In attendance: Alex Hegg, Maria Rase, Kristen Salsbury, Michelle Medal, Anne Beard, James Salman, Kayla Spence, Angela Schmitt
Staff Social Event – Approximately 18 staff attended and seemed to enjoy the event, which cost about $450. A similar event may be planned for spring.
Professional Development Funds – After being told earlier in the semester that staff professional development awards could not be directly applied to course fees for staff, follow up conversations and meetings occurred. A representative from CLAS Finance participated in those conversations and reported to the council that the university’s stance has not changed. The university said that the only way to pay for tuition for staff is via the TAB program and, generally, course fees for staff cannot be paid with university funds. There was discussion of whether it would be allowed to use professional development awards to pay for course materials, or to reimburse staff who had personally paid for such materials. It also was asked whether council members were eligible for CLAS professional development awards. It was advised that the application process be well advertised and transparent and that perhaps awards to council members should take place after awards to non-council members had been made.
The council recapped that, in 2022, 14 applications were received, 2 were deemed ineligible and 12 were funded in amounts from $80-$250. Three awards were given for course fees. No applications were denied due to lack of funds and every eligible application was approved.
Gift Cards for Staff Recognition – Follow up was made on the status of gift card approvals for last week’s event.
Staff Shout Out Form on Website – There was discussion of the program’s title and follow up will happen on approval and methods for award disbursement.
Other/New Business – This afternoon the Dean will meet with the Executive Committee on the budget. We were asked to convey to the Dean the importance that no budget actions affect staff.
The CLAS DEI committee is looking for a representative from staff. That committee is also asking if a staff DEI award for staff should be created.