STAFF SENATE
Working for you to make a difference.
Mission Statement
Working for permanent, non-faculty employees to provide a voice.
The WCU Staff Senate is an elected body of representatives working with university and state-level administrators to communicate the needs and priorities of staff members.
Current Initiatives
Initiatives and goals for the current fiscal year.
Current Representatives
Elected representatives working in an advisory capacity to the Chancellor and other decision-making bodies.
Leadership Involvement
Direct communication to university and state-level decision-makers.
Past Achievements
Accomplishments, resolutions, and survey results from previous years.
Committees
Expand the information about the standing committees and how they serve in a combined effort for permanent, non-faculty employees.
Community Involvement
Reaching out and engaging with our community. Get Involved.
Are you a new employee?
Staff Senate works closely with Human Resources to ensure we have the most up-to-date information for new and current employees. You can find more information to help you get started and get involved.
Staff Senate Blog
Stay up-to-date on the Staff Senate and happenings around campus that affect staff.
FAQ
Staff Senate is devoted to ensuring the greatest collective concerns of staff are addressed.
You can learn more about Staff Senate and our campus involvement through our webpage. If you have any questions that are not answered, or if you have any suggestions or concerns, please contact us!
Why was Staff Senate created?
Staff Senate is an elected body created for staff members to have a united voice to university administration and an active role in shared governance. Staff Senate represents the WCU’s permanent, non-faculty employees. The Senate acts on-behalf of and to the benefit of WCU employees by acting as a liaison between staff and decision-making bodies at the university and state-level.
What issues does the Staff Senate advocate for?
Staff Senate advocates for staff based on feedback provided regarding relevant issues to staff. Some of the most recent issues include salary and compensation, paternal leave, paid maternal leave, flexible work schedules, and professional development funding for staff. If you have a topic of concern, please share your thoughts with us via email.
Where does fundraiser money go?
Proceeds from fundraisers and donations go to The Staff Senate Scholarship which supports currently enrolled or accepted, incoming students who are children and relatives of SHRA and EHRA non-faculty employees. The scholarship is awarded to students each year through the university scholarship application process, opening on October 1 of each year. Award preference is given to the children and dependents of WCU employees, including those of the University’s contractual employees. Please note that the application deadline is February 1 of each year.
What is shared governance?
Shared governance refers to a process in which faculty, staff, and students participate in the issues and matters that affect the institution and have a hand in the decision-making processes. At WCU, the Chancellor and university decision makers continue to demonstrate efforts to respect and further engage Staff Senate, Faculty Senate, Student Government Association (SGA) in shared governance.
What's the process for nomination?
Nominations open early in the spring semester, typically, in February. The Governance Committee will notify staff members when nominations are open. Staff members can be nominated, or self-nominate, for Senate through a Qualtrics link that is sent out via email. Nominees will have a chance to accept or decline a nomination prior to the election. If the nominee accepts the nomination, they will be voted upon by the university staff.
How do my Staff Senators work on issues?
Staff Senators participate in a multitude of decision-making committees across campus. These committee provide an avenue for senators to advocate for staff. Senate not only discusses issues internally, we solicit information campus-wide through the question of the month, surveys, and forums to name a few. Each month, the Staff Senate chair meets with the Chancellor to make sure staff voices are being heard. You can find out more information about our Leadership Involvements here.
What has the Staff Senate achieved in the past?
Staff Senate works with university-level and state-level committees and decision-making bodies to advocate for staff on issues of importance. Examples include: Employee Reward and Recognition, Professional Development for Staff, Orientation and Onboarding, Diversity and Inclusion, Employee Wellness and Community Service Engagement to name a few. You can find out more about Staff Senate’s past achievements here.
Are meetings open to all staff?
Yes, all monthly General Staff Senate meetings are open to the public. Staff Senate meets on the second Wednesday of each month to receive updates from university leadership and discuss staff members’ ideas and concerns. We encourage you to attend so that you are up-to-date on all issues and happenings that pertain to staff. You can find more information here.
Upcoming Meetings
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Hinds UC Grandroom (unless otherwise noted)
THURSDAY, August 8, 2024
THURSDAY, September 19, 2024
THURSDAY, October 17, 2024 (HHSB 204)
THURSDAY, November 21, 2024
December 2024: No meeting planned
THURSDAY, January 9, 2025
THURSDAY, February 13, 2025
THURSDAY, March 20, 2025
THURSDAY, April 17, 2025
THURSDAY, May 8, 2025
THURSDAY, June 19, 2025 (Blue Ridge Conference Room)
Join the Meetings
Meetings are open to the public and we welcome your attendance.
If you have any questions or would like a copy of other meeting minutes, please do not hesitate to let us know by emailing staffsenate@wcu.edu.
Meetings Minutes
If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the meeting minutes from previous meetings, please submit your request to staffsenate@wcu.edu.