Jane Bedard, Jan Bureau, Carol Carpentier, Nancy Crosby, Paul Dumais, Jeannine Ferron, Jane Frizzell, Elaine Hansen, Christopher Lee, David Long, Keith Pray, Mary Risko, Carol Wyse Ricker, Anthony Shostak, and Keith Tannenbaum

Brenda Hammond and Eileen Wisnewski

• The President began the meeting by reassuring us that she wasn't moving to Portland, contrary to recent rumors.  She then explained to us that SERG (Senior Emergency Response Group) is working on the College web site which was formed, and utilized in the past, to inform the campus community of the procedures and precautions to be used in case of an emergency -- whether it be the threat of war, severe weather, or any other situation that demands the attention and/or direction of a Senior Staff  group like SERG.

• The Committee then turned their discussion to the Employee Recognition Luncheon.  We discussed possible entertainment options and the program format.  Any ideas or suggestions were asked to be brought to the April 2 luncheon meeting of the Employee Recognition Luncheon Planning Committee.

• The President then informed us that several students have approached her with a request for a student sponsored staff appreciation day.  Apparently there is a large population of students who feel that the staff are, at times, either neglected or taken advantage of by students; therefore, the students would like to find a way to show the staff that they really do respect and appreciate all that they do for them.  The students are looking for ideas and suggestions on what could be done.  The students were afforded the opportunity to show their appreciation at the Employee Recognition Luncheon; however, they determined that this event was occurring during break and would therefore not be convenient.  The Committee suggested that the students contact members of the Advisory Committee for input and suggestions on implementing such a function.  The Committee feels that this gesture is very admirable and would like to assist the students.  Any suggestions for such a function could be left in the suggestion boxes around campus or forwarded to any Committee member.

• The President then updated the Committee on her traveling schedule and on her dorm meetings.  She stated that in April and May she will be off-campus for several days attending many alumni and admissions functions.  Several of these meetings had been postponed in February due to winter storms.  Last week she met with 100 Bates alumni at a San Francisco function where she met many interesting and committee Bates alumni.  This week she will be going to Boston to meet with parents and/or alumni.  She reported that her dorm visits have proved to be quite interesting -- stating that each dorm portrays its own personality which students inform her can range dramatically from year-to-year; overall, the meetings have gone very well.  There seems to be one common complaint that has emerged from these visits -- that the sinks with 2 separate faucets do not mix hot and cold water together, and that the automatic on/off faucets are frustrating (and leak).

• There were 2 suggestion box letters that were read to the Committee and were then determined to be personal matters and forwarded to Human Resources.

• A letter in the suggestion box asked the Committee "What could be done about employees bringing their pets to work?"  They stated that an office environment is no place for animals to be all day and that there are some people who do not feel comfortable around dogs and they should not have to be subject to them all day at work.  This question is frequently raised and there is seldom a good answer.  Things have improved through the years; the Committee has noticed that more people are taking care of their animals better, and that some department heads have made it policy that no employees are to bring animals to work.  However, there is still some room for improvement.

• Another suggestion item pertained to toilet paper dispensers on campus that seem to be a bit dysfunctional.  This suggestion was forwarded to the proper department.

• A verbal suggestion from Committee members was made in regard to setting up an on-line suggestion box where employees could send suggestions to the Committee via the web.  This idea was well received and will be available soon.

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