April TUSS News for Staff

Published by on April 22, 2024 12:00 am Comments Off on April 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 general meetings. Our meetings are opportunities for all staff employees to be involved in institutional planning and amplify staff input. Join us! 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE RECENT TUSS MEETING: 

  • Council of University System Staff (CUSS) meeting at Towson University was a success. Thank you to everyone who made it a success. 
  • Due to a scheduling conflict, President Ginsberg was unable to attend.  
  • Call for commencement volunteers was sent to all faculty in addition to staff.  
  • Support for Stratus through Tech Help is now live. An email was sent out on 4/17. You can now submit and monitor requests for help with Stratus through Tech Help.  
  • A reminder on requisition cut off dates: > $200,000 April 8, 2024; $25,000-$200,000 April 22, 2024; $5,000-$25,000 May 20, 2024; $0 – $5,000 (if PO required) June 07, 2024 
  • P-Card transactions should be done by June 17 to post in FY24. Be aware that some vendors do not bill until the item is shipped.  
  • A comprehensive list of Year End Close Dates can be found here: https://www.towson.edu/financialsystems/stratus/documents/2024_pre_close_guidance.pdf 
  • On May 15 at 2 p.m., a Travel Training workshop will be offered. Monitor the HR training website to sign up.  
  • The Stratus Dashboard for reporting has launched, you can find it under TU Reporting in Stratus. Names of reports are being simplified from the original PeopleSoft names.  
  • Discussion held on summer dining options.  
  • The legislature closed with a 2% reduction in the total state budget. 
  • TU will see a slight increase in our operating budget in FY25; however, waiting for the final numbers from Department of Budget Management.  
  • TU was awarded a $250,000 appropriation to develop a center for community schools in College of Education and $250,000 for the Leadership Institute.   
  • Capital Funding in 2025: Smith Hall Renovation and College of Health Professions.  
  • Electrical Substation on track for FY27 and Student Services building on track for FY28. 
  • TU is still waiting on guidance from USM on merit or COLA for employees. More information will be provided as it becomes available.  
  • Human Resources followed up on TUSS’s motion to look into adding Dining Points/UStore Gift Cards as a Service Award gift option. There may be some challenges related to state laws governing cash-like gifts. HR will continue to investigate.  
  • Many job searches are ongoing, and 46 positions have been posted. Check https://www.towson.edu/hr for open positions and remember we have a $1,750 referral bonus program. 
  • Communication will be coming out about updating your contact information and emergency contact information in Peoplesoft Self Service.  
  • Communication will also be coming out about updating your beneficiary information for your various benefits. The person you designate to receive your benefits is legally entitled to those benefits, even if that person is no longer in your life.  
  • HR highlighted that training for supervisors is open to non-supervisors as well and can be a great professional development option for employees interested in moving into a supervisory role in their career or expanding their skills in “managing up”. 
  • Nate Barker from Employee Relations offered insight on policy change processes and mentioned three levels of review: Level 1: Administrative Changes Only; Level 2: Moderate Review; Level 3: Substantive Review or New Policy. 
  • Discussion held on providing anonymous feedback to HR. SVP Steve Jones thanked everyone who participated in the Inauguration of President Ginsberg.  
  • College of Health Professions (CHP) building is nearing 90% completion when it switches from being a construction site to an occupied building with punch list items to complete. CHP administration is scheduled to move into the building in May and classes will be taught in the building this summer.  
  • Enrollment is looking positive for the Fall of 2024. Applications have already surpassed last year’s numbers.  
  • Two Tiger statues are being replaced due to age. One statue is scheduled to be relocated to TUNE.  
  • Four new electronic signs are being installed across campus.  
  • New TU sign is coming to Bosley and York in July.  
  • A motion was passed to add a group category for the Top Tiger award.  
  • A motion was passed to change the Top Tiger award from $15 in dining dollars and a certificate to a Doc the Tiger pin and a certificate.  
  • A motion was passed to ask University Marketing and Communications to adjust the Administrative Division website to list names without Division or Office to avoid confusion and establish consistency.  
  • Edited bylaws were uploaded to the TUSS website to reflect updates in University Divisions.  
  • A motion was passed to pause filling any potential new seats until after a discussion of the Senate makeup occurs. 
  • TUSS Elections are running from 4/18 to 4/23. Ballots were released via email around noon on 4/18. Each individual staff member MUST use the link in the ballot they received. Ballots cannot be forwarded to others as the links, while anonymous, only work one time.  

REMINDERS: 

Volunteer for Commencement: https://towsonuniversity.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/?id=80073on 

QUESTION FOR STAFF: The University has three holidays that it has discretion to place on the calendar. Currently they are placed on the day before Thanksgiving, the day before Christmas and the day after Christmas. Using the following two ground rules 1.) The University can be open or closed on the day before Thanksgiving 2.) The University must be closed between Christmas and New Years (but you can mandate staff use floating holidays or annual days) how would you design your ideal TU calendar for 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028? Would you keep these days off, add a Spring Break day, create a four day 4th of July weekend in 2028, or something else altogether?  

*Staff Appreciation Week* 

  • Monday, April 22 – Connect with Coffee: Join fellow staff in University Union Room 224 from 8 – 10:45 a.m. to enjoy coffee and donuts while building community across the university. Swing by for a chance to play with Bruno, TU’s new comfort dog! Donuts will be delivered to our off-campus and night shift staff. 
  • Tuesday, April 23 – Show Your Appreciation: Celebrate Staff Appreciation Week by sending a Gratitude Gram to a colleague who makes TU a better place. Express your appreciation for all that your staff colleagues do by personalizing specially designed Gratitude Grams for a person or people you want to recognize. Email TUSS@towson.edu to request a delivery of printed grams for use in your office, stop by the Information Desk at the Union to pick up printed grams, or access printable versions online. 
  • Wednesday, April 24 – Mid-Week Karaoke: Tackle the mid-week blues by belting out some tunes! Bring your lunch and join fellow TU staff from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in University Union Room 329. 
  • Thursday, April 25 – Yoga & Relaxation: Come to Burdick Hall Room 280 from 12 – 1 p.m. for some rest, relaxation, and yoga! Partake in the Yoga Workshop and join the Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) session to learn how to support tension relief. Be sure to bring your OneCard for entry to the gym. This event is limited to 30 TU staff participants, sign up is required.  https://forms.office.com/r/XAM0aDmdan 
  • Friday, April 26 – Paint Night: Want to gather, socialize, and get creative? Meet up at Paws Pavilion from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. for a private paint session. No materials required – just bring yourself and your creativity! Personal snacks or refreshments are welcome – no alcohol is permitted. This event is limited to 30 TU staff participants, sign up is required. https://forms.office.com/r/pMtiWh5FVU. 

 

AWARDS: 

Top Tiger 

Top Tigers receive a recognition certificate and a lunch credit in honor of their work in making TU a great place! If you have received exceptional service from a staff member, please nominate them for a Top Tiger Award. TU faculty, staff, and students can nominate TU staff members by submitting a Top Tiger Nomination Form: https://www.towson.edu/about/administration/staff-senate/staff-awards/top-tiger-award.html  

Congratulations to our Top Tigers:

  • Craig Hirsch-Facilities Management
  • Jamie Gillispie-Business Travel
  • Miranda Banks-CLA Dean’s Office
  • Bill Murphy-Facilities Management

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

TUSS Meeting: May 15, 2024, 1 p.m.
Zoom Direct Link: https://towson-edu.zoom.us/j/98702752003?pwd=N05Id3JZTEhxM2Z4ZUNBRk5OSDAvUT09
Meeting ID: 987 0275 2003
Passcode: TUSSZoom 

Towson University Faculty/Staff Appreciation Celebration: June 26 from 3 to 7 p.m. Tiger Plaza 

AVP Spotlight

Jen Stano | she, her, hers | Associate Vice President, Human Resources| Office of Human Resources

How long have you worked at TU?  

It will be 14 years in August.

What do you enjoy the most about your job? 

There is almost too much to name- I love the opportunity to talk and engage with others; there is so much to learn from the TU staff, faculty, and students and I appreciate any chance I can collaborate and develop solutions with them.  I love being part of an institution that is committed to empowering each other- I have been given so much support here from my colleagues.  I feel tremendously lucky.

What does a typical workday look like for you? 

No such thing as a typical work day- meetings, emails- I try to get as much face-to-face interaction as I can.

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

The 7720 café knows my order by heart.

What do you do to relax? 

Acupuncture!

What are you currently reading/streaming/watching? Do you recommend?  

I stream sitcoms that I never had a chance to watch- right now I’m on Brooklyn 99.  And yes, highly recommend!

What’s one thing you wish you had known when you were a teenager? 

Nothing- the journey and discovery has been worth it.  But it would have been funny to hear that I would one day work at the place that I camped out for concert tickets.

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

Any artistic ability in any way.

What’s the proudest moment of your life? 

It’s going to sound cheesy- but my two teenage girls make me incredibly proud so often, and I’m just proud I get to be there for it.

Coke or Pepsi? 

Chocolate milk!

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This post was written by Primrose, Greg