Constituent Update for May 2022

Here are updates from the May 4, 2022 Staff Senate general session:

Administrative Update/

Tim Danielson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources

AVC Danielson shared his gratitude for support of the Employee Appreciation Event on May 2, 2022. 

AVC Danielson expressed his congratulations to the nominees at all levels across all colleges and divisions for the Awards for Excellence. Thank you to all those who nominated our nominees.

Chair’s Report

Helen DiPietro, Chair, Staff Senate

The Employee Appreciation event had over 3000 attendees, and Chair DiPietro thanked everyone for coming out and for all of the Senators who helped.

Staff Senate may have its own dedicated space very soon. This is a major accomplishment for our 27 year-old Senate which has never had its own space.

If your division has some giveaway items that you’d like to share with Staff Senate to give away at events, please contact staffsenate@ncsu.edu.

PackaPalooza is coming up on Saturday August 27, 2022 and Staff Senate needs help and swag. We’ll be next to the Ferris Wheel. (There’s gonna be a Ferris Wheel, y’all!!)

Chancellor’s Cup Golf Tournament will be on Tuesday September 27, 2022 at the Finely Golf Course 

Employee Emergency loan fund update – The program began April 1, 2021 and through April 2022 has dispersed loans totaling $41,996. There have been 88 approved requests, 54 denied requests, and three requests have been canceled. Requests were typically denied because the employee already had a loan or didn’t have sufficient documentation.

Chair-Elect McAllister shared that Dr. Julie Cassani indicated COVID-19 cases are steady with a slight increase. The university offers COVID-19 booster shots on Thursday and Fridays. There are inventory shortages of booster shots in surrounding areas, but not in Wake County. Check to make sure your shot provider has the shot before you go, if not on campus or in Wake County. Try to get your booster in Wake county, if you want one.

Continue to look for updates on the Protect the Pack website.

University Police update :

Daniel House Jr., Chief of Police

Chief House shared his cell phone number in the event anyone wanted to contact him directly: 984-297-1701 PLEASE CONTINUE TO CALL 911 FOR ALL EMERGENCIES

The Chief offered general safety tips:

Lock your doors, secure your belongings.

Report suspicious activity.

Plan ahead and take advantage of ride share, Wolfline bus service or call a friend, and avoid walking alone at night-walk with a friend or group. You can call University Police for escort service

Avoid being on your phone or using earbuds-especially noise canceling headphones at night.

You can possess pepper spray on campus.

Carry a flashlight when walking at night.

Trust your gut-if a situation doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.

Download and utilize “what3words” for immediate location

The Chief continued to talk about improvements to notifications per  REG 04.00.01 as well as other pending improvements and additions to the department.  One new addition is a new Therapy Dog, her name is SASHA and she joined us in the Senate Chambers. She’s a fantastic addition to the team.

The Chief spoke about the requirements of the Clery Act, shared examples of new streamlined alerts text,  and that the website for university police is being revamped.

The department is working on initiating stronger community relationships and stronger community engagement and is enhancing transparency and continuing to work with campus partners to develop and implement community interactive training.

Chief House answered specific questions from Senators. Please check out the video to hear the responses, see his presentation, and hear what training and opportunities are available.

Committee Reports:

Each of the Committee Chairs provided updates to the Senate body.

Election information was shared along with the description of Officer roles. Committee Chairs shared their roles and responsibilities with each committee report.

A few highlights from the committee reports

The on campus blood drive was a huge success-they had to bring an extra bus! Blood Connection was able to collect 57 units of blood which could impact up to 171 people in our community!

COVID-19 testing will still have daily results available through May 16, 2022, but after that date, the onsite testing will decrease to every other day. Please continue to check the Protect the Pack website for updates.

Old Business/New Business

Speed bumps may get painted soon! Those pesky speed bumps that are on Morrill Drive and not easily visible should soon see some updates making the bumps more visible and identifiable thanks to the hard work of Vice Chair Phipps.

Don’t forget – Senators Gerald Cobb, District-51 and Jameco McKenzie, District-24 will be representing NC State presenting at the July 20, 2022 Cooperative Raleigh Colleges conference.

Ongoing Reminders: 

Computer Loan Program

The Computer Loan Program is constantly interested in acquiring more laptop computers to use for the program. The program utilizes computers that are not End of Life (EOL) to give employees that meet the criteria the opportunity to check-out a computer and build their computer skills. If your unit or department is considering surplusing computers that are not EOL-consider sending those computers to the Computer Loan Program. The Program may even be able to accept your gently used personal computer, if it’s not considered EOL, too! If you have computers to donate, please contact computerloan@ncsu.edu. 

Faculty & Staff Ombuds Office

Roy Baroff, NC State Faculty & Staff Ombuds

Please feel free to reach out for any help or guidance concerning key areas of how to navigate/empower/connect/coach. Roy is available at 919-515-7685.

Please join us for the next Staff Senate general session on June 1, 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 May.