History

In early 1997, then-President Claire Gaudiani created a committee of staff from all levels of the community to investigate and make recommendations regarding improvement of the quality of staff work life at Connecticut College. The committee was charged with addressing three basic needs of staff on campus: physical, mental and social/spiritual. Subcommittees considered economic conditions, communication issues, staff development and staff working conditions. In Fall1997, the members of these subcommittees submitted proposals and recommendations to the President. As a result, the Human Resources Department was charged with the task of the establishing and maintaining a group representative of the entire staff community for the on-going review of staff-related issues and to provide a way for staff to participate in shared governance.

During the summer of 1998, the Human Resources Manager of Benefits and Employee Relations was tasked with the responsibility of creating such a committee by soliciting staff volunteers. An initial group of 10 staff members (plus the Human Resources representative), representing a cross-section of the college community, began meeting in January 1999. Models of several of our peer institution's staff committees/councils were reviewed resulting in our own Mission Statement as well as basic council rules and regulations. A campus-wide open meeting was held in April of 1999 introducing the newly established Connecticut College Staff Council.

Since 1999, Staff Council has become a recognized and respected voice on Campus. It has been a slow process, but much has been accomplished in the past four years. The Council currently consists of 18 elected representatives from each designated group of staff (hourly and salaried) plus one Human Resources Department representative. In the Fall 2001, Staff Council conducted a staff-wide election for two representatives to serve on the college's Priorities, Planning, and Budget Committee (PPBC). These two PPBC staff representatives attend each monthly Staff Council meeting for information liaison purposes.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 9:24