TU Today

October 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.  Meeting minutes are posted to TUSS SharePoint.

Highlights from the recent TUSS Meeting

• Telework Task Force has started their work. Goal is to share recommendations before winter break. Questions/concerns go to telework@towson.edu
• Re-clarification on carryover leave hours. Direct from USM — “The intent of the guidance was that employees could carry over up to 480 hours of leave into 2023, assuming that the last pay period of 2022 ended in the first week(s) of 2023. It was intended to give employees up to two years to use the additional 80 hours that they might not have been able to use during the pandemic.”
• Shared Governance Leaders met earlier in the day and quickly visited to say hello. Desiree Rowe, Chair Academic Senate; Jordan Deveaux, President Student Government Association; David Bauer, President Graduate Student Association
• VP Lowenthal advised that STRATUS is on track for July 1, 2022, launch. New director of procurement Joselyn Johnson has joined and reports to Eric Jones Associate VP for Financial Affairs. Welcome Joselyn! Congrats Eric!
• Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Colonel Herring presented about the Body Worn Camera program in place with TUPD. He also advised the university is taking a comprehensive look at our emergency preparedness and what technology we use. Departments are encouraged to reach out for any individualized training needed. Thanks, Chief!
• VP Jones advised that the large busses serving as shuttles on campus are on short-term contract only and shuttles will be more “right-sized” when we shift providers soon. He also shared that the Postal Operations unit is considering pilot programs to build efficiency and that plans will be communicated in advance.
• Flu Shots are being offered to all faculty, staff, and students this year. Schedule yours now!
• Reminder of two tickets to TU athletics events with staff ID and discounts on most ticketed arts events.
• Reminder about benefits open enrollment for Plan Year 2022 – October 18 – November 12, 2021. Any questions can be sent to the Benefits team at openenrollment@towson.edu.
• Fall Training Workshops are posted https://www.towson.edu/hr/current/development/workshops.html
• Reminder Continuing Education Discounts available to staff https://www.towson.edu/campus/partnerships-research/continuing-education/schedule.html
• Kimberly Campion was seated in the vacancy for Admin & Finance Exempt. Thank you and congratulations, Kim!
• Next TUSS meeting is November 17, 2021. Send agenda items to TUSS@towson.edu before November 9.

Awards

Board of Regents Staff Awards

Nominations are open and due by November 15. Learn more about these prestigious awards and nominate a fellow staff member or yourself today!

Top Tiger

Join us in congratulating Top Tiger Award recipients:

• Donna Yeagle, Policy Analyst, Office of Human Resources
• Kyle Cummings, Lab Systems Administrator, Department of Computer and Information Sciences

TU faculty, staff and students can nominate staff members for a Top Tiger award by submitting the Top Tiger Nomination Form.

Mark Your Calendar

TUSS Meeting: November 17, 1 p.m.
Zoom Direct Link: https://towson-edu.zoom.us/j/98702752003?pwd=N05Id3JZTEhxM2Z4ZUNBRk5OSDAvUT09
Meeting ID: 987 0275 2003
Passcode: TUSSZoom

Notify TUSS@towson.edu a minimum of 48 hours before the meeting if you need to attend in person.

Staff Development Conference: March 23, 2022
Make an Impact, Push What’s Possible

• If you have an idea for a workshop that will broaden and advance an employee’s professional and personal well-being, the TU Staff Senate (TUSS) Staff Development Conference Committee invites you to submit a proposal by November 5 — Submit yours today!

Senator Spotlight

This month features At-Large – Exempt Senator, TiErra Johnson.

How long have you worked at TU?
I’ve been a TU staff member since 2012.

What is your department and what does your position entail?
Campus Recreation: Coordinator, Student Personnel. I’m responsible for recruiting, onboarding, training, and employee engagement.

What does a typical workday look like for you?
A typical day for me entails spreadsheets, relationship building with students, committee meetings, and lots of phone call/emails with campus partners in Payroll.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?
Building connections with the student staff. While chatting with one of my students I learned that their grandmother was one of my high school teachers!

What is your favorite place to eat on or around campus?
El Gran Pollo on Taylor Ave…so good!

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I desire to be a doula and help usher new life into the world.

What’s the proudest moment of your life?
Having my son witness me earn my B.S. degree in Sociology and Anthropology.

Why did you decide to get involved with the TUSS?
I’m striving to become a better leader within my department and across campus. TUSS allows me to be part of larger conversations that have a direct impact on staff at TU.

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.