October 2024 Meeting Minutes and Handouts

Call to Order – Chad Willis, Chair

Item 1: Treasurer’s Report and FY 24-25 Budget – Natalie Davis, Treasurer

FY2025 Budget

Standing Budget Items

Staff Council voted on the 2024-2025 FY budget. Motion: Natalie Davis, second: Krystyn Fleischauer. Motion passed with majority vote (24).

Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Introduction – Brett Last, CHRO

Mr. Last shared insights from his meetings with university stakeholders, including Staff Council, as part of efforts to position TXST as an employer of choice. He outlined plans to assess employee engagement through a comprehensive survey, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right partner for this long-term project. To facilitate this, Human Resources will create a detailed project plan and form a committee to assist in the partner selection process.

In discussing past initiatives, Mr. Last stressed the need to respect historical efforts while also seeking improvements. He acknowledged previous work aimed at reducing administrative burdens and recognized the necessity of simplifying processes. He noted that while change may appear slow, it is crucial to implement it thoughtfully to avoid chaos.

Mr. Last also highlighted his motivation for joining TXST, which was rooted in the strategic focus on employee relations. He pointed out that he arrived after the university had completed a pay study and that efforts are now underway to implement compensation changes. He noted that communication regarding the pay plans would be forthcoming in the next few months. 

Item 2: Homecoming Week – Angelica Rodriguez, Coordinator for Marketing and Communications, Student Involvement and Engagement

Homecoming Week is November 11-16, 2024. Staff can get involved with the following events:

Item 3: Tip of the Month: Bobcat Discounts – Samantha Williams, Vice-Chair

As TXST employees, you have access to a variety of discounts via the Beneplace website. This includes travel and tickets, insurance, shopping, and more!  

Check out the “TXST Specials” tab for a list of local discounts to campus. If you are aware of a business that offers discounts to TXST employees, you can submit a form through Beneplace support to get this information listed on the website.  

In addition to Beneplace, a local shop called Barefoot Campus Outfitters provides a 10% discount when you shop in-store. This is the perfect opportunity to stock up on TXST gear for you and your loved ones.  It’s a great day to be a Bobcat!  

Item 4: Staff Shout-Outs – Hana Fuller, Secretary 

  • Rose Trevino, Well-Being Program Manager, Human Resources
  • Selma Selvera, Benefits Manager, Human Resources
  • Eaton Saylor, Lighting Supervisor, College of Fine Arts and Communication
  • Candice Mongellow, Operations Manager for Performing Arts, College of Fine Arts and Communication
  • Evy Gonzales, Director of Research Support Services, Division of Research
  • Duncan Selby, Research Coordinator, COE Research Office
  • Crystal Anderson, Senior Proposal Coordinator, Sponsored Programs

Item 5: Staff Concerns – Krystyn Fleischauer, Parliamentarian

Check the status of submitted Staff Concerns

Item 6: Committee Updates for AY 2024-2025

  • Goal 1: Parking, Joshua Lopez
    • Researching staff concerns regarding parking. Currently working to identify hard to read, faded parking signage. Please email pictures to Josh Lopez - josh.lopez@txstate.edu.  
  • Goal 2: Employee Benefits and Accessibility, Stephanie Daniels
    • Reviewing staff survey questions related to accessibility needs. Examining the ease of finding employee benefit information on the TXST website. 
  • Goal 3: Leave/Time Off, Kathy Weiser
    • Wanting to gauge staff understanding of flexible work policies. Researching why institutions of higher education were excluded from paid parental leave for state employees. Benchmarking parental leave and reaching out to other state of Texas Staff Councils. 
  • Marketing, Events, and Fundraising, Hana Fuller 
    • We raised $2,260 in the fall fundraiser! Thank you to all who participated. We are brainstorming t-shirt and sticker designs for TXST faculty and also seeking recommendations for a profit share over the summer. 
  • Council Effectiveness, Krystyn Fleischauer
    • Please send any bylaw amendments for consideration to staffcouncil@txstate.edu by Monday, October 21. Also notify the committee if you would like to send out a survey to compare with other council efforts and ensure proper survey procedures are followed. 
  • UPPS, Brandi Martinez
    • No updates.
  • Elections, Scholarships, and Awards, Amy Aguirre 
    • Working to give out final certificate from awards ceremony in September. 
  • Compensation and Benefits, Joshua Lopez
    • Looking into faculty/staff sporting tickets and employee meal plans. The employee meal plan now includes the Den as well. 

Check-In with Dr. Damphousse – Dr. Kelly Damphousse, President

Dr. Damphousse shared that he met with an alumnus yesterday who runs a leadership blog focused on his leadership style. When asked how he manages a large organization, he highlighted the importance of transparency and shared governance. He emphasized his commitment to making employees feel valued, which is one reason he hosts "Coffee with Kelly" to promote open dialogue. He also mentioned that several university initiatives, such as the dependent tuition program, have resulted from staff bringing their ideas to him.

Questions sent in advance:

  • Does TXST plan to request any items during the upcoming legislative session? If so, can you provide us with some insight on them? 
    The Legislature has a biannual budget process. TXST is preparing to testify for new budgets and should have the new budget at the end of spring. TXST is requesting the following from the legislature:
  1. Accept the recommendation from the coordinating board on funding. 
  2. Full funding from TUFF since we are currently receiving half of a share. Although TUFF money must be spent on research, this has a trickle-down effect allowing us to reallocate university funds. 
  3. Another high priority is to align funding with other state institutions by requesting an additional $25 million (requested last year and did not receive). 
  4. Requesting support for the Round Rock campus; while we have seen growth, still behind peak enrollment. 
  5. $4 million for Student Success Center. 
  6. $4 million for pedestrian overpass on Bobcat Trail over Comanche. 
  7. $5.5 million for Texas School Safety Center.
  8. $25 million to build out the ALERTT Center. Federal government owns the desired land, in the last stages of acquiring the land and will have 75 acres to build. 
  • Are you able to provide us with an updated status on the administrative burdens and task force? 
    Administrative burdens work was parsed out to Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs, IT, and FSS. Dr. Damphousse recommended asking the VPs to present/give updates in the spring semester. 
  • What additional staff resources are being added to support the expanded programs at Round Rock? 
    As previously mentioned, TXST is requesting additional funding from the legislature. While enrollment is below previous peak, Dr. Damphousse is anticipating growth in the coming academic years. He is working with Dr. Lessiter on a staffing plan. Round Rock is hiring a Student Success Academic Advisor for the Round Rock campus and seeking resident faculty members. Recommended reviewing the TXST master plan. 
  • What additional offices will be added to the essential offices' list now that we will have a winter-mester?
    These semesters will be called Winter Session and Maymester. Both will be online three-week sessions. The university will assess the need for essential offices, not anticipating a significant increase in essential offices list but will follow up with the cabinet. 
  • What is your favorite song?
    Big Tom Petty fan. Favorite song is Amarillo by Morning by George Strait. When preparing for college, someone gave him a tape with this song and it helped him persevere to Texas. 
  • What is your favorite meal to eat during the fall months?  
    Pad Thai is my favorite meal at all times! Beth makes Santa Fe soup that I enjoy in the fall.

Chat questions:

  • Will there be a staff appreciation football game?
    Dr. Lisa Lloyd: Faculty/Staff night will be against University of Louisiana (or better known as the Ragin' Cajuns) on Oct. 29. Gametime is 6:30 p.m.
  • What are your plans for addressing any Administrative Burdens that staff feel have not been relieved, but have instead just been shifted to another office to be a burden on them instead?
    Recommend reaching out to your divisional VP. 
  • Hiring is still very difficult.
    From Brett Last, CHRO: Alicia Barthel and I met last week to begin the process of further simplifying the hiring process.  More to come!

Item 7: Announcements – Chad Willis, Chair 

Closed Session 

Staff Council members only.

Adjournment – Chad Willis, Chair

Motion: Chad Willis, Second: Samantha Williams.