November TUSS News for Staff

Published by on November 26, 2024 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 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: 

  • Congratulations to the Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity on a successful DEI summit! 
  • Stratus Responsive Self-Service Module is coming, watch TU Today for more information. 
  • AVP Eric Jones offered a shout out to the 34 Change Champions who have been testing the Stratus Responsive Self Service Module over the past few months. Thank you! 
  • Pro-Card Administrators will be doing more research in Stratus regarding Level 3 audits. Questions about what was purchased and why it was purchased will continue to go out via email, but you will not need to attach receipts. This communication record is an Audit Standard; however, by providing this detailed information in Stratus when submitting reconciliations, future streamlining may be possible.  
  • The State is projecting budget deficits in FY26 and beyond. TU has been running budget reduction exercises and we are prepared. TU continues to be fiscally sound.  
  • Business processes in Property Records are being reviewed with the goal of significant improvement. Feedback is welcome.  
  • TU is exploring the possibility of outsourcing UStore operations. 
  • Don’t forfeit your leave! Personal leave, holiday leave, and any annual leave over the carry over limit must be used by the end of the last pay period in 2024, which is 01/07/2025.  
  • The Board of Regents November agenda included a number of proposals affecting USM staff. More information to come in TU Today. 
  • TU will begin the next master plan planning process soon. TUSS will request to be a focus group.  
  • Construction fencing near Smith Hall is related to geothermal wells being installed.  
  • Based in part on feedback submitted from the October TUSS meeting, the President’s Cabinet has determined that when the main campus is closed due to inclement weather, we are closed. There will be no expectation of telework. They also affirmed a commitment to get operational messaging out as soon as possible.  (this is a specific example of shared governance) 
  • Stephanie Shea, General Counsel and Vice President of Legal Affairs, joined TUSS for an introduction. 
  • A discussion was held on the draft of the new Personal Mechanical Conveyance Policy.  

QUESTIONS FOR STAFF:   

Did you or your office participate in the Homecoming Office Decorating Contest? If not, why not? What might help you participate next year? If yes, will you do so again? What did you enjoy most? What suggestions would you like to share? 

Send your feedback to TUSS@towson.edu or anonymously via our feedback form.   

 

AWARDS: 

Top Tiger 

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

 

Congratulations to these recent Top Tigers:  

  • Allyson DeMaagd, Center for Student Diversity
  • Beverly Lang, Student and University Billing Office
  • Charis Lawson, Office of Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility
  • Todd Givens, Jr., Housing and Residence Life
  • Seth Schwartz, College of Fine Arts and Communication
  • Andrew O’Donnell, Financial Systems and Technology

USM Board of Regents Staff Awards  

The University System of Maryland Board of Regents Staff Awards represent the highest honor bestowed by the Board of Regents for the achievements of exempt and non-exempt staff employees from institutions within the University System of Maryland. Learn more and be ready to nominate yourself or a colleague this fall! 

Initial Nomination Letters are due by December 9 at 10 p.m.! 

  

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

TUSS Meeting: December 11, 2024, 1 p.m. (Moved due to Commencement)
Zoom Direct Link: https://towson-edu.zoom.us/j/98702752003?pwd=N05Id3JZTEhxM2Z4ZUNBRk5OSDAvUT09
Meeting ID: 987 0275 2003
Passcode: TUSSZoom 

  

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 Primrose, Greg