University of Washington Tacoma Staff Association
Minutes from the February 19, 2004 General Meeting

The minutes from the January 15, 2004 general meeting were reviewed.

Sandi Carson distributed a draft of the upcoming “Communication Survey” and requested comments/suggestions.

Beckie Etheridge reported on the following, from the February 19 Directors Meeting:

• Campus coordination of scholarships was discussed.
• Lowering TOEFL scores to expand diversity was discussed.
• There will be a new e-mail policy in place, requiring faculty, staff, and students to use their UW e-mail address for all internal business. There have been numerous problems with non-UW addresses, including not receiving attachments.
• Interviews for a new chancellor should take place the beginning of September for possible appointment in January 2005.

Sandi Carson reported on the “Naming Committee” as follows:

• Committee meets when there is a naming opportunity.
• Gillenwater Plaza was the last site to be named.
• Buildings are most often named in recognition of folks who have made substantial contributions to the campus.
• Documents need to be completed and approved by the Naming Committee in Seattle, then the president’s office, and finally by Regents.

Bobbe Miller-Murray shared information regarding the Professional Staff Organization as follows:

• The Professional Staff Organization will be meeting at UWT on Tuesday, March 16, from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm, in the Tacoma Room.
• They would like to have professional staff meet with them and discuss their needs.
• Bobbe will forward minutes from the last PSO meeting.

Jamie Martin-Almy was appointed staff representative for the search committee for the new chancellor. A letter is being sent to President Huntsman requesting that an additional staff member be added to the committee as well.

A web site is under development, which will contain updated information on the chancellor search.

Leslie Anderson reported that the Distinguished Service Award will be presented at the Founder’s Day Event, tentatively scheduled for May 13, 2004. Other awards being presented at the event include, distinguished faculty, distinguished research, founders, and alumni.

The Staff Association is interested in inviting staff serving on the various UWT committees to come to the Staff Association and talk about the committee. Sandi Carson and Bobbe Miller-Murray were the first 2 reports.

Sandi Carson, Mentoring Chair, shared the following:

• Looking for volunteer mentors. Please contact Sandi Carson.
• Two mentors are assigned to one new employee. Ideally, the mentors should not be from the same department as the new employee.
• Mentors contact the new employee; they meet for coffee, and have a casual get-to-know you-type meeting.

The UWTSA Potluck lunch is on Wednesday, March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day), from 12:00-1:00, in the 3rd floor lunchroom of the Mattress Factory. Mentors will be introducing and talking a little about their new mentees.

Julie Buffington is looking for staff members to volunteer and assist her with the Professional Development Committee.