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Staff Senate

Contact Information

Great Falls College MSU
2100 16th Avenue South
Great Falls, MT 59405

Co-Chairs

Ariel Jones
Network and Computer Systems Administrator III

Chris DiSalvatore
Network and Communication Analyst

Kody Gilleo
Computer Support Specialist I

Purpose

The Staff Senate represents classified staff at Great Falls College, facilitating communication between staff and administration, advocating for professional development and stability and supporting initiatives that enhance campus relations, student success and institutional effectiveness.

View the Staff Senate Constitution and By Laws.

Areas of responsibility

To promote an active role for the staff employees and participate in the governing structures and decision-making process of the Great Falls College;

To achieve formal representation in the process of establishing college educational and operating procedures and policies;

To serve as a communication conduit between staff and the administration and, through MUSSA, to the Montana Board of Regents;

To promote continued improvement of higher education at Great Falls College and in the state of Montana;

To promote stability and professional growth of the Great Falls College staff;

To enhance relations with students, faculty and management;

To promote and develop staff-related activities or college-wide campaigns that contribute to student success and institutional effectiveness; and

To contribute to discussions on academic and professional matters that are not union related and that support the Great Falls College mission.

Membership

The Classified Senate shall represent classified staff employed at the Great Falls College and includes union and union-exempt employees. The composition of the Senate shall be detailed in the Staff Senate bylaws and expanded or amended as seen necessary by the Staff Senate.

Executive Council Liaison

Carmen Roberts

Term Limits

No term limits. A vacancy occurs in any office or position, elective or appointed, or in any committee, when the person holding the same submits a letter of resignation (either hard copy or electronic) to the President or ceases to be an employee of the University.

Members

Committee Member	Committee Member Name	Committee Member Role	Committee Member Represents
Jones, Ariel	Ariel Jones	Chair	President
DiSalvatore, Chris	Chris DiSalvatore	Chair	Vice President
Gilleo, Kody	Kody Gilleo	Chair	Secretary

Meeting Information

Meeting Type: Teams meeting, virtual and in person options

Meets: Last Friday of every month

Time: 9:00 a.m.

Goals

Host monthly staff senate meetings

- Have 50% of staff attend at least one meeting within the first year

Establish funding application process for staff to fund professional development opportunities

- Have at least 5 applicants within the first year

Meeting Agendas

Meeting agendas are not posted publicly for this committee.

Meeting Minutes

Meeting Date	Meeting Minutes	Meeting Recording
March 28, 2025	View Minutes	View Recording
April 24, 2025	View Minutes	View Recording
May 30, 2025	View Minutes	View Recording
August 28, 2025	View Minutes	View Recording

Appropriate Uses of this Fund
- Conferences, workshops, and seminars, both on and off-campus, including registration fees and travel expenses
- Membership to professional organizations related to a staff member’s current position
- Funding for special projects, such as research and publication, related to a staff member’s current position (e.g., conducting research or lab work specific to position)
- Webinars
- Certification exams that would enhance a staff member’s employment
- Registration fees that include a workbook
- Departments may apply for the funds, given the purpose will be professional development. The preference would be for events that would benefit the entire department. This could include honoraria for speakers, materials such as books, or registration for webinars, among other things.
Other professional development opportunities will be reviewed.

Award Size

Awards range in size, with the maximum amount per award set at $1,000, with typical awards of $250-500.

Awards cannot be provided if the event has taken place and expenses have already been paid.

This funding is meant to complement departmental funding. This funding is a pilot program meant to drive use of professional development funds available to employees.

Eligibility Requirements

All staff represented by Staff Senate can apply to receive funding for professional development. This includes individuals appointed to regular positions, both full-time and part-time. Status is determined at the time of the submitted application.
- Employees must have been employed by GFCMSU for at least 6 months in a staff capacity by the time of application.
- Individuals with temporary appointments, as well as those on leave during the time of travel, are not eligible.
- Preference will be given to first-time applicants, as well as applicants with no other funding sources.
- An applicant can only be awarded funds once per fiscal year. Upon award, a recipient is ineligible for another award until the next fiscal year.
- Applicants cannot be supervisory staff.
Application Requirements

A completed application includes:
- Supporting documents (e.g., conference brochure, timeline of travel, information on registration fees, airfare, hotel rates, shuttle/taxi service, parking, meals, etc.).
- Staff Senate Funding Application which can be sent to [email protected]
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Your application will be reviewed based on the required materials.

Applications will be reviewed by the committee on a rolling basis as they are received. You can expect to hear about your application within 5-7 business days.

If your use of this fund requires time off from work, it will require supervisory approval.

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Staff Senate

Contact Information

Co-Chairs

Purpose

Areas of responsibility

Membership

Executive Council Liaison

Term Limits

Staff Senate

Contact Information

Co-Chairs

Purpose

Areas of responsibility

Membership

Executive Council Liaison

Term Limits

Professional Development Funding Application

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