The State of the Staff Senate mid-year report provides an update for the 2018-19 academic year on our accomplishments, a status update on current
charges and motions, and a look at what is in progress for the remainder of the year.

The State of the Staff Senate 2018-19 Mid-Year Report is saved on the Staff Senate Google Drive

Key Updates

• The public phase of the $1Billion "Innovating with a Mission" campaign was launched at Golden Circle on January 19. 
• Associated Student Government (ASG) is continuing negotiations with VTA to provide discounted passes to SCU, however, the number of participants still needs to be higher.
• Staff have representation on the Presidential Search Committee.
• The open position on the Staff Affairs Committee has been filled by Leah Nakasaki-Peterson.

Next Month

• Changes to the Charter Amendment Process will be discussed and voted on.
• Dennis Jacobs, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs presents.
• Marissa Pimentel, Facilities Project Manager will provide a facilities update.
• Ed Ryan, Vice Provost for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness will discuss the WASC Reaffirmation Process.

January 17, 2019 meeting minutes and all previous minutes are saved on the Staff Senate Google Drive

Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card

Complete this quick survey to share your ideas for the events and service opportunities you would like to see Staff Senate organize, and be entered to win a $25 Amazon gift card!

Share Feedback with Staff Senate

Do you have concerns heading into the new year? Send comments, concerns, feedback, questions, or suggestions to Staff Senate by emailing us at staffsenate@scu.edu or using the form linked on our website.

We had over 150 attendees at the first annual Faculty and Staff Mixer on January 17th, a co-sponsored Staff Senate and Faculty Senate Council event. Guests enjoyed a casual lunch over icebreakers while mingling with new colleagues across campus. The intent of the event was to improve communication, cohesiveness, and community among SCU Staff and Faculty members. 

Whose fun fact is this?

Time to reveal the answers...

I crossed the Atlantic on a cargo ship (Kelci Baughman McDowell)
Once appeared on Jeopardy! (Steven Saum)
I met my wife in a gay bar (Aldo Billingslea)
I'm an identical twin (Nick Combo)
I lived next to Leonardo DiCaprio for a year (Michael Lasley)
I have run two marathons in under four hours (Simone Billings)

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, treat yourself with some tea and treats. Treat your community with toiletry donations.

What to donate: Shampoo, Conditioner, Toothpaste, Toothbrushes, Q-Tips, Wipes, Soap, Lotion, Deodorant, Combs, Feminine Products, etc.

Contact klwells@scu.edu with questions or for pick-up.

The following changes to the Charter Amendment Process will be discussed and voted on at the next Staff Senate meeting on Thursday, February. 21. Please review the changes here. A description of the issue is below.

The shared governance system at SCU is itself governed by a charter that from time-to-time needs amendment. In 2018–2019, governance groups decided to clarify the language and processes for changing the charter. In the synopsis document, the existing charter is in the far left column, and the current proposal is in the far right column (in between is a spring 2018 version agreed to by all UPCs and senates except the AAC). The key changes between our current charter change process and the proposed process are as follows:

• Those proposing changes may now be any individual or group at the university, and not only UPCs or the UCC.
• Governance bodies are encouraged to consult stakeholders for feedback for all types of change.
• Category 1 changes to the charge of a UPC are clarified as those that involve the addition of "clarifying or descriptive text" that align the document with actual structure or practice (rather than the "addition of charges" to their mandate).
• For Category 1 changes, more than one UPC may be affected, so approvals are now required by "each UPC affected by the change".
• Category 2 changes are now defined on their own terms, rather than what they are not; these are changes to the charge or to the membership of a UPC or the UCC.
• Category 3 changes now include the addition or removal of a UPC as well as a tighter definition of what constitutes a "fundamental" change (modifications of purpose for a UPC/UCC or modifications of the charter itself - identification and composition of UPCs).
• For Category 2 and Category 3 changes, the senates are now asked to deliberate the change by hearing it over two consecutive meetings, with time for soliciting feedback from the broader constituency in the interim; in addition, if a Senate rejects the change, it should offer an explanation of the reasons why, to help the UCC know where the obstacles are.
• Finally, the final paragraph indicates the conditions under which the Staff Policy Manual or Student Handbook might need revision, and not merely the Faculty Handbook.

February's meeting also includes a visit from Dennis Jacobs, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, a facilities update from Marissa Pimentel, Facilities Project Manager, and a presentation from Ed Ryan, Vice Provost for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness on the WASC Reaffirmation Process.

Thank you for your One Warm Coat Drive Donations!

In November and Decemeber, the Staff Senate worked with One Warm Coat, a national non-profit organization that works to provide a free, warm coat to any person in need.

We received 133 coats across campus and $160 in donations during our One Warm Coat Drive in November. Every $5 donated equals 10 coats so in essence we donated 453 coats, surpassing our goal of 300 coats by a landslide!

In an effort to get to know each other better and to identify areas of collaboration, senators will take turns during every meeting to share three personal facts about themselves, and a highlight and challenge in their area or department. This month's featured senators come from the Staff Senate Executive Committee.