Here are updates from the April 6, 2022 Staff Senate general session:
Administrative Update/Staff Retention
Tim Danielson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources
AVC Danielson answered questions submitted from Senators and provided honest and transparent answers which were not always actionable or available for immediate improvement and satisfaction, but the AVC expressed how he would like to help. Because there are two different permanent employee types on campus, Exempt from the State Human Resources Act (EHRA) and Subject to the State Human Resources Act (SHRA) there are different challenges involved with making changes and staying competitive. Specific to the discussion was explaining that there were three primary offices that must work together in many cases to make change happen. Those offices include NC State University Human Resources (NC State HR), UNC-SO HR (University of North Carolina System Office Human Resources) and OSHR(Office of State Human Resources). AVC Danielson spoke on topics including salary ranges for SHRA employees and how we may be able to have the ranges reviewed and if they could be comparable to outside industry, what we can do to retain staff, if merit increases for SHRA employees are something we can work towards and the differences associated with EHRA merit increases, how longevity pay works for eligible SHRA employees, flexible work arrangements(REG 05.55.10) and remote work arrangements (REG 05.55.11)-and the approvals required, current employee perks, like Wolfperks and tuition waivers, and if there’s a possibility for discounted parking for employees.
Not every answer was within his direct authority to act on but AVC Danielson communicated being willing to work with the offices both on campus and outside of NC State to address many of the concerns. One particularly interesting explanation to increasing salaries and retaining staff had to do with distinguishing the difference between progression within a pay range and promotion. Many staff and supervisors have a desire to see employees advance in salary, without changing positions which leads to two concepts mentioned: promotion, and progression in range. Promotion usually entails going to a different position with a different set of duties, with a different pay range and responsibilities. Progression in range usually refers to continuing to complete the same duties, but advancing higher in that position’s pay range. If an employee wants to go to a different pay range, that is typically associated with a promotion, which is to a different job.
AVC Danielson answered many questions and you can see and hear his responses by viewing the recording of the Senate meeting. There was a lot of great information and discussion.
Chair’s Report
Helen DiPietro, Chair, Staff Senate
Day of Giving in March was able to generate additional donations for the leadership fund for Staff Senate established by Randy and Susan Colby. The Executive Committee is considering a scholarship and other ways the Staff Senate may use the funds to benefit Staff Senators leadership skills.
At the January meeting, Senate discussed how to conduct meetings in the hybrid format and how the current meeting room doesn’t work well for Zoom…we have been informed that the room will be updated in August.
The retreat for new and returning senators will be held on Jul 13, 2022 at Hunt Library.
For future meetings, we will ask for a list of questions from Senators for our speakers prior to meeting. Our next speaker at the May meeting will be the new Chief of Police, Daniel Lee House Jr.
The Executive Committee is eliminating committee reports at Executive Committee meetings, and now Committee Chairs will only provide reports as part of the regular Staff Senate meeting. These reports will continue to be available in the official minutes for each meeting.
At the suggestion of the Employee Experience and Engagement Committee, Staff Senate sent a ‘thank you’ to the Board of Trustees for moving forward with updating the lyrics to the Alma Mater.
Employee Experience and Engagement hosted a digital literacy and access forum that was well received and provided engaging discussion.
Chair DiPietro attended a UNC System Townhall and one item discussed was the possibility of setting-up a staff retention fund similar to faculty retention that is supported by the UNC-System Office.
Vice Chair Phipps is working with Transportation to get the speed bumps painted on Morrill Drive. The process is moving forward.
Committee Reports:
Each of the Committee Chairs provided updates to the Senate body.
Highlights from the Committee reports include:
April 18th is the last day to vote for Staff Senate elections. If there are multiple open seats, you will see individuals to select for those open seats. The individuals with the highest votes counts not elected may be accepted as alternates. Staff Senate does not run elections for alternates.
Employee Community Service
Staff Senate is partnering for continuing blood drives with BloodConnection. The next blood drive will be April 26th from 12pm to 5pm at the Brickyard, with more drives following next academic year with two blood drives a month, through December. Donations made here will stay in the local Raleigh Community area.
Feed the Pack can use your assistance year round, find out how you can help.
Look for information on creating backpacks with school supplies as a new support drive kicking off in May to provide support to our staff that may need a little help finding school supplies for their child or children.
Old Business/New Business
There is a possibility that the Chancellor’s Cup Golf Tournament may change locations, but will still be around the same date in September. There is a cost comparison being conducted as the previous course has increased the proposed cost.
Ongoing Reminders:
Please join us for the next Staff Senate general session on May 4, 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 April
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