SPH Staff Association

History of the Staff Association

In 1980, the Non-Academic Employee Council was formed to represent all staff of the School of Public Health (SPH). It was a time when the University was recommending that staff be included in School/College Constitutions. The SPH Constitution states that the purpose of the Council shall be to address issues of interest to staff employees, make recommendations, and serve on appropriate committees of the SPH. 

In 1982, the name was changed to the Staff Association to more appropriately describe our group. Representatives are elected annually to represent staff in each division and the central administrative offices. Divisions with more than 100 civil service/bargaining unit staff of at least 75 percent time elect a second representative.

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Mission of the Staff Association

The Staff Association’s mission focuses on three major areas:

• Staff participation

• Staff development

• Staff recognition

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Participation

As part of our mission of staff participation, representatives now serve on these SPH committees:

• Policy Council

• Recognition, Awards and Honors Committee

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Development

As part of our mission of staff development, the Staff Association’s projects over the years have included:

• Merit Pay Plan

• Staff Commons Area

• A Performance Appraisal Form – Staff Association representatives with input from all staff developed a new evaluation form. It was accepted by the University Civil Service Committee and the AFSCME union, and was so improved that it was also adopted by the Academic Health Center for use by other colleges and schools.

• Brown-bag seminars on subjects such as:

• Self-Defense for Every Day

• Surviving Change in the Workplace

• Ethics in the Workplace

• Stress in the Workplace

• Life Skills Seminar

• Safety on Campus

Several years ago, members of the Staff Association wrote and submitted a proposal to the University for funds for these staff development activities. We were awarded $25,000, the most awarded to any staff organization of any school or college in the University. We use these funds to arrange seminars which are of interest to the staff. We urge you to let your Staff Association representative know of topics you would like to see us consider for next year as part of our staff development mission.

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Recognition

As part of our mission of staff recognition, the Staff Association coordinates a Years of Service Recognition Program, which it initiated in 1985. Each year, staff members who have worked for the SPH for increments of 5 years are recognized and receive a gift at a special event held in recognition of their contributions to the School. In recent years staff have been recognized for up to 35 years of service in the School of Public Health.