April TUSS News for Staff

Published by on April 22, 2025 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: 

  • The Big Give is coming up on April 23. Every gift of every size matters. Join the Staff Senate in this annual giving day tradition.  
  • A vendor fair will be held on campus on April 29 from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Meet and interact with vendors who provide goods and services to campus. Visit the vendor fair website to learn more. 
  • Unofficial Save the Date from Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity 2025 DEI Summit November 7, 2025. 
  • Save the Date – Monday, May 12 – Staff Town Hall with Dr. Ginsberg at 4 p.m. in the Science Complex SC 2133. 
  • All VPs are aware that staff should be permitted to volunteer for commencement. While staff may not be able to volunteer for all six ceremonies, if any staff are denied the opportunity to volunteer for even one ceremony, please contact your HR Partner. Volunteer for commencement through Volunteer Local. 
  • President Ginsberg delivered his annual April address to the Staff Senate. 
  • Directors of Planning and Project Management (PPMO) and Procurement presented information about what their offices do and how to engage with them. 
  • The Budget Model Review committee is winding down and will send forward recommendation soon. 
  • The Shared Services Committee will start up again April 23. Focus remains on creating efficiency with tasks and resources. 
  • Review of outside proposals for UStore management has begun. These will be compared against a robust internal plan for the UStore. A plan was also enacted to improve the look of the sales floor. 
  • Campus Engagement Survey participation was up 2%. Data is currently being compiled by ModernThink for reporting to the University this summer. 
  • In support of the renovated Smith Hall, 100 geothermal wells will be drilled in the front lawn of Stephens Hall. The well field will not be noticeable once the project is completed and landscaped. 
  • Glen Towers construction will be completed by the end of June 2025. This will bring 300 beds back online! 
  • The desperately needed new electrical substation upgrade is on schedule for 2027-2028. This will help campus manage power demand especially during peak periods.  
  • SVP Jones offered a shoutout to Event and Conference Services, University Promotions & Events, and Parking Services for their support of the Board of Regents activities on campus and the Congressional Town Hall event.  
  • TUSS General Election Update – 19 staff members were nominated and 17 accepted. Divisional Round voting begins April 17 and ends at 5 p.m. EDT on April 24. At-Large ballots will be emailed out shortly after Divisional voting ends.  
  • Discussion was held on cancelling the July 2025 TUSS General Business Meeting. Motion made, seconded and passed to cancel the July 2025 TUSS General Business Meeting. 

QUESTIONS FOR STAFF:  

What feedback do you have regarding this year’s staff senator election nomination process?  

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. 

TU Impact Awards 

The TU Impact Awards recognize staff members’ impactful contributions to Towson University, the community and beyond. Nominations are OPEN!!! Nominate yourself or colleague(s) by April 30. 

__________ 

TU Staff Week 2025: 

  • April 21 – Make Your Own Tea Bags
    Start your week with calm and creativity! Drop by UU 329 between 9-11 a.m. to craft your own custom tea bags with soothing blends to take home. 
  • April 22 – Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate, Lemonade
    Brighten your morning! Visit our hospitality tables in LA and CA from 7:15-9 a.m. for your choice of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or lemonade. 
  • April 22 – Minute to Win It & Board Games
    Take a break and join us at PAWS from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for quick, fun challenges and your favorite board games. Come for the laughs, stay for the fun! 
  • April 23 – Snacks and Thank You Notes
    Portable kindness is coming your way! Look out for surprise deliveries of snacks and gratitude grams across campus throughout the day. 
  • April 23 – Paint Session with Professor Diaz*
    Join Professor Diaz for a relaxing guided painting session in CA 2006 from 1-3 p.m. All materials provided. *Registration required. 
  • April 24 – Spin Class with Matt Lenno*
    Get energized! Join Senator Matt Lenno for a fun and upbeat spin class in BU 0036 from 5:30-6:15 p.m. *Registration required. 
  • April 24 – Happy Hour at CVP
    Unwind and connect! Join fellow staff for happy hour at Charles Village Pub from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Good company guaranteed. 
  • April 25 – Planting Potted Flowers
    Celebrate spring! Drop by the PAWS Pavilion between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to plant your own potted flower to brighten your space and your day. 

2025 TUSS General Election: 

This year’s election process features two significant changes. You have already seen the changes to the nomination process, and now, as ballots are being sent out, we would like to remind everyone of the change to the order of election.  

Change to the Order of Election 

This year’s election is a two-round election.  

The first round, currently going on, is for divisional seats. Staff members in University Advancement, Administration and Finance, Operations and HR, Executive Division, Athletics, Academic Affairs, General Counsel, Inclusion and Institutional Equity, and Student Affairs will vote to fill vacancies in their divisions. Other divisions will not receive a ballot until the at-large election round and no at-large seats will be decided in round one. Those not seated in the divisional round and who did not select “Accept Nomination – Divisional Only” will automatically move to the at-large round.  

The second round will be the at-large round. All eligible staff members will receive a ballot to vote for at-large exempt and non-exempt senators, as well as a senator representing contingent employees.   

With this change, we want to stress that staff will be voting on two separate ballots, at two different times, so please follow TU Today for updates and check your email. Ballots will come from Qualtrics as they have in prior years. 

For more information about the election, visit the TUSS website.  

___________________ 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: 

TUSS Meeting: May 14, 2025, 1 p.m. (Off-Matrix due to Commencement)
Zoom Direct Link
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. 

Categorised in:

This post was written by Primrose, Greg