Staff Council
Meeting Minutes
October 19, 2006

I. Guest Presentation by Bonnie Gorman
Bonnie Gorman, executive director of marketing and communications,
presented Staff Council with an update on the University's marketing
plan. Highlights from the presentation included: 

- Bonnie outlined how the new marketing plan is directly
tied to the new Michigan Tech strategic plan 

- Michigan Tech's "brand attributes" have been identified as: Innovation;
Experiential Learning; Rigorous Education; Technology-driven; Bright,
Motivated, and Adventurous students

- The University's marketing objectives include:

o Effective communications that attract world-class 
  faculty, staff, and students 
o Shape and elevate perceptions of Michigan Tech's
  distinctive educational and research programs 
o Develop tailored communications in support of efforts to increase
  revenue from private and public sources
o Improve organizational communication by fostering a mutual 
  commitment to support Michigan Tech's identity and goals

II. Call to Order
Chair Becky Christianson called the meeting to order at 12:44 pm.

III. Members Present
Members present:  Bev Auel, Ramona Backman, Becky Christianson, Peggy
Gorton, Rob Greehoe, Peter Larsen, Cynthia MacDonald, and JoAnne
Stimac. Guest present: Corrine Leppen

IV. New Business
a) Becky passed along a request she received from the student
organization MTU Peers Offering Wellness Education Resources (POWER)
requesting funding for their organization. The consensus of the group
was that we should not set a precedent of funding student groups, even
when the cause is worthy. Becky will contact the group to explain.

V. Old Business
a) Staff Council Website subcommittee report: Cynthia MacDonald
reported that a new header is in place. She also passed around a printout
of the look. Cynthia encourages Council members to provide regular content
updates for the site.  
b) Becky announced that future Presidential Open Forum dates have
been set: November 7, January 25, and March 22. All will be held from
2-4 pm in the MUB. We need volunteers to pass out cards, microphones,
etc. Rob Greenhoe agreed to help.

c) Staff Making a Difference Awards update: The awards reception
has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 8, 2006 from 3:00-5:00 pm. The
deadline is tomorrow and there are currently few nominations. There was
discussion about how to best encourage nominations in future rounds. A
campus-wide paper mailing may help but would be expensive.

d) Becky reminded us of the 2006-07 meeting dates:
	Thursday, November 16, MUB Alumni B. 
        Guest speaker will be Chris Anderson, Executive Director 
        of Educational Opportunity and Special Assistant to the 
        President for Institutional Diversity.
	Thursday, January 18, MUB 105A: This will be an organizational 
        meeting and a discussion of Staff Council's future activities.
	Thursday, February 15, MUB Alumni B
	Thursday, March 15, MUB Alumni B
	Thursday, April 19 (room to be determined)
	Thursday, May 17, MUB Alumni B
	Thursday, June 21, MUB Alumni B
e) Inclement Weather Policy subcommittee update: Peter Larsen
reported that we are waiting for a draft from Ellen of a statement that
will go out to the University. The committee will also meet to provide
draft recommendations for guidelines of when to close the University.

f) Ombuds Search Committee report: Still in progress-few nominations at this point.

VI. Finance Report
Bev noted that we currently have a negative balance of -$1336.82 because
budgets for the new year have not been loaded yet. The current charges
reflect frames for the Making a Difference awards, calendar charges,
and the receipt of $294 from the MUB towards the calendar printing.

VII. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1:05 pm.
Minutes submitted by:  Peter Larsen, Secretary