January 2025 Meeting Minutes and Handouts

Call to Order – Chad Willis, Chair 

Item 1: Treasurer’s Report – Natalie Davis, Treasurer and Abigail Miller, Treasurer-Elect

See attached report.

Item 2: Staff Shout-Outs – Hana Fuller, Secretary  

  • Christopher Nelson, Program Analyst II, Mobile/Web Systems
  • Cody North, Sr. Program Analyst, Mobile/Web Systems
  • Radha Sreedharane, Program Analyst II, Mobile/Web Systems
  • Iza Martinez, Program Specialist, Institutional Compliance
  • Gina Sanchez, Custodian, Custodial Operations

Item 3: Bobcat Employee T-Shirts Available for Pre-Order – Hana Fuller, Chair, Marketing, Events, and Fundraising 

Staff Council has created a special t-shirt exclusively for full-time TXST employees. This initiative aims to recognize the dedication and efforts of our staff and faculty, while also fostering a sense of community among TXST employees. T-shirts will be available for pre-order from January 14 to February 4, 2025. Funds raised will be used to purchase the shirts in February, with pickup expected in early March. T-shirts must be picked up on either the San Marcos or Round Rock campus.

Item 4: Tip of the Month: Tax Season Resources – Samantha Williams, Vice-Chair 

Tax season officially kicks off January 27, so we wanted to provide you with some resources that may be beneficial!  

  • Go paperless and opt for an electronic W-2 this year. You can make this change within the SAP portal. Please note that you are encouraged to opt in by Friday, January 17.  
  • Check out the TXST Employee Discount Program, Beneplace, for discounts for Turbo Tax and H&R Block!  
  • The IRS provides free services to eligible taxpayers within TX. Check out their website for more information: IRS Free File Program  
  • February 10 – March 26, McCoy Accounting department will offer a clinic (partners with IRS--VITA program) on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-3pm in MCOY 431. Dr. Chris Proschko is the contact.

Item 5: Workplace Policy Education Survey Available through January 26 – Kathy Weiser, Chair, Goal 3: Leave/Time Off

On January 13, Staff Council sent an email to all full-time Texas State staff inviting them to participate in a survey regarding the General Workplace Policy and Work Arrangements. The survey, which is anonymous and should take no more than five minutes to complete, will remain open until January 26, 2025.

The purpose of the survey is to gather insights into staff knowledge of the General Workplace Policy and their use of alternative or flexible work arrangements. The results will be shared with university stakeholders, with the intention of improving communication and training materials related to these policies.

The goal is to increase awareness and understanding of work arrangements and to enhance overall job satisfaction for staff members at Texas State University.

For any questions, contact Staff Council at staffcouncil@txstate.edu.

Item 6: Staff Concerns – Krystyn Fleischauer, Parliamentarian 

Check the status of submitted Staff Concerns 

Item 7: Staff Council Scholarship Application – Amy Aguirre, Chair, Elections, Scholarships, and Awards Committee

Staff Council Scholarship applications are open now through January 31! There are two scholarship opportunities, Miguel Hernandez Staff Council Undergraduate Scholarship and Frances Padilla Estavillo and Theadocia Hodges Richey Staff Endowed Scholarship. See the Staff Council website for eligibility criteria and BOSS to apply. 

Campus Recreation, Expanded Membership Benefits – Jason Vlastaras, Director, Campus Recreation and Kristy Caldwell, Associate Director, Campus Recreation

See attached presentation.

Group fitness classes and rock-climbing wall are now included in your membership! New employees will receive a free 30-day trial to the Student Recreation Center. Membership gives access to both campuses. 

Recommend visiting the SRC to see all the changes! Updates to flooring and equipment. Lobby has video games for use before/after/in between workouts. 

Q: What is the cost for CPR/First-Aid courses through Campus Rec and how long is the class?

A: See more information on each class on the SRC website. 

Q: Does anyone happen to know, if you sign up for wellness program, can we go to the rec for wellness or does it have to be a wellness class?

A: As a TXST Bobcat employee, you are also a WellCats member.  Campus Recreation is a partner with WellCats and our information is listed under "Other Benefits".

Q: Please repeat the HR subsidy cost versus the $105

A: Staff semester membership is $105. HR subsidy is $25. So, out of pocket expense is $80 for the semester. Register on our website through our portal or payroll deduction process. (Can also use payroll deduction for additional household memberships.) (There is a limit of memberships that can receive the subsidy, however there is plenty of space at this time. Subsidy is only for the faculty or staff member.)

Q: When will the main entry way for SRC become available?

A: It may be up to 8 weeks.

Q: Does a young child need membership to take swim lessons?  Or just the accompanying adult?

A: Neither needs a membership; however, the parent does need to stay in the SRC during class. 

Q: Do you know if there will be swim lessons offered in the summer?

A: Yes, both a June session and July session. Pre-school, youth, and adult lessons. One-on-one lessons are available as well.

Q: Can you tell me the hours of the shake shop?

A: Shakesmart website. Monday-Thursday: 7am-10pm; Friday: 7am-8pm; Saturday & Sunday: 1pm-8pm.

Q: Are saunas available at the rec center, or just lap pools?

A: One lap pool and one leisure pool (water volleyball, bubble bench, can stand all the way across the poo)l. No saunas at this time.

Item 8: Committee Updates for AY 2024-2025 

  • Goal 1: Parking, Joshua Lopez – Send any signage concerns to staffcouncil@txstate.edu or josh.lopez@txstate.edu.
  • Goal 2: Employee Benefits and Accessibility, Stephanie Daniels – Accessible pathways of the campus map have been updated. If you have feedback, including an incorrect listing or additional path, please email staffcouncil@txstate.edu.
  • Goal 3: Leave/Time Off, Kathy Weiser – Updates shared earlier in agenda.
  • Marketing, Events, and Fundraising, Hana Fuller – Updates shared earlier in agenda.
  • Council Effectiveness, Krystyn Fleischauer – The committee is drafting verbiage for the operating procedures related to sending surveys. Staff Council committee chairs need to review their committee operating procedures, updates are due to Council Effectiveness (email staffcouncil@txstate.edu) by April 1. The internal Staff Council survey is complete and will be reviewed in the closed session. The committee is still reviewing whether to add a divisional component to Staff Council membership.
  • UPPS, Brandi Martinez – No updates.
  • Elections, Scholarships, and Awards, Jade Figueroa – Updates shared earlier in agenda.
  • Compensation and Benefits, Leslie Burgess – No updates.

AI in the Workplace – Dr. Kimberly Conner, IT Projects Coordinator, VP for Information Technology

All TXST employees have access to Co-Pilot, Microsoft’s AI chatbot, and Staff TXST AI resources. Over the summer, IT is planning to create modules and host trainings on how AI can be used to enhance productivity. Login to Co-Pilot using SSO. Staff can request the enhanced license by emailing kconner@txstate.edu. 

Staff can ask AI to create reports, templates, assist with emails, and more! Reach out for insight on how to improve workflow with AI – just know what problem you need solved, and Dr. Conner can assist with how to incorporate AI.

Q: What are the environmental impacts of us using CoPilot AI? I would appreciate the environmental impact being included in any future resources and training modules so that we can better understand those aspects!

A: AI has significant impact on the environment. Dr. Conner is not an expert on this, but the university has employees that are. Staff are encouraged to research the effects and make an informed decision. 

Item 9: Announcements – Chad Willis, Chair  

Closed Session  

Staff Council members only.

Adjournment – Chad Willis, Chair 

Motion: Krystyn Fleischauer, second: Abigail Miller.