The University of Kansas Libraries

KU Libraries Support Staff

KULSS Executive Meeting
Thursday, February 18, 11:00-12:00
Music & Dance

Present: Julie Warrick (chair), Nancy Hawkins (vice-chair), Kristin Zachrel (secretary), Kyle Sederstrom (Group 1), Adam Reilly (Group 2), Sheila Orth (Group 3), Meredith Huff (Group 4)

Absent: none

Previous Meeting's Action Items

Spring Mini Conference

Possible names for the conference:
-Communication as a Last Resort
-Communication will Drive out the Snakes
-Mini-Unconference
-Communication in the Digital Age
-Communication in the Modern Era
- Mini-Mini Conference
-Super Terrific Awesome Half-Day Mini Conference
-St. Patrick Conference...Again
-When Email Isn't Enough
-TECHNOLOGY (Teaching Eccentric Co-Workers How Non-Communication Offers Less Ogres Grumbling Yawns)
-Food, Fun, and Facebook
-Technology, Treats, and Talking
-Communication Conference

Tech-related communication theme may not fall in line with Tracy's presentation - Nancy is trying to get a hold of Tracy.

Food:
-Mini muffins
-Fruit tray
-Bagels & cream cheese (try to get mini bagels and we'll have a mini theme)
-Coffee, tea, water

Advertising the Conference:
- Is anyone coming to this? We need to be more proactive with the invitations.
-Food, Friends, Fun and More...and Possibly Prizes
-Emphasize FREE food, the presenters (Tami, Sarah, Tracy), and subject (Web 2.0: social networking, Skype, Google Buzz, Twitter, Facebook, news aggregators such as Digg, Google Reader)

Misc.
-Maybe we can check out some e-readers so people can handle them and possibly compare them (Kindle vs Sony e-reader vs Daily Editions vs Nook, etc.) These are offered in the libraries but what is available on them through the libraries?
-We're no longer doing the Outlook refresher - It's available through desk-side coaching.
-We seem to be leaning more toward technology.
-We could have a Centron film of the 1950's on the subject of technology - a clip from old technology - maybe get Sarah to put a video together of technology through the ages (something amusing to play at the start of the conference)
-Find a quiz to pass out (What kind of communicator are you?) - Mike might have some ideas about this.
-Have a pot of "gold"
-Green theme
-Answering phones (How has phone communication changed now that we can see who's calling beforehand?)
-Maybe have a doorprize at the end

Committee Reports

Support Staff Senate:
-US Calendar Committee submitted 2 options for KU's calendar, adjusting it based on the new reduced instruction days (146, down from 150) mandated by the Board of Regents. SenEx voted on the simplest option:
      -73 days in both Fall and Spring
      -Fall grades due by 12/24
      -Spring semester starts after MLK, Jr Day
      -Stop Day in both semesters
      -Fall break moved to Monday & Tuesday to balance out numbers of MWF classes
      -Longer Winter break
-US committees & task forces are meeting; reports are expected on time.
-Seeing if Board of Regents can grant tuition waivers to faculty, staff, and their spouses and children.
-Provost search committee invited 3 candidates to the campus for interviews. SenEx will meet with each candidate (Feb. 22, Mar. 1, and Mar. 4).
-The Open Access Policy was passed in the Faculty Senate & the Research Committee asked for an extension to complete its charges.
-Students were at the Capitol in Topeka to support funding for higher education.
-Student Senate reviewing exemptions for travel funds for some student groups.
-Planning & Resources Committee Charge: need clarification on charge of monitoring & reporting on administrative budgets. When meetings are called, committee members are asked to report back on any oddities or changes from standard budget decisions.
-Discussed how SenEx could set up interviews for Provost candidates and what some of the questions might be.
-Not enough time for Faculty Senate to complete its business by 5pm; most of the time used by University Senate. Discussed starting earlier than 3:30, staying later, having Faculty Senate meet at another time. Decided to be more efficient about the time the University Senate uses.

University Committee on Libraries:
-New phased retirement policy has been approved.
-Student engagement survey sent to University freshmen and seniors.
-Chancellor's official inaugural ceremony is April 11th, 2pm, at the Lied Center.
-University Senate will be asked to support 2 resolutions: KS Board of Regents statement regarding the value of higher education & the Chancellor's letter to the superintendant of USD 497 that appeared in the Lawrence Journal World.
-Unclassified Senate is preparing for their elections & conducting a survey to inform the agenda for next year's Senate work. They also reviewed the University's new phased retirement policy & new evaluation procedures for unclassified staff.
-University Support Staff preparing for elections. When revisions of the University Support Staff handbook are complete with its ties to the University's policy library, they hope to review & track changes. USS will return to the Capitol on March 9th with classified staff from other Regents universities to support funding for higher education. Continuing work on the lactation policy.
-Sara Rosen , Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies, shared issues & concerns about post-comprehensive enrollment & what steps could be taken to ameliorate the situations.

Meeting Updates

Management Council (2/17):
-The Dean reports there will be no longevity cuts.
-Discussed the Operational Plan.
-Discussed stabilizing positions at the Spencer Research Library.

Action Items for Next Meeting

Next Meeting: March 4, 11:00-12:00 at Watson 503B