The ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Staff Council serves as an advocate for staff by seeking out and responding to their ideas and concerns, representing them to the University administration, and keeping staff informed of University initiatives. Staff Council works to create a cohesive community, have a positive impact on staff culture, and promote the betterment of all.
Over the decades since its inception, the Staff Council has grown into a fully representative body, bringing together around 40 appointed or elected volunteer representatives from 21 units/division/colleges across campus. Staff Council is one of five governance bodies recognized by the University, the others being the Student Government Association, the Graduate Student Senate, the Faculty Senate, and the Board of Trustees.
The entire group and its subcommittees meet monthly, with a focus on advocating for and representing the needs and concerns of non-represented staff to university administration. Staff Council also works collaboratively with leaders, departments, and organizations to find solution to issues and concerns that impact staff and the larger ¶¶Òõ̽̽ Community.
Membership
Leadership
Staff Council is led by a President and Vice-President, who are elected for two-year terms by ¶¶Òõ̽̽ non-represented staff.
Elected Representatives
Representatives serve a three-year terms and are the primary conduit for communicating staff concerns to the full Staff Council and consequently to administration. To ensure appropriate representation, there is an annual review of unit structure and membership. Elections are held every spring following this process.
At-Large Members
A staff person can contribute to Staff Council as an at-large representative. This is purely a volunteer role with no term requirements and fewer responsibilities than an elected or appointed representative.
History
¶¶Òõ̽̽ Staff Council was established in 1971 during the administration of President Edward C. Andrews. Known at first as the Non-Academic Employees' Advisory Council or NAEAC and renamed Staff Council in 1976, it was created to serve in an advisory capacity to the President on all matters affecting the University's non-faculty employees. Prior to this time, there was no formal organization representing staff interests at the University.
Beginning at just a handful of Representatives, in an effort to represent all units across campus, Staff Council expanded over the years to 18 members, then in 2007 doubled to 36 members. Currently Staff Council has between 40-50 members.
Staff Council went through a major transition and restructuring from 2006 to 2007 during the administration of President Daniel M. Fogel to fulfill a greater role in staff advocacy and the University’s collective governance.
Constitution and Bylaws
The Constitution and Bylaws outline the role of Staff Council as a governance body that serves in an advisory capacity to the University President. The Bylaws contain information about how the Council functions, who is eligible for service, the responsibility areas of the Council and Committees, and the Council's mission and goals. They were last revised on June 7, 2024.