April 2024 Meeting Minutes and Handouts

Call to Order – Chad Willis, Vice Chair

TXST Energy Conservation Day Q&A – Andee Chamberlain, Sr. Program Specialist, Utility Operations 

See attached presentation. 

Attendee Questions:

• Are there any energy conservation stats since remote work became more prevalent?
  Didn’t see a large reduction in energy usage during the COVID-19 pandemic because campus was primarily operating as usual. Due to limits of the meters, can’t get granular data.
• Can you break down energy used by building floors?
  Depends on the equipment installed in the building. Some areas/buildings can be monitored by zones. 
• Does the university have plans to implement solar or battery arrays?\
  Not at the moment but there is a discussion in the new master plan. Looking into costs and return on investment. Solar is challenging to implement and won’t cover all university utility use but sets a good example in the Run to R1.
• Is there a significant difference in energy usage between ECDs and when the university is officially *closed* for winter break? (aka, is there a bigger reduction in energy usage when almost no one is on campus vs ECDs)
  No, this is because energy conservation days operate the same as university closure days. Don’t want to drop setbacks lower because it is hard to bring the buildings back to standard.
• Is this data being shared and utilized in other areas and conversations on campus? I think this would be valuable data to consider for topics like remote work and increasing staff opportunities to earn comp hours.
  Students have reached out and are using the data for research projects. Presentation is being shared with university stakeholders. 
• Has there been a study on older building that don't have energy efficiency windows, etc.?
  The historical buildings use more energy; however, unsure of independent studies on the historical buildings. 
• If we are in a building not on that list, who should we reach out to, to make sure our building participates?
  Reach out to Andee Chamberlain: andee.chamberlain@txstate.edu. 

Attendee Comments:

• It may be speculation on my part, but I do think some of the reason that non-essential offices may be operating to some capacity is due to the fact staff need to use their time off in order to utilize these days.

Treasurer’s Report – Natalie Davis, Treasurer

See tables below for report. 

Staff Council funding breakdown

Definitions/Explanations: 

• Restricted Use funds (4*) – Money with a specific purpose.  Cannot be used for any other activity. 
• Funds Movements - Funds cannot be transferred between accounts/cost centers with different starting digits. Corrections can be made when an incorrect account is used but money cannot be permanently transferred between the funds. 
• Fiscal Year – Account year that runs from September 1^st to August 31^st. 

Staff Council has four accounts for its use.  The accounts are: 

1. Staff Council M&O - Cost Center 1011500000, Fund 20000110XX 
   1. This account receives $1,220.00 per year from the President’s Office 
   2. The purpose of this fund is to pay for staff council operating expenses, such as name tags, brochures, paper, A/V costs, meeting room rentals, and food for orientation meetings. 
   3. Money left over in this account can be rolled over to the following year and is notated as ‘YEBB – Year End Budget Balance Carryforward” in ZBUDACT. 
2. Staff Council Fundraising – Cost Center 1011500000, Fund 2028001000 
   1. This account is funded solely from FUNDRAISING activities.  No money is received as an appropriation form the President’s Office or as an endowment. 
   2. The purpose of this fund is to pay the yearly Staff Council Awards and to cover fundraising activities of the Staff Council.  Any expenditure that can be justified or tied to a fundraising activity/purchase is an allowable expense. The awards are: 
      1.  Angelika Lester Wahl Staff Diversity Enrichment Award (discontinued for FY 2024) 
      2.  Earl L Moseley, Jr Staff Community Service Award ($200) 
      3.  Deborah & James Mathews Excellence in Collaboration/Outreach Award ($200) 
      4.  Rodrigo Rodriguez – Outstanding Service/Skilled Worker Award ($200) 
      5.  Dr. Lawrence Estaville Employee Excellence Award ($300) 
   3. Money leftover in this account rolls to the following Fiscal Year automatically. 
3. Staff Council Excellence – Cost Center 1011500000, Fund 4203001000 
   1. This account is a Restricted Use fund. 
   2. This fund can only receive DONATIONS or REVENUE AUGMENTING from Endowments 
   3. The purpose of this fund is for staff council scholarships.  The money in this account can only be used to fund those scholarships, no other expenses are allowed. The scholarships are: 
      1.  Miguel Hernandez Undergraduate Scholarship ($600 per long semester, $1,200 per academic year) 
      2.  Frances Padilla Estavillo & Theadocia Hodges Richey Staff Council Scholarship (Endowed) ($600 per long semester, $1,200 per academic year) 
   4. Money left over in this account is rolled over to the following year. 
4. Staff Council Scholarship – Cost Center 1011500000, Fund 4200601000 
   1. Prior to 04/2021 the name of this account was Staff Council Awards established by Dr. Estaville with the intention of funding scholarship. This account is a Restricted Use fund.  The fund was initiated as an endowment and is augmented with revenue as the endowment grows. 
   2. This fund will eventually be replaced by the Staff Council Excellence Fund once we spend it down. 
   3. The purpose of this fund is for staff council scholarships.  The money in this account can only be used to fund those scholarships, no other expenses are allowed. The scholarships are: 
      1.  Miguel Hernandez Undergraduate Scholarship ($600 per long semester, $1,200 per academic year) 
      2.  Frances Padilla Estavillo & Theadocia Hodges Richey Staff Council Scholarship (Endowed) ($600 per long semester, $1,200 per academic year) 
   4. Money left over in this account is rolled over to the following year. 

Red Parking Permit Raffle – Hana Fuller, Chair, Marketing, Events, and Fundraising

Staff Council’s annual Red Parking Permit raffle is happening now through May 13, 2024! Purchase a raffle ticket for the chance to win a 2024-2025 TXST Red Restricted Parking Permit. This year we will have FIVE lucky winners. All red-permit eligible employees can participate in the raffle. Ticket prices are 1 for $5 or 3 for $10. All money raised is used to fund staff scholarships, awards, and initiatives.

Thank you to the Office of the President, Academic Affairs, TXST Global, the Nontenure Line Faculty Committee, and ITAC for sponsoring this year's fundraiser. Because of their generosity, all funds raised will go directly to Staff Council and staff initiatives. We are very grateful for their support!

Staff Shout-Outs – Hana Fuller, Secretary

• Dr. Olga Gerhart, Strategic Research Initiatives Specialist, Division of Research 

Committee Updates 

Elections, Awards, and Scholarships – Chad Willis, Committee Chair 

• AY 24-25 Scholarship winners:
  • Miguel Hernandez Staff Council Undergraduate Scholarship – Reyes Angela Stowe
  • Frances Padilla Estavillo and Theadocia Hodges Richey Graduate Scholarship – Mariah Gutierrez 
• Award nominations opened April 1 and close April 30. Submit your nominations now! 

Search committee for Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) – Hana Fuller, Secretary 

• Krystyn Fleischauer will represent Staff Council on the committee. Updates will be provided throughout the search process, as allowable. 

Staff Concerns – Hana Fuller, Secretary

Check the status of submitted Staff Concerns

Tip of the Month – Stephanie Daniels, Chair, Goal 2: Employee Benefits and Accessibility 

1. Brand guidelines color grids. Do you or your department create social media graphics or PowerPoint slide decks? If so, we have some helpful information for your next creation. MarComm provides Bobcat employees with the ability to create color combinations in digital content that meet the accessibility requirements.  
2. Texas State employee enrichment programs  It’s a great day to be a Bobcat, and even more special if you are a Bobcat employee!   Bobcat employees have a variety of programs available to enhance their career, prioritize their well-being, and more. Check out the overview of opportunities for more information.  

Announcements – Chad Willis, Vice-Chair

1. UPPS 01.04.46 – Published UPPS based on SB17. Prohibited Initiatives, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
2. Development Day on May 20.
3. Kudos and Karaoke on May 21. All staff will be invited and encouraged to attend all portions of the event. The event will begin with an Awards celebration followed by a social and karaoke. Refreshments are included. Will also kick off the 125^th anniversary celebration. Coordinating transportation for Round Rock campus. More information to come via email later this month. 
   1. Staff members who were identified as eligible for staff service awards this year should have received an email last week to confirm their name for their certificate and their department address where they receive campus mail. Staff members celebrating five years of service were added to this year’s recognition. If you did not receive this email and think you should be eligible for recognition this year, please contact hrawards@txstate.edu. General questions about the event may be directed to rsvp@txstate.edu.

Closed Session

Goal 3 drafted a letter to Human Resources requesting updates to the Holiday Schedule website that will list Energy Conservation Days separately. Staff Council hopes this will clarify the purpose of Energy Conservation Days.

Motion: Leslie Burgess, second: Natalie Davis. Approved by Council.