Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sort of Spring
It's been a quiet Spring, but now the election season is nearly here! This year is the bi-annual election of Staff Council officers, and only the second time that the whole staff body has been able to participate in the voting. It isn't our unit's year to elect representatives, but we all can vote for President and Vice President.
Election week is May 7-14, but to give you a chance to meet the candidates, there will be two Open Forums on Tuesday May 4th, Noon-1:30pm, Davis Center, Livak Ballroom, and Thursday May 6th, Noon-1pm, Davis Center, Silver Maple Ballroom. They'll speak first, and then take questions from the audience and from a list of questions sent to the Council Office in advance.
If you know ahead of time that you can't be there, you can still send questions for the advance list by Campus Mail or US Mail to the Staff Council Office, 313 Waterman, 85 South Prospect St., Burlington, VT 05405.
Audio recordings will be made of the forums and posted on the Council website so that those who couldn't make it can still hear the proceedings--and they should be ready by May 7th when voting starts. If you'd like to get a preview of the candidates now, there are photos, print statements, and short videotaped statements posted on the Staff Council website at http://www.uvm.edu/~stffcncl/?Page=preselection.html.
Well, today is not the day to rhapsodize about the weather, so drive carefully on the way home. Hopefully we''l be back to Spring by the weekend!
have a good week,
Joanne
Friday, February 12, 2010
Nearly Halfway Through February
The Staff Council Office asked us to get this information to you:
The February 2, 2010 Staff Council Meeting Summary is available now on the website or right here.
A majority of the meeting was spent discussing the Salary Raise Pool Recommendation that needed to be brought to the February 5, 2010 Board of Trustees Meeting. Fairness, equity and the difficult economy were foremost in everyone's minds as different suggestions were brought up and discussed. The final recommendation garnered the most votes as meeting those criteria most evenly, so it is what we went forward with to the Board of Trustees. It can be read here or on the Staff Council website, along with our SC President Beth Walsh's report to the Board:
Staff Council FY11 Salary Raise Pool Recommendation
Staff Council Report - Board of Trustees Meeting - February 5, 2010
Next, the SGA has sent us a survey for staff regarding undergraduate students:
~ * ~
What do YOU want to know about UVM undergraduate students?
We are gathering information for an upcoming presentation and would love to hear what UVM Staff members want to know about the students they help to serve! You may have questions such as: What are our reasons for selecting UVM? Who plans to stay within the Vermont community, and why? What is our long term vision and what are our hopes for the University? Please forward your anonymous feedback or thoughts to SGA President Bryce Jones at bjones1@uvm.edu or SGA Vice President Kate Ash at kash@uvm.edu by February 16th. As two undergraduate students, we look forward to hearing your feedback and thank you for all that you do!
~ * ~
Last, instead of pasting the quoted message in again, I'm going to refer you to #3 in the post from Dec 21, 2009, regarding the Campus Budget Update: Staff Council Request for Ideas. 'Nuff said.
That's the end of the Council Office info--
Blogwise, I do know that the Weather Gadget on this page is broken. According to the Gadget Master("Terence"!), Google is having some issues with its gadgets and everyone is working hard to solve all the problems. Hopefully it'll be fixed soon and we won't have to look at the error message any more--I'm not even able to delete the gadget right now, sorry!
Well, everyone have a very good weekend and holiday,
Joanne
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Budgets and...
At the 1/5/10 Full Council meeting, our guest speaker was Richard Cate, VP of Finance and Admin., on the topic of the FY10 and FY11 Budgets.
There is an excellent overview of his talk under "Presentations" from the UVM Budget Planning website. Links to these are also available on the Staff Council homepage.
A summary of his actual presentation, with brief Q&A, should be up on the SC homepage soon, contained within the January meeting summary. Please do look over the numbers, consider the calls for input, and send any comments or suggestions to the Staff Council Office [656-4493 or Staff.Council@uvm.edu]. (Details also aesthetically presented in the Staffline)
..And More
Instead of paraphrasing here, I'd like to refer you all to the President's Update section of the December 1 Staff Council meeting minutes--it's a concise overview of the many current issues we've been addressing with the Administration and President Fogel. Many of these are still in early stages, and hopefully if we keep ourselves informed we can have some input and effect on the outcomes. Please keep checking the websites--both the Staff Council's and the various involved UVM taskforces' and departments'-- for further developments.
The Staff Council President and Vice President meet with Administration representatives and President Fogel monthly to discuss staff interests and concerns, so don't forget to communicate any ideas you think should be considered to the Council Office. Next month's is scheduled for 2/2/10 (yes, Groundhog Day), so please send any communications by one week in advance: 1/26/10. There should soon be a section of the website dedicated to this activity, so keep checking!
Well the dark clouds coming across the lake are nearly here, but it looks like clear sky behind them--stay ready for anything, and keep warm,
Joanne
Monday, December 21, 2009
Several Things All At Once
This is a long post because every time it was nearly ready, more things came out that had to be added! Hopefully I'm ahead of the wave today, and all this is now current.
Several items were sent to all the council representatives with the request to get them out to our units--those are quoted verbatim below first. After that are separate items that also needed to be sent to all staff.
So without further ado:
Items Forwarded from the Staff Council Office
"1. December 1, 2009 Staff Council Meeting Summary
Please find a summary of our recent Staff Council Meeting at http://www.uvm.edu/~stffcncl/pdf/sc120109sum.pdf
2. Clean Energy Fund Committee - Call for Applications - Deadline Friday, January 15, 2010
Staff Council is now accepting applications for one staff member to serve on the Clean Energy Fund Committee.
This is a half-year term with the option for reappointment in July 2010. The Committee meets once a month for approximately 2 hours.
The Clean Energy Fund (CEF) was created in response to students’ vision of the University of Vermont (UVM) running efficiently on a fraction of its current energy needs, powered by clean, locally produced renewable energy that fulfills both the University’s needs and supports the local economy.
The purpose of the CEF Committee is to invite and evaluate clean energy projects submitted by individuals and groups of the UVM community, and to recommend projects to the Vice President of Finance & Administration, who will make the final decision about the use of the fund.
* For for information about the CEF please visit the following website: http://www.uvm.edu/~sustain/?Page=cef/cleanenergy.html&SM=cef/CEFmenu.html
* For an application, please visit the Staff Council website here: http://www.uvm.edu/~stffcncl/pdf/cefapplication.pdf
Deadline to apply is Friday, January 15, 2010
3. Campus Budget Update: Staff Council Request for Ideas
On December 15, 2009, President Fogel distributed a Budget Update to the University Community which provided further insight on UVM's current FY10 budget and the process intended to develop the FY11 budget. You can read the complete communication on the President's webpage here: http://www.uvm.edu/president/?Page=letters/budgetupdate_Dec09.html
Jane Knodell, Provost and Richard Cate, Vice President for Finance and Administration will meet with each campus governance group to solicit ideas on how to address the issues impacting the FY11 budget. To assist in this effort, President Fogel has called on all individuals "who wish to contribute to the budget deliberations" to do so through their particular governance body.
Staff Council is asking all staff members to submit their questions, concerns, ideas, and suggestions to Staff.Council@uvm.edu
You may also submit anonymous hard copies through campus mail or the United States Postal Service to:
Staff Council Office
University of Vermont
313 Waterman
85 S. Prospect St.
Burlington, VT 05405
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this request, please contact the Staff Council Office at 802-656-4493."
Individual Items for Staff
U.S.-Sino Pathway Program-
You may have seen the recent email from Provost Jane Knodell about this new program at UVM. It was also the presentation topic of the guest speakers at our 12/1/09 Staff Council meeting, Kim Howard, Director of International Education, and Joe Russell, Graduate Assistant in the Office of the VP of Enrollment Management. (SEE: 12/1/09 meeting summary on the SC homepage)
There's a lot of interesting information in the website referenced in Jane's letter, particularly the page asking for volunteers to assist with these visiting students' needs. Please take a moment to check it out!
Transdisciplinary Research Initiative-
This is comprised of eight Working Groups, chosen to represent broad areas of UVM research, and charged with developing proposals that support UVM's "Spires of Excellence".
We are finding transparency of development processes and information gathering to be variable between the groups, although when asked about this, some of the groups hadn't realized that their messages weren't going out to everyone. Their main website does have some information on progress posted, so it could be worth checking there periodically for updates.
More On Campus Budget Updates-
At the next full Staff Council meeting on January 5, 2010, our guest speaker will be Richard Cate, Vice President for Finance and Administration. He'll be presenting on the topic of budget developments, so some of the ideas requested above could also be brought forward as questions after his talk (time permitting).
Staff Council Officer's Meeting with President Fogel-
The date has been moved to Jan 5th, just before the next Staff Council meeting. They hope to discuss some of what was mentioned here: the need for preparations for the U.S.-Sino Pathway Program, transparency issues in the TRI processes, and budget topics.
Other-
Results from the Holiday Bazaar are looking very good! (fuller report on the website soon) We collected 231 lbs of non-perishable items for the Food Bank--definitely a program we'll repeat next year!
Well, thanks very much for persisting all the way through. Here's wishing everyone a wonderful holiday season, and do stay warm,
Joanne
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Council Office Updates & Future Fun
Hi Everyone,
The Staff Council Office has asked us to pass the below information directly on to our units, so here it is! They're also still looking for more items for the Holiday Raffle, so here are the instructions for that too:
If you or someone you know might be willing to donate a raffle item, please feel free to contact them on behalf of Staff Council or put them in contact with the Staff Council Office at 802-656-4493 or Recreation Committee Chair, Marie Tiemann at Marie.Tiemann@uvm.edu. Donations are Tax Deductible, Just fill out this form: http://www.uvm.edu/~stffcncl/pdf/holidaybazaardonationform.pdf
Last, each month the Staff Council President and Vice President (Beth Walsh and Jon Reidel) meet with President Fogel and Gary Derr to talk about issues that are currently important to the UVM staff. The next meeting is Monday 11/23, and if you have any specific concerns or questions that you would like raised, please get it to me or the Council office (6-4493 or Staff.Council@uvm.edu ) by Friday 11/20.
The office is trying to make these meetings more transparent to staff by developing a webpage just for this purpose, but it isn't ready quite yet. So to avoid confusion, just make sure you indicate in your message that your question is for the upcoming 11/23 meeting.
1. Staff Council Holiday Bazaar:
Thursday, December 3, 2009, 9am-3pm, Grand Maple Ballroom, Davis Student Center
Mark your Calendars: The Staff Council Holiday Bazaar is right around the corner! Artwork, Crafts, Baked Goods, Raffle Prizes all await you on Thursday December 3rd from 9am-3pm in the Grand Maple Ballroom of the Davis Student Center.
We still have a few tables available for rental, but they are going fast. If you are interested, please contact the Staff Council Office at 802-656-4493 or Staff.Council@uvm.edu as soon as possible. For more information about the event, please visit our website: http://www.uvm.edu/~stffcncl/?Page=holidaybazaar.html
2. November 3, 2009 Staff Council Meeting Summary
Please find a summary of our recent Staff Council Meeting at http://www.uvm.edu/~stffcncl/pdf/sc110309sum.pdf
3. Board of Trustees Meeting: Staff Representative Comments on Committee Summaries
The Staff Council has several staff members appointed to Board of Trustees Committees. After each meeting we ask that these representatives comment on the meetings to provide further transparency for UVM staff. Please find their comments on our website: http://www.uvm.edu/~stffcncl/pdf/bot102309repcom.pdf
Even though the skies are clear, the ground is nearly frozen--is everyone ready for (shhh) winter?
Have a good week,
Joanne
Sunday, November 8, 2009
We've been asked to forward the following information to our units regarding these advocacy opportunities:
Nominations for Staff Advocates: Deadline Friday, November 13, 2009
The Staff Council at the University of Vermont is currently accepting nominations from permanent non-represented staff members to serve two-year terms as Staff Advocates and/or Staff Council Designees on Grievance Review Committees to assist with the University’s “Complaint Resolution and Grievance Policy and Procedures - Non-Represented Staff.”
For more information regarding this policy, qualifications, time committment and duties, please refer to the following link:
http://www.uvm.edu/~stffcncl/?Page=grievance.html. (Links to this information and forms are also found on the Staff Council homepage)
Those interested in this unique opportunity are asked to fill out the Nomination Form and return it
no later than Friday, November 13, 2009 to:
Staff Council Office
University of Vermont
313 Waterman Building
Burlington, VT 05405
You may also email your nomination form to Staff.Council@uvm.edu or fax it to 802-656-8790.
* Appointments will be determined by the Staff Council President and announced during the week of November 16, 2009.
* Those individuals appointed will be required to attend a day-long training tentatively scheduled for the first week of December upon our return from the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Any questions or concerns should be directed to the attention of Jeff Bukowski, Staff Council Office Administrator at Staff.Council@uvm.edu or by phone at 802-656-8767. This notice and information are also found on pg 5 of the November Staffline.
Other topics:
Don't forget the Holiday Bazaar on December 3rd from 9am to 3pm in the Grand Maple Ballroom of the Davis Center. The Council proceeds support the activities planned all year by the Recreation Committee. One Non-Perishable Food Donation = One Free Raffle Ticket!!
The November Staffline is out and available from the Council homepage or this link. With the holidays approaching, there are an incredible number of discounts and opportunities to help our neighbors; please consider taking part!
Well, here's hoping that all are well in the coming weeks and preparations for winter go off without a problem--
Have a Good Week,
Joanne
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Info Transfer!
The Council Office has asked us to pass on the information below, so here it is:
1. October 6, 2009 Staff Council Meeting Summary
Please find a summary of our recent Staff Council Meeting at http://www.uvm.edu/~stffcncl/pdf/sc100609sum.pdf
2. Staff Council Holiday Bazaar: Sign Up
Attention UVM Staff, Students, Faculty, and Retirees: It is that time of year again for the Staff Council Recreation Committee to begin planning for our annual Holiday Bazaar. This is a great opportunity to showcase and sell your own beautiful locally handmade products and artwork to the UVM Community. For more information on how to reserve a table or how to get involved, please visit our website.
3. NextStep: Facilitator and Participant Applications
Occurring each January, the Next Step Retreat provides 65 participants (undergraduate, graduate, staff and faculty) with a personal and collective experience aimed at developing their own knowledge and skills about their own social identities. Participants learn how to become better change agents and activists against racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, religious discrimination, classism and other socially constructed oppressions. If you have experience with social justice education and want to be a part of Next Step, we are currently accepting Facilitator applications! For more information visit: www.uvm.edu/nextstep
4. Dragonheart Vermont Sock Sale: Office of Federal, State and Community Relations
Dragonheart Vermont, a breast cancer survivor and supporter organization is raising money for local cancer programs through the sale of “Mismatched Socks”. The order deadline has been extended to Friday, October 23rd. Please see this flyer for more information, or contact the Office of Federal, State, and Community Relations at 300 Waterman or by phone at 656-2992.
Please consider volunteering, or supporting some of these worthy causes!
Also, it's still Apple Time at the Hort Farm! Information is available at 658-9166, or by emailing Terry Bradshaw at tbradsha@uvm.edu

Let's all think of pie!
Have a good week,
Joanne