Minutes
THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA
STAFF SENATE
(NORMAN CAMPUS)
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
DRAFT
Chair Rhonda Hill called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
Officers present – Rhonda Hill, Chair; Crystal Ary, Chair-Elect; Heather Todd, Immediate Past Chair; Robert Kelly, Communications Officer; Beth McCoy, Recording Secretary
Staff present – Melissa Lane, Administrative Coordinator
Senators present – Jenny Lang, Ann Seely, Elaine Bradshaw, Keiana Cross, Kelsey Martyn-Farewell, Suzie Brewer Cynthia De La Rosa, Jessica Rossman, Ross Mehl, Sage Mauldin, Sarah Moran, Amanda Warren Marshall, and Rachel Jones-Summan
Senators absent — Allison Richardson, Caitlin Fournier, Michael Ray, Kayla Doiron, Jonathan Still, Meghan Warren, and Christa Seedorf
SPEAKERS
Fran Petties, Human Resources
Carolyn Clink, Internal Audit
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES of June 26, 2024
The minutes of the June 26, 2024, Staff Senate meeting was approved by an email majority vote.
CHAIR’S COMMUNICATIONS
Thanks to Fran Petties and Carolyn Clink for their presentations today.
We have fought for years to receive yearly raises and I am hopeful that we are on track for the raises to continue.
Last fall we discussed the possibility of tiered parking to mirror our benefits. Although it was tabled, we were adamant that staff couldn’t take an increase in parking costs. I was pleased to see that permits for 2024-2025 did not increase.
Today is my last meeting as Staff Senate Chair and it’s been an honor to serve. I would like to thank the Staff Senate Executive Committee and everyone that served on a committee.
I want to thank Melissa Lane, our Staff Senate Administrative Coordinator for her support this past year and the work she does behind the scenes for the Chair position.
REPORTS FROM SPECIAL COMMITTEES
Committee on Committees: Chair Crystal Ary reported they did not meet.
Merit Award Selection Committee: Chair Crystal Ary reported they did not meet.
Policy Review Committee: Chair Crystal Ary reported they did not need to meet.
Community Outreach Committee: By email, Chair Tanya Miller-Eager reported that they didn’t meet in June, but the team launched a food/supply drive for the OU Food Pantry. We’re still waiting for the results of the monetary amount, but staff collected over 10 boxes of food and supplies. Once we welcome the new members of the committee, we’ll start working on organizing for the next academic year.
Ad Hoc Committee: Currently there are none.
REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES
Awards Committee: By email, Chair Liz Cooley reported they did not meet.
Communications Committee: Chair Sarah Moranreported they did not meet.
Staff Initiatives Committee: Chair Kelsey Martyn-Farewell reported they met 7/16/24 over zoom. We discussed updates to our current project to find ways to support staff. We will invite financial services to a future meeting to discuss enhancing training materials. Once our AY24-25 members are added, we will find a new meeting time and will find at least one or two times in the year to meet in person.
Staff Week Committee: Chair Jessica Rossman reported they did not meet.
REPORTS FROM UNIVERSITY COUNCILS, COMMITTEES, AND BOARDS
Employee Benefits Committee: Crystal Ary reported they will meet on July 18th.
OTHER REPORTS
The following reports were linked to the July agenda:
Staff Senate Foundation account reports $1,285.30
Minutes of the Employment Benefits Committee meeting for April 2024
OLD BUSINESS
None
NEW BUSINESS
Nominations to Standing Committees: The list of recommended nominees was linked to the agenda. Jenny Lang moved to accept the slate of nominees. The motion was seconded and passed by an email majority vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A plaque was presented for her service as the 2023-2024 Staff Senate Chair.
ADJOURNMENT
As there was no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:53 p.m.
NEXT REGULAR MEETING: September 18, 2024, at 1:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Lane
Administrative Manager
Beth McCoy
Recording Secretary
