SGA has posted a poll on the tobacco use policy issue and is welcoming staff, faculty, and students to participate. Click here to respond to the poll.

SGA is also hosting a discussion panel on Monday, October 5, 2009 @ 1:00PM in the PSU Theatre. The entire campus community is encouraged to attend.

The Office of Public Affairs Support is now accepting applications for the Public Affairs Grant Program. Applications are being requested for programs that will occur during the Spring 2010 semester. Deadline for applications is Friday, October 30, 2009. The Public Affairs Grant Program provides financial support to faculty, staff and student organizations and groups to sponsor events for the campus community that are consistent with Missouri State University’s public affairs mission. These are events that provide opportunities for dialog that encourage faculty, staff, and students to explore topics of public concern. Interdisciplinary and collaborative proposals are especially encouraged. The primary audience for these events is the campus community, but community participation with facilty, staff and students is welcome. Application and proposal guidelines can be found at here. For questions, contact Mary Ann Wood, Director of Public Affairs Support.

The first Staff Senate Street Clean will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2009 from 8:30AM to 10:30AM. If you are interested in participating in this clean or future cleans, please contact Tabitha Haynes at 6-4192 or by email at tabithahaynes@missouristate.edu for a release form. Remember, you do not have to be a staff member to participate – students, faculty and family members are welcome to join us!

Sustainability has become an important aspect in our lives. We are encouraged to recycle more and purchase materials and equipment that is considered earth-friendly. MSU has been developing a sustainability web page as a resource for students, faculty and staff. On the page, you will find sustainability news from around campus, information about what sustainability is and how to become more involved both at home and at work, and information about recycling on campus. Materials like toner cartridges, batteries and electronic waste (broken electrical devices) can be recycled by clicking on the Recycling Submittal Form at the bottom of the Sustainability home page.

Submitted by Jeff Brown-Environmental Management

As one of our public affairs efforts, Staff Senate is participating in the Adopt-A-Street Program through the City of Springfield. Our location is Cherry Street from National  to Glenstone and will be marked with signs that read “Missouri State University Staff Senate” at the beginning and end of the location. All participants must sign a release form that has to be submitted to the Adopt-A-Street Coordinator prior to their first street clean. If you are interested in participating, contact Tabitha Haynes, Staff Senate Public Affairs Committee Chair at 6-4192 or tabithahaynes@missouristate.edu for more information and a release form. We are encouraging all members of the campus community to get involved.

Bells, Bluegrass & BBQ is the theme for this year’s Ozarks Celebration Festival. Barb Jones is looking for volunteers to help with this event on September 12 & 13, 2009. Volunteers will be needed on Friday and Saturday to help vendors unload and set up booths, help at the information booth, pass out programs, sell t-shirts, and give breaks to the vendors, just to name a few.

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Barb Jones at 6-6605 or barbarajones@missouristate.edu by August 5th.

The next Staff Senate meeting is August 5, 2009, 1:30PM, in PSU 313. The August meeting agenda has been posted.

See you then!

Welcome to the Staff Senate blog! Check back frequently as all Staff Senate events and news will be posted here, as well as other events and news from campus that may be of interest to staff.

Staff Senate meetings are on the first Thursday of each month (unless rescheduled due to holidays) at 1:30PM in Plaster Student Union, 313. I would like to point out the “Meeting Calendar” tab at the top of the page where all meeting dates are listed. All staff members are invited to Staff Senate meetings and encouraged to participate in discussion and on committees.

I also want to mention that Staff Senate is now on Facebook (Missouri State University Staff Senate) and Twitter (msustaffsenate). You can keep up with Staff Senate news and events on these venues as well.

If you have information you would like to share through any of our web communication venues, please email it to staffsenate@missouristate.edu. All submissions will be reviewed for appropriateness.