January TUSS News for Staff

Published by on January 23, 2023 12:00 am Comments Off on January 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:

  • President Search: Please participate in the process of identifying the 15th president of TU. View the site for more information: https://www.towson.edu/about/administration/president/president-search.html
  • Budget: Divisions submitted budget requests on time for the third year in a row. Good work!
  • Computer Inventory Request: Staff are encouraged to quickly process the request sent from property records. The deadline is January 30.
  • Legislative Auditors: Auditors are here on campus. Learn more about what to expect over the next six months in the TU Today article: https://tutoday.towson.edu/2023/01/13/state-legislative-audit-underway/
  • Hiring: TU ended the calendar year with a 21% internal promotion rate. This opened up about 100 positions to be searched throughout the year. 2018 and 2019 had similar numbers of internal hires. Hiring continues to increase and to be more efficient. Open positions continue to be at a high number as we recover from the long term hiring freeze.
  • Employee Engagement Survey: On February 1, TU will participate in an employee engagement survey administered by ModernThink. TU will not see individual responses – ModernThink will provide aggregate results. The last time this was done was at TU was early 2020. All staff should participate to ensure our voices are heard.
  • Market Assessment and Pay Study: This is ongoing work and the current focus remains on resolving any equity, inversion, or compression concerns. HR is continuing to support supervisors as they remedy the few issues.
  • Significant Dates Calendar: The calendar was updated to include October 13 as an additional university holiday this year. State and university holidays are part of the overall compensation for employees, so be sure to plan ahead and avoid losing that benefit at the end of the year.
  • Council of University System Staff (CUSS): USM is expanding our insurance with MetLife – offering new products in April, including pet, auto and home insurance options. Our benefit coordinator will have information to share around mid-February regarding enrollment dates. USM also provides Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefit: https://www.guidanceresources.com/groWeb/login/login.xhtml. Services are confidential and can be helpful for all employees. This is a benefit at no or low cost that is not utilized as well as it should/could be. The Board of Regents is particularly concerned about mental health and general well-being of campus communities, so all employees are encouraged to explore the EAP.
  • Staff Engagement: Send TUSS your ideas for staff activities, programs and speakers. What unique types of events or activities would positively affect your work life at TU? No idea is too small. Email us at tuss@towson.edu.
  • Admin & Finance: Cathy Mattern (Comptroller) is retiring! Congratulations! TU will be seeking a CPA with higher education experience to fill that position. Tell your networks about the opportunity to join our great campus.
  • Microsoft 365 for Students Migration: OTS provided the senate an update on the project status. Please discuss with students and promote early opt-in. Learn more at https://www.towson.edu/m365forstudents
  • Dean of College of Business and Economics Search: The search is underway and staff should plan to participate: https://www.towson.edu/cbe/dean-search/
  • Senate: The workgroup presented some options to continue the discussion of staff senate makeup and organization. The conversation is ongoing. Senators also discussed encouraging college councils to include staff representation.
  • Procurement and OTS will present at the February TUSS meeting.

REMINDERS:

AWARDS:

Top Tigers

Join us in congratulating recent Top Tiger Award recipients:

  • Steven Rogers

If you have received exceptional service from a staff member, please nominate them for the monthly Top Tiger Award. This award is designed to recognize staff excellence. 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

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:


Dr. MLK, Jr. Celebration: February 1, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
University Union Ballrooms D and E
The Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Celebration is an annual event hosted by the Center for Student Diversity that seeks to honor and celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy. Register at https://bit.ly/MLK23RSVP

TUSS Meeting: February 15, 2023, 1 p.m.
Zoom Direct Link: https://towson-edu.zoom.us/j/98702752003?pwd=N05Id3JZTEhxM2Z4ZUNBRk5OSDAvUT09
Meeting ID: 987 0275 2003
Passcode: TUSSZoom

Critical Race Theory for the Informed & Uninformed: February 16, 2023, 1-3 p.m.
University Union Ballroom D
Dr. Richard Bell will be presenting. This is a signature speaker sponsored by the OIIE & President’s Inclusive Leadership Institute. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to lchapman@towson.edu.

SENATOR SPOTLIGHT:

Heather Sorensen

This month features At-Large Exempt senator and Staff Senate Chair Heather Sorensen, who is Director of Events and Operations in the College of Fine Arts & Communication.

How long have you worked at TU?
Since August of 1990

What is your department and what does your position entail?
My current department is College of Fine Arts and Communication Events & Operations. I am the director.

What does a typical workday look like for you?
That is difficult to describe because every day is different. I am responsible for too many things to list here.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?
Solving puzzles, helping students grow and explore, and creating systems to support the work of the college and university.

What is your favorite place to eat on or around campus?
I usually bring my lunch and eat in my office while working. When I do venture out, I like to go to Glen Dining and sit near a window.

What do you do to relax?
I hang out with my Chihuahua and my boyfriend.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I was born in Puerto Rico.

What’s one thing you wish you had known when you were a teenager?
That I did not know everything at that point.

If you could have any one skill or talent that you don’t already have, what would it be?
Playing the piano.

What’s the proudest moment of your life?
So far… several come to mind. One was being accepted into the Professional Leadership Program for Women at TU. Another is receiving a TU Volunteer Recognition award in 2018. The most impactful was reading a thank you letter from a former student employee who has grown into an exceptional person.

Why did you decide to get involved with the TUSS?
To provide support and advocacy for the staff at TU.

Describe what you have learned (or hope to learn) during your time in TUSS?
I have learned that the heart of TU is still the staff and that so many of us truly love supporting the mission of educating students by helping them grow and explore. I believe there is still much to be done as the senate continues to advocate for all staff, but this institution, the university system, and the state of Maryland value higher education along with the staff and faculty who serve. We have been shown that countless times over the past several years and I hope it continues.

 

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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