NCA&TSU Staff Senate Organized

Administrative Memorandum No. 383 issued by President Molly Broad stated that each campus will have in operation a consultative body representing staff employees which the Chancellor or his designee will meet on a periodic basis. The intent of these consultative bodies is to improve and encourage communication and responsiveness to the interests of staff employees and to serve as the principle medium for identifying, addressing, and discussing employment concerns.

Beginning January 1999, a group of staff employees representing the various schools, divisions, and colleges was convened for the purpose of establishing the "consultative body" as described in President Broad’s memorandum. The membership of the group consisted of employees from diverse occupational categories (i.e. service employees, clerical employees, technical employees, and supervisors).

Chancellor Fort issued a charge to the Committee which focused on the following issues affecting SPA employees:

• clarifying and coordinating policies and procedures
• exchanging information
• identifying and discussing employment interests and concerns
• present plans or proposals for improvement of working conditions

Every Thursday morning, the group worked diligently and very efficiently using the meeting room at the Fort Interdisciplinary Research Center as a work room. Because of the time constraints that were placed on the Committee, a powerful and innovative electronic meeting support software was used that cut meeting time in half while improving the quality of meetings. By allowing participants to contribute anonymously and simultaneously, the GroupSystems software encourage collaboration and improved productivity.

The Committee reviewed the Web sites from other University Staff Advisory Committees and Senates within the UNC system in developing the "consultative body".

They are:

• Appalachian State University – Staff Council
• North Carolina State University – Staff Senate
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – Staff Forum
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte – Staff Organization
• Fayetteville State University – Staff Senate
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro – Staff Council
• University of North Carolina at Asheville – Staff Advisory Committee
• *University of Michigan – Dearborn – Staff Senate

Mission

The NCA&TSU Staff Senate is a representative group of permanent employees, subject to the State Personnel Act (SPA), and non-teaching employees, exempt from the Personnel Act (EPA). Representatives are elected by their peers to support the overall mission, goals, and objectives of the University.

The Senate shall serve as an advisory body to the Chancellor. In fulfilling this role, the Senate shall:

• constructively address and clearly identify SPA and non- teaching EPA employees’ interests, ideas, and concerns relative to employment issues, policies and procedures;

• promote and facilitate communication and participation in decisions and activities affecting staff; and …

• encourage a sense of community among all University employees.

Vision

The Senate will continually seek mutual understanding and new opportunities to improve the quality of life at NCA&TSU for its students, faculty, and staff through community meetings, recognition of employee contributions, and respect for individuals.

Chancellor Fort has approved the proposed bylaws of the Staff Senate. He has directed the Committee to communicate the

of this newly formed body to all SPA and EPA non-teaching staff by initiating a feedback process to assure that all stakeholders are informed and educated. Chancellor Fort established a deadline to have the Staff Senate operational prior to Dr. Renwrick assuming the Chancellor’s position (July 15, 1999).

The Staff Senate bylaws will be available for review and feedback by logging on to the University’s home page in the immediate future. Additionally, information concerning the Staff Senate will be mailed to each SPA and EPA non-teaching employee.

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