Staff Senate Strategic Plan

August 2007

 

Vision

The Staff Senate seeks to enhance its visibility as a vital and recognized organization for the exchange of information in the functioning of the University of Kentucky.  The Staff Senate seeks to be viewed as a valued resource to be consulted when making decisions that affect staff and to become a critical partner in University planning.  The Staff Senate seeks to provide a forum in which diverse staff can work together on common interests, needs, and concerns.

 

Mission

In accordance with Governing Regulation V, the Staff Senate shall be the official representative body of the staff of the University. It shall strive to create stronger bonds within the staff and encourage cooperation among staff, faculty, students, administration, and the Board of Trustees for the benefit of the University.   It shall provide an opportunity for all staff members at the University of Kentucky to have an interactive role in defining and maintaining a workplace that encourages input from all staff in creating a harmonious environment.

 

Values

The Staff Senate values:

·        integrity

·        the principles of shared governance

·        democratically elected representation

·        partnerships with all aspects of the University community

·        inclusive decision-making

 

Goals

 

Goal I – Elevate the Effectiveness of the Staff Senate

 

The Staff Senate will:

 

·        work to increase its influence in University-wide strategic planning efforts;

·        improve its reputation among staff, faculty, students, administration, and the Board of Trustees;

·        work collaboratively to track progress of Work Life initiatives;

·        seek to increase input into the executive hiring process;

·        advocate with and for staff on issues concerning salaries, benefits, work environment, etc;

 

·        partner with Human Resource Development and University administrators to improve Senators’ understanding of University operations, policies, and procedures; and

·        launch a mentoring program pairing freshman and senior Senators to foster continuity of Senate activities.

 

Measures of Progress

The Staff Senate will measure progress on this goal by:

 

·        sponsoring Staff Appreciation Day and conducting the event in a manner that promotes active participation from all areas of the University;

·        supporting the University strategic planning process by enacting and promoting its own plan;

·        seeking representation on University committees, most notably committees addressing Work Life initiatives;

·        developing and implementing strategies to increase faculty participation in the Institutional Finances and Resource Allocation (IFRA) Committee;

·        strengthening its relationship with the University Senate by having a representative attend all University Senate meetings, establishing regular meetings between the Chairs of the two groups, and actively seeking opportunities to work collaboratively on issues facing both populations;

·        working collaboratively with Human Resources and other University departments to integrate the new employees from the Good Samaritan acquisition into the University and the Senate;

 

·        increasing its efforts to publicize its accomplishments by means of UK News, Senate Newsletters, the Senate website, and other mediums;

·        scheduling University policy makers at full Senate meetings to explain proposed policy changes and attentively responding to such changes;

·        seeking membership on the search committees for positions such as Vice President for Institutional Diversity;

·        proposing a program that utilizes staff to assist in the University’s efforts to address the issue of student attrition/retention;

·        extending a Senate ex-officio membership invitation to the Provost;

·        creating a database to track the status of action taken by the Senate and address any unresolved items or issues;

·        establishing partnerships with other Staff Senates and Councils throughout the state and working collaboratively on issues that affect all state colleges and universities; and

 

·        developing a Senate mentoring plan workgroup during the 2008 Senate year with approved recommendations being implemented during the 2009 Senate year.

 

Goal II – Elevate Quality of Life for Staff

 

The Staff Senate will:

 

·        facilitate open discussions on issues concerning salaries, benefits, work environment, etc;

·        collaborate with Human Resources to assist staff members to understand and utilize available employee benefits; and

 

·        collaborate with adult education organizations to increase awareness of and participation in post-secondary education and professional development.

 

Measures of Progress

The Staff Senate will measure progress on this goal by:

 

·        creating a database to track the status and resolution of staff concerns;

·        utilizing email listservs, flyers, UK News, Senate Newsletters, the Senate website, and other mediums to provide appropriate, accurate, and timely information to constituents and solicit feedback; and

·        finalizing the redesign of the Senate website by January 2008 and keeping the site current with news, reports, links to University services available to staff, and other Senate business.

 

 

Goal III – Embrace and Nurture Diversity

 

The Staff Senate will:

 

·        demonstrate a strengthened commitment to the President’s Commission on Diversity, the President’s Commission on Women, and other diversity-oriented offices and committees;

 

·        participate in multi-cultural events sponsored by the University; and

 

·        seek ways to represent the diversity of the University on the Staff Senate.

 

Measures of Progress

The Staff Senate will measure progress on this goal by:

 

·        actively participating in University diversity-oriented groups;

 

·        seeking representation on diversity-oriented committees;

 

·        staffing a Senate booth or table at multi-cultural events sponsored by the University; and

 

·        employing the Election Committee to produce recommendations on how to increase participation in the Senate from traditionally underrepresented precincts and groups.

 

 

Goal IV – Enhance the Intellectual and Economic Capital of Kentucky through Growth in Research

 

The Staff Senate will:

 

·        publicize research and its application being conducted by staff;

·        highlight the impact of University research initiatives on staff; and

·        encourage staff participation in University research.

 

Measures of Progress

The Staff Senate will measure progress on this goal by:

 

·        actively seeking referrals to current research being conducted by staff and research that has concluded, and whose findings have an impact on staff; and

·        utilizing email listservs, flyers, UK News, Senate Newsletters, the Senate website, and other mediums to publicize this research.

 

 

Future Plans

In addition to the measures of progress provided for each goal, the Staff Senate leadership will revisit these goals every six months, or immediately following the approval of a new University strategic plan, to determine areas of strength and weakness, identify necessary resources for improvement, and create and articulate a new strategic plan for the Staff Senate.