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SAC used its annual retreat to set goals for the coming year and discuss the results of a classified staff survey conducted in June.

By Rebecca Ruiz-McGill, University Communications
July 15, 2009

The University of Arizona Staff Advisory Council welcomed its new officers and discussed plans for the coming year at its annual retreat, held Friday.

Eddie Gomez (Offices of Admissions and New Student Enrollment) will serve as the council's president, Claudia Arias (Career Services) as its executive vice president, Angie Gomez (Education, Dean's Office and Engineering Administration) will serve as administrative vice president, Deb Kimball (department of chemistry and biochemistry) as parliamentarian, Debbie Buenger (Office of University Events) as recording secretary and Sharon Bouck (department of geosciences) as treasurer. The new team met with outgoing representatives as well as new and current members during the retreat, held at the Westward Look Resort.

The council works to foster and enhance communications between classified staff employees and the University community by defining the role of classified staff and making recommendations on existing and proposed UA policies and procedures. It also works to ensure inclusion of classified staff on University committees.

Gomez said his vision for the council includes greater transparency with a clear and active presence on campus "that keeps classified staff informed of what we are doing so that they know they are being represented and represented well."

Gomez said steps toward transparency include reviving the council's newsletter, posting minutes on the council's Web site and making people aware of when and where meetings are taking place.

"We want classified people to know they are welcome to attend any and all of our meetings," Gomez said.

The retreat was also an opportunity for members to review the outcome of a survey the council conducted last month to gather opinions from UA classified staff about the University and their jobs. All 5,330 classified staff members were contacted to take the survey and a total of 745 completed it. 

An important finding from the survey was the overwhelmingly positive attitude staff had about working at the UA. "They love their jobs and love working at the UA and in their department," Gomez said.

At the same time, "though they love the benefits, atmosphere and flexibility of their job, they feel there could be more communication and a better pay scale," said Randy Livingston, outgoing Staff Advisory Council president, who oversaw the creation and implementation of the survey during his presidency.

Gomez said the survey also revealed that classified staff employees "feel as though they are not being treated as valid contributors to their departments. It is something the council would like to tackle this coming year."

Livingston, who works in Facilities Management, said the biggest challenge the new president faces are member recruitment and participation.

"With shrinking budgets, supervisors and managers are reluctant to allow staff members to be involved in activities non-work-related during operating hours," he said.

Though the council's meetings are open to anyone, membership is limited.

Currently, the council's bylaws limit membership to 42 classified staff members. During the retreat, Gomez said, the idea of adding more members was discussed. "The last thing we want to do is turn away any individual who is ready and willing to participate."

Currently there are 24 members and active recruitment will continue until the membership limit is reached.

Employees interested in becoming council members must fill out an online application. Prospective council members must be non-probationary classified staff employees willing to commit a minimum of eight hours a month to council activities.   

Council members review the applications, looking for employees who demonstrate commitment and whose contributions will benefit the council. "For instance, we look for someone who can represent an area or department at the UA we do not have current representation in," Gomez said.

If selected for membership, a staff member's supervisor is contacted and an agreement is reached that allows the member the time needed to fulfill his or her responsibilities.

Staff Advisory Council meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at varying locations. The next meeting is scheduled for Aug. 4 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. The meeting location will be posted on the Staff Advisory Council Web site.