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I have been with the University of Georgia for a total of
sixteen and a half years, and for at least half of that time
I've been involved with Staff Council in one capacity or another.
While some staff seem to consider involvement with Staff Council
a nuisance and a bother, I consider it not only my duty, but
an honor and a privilege. I take pride in the fact that I was
in on its inception and creation, and that I continue to be
part of a staff body that has come so far since its origin
in the early 1990s (not to mention that it l ooks good on my
resume).
For those of you who are unaware of the process of getting
issues addressed by Staff Council, here are the steps you can
take to give voice to your concerns. Each College/School or
Vice-Presidential area has a Staff Representative Group (SRG),
to which representatives are elected at a ratio based on its
specific bylaws. Each SRG then appoints or elects representatives
to Staff Council at a ratio of one representative for each
250 staff members in its area. SRGs deal with issues within
their areas; Staff Council deals with university-wide issues.
You can communicate any concerns you have to your SRG representative
or your Staff Council representative. (See http://www.uga.edu/ugasc/members/%20fy05.htm to find your Staff Council representative.) If you wish, you
will remain anonymous in any action taken regarding your concern.
If the issue affects staff as a whole (rather than your specific
area which would need to be addressed at that level), Staff
Council contacts the appropriate governing body or administrator
with a suggestion for addressing the concern.
Staff Council is not a token gesture by the administration
to appease staff with the appearance of having some input into
the workings of the University's governance. Perhaps some Deans,
Department Heads, Directors and even staff, are still unaware
of the importance of Staff Council and are reluctant to encourage
staff participation. But Staff Council is fully sanctioned
by the University and the Board of Regents. Staff Council's
Executive Committee and committee chairs hold regular meetings
with President Adams and other administrators. We have representation
on University Council and five of its committees, a feat that
even we old-timers could never have foreseen back in the early
days. We meet ten times a year, the first Wednesday of every
month except January and July. All staff are permitted and
encouraged to take part in and attend Staff Council meetings,
just as the faculty and administration attend their regular
meetings as part of their contribution to the University community.
Staff Council meetings are posted on the UGA Master Calendar
and the announcement of the biannual newsletters are posted
on the UGA official listserv.
Just as you should perform your moral and civic duty to vote
in elections of officials who govern your city, county, state
and country, you should likewise perform your civic and moral
duty to the University community where you work and devote
so much time and energy. Even staff who are not elected to
Staff Council can still participate by joining a Staff Council
Committee. Steps have been made, and are continuing to be made,
to ensure that your voice is heard. Be a part of that process.
Step right up . . . and participate in YOUR Staff Council! |
