November TUSS News for Staff

Published by on November 21, 2022 12:00 am Comments Off on November 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 agendas and minutes are posted to TUSS SharePoint.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE RECENT TUSS MEETING:

  • Provost: TU Provost Melanie Perreault, Ph.D., joined us to answer questions and to talk about topics of interest to staff. One of the key takeaways we noted is that staff play a huge role in retaining and graduating students through meaningful relationships, so say hi, ask how their day is and help students get to departments and services – you can make a massive difference in the lives of the students.
  • Stratus: Additional support is being provided to the campus for Stratus, including additional training and tips and tricks messaging. Staff are encouraged to continue sending questions or concerns to stratusfinancialsteam@towson.edu to enable the team to continue identifying areas needing attention. More targeted work is being done on reports and we expect the DPR report soon!
  • Election: Over 85% participation from the TU community including our students! In light of the mid-term election results, TU is excited to work with and support new government officials while we continue our existing relationships and collaborations.
  • COLA: Owing to our institutional values, TU is the only USM institution that has chosen to be as inclusive as possible in funding COLA for ALL employees, including students, contingent staff, adjunct faculty, lecturers and graduate assistants. TU will provide the nearly $7 million needed beyond what the state funding covers for regular exempt and non-exempt faculty and staff. HR shared information about historical USM COLA and merit increases at: https://www.usmd.edu/usm/adminfinance/hr/cola. This year’s increases have also helped TU address salary compression, and HR will continue to keep an eye on pay.
  • Filled Positions: Several positions have been filled to support infrastructure and campus operations: Deputy CIO Kevin Balsbaugh, Director of Emergency Preparedness Scott Canter, Patrol Commander Jay Landsman, Manager of Capital Assets Christian Cook, and AVP of Facilities Nick Gingue (as of December 1). Welcome!
  • Impact: TU Is one of 80 universities in the nation and one of only 2 in Maryland to earn the Innovation and Economic Prosperity university designation from the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities (APLU). According to a recent RESI study, TU accounts for about $2.1 billion in activity around the greater Baltimore region! https://www.towson.edu/campus/partnerships-research/economic-studies/
  • Recruiting: HR reported that workforce diversity has steadily increased, we are promoting from within, and we are bringing on great external candidates. HR does see pockets where we can continue to improve.
  • FCSM Dean Search: Open forums with the final candidates for dean of Fisher College of Science and Mathematics will be held in the coming weeks. More information can be found at: https://www.towson.edu/fcsm/dean-search/timeline.html.
  • Strategic Communications: TUSS Executive Board met with University Marketing and Communications during the information-gathering phase of developing a TU strategic communications plan.
  • Council of University System Staff (CUSS) Report: USM plans to focus on financial aid for students, student mental health, and making the process smoother for transfer students. The Maryland legislative session starts in January and USM office of government relations is expecting a guns on campus bill, a sustainability bill, and for the graduate assistant collective bargaining bill to return. Past session reports can be viewed at https://www.usmd.edu/usm/government-relations/
  • Professional Development/Training: TU professional development offerings continue to be updated and expanded. Staff are encouraged to take advantage of these free opportunities. Details can be found at https://www.towson.edu/hr/current/development/.
  • TU Calendar: The significant dates calendar for 2023 is not out yet but is coming soon!
  • Counseling Center: Check out the website for resources available to the campus community: https://www.towson.edu/counseling/
  • Senators: The new senator for the Division of Student Affairs – Non-Exempt is Sherrie-Lee Nunally. Welcome!
  • TUSS Bylaws: In the meeting, senators reviewed and passed proposed bylaws revisions.

REMINDERS:

AWARDS:

Top Tigers

Join us in congratulating recent Top Tiger Award recipients:

  • Taylor Poncher
  • Adrian Battle-Marston
  • Ashley Sauer
  • Jacob Eisinger

Ashley Sauer receiving award

TU faculty, staff and students can nominate TU staff members by submitting the Top Tiger Nomination Form: https://www.towson.edu/about/administration/staff-senate/staff-awards/top-tiger-award.html.

Photo: Ashley Sauer receiving the Top Tiger Award.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:


TUSS Meeting: December 14, 2022, 1 p.m.
Zoom Direct Link: https://towson-edu.zoom.us/j/98702752003?pwd=N05Id3JZTEhxM2Z4ZUNBRk5OSDAvUT09
Meeting ID: 987 0275 2003
Passcode: TUSSZoom

SENATOR SPOTLIGHT:

Andrew Rosenblum

This month features Division of Academic Affairs Non-Exempt senator Andrew Rosenblum (he/him/his), who is Technology Support Specialist in the College of Liberal Arts Office of the Dean.

How long have you worked at TU?
I have worked at TU for 11 Years. If you include my student employment with Athletics, it is 16 years.

What is your department and what does your position entail?
I work in the Dean’s Office in the College of Liberal Arts as a Technology Support Specialist. My job entails supporting and managing all technology that deals with classrooms and computer labs. I manage and support approximately 500 PC’s.

What does a typical workday look like for you?
This varies based on what happens that day. Typically, in the morning I review and respond to TechHelp tickets. I respond to classroom tech calls when appropriate. I update content and manage most of the CLA webpages and the digital signs in the building. I work with procurement and OTS to obtain new software that is requested by faculty and staff.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?
Every day is different. I enjoy that I work with technology every day. My co-workers are great which makes it wonderful to be here.

What is your favorite place to eat on or around campus?
I would say the Innovation Kitchen in the Union.

What do you do to relax?
I like to just chill out and watch TV. When I have time, I build Lego. When it’s nice out, I work on my lawn.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I am a volunteer EMT at the Cockeysville Volunteer Fire Company. I have been a member there for 14 years. Held the positions of President, Secretary, Board of Director, and EMS Lieutenant.

What’s the proudest moment of your life?
One of the proudest moments in my life would be obtaining my bachelor’s and then my master’s degrees.

Why did you decide to get involved with the TUSS?
To help be the voice of the staff and advocate on their behalf.

Describe what you have learned (or hope to learn) during your time in TUSS?
I have learned that there is a process for everything. But knowing who to talk to and what road to take makes it easier to try to get change to happen.

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Please visit our 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 Arnold, Ashley