February TUSS News for Staff

Published by on February 22, 2022 1:01 am Comments Off on February TUSS News for Staff in General

The Towson University Staff Senate (TUSS) is the advocate body for all university staff employees. All TU staff are general members of the senate and are encouraged to attend meetings. Meeting minutes are posted to TUSS SharePoint. 

Highlights from the recent TUSS Meeting 

  • President Schatzel is scheduled to speak at the April TUSS meeting. Please join us to hear her remarks. 
  • Budget: VP Lowenthal is optimistic looking ahead and highlighted the Chancellor’s mention that Gov. Hogan’s budget includes an additional $198 million to cover cost-of-living and merit increases for USM employees.  Among other positives at TU, some FY24 money was moved up to FY23 for some projects. 
  • STRATUS: STRATUS is continuing to move forward and is still expected to go live on July 1, 2022. 
  • Timesheets: Big thanks goes to the Timesheets Project team for taking time to join us and provide discussion and response to feedback received about the timesheets system. Continue to send feedback to your senators, and learn more at towson.edu/timekeeping. Contact Payroll@towson.edu for training and contact Tracy Holden at tholden@towson.edu to discuss needs for customized reports.  
  • COVID: University System of Maryland shared that all USM campuses are “determining modifications” in a “step-down approach” to their COVID mitigation protocols. See the email from University Communications for more information. All TU protocols are still in place for now. 
  • Telework: The revised telework policy is approved and in place. OHR will consider changes as needed as they see how the policy is applied in the coming months. 
  • Pay study: The equity analysis information gathering is coming to an end, and they are moving into analyzing data in conjunction with market data. Once completed, they will look holistically at equity adjustments. They’re also looking at how COLA and merit increases affect this. 
  • Pay increases: TU distributed COLA and merit increases more broadly than any other USM institution. HR and Payroll staff quickly got increases processed for January. Thank you! 
  • Compensation: HR is finalizing the procedure to request temporary pay increases for lateral and additional duties rather than only higher level duties. There will be a new form in repository. 
  • Hiring: Jennifer Stano presented about hiring and updated internal processes, shortened time to hire employees, etc. 
  • CIO Search: The committee will begin meeting next week. 
  • Construction: The Union construction is coming along. A dedication event will be coming this semester. The 10 West top-floor suites are almost finished construction. A “refresh” will also be occurring on the lobby. The Athletic Academic Achievement Center at the Field House has been completed. The Library is undergoing construction as soon as *this* week – several areas will be closed, including the third floor. Keep in mind how this affects students. 
  • Black History Month: There are several great events and engagement opportunities to celebrate on campus. More information can be found in TU News and TU’s TikTok stories. 
  • CSD Black Student Leadership Conference: This will be held on Friday, April 8. TUSS and other staff members are encouraged to submit presentation proposals by March 18.  
  • DEI Summit: The Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity is planning a DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) summit with a focus on the strategic plan later this spring. 
  • Advocacy Day: February 16 was Advocacy Day, and several TU Council of University System Staff (CUSS) representatives met with legislators. 
  • Reminders: 
  • Council of University System Staff (CUSS): The 30th anniversary of CUSS is coming up in June 2022. 

Awards 

TU Impact Awards 

Nominations are open for the TU Impact Awards and nominating an individual or group is easy! To nominate an exceptional staff member or group/team, submit the nomination form by 5 p.m. on April 18, 2022. More information can be found at the TU Impact Award website. 

Top Tiger 

Join us in congratulating Top Tiger Award recipients: 

  • Mike Hart, Postal Services Processor for the TU Post Office 
  • Travis Sammott, Onboarding Specialist for the Office of Human Resources 

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

USM Board of Regents Staff Awards 

TUSS is excited to announce that four TU finalists have been submitted to the Board of Regents for consideration.  Nominees include: 

  • Jackie Gabrielian, Effectiveness and Efficiency (Exempt) category 
  • Felicity Knox, Exceptional Contribution to Towson University and/or the Unit to which the Person Belongs (Exempt) category 
  • Liz Shearer, Outstanding Service to Students in an Academic or Residential Environment category 
  • Jennifer Stano, Inclusion, Multiculturalism, and Social Justice category 

Mark Your Calendar 

TUSS Meeting: March 16, 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 by Monday before the meeting if you need to attend in person, please. 

Staff Development Conference: March 23, 2022 – “Push What’s Possible: Make an Impact”
Register today! Hear from keynote speaker Dr. Linda Singh, choose from 11 workshops in the morning session and nine in the afternoon, join other registered colleagues for a buffet lunch, and learn more about TU departments and our partners at the vendor marketplace. 

Administrative Professionals Conference: April 28, 2022
Presented by USM.  Save the date and look for updates in TU Today this spring. 

Senator Spotlight 

This month features Division of University Advancement Exempt Senator, Nky McGinnis (she/her). She is the Director of the Annual Campaign. 

How long have you worked at TU? 
Three and a half years 

What is your department and what does your position entail?
I am in annual giving which is in the Office of Development. My position entails fundraising for the various colleges, divisions, and the library to provide all around support for our students, faculty, and staff.  

What do you enjoy the most about your job? 
I enjoy working in the Division of University Advancement and knowing that I am making a difference in what I do every single day. 

 

What is your favorite place to eat on or around campus?
7720 Cafe 

What do you do to relax? 
I like to read New York Times Bestsellers. 

If we were to create a TU playlist, what song would you want to include and why?
“We are the Champions” by Queen. 

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you? 
I have a dissertation published in the Library of Congress regarding barriers to oral health, because oral health is a part of one’s overall health. 

What’s the proudest moment of your life? 
Being a mommy and receiving my doctorate. 

Why did you decide to get involved with the TUSS?
As a senator I wanted to be able to represent the staff in my division and be that person of communication between UA and other fellow staff members across campus. I also wanted to be that senator that provides information regarding the importance and the impact of philanthropy on our institution.   

Describe what you have learned (or hope to learn) during your time in TUSS? 
I have learned that our staff here at TU are some remarkable people who not only care about our institution, but everyone who is involved all across the board. I have also learned that we do have a say in how things are done, and our thoughts and opinions really do matter and for that, I am #TUproud! 

___________________ 

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 . 

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This post was written by Karp, Robert J.