Since Ms. Carmen MacDougal has been out with health issues, Mrs. Swaim encouraged those attending to keep her in their thoughts and prayers also.  Mrs. Swaim said that it may be necessary to find someone to substitute for Ms. MacDougal on the Steering Committee till she returns, and that she would wait to hear from Carmen before determining how to ensure that the people she represents are kept informed.

Mrs. Swaim mentioned that the Rules Committee was chaired by the immediate past-chair, and that she would be asking it to make bylaws adjustments on elections and to define the number of people that serve on committees.   She specifically mentioned the Publicity Committee, and welcomed suggestions from the audience on how to make improvements in that area.

Mrs. Swaim then went on to describe other committees that staff serve on, the duties they perform, as well as which ones need members.  Among those mentioned were:

Administrative Evaluation Committee
Bike Committee
Calendars and Schedules
Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics
Concessions Board
Faculty Welfare
Grievance Committee
Multicultural Diversity
Persons w/Disabilities
Recreational Services
Recycling
Traffic & Parking

Mrs. Swaim indicated she had written and presented a proposal to the Concessions Board for additional financial assistance for Family Fun Day on behalf of the Staff Council.  She also went into detail about the proposed lots and road closures across campus.

Mrs. Swaim then went over the current budget status.  The AU Board of Trustees accepted the recommendation of the Budget Committee with the understanding that the matter would be revisited once the State Education Budget had been finalized.  Of particular interest to staff members was the Budget Committee's recommendation for a 2% merit increase for staff members, plus an across the board increase of either 2% or $750, whichever is greater.  (Since only people earning $45,000+ will not benefit from the $750 minimum component, the staff members on the committee are very pleased by it.  Credit should be directed to Don Large and President Richardson.)

(Note:  Since the meeting, the proposed education budget has passed the state senate, but must clear additional hurdles before becoming final.)

Mrs. Swaim talked about how she and the Chair-elect (Tissie Walker) had attended the recent groundbreaking for the Swine Research & Education Complex and the dedication ceremony for the Stanley Wilson Beef Unit and Lambert Powell Meats Lab.  She encouraged everyone to visit this new facility.

An update was given on the Anonymous Reporting System, as it has reached the final set up stage.  Mrs. Swaim will be arranging for a demonstration of this system for the Staff Council.

Mrs. Swaim reported that an effort was afoot to raise parking permit fees again, and she vowed to encourage the Administration to not affect the staff rates.

Mrs. Swaim reviewed how representation was determined amount council members, using a power point presentation to demonstrate how areas were arranged geographically on campus.  Vic Walker, past chair, also indicated these areas were set up according to the Deans.  She also welcomed suggestions on how to best represent staff members located in remote areas that currently are not represented.  She also indicated she would like to meet with each representative and their respected groups.

A power point presentation was then given on council bylaws, as well as a discussion of representatives', steering members', and leadership members' duties.  For more information on committees, council news, and organization's bylaws, please visit links to other areas of this website.

Mrs. Swaim reminded those in attendance that Family Fun Day will be held May 19, 2005 from 3:00-5:30 on the President's lawn and encouraged people to volunteer.

A lively question and answer period took place before Mrs. Swaim welcomed suggestions for speakers at future meetings and mentioned some of the suggestions she'd already received.