Mission

Question and Suggestion Box

Do you have a suggestion or question but don’t know where to go or who to ask? Drop it below!

All submissions will be anonymous. If you would like a direct response, please include your contact information.

All submissions will be reviewed and forwarded to the appropriate area for response. Responses may take longer during breaks.

Please check back on the page regularly to see new submissions and responses below.

Question from 2025

October 2025

Q: Could there be some kind of first aid/AED training - whether formal or more informal with info going out so people know where supplies are in an area, who to contact on campus with related issues. I believe CPR and such has changed in more recent years, so making sure people who have been previously certified get basic info on updates. Could be an email with linked info, map of AEDs, etc.

A: The above question is being sent to Paul Brekke, Wellness Center for response.

R: The Wellness Committee will be distributing an updated list of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) locations across campus. This update is part of our ongoing commitment to health and safety awareness.

Please note: There is no new information regarding AED training at this time.

We encourage all staff to review the AED location list once it is shared and familiarize themselves with the nearest device in their work area. AED locations on Campus

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Q: We need some training on email etiquette. Basics from using a greeting (literally say Hi or Hello) to using please, thank you, good grammar, and basic etiquette/kindness.

P: Here is the link to the CTS Sessions, https://cts.ndus.edu/services/training/microsoft-training/ This will also be forward to Professional Development Committee and to Marketing Department.

R: The Professional Development Committee has compiled a list of potential training opportunities for staff, the email etiquette is included. These training's are designed to support professional growth, skill development, and workplace effectiveness.

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Q: Don't you post senate minutes any more?

A: Staff Senate meeting minutes are posted publicly after they have been officially approved by the Senate. This approval typically occurs at the following month’s meeting.

August minutes were approved at the October meeting due to illness in September meeting. The minutes will be posted shortly.
September and October minutes are scheduled for approval at the November meeting and will be posted afterward.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we follow this process to ensure accuracy and transparency. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Staff Senate.

Questions and Answers 2026

March 2026

Q: Can we please review and clarify staff dress codes?

Some office workers in my building wear jeans or I have even seen leggings while other stick to the dress code of business casual, similar work types. It needs to be consistently enforced. If it isn't going to be enforced then the standards should be updated to the minimum.

I think it also seems reasonable to consider if the dress code should change, are jeans acceptable all the time? Seems appropriate in 2026.

If it's a big issue, could employees pay a fee to wear jeans all year ($20 or something). Use it as a fundraiser for Staff Senate.

R: Thank you for raising this concern. It may be helpful for us to review expectations around workplace attire to ensure clarity and consistency across campus. As you mentioned, there are noticeable differences in how employees interpret appropriate dress, which suggests that guidance may not be uniformly communicated or enforced.

Currently, Minot State University does not have a campus‑wide dress code policy. Dress expectations are determined by each department chair, supervisor, or unit leader based on the nature of the work being performed. Because of this, variation between offices is expected, but it can understandably lead to confusion when roles and work types appear similar. All employees are representatives of Minot State University, and appropriate attire is expected.

If there is interest in establishing consistent standards, we can certainly bring this to the HR Department for consideration. Should campus leadership wish to move in that direction, HR could develop and implement a university‑wide dress code policy.

Your suggestion to reevaluate whether jeans or other casual attire should be broadly acceptable is also valid, as many workplaces have updated dress expectations in recent years. Additionally, the idea of a jeans‑day fundraiser is appreciated and could be explored if it aligns with campus policies and leadership direction.

Thank you again for bringing this forward.