Staff Advisory Committee

 

January 12, 2006

President’s Conference Room

 

 

Present:  Anderson , Buckner, Dedmon (presiding), Holley, Magdalena , Parker and Wassom

 

Others present:  President Bell, Tammy Reynolds for Sue Pogue, and Terri Watson

 

President’s Comments

 

President Bell welcomed members to the meeting.

 

Alumni Survey Results— Recent Tennessee Tech University graduates left college feeling better about their academic and social experience than many other graduates of universities in the state, according to a recent alumni survey.  Those alumni participating in the survey ranked their abilities to lead, define problems, learn on their own, and write and speak effectively higher on average than other survey respondents across the state and nation.  TTU alumni also ranked their ability to understand scientific principles and work in a group above the national average.  TTU received the maximum amount of points awarded by THEC for scoring an almost 92% success rate on the survey.  Success is demonstrated by scoring at or above the state or national norm and the institution’s prior performance.

 

President Bell expressed gratitude for all the efforts made by all the support staff members across campus in helping Tennessee Tech achieve this rating.

 

The University has now received $4.5 million of the targeted $6 million in funds for the STEM Center project.  Fund raising efforts in this area continue to be a priority until full funding for the Center is reached.

 

Solicitations for the Nursing building funds continue as the projected costs for the building has now grown from $13 million up to $22 million due to an increase in materials costs.  An anticipated construction start date has been set for July 2006 with a January 2008 projected occupancy date.

 

Searches are underway for two new vice presidents—Business & Fiscal Affairs and also University Advancement.  The interview process should be underway by early March with a July 1 start date for the new appointees.

 

Employees recently named Tech Ambassadors include:

 

November 2005—Brenda Taylor, Photographic Services

December 2005—James Mathis, Facilities & Business Services

January 2006—Christy Huddleston, Chemical Engineering

 

Recent retirements announced include:

 

David Viera—Foreign Languages, December 2005

Sue Jones—President’s Office, January 2006

John Coulter—Facilities & Business Services, January 2006

 

A new staff member has joined the President’s Office—Ms. Rita Reese filled the vacancy created by the recent retirement of Ms. Sue Jones.

 

Idea Box Suggestions/Comments

 

Suggestion:  I believe the University needs to start doing random “drug screens” on its employees.  I mean we sign the drug free workplace paper when we are hired and no drug screen is ever given.  I think employees who are found to be using drugs, whether they are narcotics, non-prescription or alcohol, etc., should be fired immediately without warning.

 

Signed—A concerned employee

 

Response from HR Director Sue Pogue:  At the present time, the TBR only allows us to screen individuals who have a CDL (Commercial Driver’s License).  The issue of random drug testing is under review by the TBR.

 

The meeting adjourned at 1:53 p.m.

 

 

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Last Updated: January 27, 2006
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