Benefits and Communications Committee

What does this committee do?

The mandate for this committee, as stated in the bylaws is that it "shall, in consultation with the administrative staff, review and study matters with economic impact and make recommendations to the council."

This committee also researches and documents information presented by the Staff Council chair during the university budget meetings held each spring.

• At the July retreat, committee members shall elect a chair of the committee.
• The chair must schedule all meetings for the year, and the committee must meet once a month.
• The chair, with the suggestions of Staff Council members, is to determine what proposals will be presented at the University budget hearings. This should be done in August.
• The chair will assign research on suggested proposals and collaborate with other members of the committee.
• Review old budget requests.
• During November, the chair must have all proposal research completed.
• In the first week January, the chair must submit the budget proposals to the Staff Council chair.
• After budget proposals are submitted, the chair and committee must review issues for next year. The committee continues to meet monthly.
• The chair of the committee submits an end of year report to the Staff Council chair. This report includes all completed research for Staff Council, as well as all suggested proposals.

Did You Know?

Staff Council was instrumental in decreasing the amount of service years it takes for support staff to accrue vacation time. Currently, 20 days of vacation are accumulated after 11 years of service; previously, 15 years of service were required. This policy change became effective on July 1, 2001.

Did You Know?

Staff Council successfully lobbied for reclassification of support staff after the Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Committee was here in 1996. For example, clerical workers were classified as secretaries. Now, they are categorized as office professionals with levels ranking from administrative assistant up to senior administrative associate.

Issues for the current year are under discussion.

For more information or to become involved, contact us!