Staff Council Two Year Strategic Plan

According to the statement of purpose as written in the Constitution, Staff Council serves as the official University liaison between staff and other university constituencies, and is a recognized part of the official University governance process. Staff Council provides a visible and proactive voice on issues having significant staff impact. To that end, the Council strives to represent the concerns of staff and to provide a forum for staff to voice those concerns; to facilitate shared governance for staff in University planning and decision making; and to preserve the Catholic, Vincentian and urban nature of the University community by being sensitive to and caring for the needs of each other and those we serve.

In order to actualize this purpose, we offer the following goals and objectives to provide direction for the actions of Council over the next two years.

Goal 1: Increase Involvement of University Staff

Staff Council will seek out and listen to the voices of staff on issues of significant staff impact as well as increase staff involvement in council and university-sponsored events.

Objective 1.A: Promote increased staff involvement and increase staff presence at monthly Staff Council meetings

• Set precedent of well-run, on-time, and organized monthly meetings
• Increased attendance of staff and guest speakers at monthly meetings
• Increased involvement in St. Vincent’s Week Activities, including hosting a Vincentiana Collection Lecture and a clothing drive

Objective 1.B: Solicit issues of significant impact from staff

 Objective 1.C: Increase staff involvement in university governance

• Representation on SRAC (Two Council members); 07/08 Budget Approved
• Representation on university-wide committees including UBCC and Speech/Expression Policy Task Force
• Implementation of university-wide committee interest survey and database

Goal 2: Promote Staff Development

Staff Council will call for, and work to create more training and professional development opportunities for all staff at DePaul.

Objective 2.A: Engage the university in a conversation about professional development for staff

Objective 2.B: Call for training programs for staff on issues such as time management, diversity, dealing with different work styles, organizational skills, technology, management issues, etc.

Objective 2.C: Explore, with the Office of Human Resources, the idea of creating a resource for staff seeking professional development opportunities

Goal 3: Increase Diversity Efforts

The University strategic plan calls for DePaul to be a model of diversity. Staff Council will work in service to the objectives outlined in University plan as well as increase the awareness and appreciation of the diversity of the University staff.

Objective 3.A: Foster effective partnerships with Office of Diversity, as well as other University offices, to advance diversity issues to promote increased awareness of diversity through educational programs and cultural events

• Hosted Brown Bag Event, October 2006
• Hosted Cultural Heritage Day, October 2006
• Hosted MLK /Heroes of Peace Events, January 2007

Objective 3.B: Explore opportunities to provide staff development around issues of diversity

• Sponsored Diversity Training Workshop with the Office of Institutional Diversity, November 2006

Objective 3.C: Educate and inform the Leadership regarding diversity issues

• Appointment of Council representative to the President’s Diversity Council

Goal 4: Strengthen Relations with Human Resources

Staff Council will work to strengthen its relationship with the Office of Human Resources (HR) so that it can better serve as a liaison between the staff members of the University and this Office on employment-related issues.

Objective 4.A: Maintain an open dialogue with Human Resources about Human Resources.

• Regular attendance at meetings of Human Resources representatives to discuss policies and issues, September and October 2006
• Review and passage of revised HR policies
• Review of Compensation Philosophy Document

Objective 4.B: Review current performance appraisal process to make them more effective, efficient and more meaningful to staff.

Objective 4.C: Develop and strengthen the relationship between Human Resources and Staff Council to better serve the staff at DePaul.

Goal 5: Advance Communication Efforts

Staff Council will enhance both its communications with all university staff as well as its internal communications among members.

Objective 5.A: Improve mechanisms for communicating with staff

• Implementation of a two-year strategic plan
• Use of web casts
• Use of powerpoint presentations for Voice of Staff

Objective 5.B: Promote the Redesigned Council Website

• Implementation of site counter
• Up-to-date Voice of Staff submissions archive
• Timely upload of meeting Minutes to web site

Objective 5.C: Create a Marketing Plan to Increase Awareness of Staff Council

• Marketing Plan created and implemented, January 2007

Implemented – August 2006
Activities to Date – January 2007