University Staff Council Texas A&M University University Staff Council Overview

Established 2008 First meeting in 2008, the USC started with 23 appointed member and has now grown to include 42 members representing 33 different colleges and units.

Mission The University Staff Council’s (USC) stated mission is to represent the interests of, and address the issues impacting, both classified and non-classified staff employees under the leadership of the Texas A&M University President. The 36 elected representatives each serve 3 year rotating terms such that new freshman members will not comprise more than about 1/3 of the council in any given year. Currently we have 6 ex-officio members assisting the USC from various units. The USC is under the support of the Human Resources Department under the direction of Dr. Barbara Abercrombie, where the USC is setting its sights on new and expanded horizons for the future. Although the USC does serve to represent TAMU staff, it is expressly stated that they well not act in an advocacy role in any specific employee/employer policy matter or dispute within the University, nor will the USC assume the role of arbitrator in any such matter.

Connecting with Staff How do we connect with staff? The USC connects with staff through monthly updates through email. We also seek to connect with face to face meetings. Though various functions, such as the forums we host or the events on campus. Through a new committee entitled Outreach, the USC has sought to expand and enhance the level of connectivity that each representative creates with their own constituency.

USC Issues Process Committee Exec. Comm. Full Council Email Paper Direct Contact Exec. Comm. Statement Action Recommendation Other Committee Accept Reject Return to Committee Full Council USC Issues Process (88 issues in 2016). The process by which questions, suggestions, ideas or complaints get processed. Issues come in to the USC via email, the web based submission process, paper submissions or through direct contact with a USC representative. Presented to the Exec. Comm. -five elected USC members that meet once a month. The EC will determine if further clarification is needed or if it should be declined as not being appropriate for USC consideration. Should neither be the case, the issue may be assigned to one of 8 internal committees for further study and eventual resolution. Other potential actions could include forwarding the issue to a USC representative sitting on one of the 15 external university committees or forwarding the issue with recommendation to a TAMU department (e.g. Human Resources). In any case, the Exec Committee will seek followup reports until such time as the issue can be closed and the employee originating the issue can be notified of the final determination. Committees are required to provide the council with a recommendation in a timely manner. This recommendation can be a statement, an action, a recommendation to another university body or anything else deemed appropriate for the issue at hand. The full council will then either reject the recommendation, thus sending it back to the committee for further study, or accept the recommendation at which point the issue is closed and the recommended action is taken. Throughout the process, the originating staff member of the issue is kept apprised of the process and eventually notified of the outcome.

USC Needs What do we need from staff? The USC needs support. Being a USC representative takes time and we need support from staff and leadership so that our home units will not be adversely affected from the time demands on representatives. We need financial support for the Staff emergency Fund. Without feedback, the USC cannot represent the needs of the staff.

What USC Returns What do we give back in return? We provide staff with a voice: Regular meetings with Dr. Abercrombie, President Young and in some cases unit leadership. We provide service to staff: Staff emergency fund, -applications are reviewed, with 85% of donations awarded Tuition assistance – Previous awards, New policy We build up our representative members though a targeted professional development program to increase their own leadership, planning, communication, and other job skills such that when they complete their term they will have greatly enhanced their abilities and value to their home units.

Thank you for your support and Gig Em! Subtitle