April Staff Forum Minutes

Staff Forum Minutes for April 8, 2010

Attendance: Teri Jackson, Bruce Weaver, Rose Hart, Sunny Caldwell, Connie Zang, Ann Donahue, Kyle Morgan, Mary Miller, Becky Smith, Derek Thatcher, Sherry Abbott, Howard Imhof, Tauni Graham, Norm Holmes, Marilyn Lees, Lisa Smith, Sue Bidwell, Jamie White, Charlene Ross, Mary Kay Yaus, Kathy Holmes, RJ Dannemiller, David I. Williams, Kendra Linkous, Charlene Santee, John Weaver, Tim Deaver, Ste Veyon, Jeff Crabtree, Mary Miller, Leslie Holler, Travis Patrick, Corri Edwards, Julie Ketner.

Welcome: Corri Edwards
• Jasmin Hennosy, Staff Forum Vice Chair, is not here today because she recently had her baby. We send her well wishes!
• Staff Forum officers apologized to any individuals from the academic labs that were left off of the agenda.

Monthly Hosts: OSU Math, Writing and Chemistry Labs, COTC Center for Academic Success, COTC Science Labs and OSU Education Curriculum Center
• OSU Science labs: Teri Jackson
o Please call if you have batteries, or hazardous materials. She can assist with disposal.
• COTC Center for Academic Success: Bruce Weaver
o Bruce reported that he recently made a transition from interim director for CRC and is now hired full time. The Center for Academic Success is located in Warner.
o CRC provides written and spoken communication support.
o Technology support is facilitated by Regina Williams
• OSU Newark math center: Rose Hart
o Located next to the Writer’s Studio on the second floor in the Warner Center.
o There are multiple individuals that staff the Math Center.
 Sudha Kolathu-Parambil is the program assistant and also teaches math courses.
 Rose stated that there are wonderful student assistants, too.
• OSU Writing lab: Sunny Caldwell
o Staff members are invited to use the witting lab for assistance with memos, manuscripts and other writing needs.
o Writing handbooks are available for you to have in your office.

New Business:
• Introduction of New Case Manager for Disability Services: Connie Zang
o The new Case Manager is R.J. Dannemiller
 R.J. to this campus from Terra Community College with experience in admissions and advising experience.
 R.J. will work with students and also with Access Plans that are viewed by faculty.
 Please welcome R.J. to the campus.
o Connie also noted that Student Life Activities Program Manager, Casey Ray, welcomed a new addition to his family, Parker Ryan Ray.
• OSU Campus Campaign: Kyle Morgan
o There are many posters around campus that have buttons on them. These are for the Campus Campaign.
o Pledge cards will be distributed soon.
o The Ohio State Campus Campaign is one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in the country. There are many funds available if you would like to donate to a specific cause.
o Kathy Millard and Barb Bruner founded a scholarship for Appalachia.
o There is a link to donate online.
• Child Development Center Special Announcements: Mary Miller
o Mary announced that the CDC is now taking reservations for the summer school-age program.
o There will be an open house on April 29th with the Mad Cap puppet theater.
 The puppet show is for ages preschool through twelve.
• “5” Digit Phone Extension: Becky Smith
o New phone directories were sent out on the first day of the quarter.
o The updated directories are also posted in the Phone Directory folder in the K drive.
o Becky reported that she is still regularly receiving phone calls from people who still have three digit extension contact information and therefore can’t get through.
o There are many places that 3 digit extensions are hiding:
 Family and friends
 Email signatures
 Course syllabi
 Business cards
 Printed material
 Voicemail messages- remember to change both internal and external
 Web sites- remember to change it on both OSU and COTC sites
 Phone postings near your phone
o Howard Imhof noted that ITS would help with this effort, especially with the web content.
o It was also noted that some of the public phones still have old extensions posted on them and will update them as they are found. Please notify either ITS or Becky about the phones.
• College Access & Reality Store: Ann Donahue
o College Access is about getting people to think about going to college that normally wouldn’t.
 Often times these are first generation college attendees.
o College Access is reaching out to families in the Newark City School district.
o CAN DO= COTC, A call for College, Newark City Schools, Denison, Ohio State Newark
 VISTA volunteers have been assisting with this initiative as well.
o Blueprint college is being coordinated by Ohio State Newark. It will bring parents onto the campus to inform them about the college process.
o COTC Aspire is part of the program as well.
o Reality Store= “The game of Life”. Teaches students about financial literacy. Hopefully it will teach students how important it is for them to do well in school. Role playing based on real demographics in the area.
 Volunteers are needed for Reality Store.
 Sunny Caldwell noted that it is valuable for staff members to be present and thus serve as role models.

Area Updates:
Career Services: Derek Thatcher
 March 30th, alumni from COTC serving in law enforcement shared their experience with current academy students.
o Derek thanked the Development office, Dr. Weinblatt, and Joy Padgett for assistance with this program
 Wednesday April 9, there was a program for students to gain experience with interviews.
o Bryanna Stigger, a student at COTC, gathered professionals in hiring roles at companies and there was a panel discussion where students could gain knowledge about the job process.
o Staff members also volunteered their time to assist with mock interviewing exercises for the students.
Human Resources: Sherry Abbott
• Employee updates (see end of minutes).
• Faculty and Staff Picnic is May 19th in the Martha Grace Reese Amphitheater. In the event of rain, it will be in Warner platform.
• Health Screenings are on April 28th.
• STRS workshop on April 8th
• Depression Management workshop will be April 28th in the Warner center from 11:30-12:30.
Information Technology Services: Howard Imhof
• Howard reported that ITS is aware of the slow speed of the Wireless internet around campus.
• ITS is trying to streamline the process of how students, faculty and staff access the wireless internet.
• Email distribution lists have been reworked. There is now a list for COTC staff, OSU staff and Cost shared staff.
o Howard noted that if you are sending an email to a lot of staff members, please put those names into the BCC field.
Library: Tauni Graham
• Scott and Molly Bates welcomed a new addition to their family, Rebekah Lynn Bates.
OSU Admissions and Advising: Kyle Morgan
 Many students are transitioning to the Columbus campus
 Jamie White noted that the OSU Graduation Celebration is Tuesday, May 18th in the Reese Center
Safety and Security: Norm Holmes
• There have been approximately 100 tickets written for individuals that have parked their cars in the grass.
• Rose Hart noted that last week she saw that a person was checking car doors to steal.
• Connie Zang noted that sometimes someone could be having a medical dilemma that would cause them to act strange and disoriented and that people should be conscious of this, too.
• Connie Zang asked why the flags were at half mast. Norm Holmes informed that it is because Ohio Chief Supreme Court Justice passed away.
Staff Development: Marilyn Lees
• There will be a food drive during Staff Appreciation Week.
• Request for nomination for Student Leadership Awards was sent April 7th. Nominations are due April 28.
Student Life: Marilyn Lees
 Request for nomination for Student Leadership Awards was sent April 7th.
Financial Aid: Lisa Smith
 Nancy Sheppard recently added a new member to her family, as well.
 Student Appreciation week is next week.
o Monday 11 am-1 pm open house lunch and gift bags.
o Monday through Thursday- opportunity to enter a drawing for door prizes.
o Tuesday Grab and Go breakfast
o Wednesday – Study break, popcorn and drinks
o Thursday from 11 am-1:00 pm is Game day
Services Center: Sue Bidwell
 Please remember to return the out of office envelopes. Don’t throw them away!

Open Session:

Trivia Question: Is there a swimming pool in the Action Plan for the renovation of Adena Hall?
Answer: True

Winners: Jamie White and Charlene Santee

Thanks to Student Life for providing the prizes!