11th. 

Bane Sylvia asked where the steel arriving next week would be placed.  John said they plan to put as much as possible inside the fence, but there will be some traffic issues. 

Career Services

Steve Gregory reported to the group on news in the Office of Career Services:

1)      Job Fair

The job fair March 10^th had 52 employers attend, with which Steve was very happy considering our current economic environment.  Around 170 students attended, but he would always like to see more.

2)      Technical Job Fair

This job fair has been cancelled due to lack of employer participation because of the economy.  However, there were three technical employers at the Job Fair in March.  Steve said he may also try to collaborate with Outreach Services on Shawnee 7.0 to serve students looking for a technical job.

3)      “Dine For Success”

Career Services will be sponsoring an etiquette training dinner for students April 1^st in the Micklethwaite Banquet Hall. Dr. Jim Settle will be the facilitator.  Registration/social hour is at 5:30 p.m. with dinner beginning at 6:15 p.m.  Monday, March 23^rd is the deadline for students to register and Steve encouraged the group to remind students about it.  70 students have registered so far, but they can accommodate 100. 

Campus Announcements

1)      Administrative Evaluations

Chris Nourse reported that administrative evaluations will be conducted next month.  He will be sending out information on those soon.

2)      Food Service Committee

Marcie reported that the Food Service Committee will meet April 1^st at 11:30 a.m. in the Micklethwaite Banquet Hall.  Everyone is invited to attend for lunch and to discuss any complaints/compliments they have for Sodexho.

3)      SSUDF Grants

Angela reported that the call for Development Foundation grants has gone out.  This year’s focus is retention and she encouraged anyone with a retention-related project idea to apply.  The deadline is April 17^th.

4)      Kay Stockham Signing

Angela reminded everyone that SSU alum Kay Stockham (’90 & ’91) will be at the Bookstore at 3 p.m. signing copies of her newest Harlequin Super Romance, “Her Best Friend’s Brother.”

University-Wide Committee Reports

1)      Insurance

Chris Nourse reported that they are getting ready to put our health insurance out for bids.  If there is a change, it will not take effect until July.  Chris also reported that Faculty has asked to have non-participatory observers at the Insurance Committee meetings.  Chris said that if anyone from UAA is interested in doing that to let him know.

2)      Distinguished Lecture Series

Barb Bradbury reported that the Loung Ung lecture was outstanding and she highly recommends Ung’s book, “First They Killed My Father.”

3)      Personnel Development

Chris reported that the committee is currently developing a budget, as well as putting together courses in the areas of Computer/Technical Training, Organizational Development and Teaching and Learning,.  They are also working on an internal trainer program, so anyone interested in being a trainer should let Chris know.

Other

1)      Student Activities

Tiffany Weaver thanked everyone for their help with the David Cook concert.  She also reported that Springfest will be the last full week of classes.  The final event will be the Black and White Dance.  There will also be a cake decorating contest and an outside day with outdoor activities.

Angela told the group that Tiffany and her crew and Bob Pratt and his security crew deserved a lot of kudos for their hard work with the David Cook concert.  Tiffany and Denise Gregory reported that everything went smoothly and that Cook was a “real trooper” considering how sick he was.

Denise Gregory made a motion to adjourn the meeting with Steve Gregory seconding.  Motion passed.  The meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m.