BRIEF HISTORY OF
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DEARBORN
STAFF SENATE

"The Staff Senate embraces the mission of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, acknowledges the pivotal role of staff, and through its leadership in shaping university policy, promotes a supportive environment that assists staff members in achieving their potential."

CAMPUS GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE BEGAN THE PROCESS:

As stated in a memorandum, dated August 19, 1992, a Campus Governance Committee was formed in early 1992. Its membership included Dave Cunningham, Kathy Herr, Cindy Kecskes, Elaine Greene, Leah Long, Kathy Morency, Valerie Murphy, Kay Peter, Susan Skramstad and Mary Tobin. Its mission was to create a formalized structure through which staff views might be expressed. Three focus groups of interested staff members met to discuss ways in which staff might achieve this representation. These meetings were followed by discussions at Staff Forums, and finally by the meeting of a working committee to brainstorm ways in which staff outcomes might be achieved. The Campus governance committed proposed that the new representative body be made u of 18 staff members, the same number as was being proposed for the Faculty Senate. The number was later increased to 19, as a result of adding one additional representative to represent Academic Affairs. This new body, called the Staff Senate, would represent staff and would act in an advisory capacity to the administration on non-academic matters.

MEMBERSHIP COMPOSITION:

During the month of August, 1992, the staff was asked to consider two scenarios regarding the distribution of staff representation. According to the scenario selected, the membership of the Staff Senate was as follows:

The Staff Senate was organized and began working as a body in 1993. Elections were held to file the 19 positions. After the initial appointments, elected members of the Staff Senate were and are elected for a four-year. The first year, 1/4 of the membership was elected for a four-year term, 1/4 was elected for a three-year term. This was done to insure that only 1/4 of the total membership would be replaced in any one year.

STAFF COUNCIL:

The Staff Senate was also created to represent the Staff Senate at the Campus Forum and to meet with the Campus Liaison. The council is made up of six members of the Staff Senate, three of which are the Officers of the Senate (Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and Secretary), and the other three members are elected by the Staff Senate, making certain that all Areas are represented.

CHAIRPERSONS OF THE STAFF SENATE:

STAFF SENATE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Recommended (and was implemented) an Emergency Child care Policy.
• Secured a 2% equity increase for staff with annual salaries below $20,000 two different years.
• Assisted in establishing a Performance Planning and Appraisal tool and continued Senate participation through the review process.
• Participated with the development of a Staff Recognition and Rewards Program, which laid the groundwork for the current rewards program.
• Conducted the Perceptions of the Work environment Survey two different times. Established goals and provided recommendations based on data from the survey.
• Issued the Report of the Staff Senate Committee on Reengineering. Provided recommendations regarding communication, staffing, workload, training, technology and job classification.
• Established several Staff Senate Committees:
  • Election Committee
  • Hospitality Committee
  • Communications Committee
  • Workplace Environment Committee
  • Budget Committee
  • Benefits Committee (joint committee with Faculty Senate representatives)
• Enhanced communication between faculty and staff via the Campus forum.
• held annual Senate Planning Retreats to establish new goals and objectives for coming year.
• Established regular monthly meetings with administration.
• Supported open communication through the Staff Senate newsletter and staff forums.
• Refined strategies for recommending budget changes and provided annual budget recommendations to central administration.
• Created publications to better inform staff of Senate activities: The Senator, and the Staff Senate Brochure.
• Worked with Campus Safety to make the campus aware of safety issues.
• Worked with administration to insure a $500 minimum base merit increase.
• Met with the High Commission for Learning regarding UM-Dearborn self study.
• Participated in the creation of the Staff Senate/Faculty Senate benefits committee.
• Developed and submitted Employee Dependent Tuition differential proposal to the administration.

STAFF SENATE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:

• Continue to pursue additional tuition reimbursement for employees as well as tuition assistance for dependents.
• Continue to advocate the restructuring of staff classifications.
• Continue to improve ways in which the Staff Senate communicates with the campus community including maintenance of a Senate Web Page and publishing a quarterly newsletter.
• Continue Senate discussions on process improvement initiatives.
• Work with the administration to find ways to better assist staff.

Contact Staff Senate

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