September TUSS News for Staff
The Towson University Staff Senate (TUSS) is the advocate body for all university staff employees. All TU staff are general members of the staff senate and are encouraged to attend meetings.
Highlights from the recent TUSS Meeting
- September 4th Incident: Parking garage security is changing, there will be mandatory emergency contact information requirement for students and mandatory opt into emergency text messages, TU is working on educating students about promotors of events and proper procedure, and students are encouraged to participate in SGA – a recent forum from SGA can be seen on SGA’s YouTube.
- Middle States Reaccreditation: TU received good news that the evaluation team found TU in compliance with all requirements for continued accreditation in their preliminary report.
- Campus Master Plan – Staff are encouraged to join sessions to contribute and provide feedback. Sessions are via Zoom:
September 20, 2021, at 11 a.m.
September 24, 2021, at 11 a.m.
- Staff Workload: The TUSS Chair is committed to continued discussion about the exhaustion of staff and excess workload. Lean on your colleagues and your local support systems and, if needed, make use of support options available via the TU Counseling Center such as free Employee Assistance Programs
- Staffing: Questions keep coming up about progress. There have been about 140 requisitions approved and about 72 hires. The speed of hiring typically relates to getting good, quality hires.
- Telework: The taskforce discussion is going forward, with plans to clarify telework, flex work
and episodic needs for remote work. - Campus Postal Services: Campus post has been slow. More hires are coming which should help.
- Campus Spirit Days: This idea was well received by the Staff Senate. This will be further fleshed out and more details are to come.
- Open Enrollment: Coming soon.
- Steve Jones is now Vice President of Operations and Chief Human Resources Officer.
Awards
TU Impact Awards
Recipients to be announced soon.
Board of Regents Staff Awards
Nominations are open for next year. Details about how to nominate an exceptional staff member can be found at the USM Board of Regents Staff Awards website.
Top Tiger
Join us in congratulating Top Tiger Award recipients:
- Charles Smallwood, Assistant Facility Reservationist for Events & Conference Services
- Summer Atkinson, Professional Development Partner for Student Academic & Career Services in CBE
TU faculty, staff and students can nominate staff members for the Top Tiger award each month by submitting the Top Tiger Nomination Form.
Mark Your Calendar
- TUSS Meeting: October 20, 2021, at 1 p.m.
Location: Liberal Arts, Room 3150
Virtual: Zoom Direct Link: https://towson-edu.zoom.us/j/98702752003?pwd=N05Id3JZTEhxM2Z4ZUNBRk5OSDAvUT09
Meeting ID: 987 0275 2003
Passcode: TUSSZoom - Staff Development Conference: March 23, 2022
“Make an Impact, Push What’s Possible”
Senator Spotlight: Judy Rixham
This month features Student Affair’s Non-Exempt Senator, Judy Rixham.
How long have you worked at TU?
I have been here almost 7½ years.
What is your department and what does your position entail?
I work in the VP’s office for Student Affairs and am the Asst. to the Associate VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Anthony Skevakis. Our area of Student Affairs is Student Outreach Support.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
My day could consist of so many things, from working directly with Dr. Skevakis on his scheduled day or any issues/emergencies that come in. Being the support to the Case Management Team (CARE), talking with students, parents, faculty, staff on any number of things, from class absences, mental health concerns, housing, food insecurities, to name a few. No day is the same or typical!
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
I love that I get to work with such an incredible group of people, but for me the best is working directly with students and helping them get through some rough patches. It can definitely be challenging at times and emotionally tough but it is very rewarding.
What is your favorite place to eat on or around campus?
7720 Cafe
What do you do to relax?
I love to just sit back and read or talk with friends I don’t get to see too often these days.
If we were to create a TU playlist, what song would you want to include and why?
“Because We Believe” by Andre Bocelli. It’s such a powerful song
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
That I am also a Senior Cosmetologist and Make-up Artist (my other profession!!)
What’s one thing you wish you had known when you were a teenager?
How to invest!
If you could have any one skill or talent that you don’t already have, what would it be?
I wish I could read music, maybe play an instrument. All of my children are musical!
What’s the proudest moment of your life?
There are many, but as a mom and now mommom, watching my kids become the incredible adults they are. Each are in their chosen profession and that is every parent’s hope and dream.
Why did you decide to get involved with the TUSS?
I have always liked being involved and knowing what goes on around me. I was always the “Why?” kid, so what better way to get those answers than to be involved.
Describe what you have learned (or hope to learn) during your time in TUSS?
Working with members of the Senate from departments across campus has been such a learning experience. We get to see and hear what goes on all over campus, not just in our own areas. I have learned that we all want to make our working environment the best and address the issues that are presented to us in a way that represents the entire staff community.
Please visit the website for more information about TUSS, details about upcoming meetings, the list of senators, and details about staff awards: https://www.towson.edu/tuss.
Categorised in: General
This post was written by Karp, Robert J.