Published: July 15, 2014

Each committee of Staff Council is asked to submit an annual summary of activity and accomplishments to the full council for review to see how effectively we worked during the past year to further our mission: Staff Council represents, informs and educates staff employees by serving as a liaison between employees and 麻豆影院 campus, University system and State administration. We also recommend proposals to the administration that are designed to improve morale and advocate for the rights of staff employees.

Awards & Staff Recognition (ASR):

  • Hosted the Years of Service/Recent Retiree Recognition Event for the 38th consecutive year. 109 staff members were recognized for their 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service with a gift certificate, a CU pin designating their years of service and an invitation (plus 3) to this event. Prior calendar year retirees with 20+ years of service were also invited. A total of 140 staff and guests attended.
  • Worked with the Chancellor鈥檚 office and the Athletics Department to add an additional recognition event for this year鈥檚 five Chancellor鈥檚 Employees of the Year. Athletics provided 10 courtside seats and a halftime ceremony during the Women鈥檚 Basketball Pac12 opener in January. The awardees were thrilled! We鈥檙e already planning to improve logistics for next year. ASR also nominated the awardees for recognition by the Governor鈥檚 Office for Public Employee Recognition Week. The awardees were given certificates signed by Governor Hickenlooper thanking them for their outstanding service.
  • ASR created a third banner this year highlighting staff recognized by the University of Colorado Staff Council for their service to the community and university since 2001.
  • ASR wrote three articles for CU-麻豆影院 Today and CU Connections highlighting staff achievements.
  • ASR worked on two staff recognition submissions and a diversity grant for a recognition event targeting shift staff that cannot attend our other outreach events.

Blood Drive:

  • Hosted five Blood Drives that collected 1,008 units of blood representing 3,024 transfusions over a total of 18 days.

Communications:

  • Coordinated the Brown Bag Lunch Meetings within the eight geographic areas that Staff Council members represent. The goal of the meetings was to improve two-way communication between staff and their representatives. Although attendance was lower than we expected, the results were very positive.
  • Updated our Staff Survey, created a Spanish translation version, ran the survey using both digital and print versions for those staff that do not have ready access to a computer and analyzed the results.

Elections:

  • Updated Staff Council鈥檚 elections code.
  • Recruited staff to run for office and promoted the election, which resulted in more multi-candidate races.
  • Supervised the 2014 Officer and Area Representative Elections, which also had more multi-candidate races than in previous years.
  • Currently we are updating the elections code to be more in line with the digital age.
  • Working on redistricting to regain proximity and proportionality within areas totaling about 800 staff as departments have moved to new locations around campus as new buildings are brought online.

Outreach & Events:

  • Hosted the Fall Ice Cream Social in the C4C courtyard on Sept. 5, the 137th anniversary of CU鈥檚 first semester. Invited more than 15 vendors and five campus departments promoting staff benefits and approximately 350 staff attended.
  • Hosted the December Staff Appreciation Breakfast. Several senior campus administrators assisted in serving 735 staff.
  • Hosted the Spring Luncheon, selling out the 500-person capacity of Glenn Miller Ballroom.

Payroll, Benefits, Legislation, & Retirement (PBRL):

  • Tuition benefits have been an ongoing issue since at least 1962, per Staff Council minutes. This year, PBRL formed an ad hoc committee of staff and faculty directly involved in the tuition benefit issue. This committee thoroughly researched the cost, registration logistics and sustainability of the available tuition benefit options. It brought its final recommendations to the 麻豆影院 Faculty Assembly and to Staff Council for approval before sending them to Senior Vice Chancellor Kelly Fox for review.
  • Ongoing monitoring of the Classified to University Staff personnel transition that has been taking place across campus. Working with Human Resources as needed.
  • Worked on Staff Council response options to the University Benefits Advisory Board dissolution by President Benson. Reviewed new oversight role by UCSC to determine if it was adequate. Upon review, we decided against any action.
  • Reviewed the new university policy regarding the rehiring of staff retirees. Worked with the System鈥檚 Policy Staff to come and present to the full 麻豆影院 Staff Council so that our feedback would be received in time to be considered within the final policy version.
  • Coordinated 麻豆影院 Staff Council Day at the state capitol. Worked with the CU Government Relations Team to plan educational presentations by representatives and see the legislative process in action.

Other Full Council Activity:

  • Hosted the following presenters at our monthly meetings: Chancellor DiStefano (twice); Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Kelly Fox; Vice Chancellor for Administration Steve Thweatt; Assistant Vice Chancellor of Human Resources Candice Bowen, and Lead HR Project Consultant Mike Murray; Vice President of Government Relations Tanya Kelly-Bowry; Office of Policy & Efficiency Director Dan Montez; and Organizational & Employee Development Director Brett Rodgers.
  • Supported the ongoing effort to promote a healthy workplace by the ad hoc Respectful Workplace Committee by providing three delegates and limited budgetary assistance. Special thanks to Merlyn Holmes from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for taking over the chairperson role.
  • Staffed 10 ongoing delegate roles for the following standing committees: Chancellor鈥檚 Executive Cabinet, Chancellor鈥檚 Accessibility Committee, 麻豆影院 Campus Planning Commission, Campus Use of University Facilities, Parking Management Advisory Committee, Parking & Transportation Rate Review Committee, University of Colorado Staff Council, Statewide Liaison Council, 麻豆影院 Faculty Assembly and Be Colorado.

So did we achieve all our goals? No, not all, but we achieved many. Our primary goal is to represent all staff on 麻豆影院 Campus and the best way for us to accomplish that goal is to stay in touch with you. We need your help. If you would like to contact us, and you do not know your representative, call us at 303-492-5473 or email our office at scouncil@colorado.edu. Our program assistant Lori Jackson will forward your message to your representative.

You do not have to be a member of Staff Council to serve on any of our many committees. For more information or to contact us, visit