Staff Council
Meeting Minutes
January 17, 2008

I. Guest Presentation
Chris Anderson, Special Assistant to the President, Office of
Institutional Diversity provided an update on the December 2006 climate
survey.  More than a 45% response rate was received from each group
(faculty, students, hourly staff, and professional staff).  The data
indicates that staff are willing to participate in diversity-related
goals at Michigan Tech.  

The way staff are perceived and treated was not as positive as for
other areas.  Chris relayed that there have already been initiatives
and actions relative to staff.  Several 'Diversity and Empowerment'
sessions have been held for office professionals and more will follow.
Plans are in the works for training for managers and supervisors.
Progress toward goals will be measured using focus groups, tracking
participation in professional development, and progress in other areas.
Chris stated that another climate survey will be conducted in three years.

II. Call to Order
Chair Becky Christianson called the meeting to order at 12:40 pm.

III. Members Present
Rob Bishop, Becky Christianson, Peggy Gorton, Rob Greenhoe, Allyson
Jabusch, ,and JoAnne Stimac.   Tim Ryan from ME-EM was also in attendance.

IV. Old Business

a) Inclement Weather Committee: Has not met this semester

b) Finance Committee Report:  Annual budget for 2007-08 is
$9,500. Expenses to date for the past month include Making a Difference
expenses ($84.70 for the flyer and $614.50 for the food) and $35.00 for
projector rental. Balance = $8,334.76

c) Search Committee Updates: Candidates for the Dean for the College of
Sciences and Arts will start their campus visits the week of January 21
and will continue for the next three weeks.

d) Making a Difference Awards and Staff Appreciation Week: Response to
the reception and appreciation week were positive.

e) Family Fun: March 15, 2008 is scheduled date of event.  Committee has
not met this semester.

f) Staff Awards: No report.

g) Blood Donation - Becky reported that she met with Ellen about
release time for donating blood.  Everyone is reminded that exempt
staff to not need to take release time to donate.  To kick things off
(and encourage people to get in the habit of donating), Staff Council
and the Benefits Office will co-sponsor two blood drives (May 21 and
August 13).  Due to MUB renovation, the events will be held in the DHH
All-Campus Study Lounge.  Appointments will be taken from 10:00 am to
1:45 pm.  Walk-ins will also be accepted.  Ingrid said that the Benefits
Office can provide some incentives (door prizes) for those who donate.
Volunteers will be needed for check-in, runner, and someone to take
blood pressure and pulses.  More about this at the next meeting.

V. New Business
a) Thank you note received from Ramona Backman for retirement gift and award reception.
b) Dean of Graduate School evaluation committee representative selection -
unanimous vote cast for JoAnne Stimac

VI. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm.
Minutes submitted by:  Becky Christianson, Chair