March 2022 Constituent Update

Here are updates from the March 2, 2022 Staff Senate general session:

Update-Pandemic 

Julie Casani, Director and Medical Director

Amy Orders,Director, Emergency Management and Mission

COVID Health- Dr. Casani spoke about transitioning to the social phase of the pandemic as the case numbers are going down. Community transmission rates on campus are less than one percent. Described as the “itchy” phase, by Dr. Casani, emphasis is shifting to focus to making decisions based on your own personal risks assessments. What risks are you willing to take as community transmission rates decrease, and how do you, as a person, want to respond to those changes. Be willing to voice your concerns within your groups and act collegially.

Testing is still available, some locations and hours may change. Test continue to be PCR tests. The lab will continue to work on testing every day. Testing is available and a free benefit for all employees. Dr. Casani advocated for the use of vaccines and boosters as important and emphasized that NC State will continue to provide vaccines and boosters free of charge and by appointment. If a fourth shot or booster is recommended in the Fall, it will be available at Student Health. If you need travel documentation, the NC State PCR test is sufficient. Continue to self-report right away, if you do test positive for COVID-19 and are not tested on campus. Keep in mind, the pandemic is not over.

COVID Operations- Dr. Amy Orders- What are we doing and how do we do it? The Protect the Pack website is still available as a way for you to check hours and locations for COVID-19 testing. As of March 9, 2022, prior authorization for international travel specific to COVID-19 considerations will no longer be required beyond the travel authorization system. Face coverings are available if you need them. Airlines still require masks, so masks may be helpful to have on hand for travel, conferences or events. There are 40 locations that are federally funded on campus and must continue to wear masks per federal guidelines. If you want to put up signs, use words like “encourage” but not “required” when speaking to mask use. University resources are still there and available as we continue to work through changes. Areas that had barriers before COVID are not going away, but some barriers may be removed to return the areas to pre-COVID set-ups.  The university dashboard will continue for now, but may become more historic later. 

Presentation of Resolution

Vincent Potter, Chair of Resources and Environment Committee

Vincent read the proposed resolution that supports a commitment to eliminating non-essential single-use plastics at NC State. The resolution supports the creation of a task force of university stakeholders by the NC State Sustainability Council to create a roadmap to a plastic free campus while advocating for changes across the university including the discontinuation of disposable single-use plastic across campus.

The resolution was put to vote and was approved.

Administrative Update 

Dan O’Brien, Director of Employee Relations

Dan provided information on the Spring 2022 Employee Engagement Survey. There were some changes with the survey since the last time it was distributed to campus. The survey is part of the University System’s strategic plan and takes places at all UNC system schools every two years. This year’s survey is SHORTER than past surveys and will be available for all permanent (0.75 FTE or more) faculty and staff employed as of January 2022. The survey is voluntary, but keep in mind, it’s shorter than before, and no one should be pressured to complete the survey. Up to 30 minutes of work time should be provided to all employees during routine work hours to complete the survey. The survey will launch March 28 and continue through April 11, 2022. Participants will receive an invitation email directly from ModernThink with a unique log-in and the survey should take no longer than 20 minutes to complete. There will be no paper surveys, but there will be available kiosks for employees not typically in front of a computer to access the survey. The survey will be available in English, Spanish and French. Individual responses will only be available to ModernThink, but remember to be mindful when answering open ended responses. Eligible employees will receive the survey invitation from ModernThink on March 28, 2022. The survey will be promoted through various communication channels. For more information you can visit the office of Institutional Strategy and Analysis and University Human Resources websites.

NC State was named ‘Best Large Employer’ in North Carolina by Forbes magazine-while Dan did not do a dance, he did share how amazing and unusual that an institution of higher education is awarded an honor like this.

Ombuds New

Roy Baroff, NC State Faculty & Staff Ombuds

Roy is the Faculty and Staff Ombuds, part of the Ombuds Team at NC State. Mike Giancola serves as the Student Ombuds. Roy shared how he, as Ombuds, can be of service to staff on campus. Ombuds serve as navigators and coach you through processes, providing tools to help you. Roy follows standards that are set by the International Ombuds Association. The Ombuds office is confidential and is designed to help generate options to let you leave with a plan to address your situation. The Ombuds is there to listen, strategize & coach, facilitate communication & meetings, help generate & consider options, provide a safe place to raise concerns/issues/conflicts, provide support from a neutral/impartial perspective, and surface issues to the University. Currently Ombuds Services are divided between faculty/staff and students. As part of a recent review of the student Ombuds Services, there were opportunities identified for the future of Ombuds Services at NC State, including the possibility of creating a unified Ombuds office. Roy will be retiring from Ombuds Services in June 2022, but will continue to be available at 919-515-7685 through June. Stay tuned for what’s next for Ombuds Services at NC State. 

Many Senators thanked Roy for his service and the example it provided to the UNC System offices, inspiring the creation Ombuds Services at all UNC System institutions

Chair’s Report

Helen DiPietro, Chair, Staff Senate

Staff Senate’s request to be a formal part of the University’s Commencement was turned down. 

Chair DiPietro’s full report to the Board of Trustees is available on the BOT’s website as part of the minutes of the meeting.

The 20% rule may be going away and is anticipated to be part of the consent agenda in the April meeting for the UNC Board of Governors. 

The UNC System is working on a new strategic plan; there will be a town hall meeting on campus sometime in the future. There will be town hall meetings at all University System campuses.

Old Business/New Business

There was no old or new business discussed, however there was a short presentation from Senator Arlene Mabry to note that Staff Senate will be sponsoring the Blood Connection on campus. All blood donated will remain local to our area. Please be on the lookout for dates the Blood Connection will be on campus.

Senator Bradley Davis noted there were 205 Staff Senate nominations received for the next election cycle. Elections will go live in April after eligibility is confirmed and nominations accepted.

Ongoing Reminders: 

Please join us for the next Staff Senate general session on April 6, 2022  from

10 a.m.- 12 p.m. via secure Zoom or in-person in Talley Student Union. General Sessions are open to all NC State staff.  Contact your staff senator for the Zoom meeting link as we draw closer to the meeting date. 

We are happy for the opportunity to serve you in the Staff Senate. If you should have any questions or concerns you would like Staff Senate to address, please feel free to contact your District Staff Senators: https://staffsenate.ncsu.edu/about/find-your-senator/ 

Please click here to watch the recording for March