Engineering Staff Council

Be engaged. Be represented. Be involved. 

Mission

Engineering Staff Council strives to create a welcoming, equitable environment for all staff members within the College of Engineering and Applied Science in order to foster a more inclusive and collaborative workplace. We are dedicated to strengthening community, wellness and communication within the college. Engineering Staff Council works with leadership in shaping staff-related policies and procedures of the college – we are your voice! 

Overview

The Staff Council serves in an advisory capacity to the dean. Council members are elected from across the college for two-year terms. Input and discussion center on fostering a sense of community within the college and facilitating communication of staff issues and concerns. Meetings are held monthly. 

Successes

• Staff Awards & Appreciation: Engineering Staff Council released the "Recommended Best Practices for Utilizing CEAS Staff Awards & Cultivating a Culture of Appreciation" to college departments and programs. [Spring 2024]
• Staff Retention Survey: Engineering Staff Council conducted a staff retention survey in response to the "great resignation" following the COVID-19 pandemic and college staff attrition trends. A summary report is available, and the council will use this information to guide future staff retention efforts. [Fall 2022]
• Hybrid Work Policy: The Engineering Staff Council leadership team made recommendations to the dean’s Administrative Council on the college's Hybrid Work Policy. We are thrilled that college leadership voted to enact a majority of the changes we put forth, and we thank all staff who took the time to fill out the Future of Work Survey. Read more about survey results and see the recommendations put forth by the ESC. [Spring 2022]
• Birthday Leave: Engineering Staff Council approved a Birthday Leave Policy that awards all leave-eligible classified and university staff paid time off during their birth month in recognition of their birthday. The policy, approved by interim Dean Keith Molenaar, is intended to create positive employee morale and a sense of well-being lending to greater employee retention, engagement, work-life balance, loyalty, and motivation. The policy is effective July 1, 2020. [Spring 2020]

Council Operations

2025-26 Staff Council Representatives 

Your Staff Council Representatives are here to assist all staff members by serving as a voice for CEAS.

Council Leadership

• Executive: Dustin Quandt (Chair), Carrie Ann Ngai (Vice Chair), Lindsey Morford (Secretary), Michael Kwolek (Parliamentarian), Committee Chairs
• Advocacy: Miranda Fabian (co-Chair) and Laura MacDonald (co-Chair)
• Community Building: Lalery Mayo (Chair)
• Marketing & Communications: Elsi Taitano (Chair)

Meetings

Engineering Staff Council meets monthly. The council chair may call special meetings when necessary to conduct business. Council meetings are open to all engineering staff and provide a valuable opportunity to make a professional contribution to the college. All staff members are welcome to attend. However, only council members may vote on council matters.  

Governance

Engineering Staff Council is a peer-elected committee of CEAS classified and university staff. Successful organizations value employee contributions and suggestions, and CEAS sees tremendous value in suggestions received from all segments of our engineering community. The council ensures all staff members have the opportunity to help set college priorities and future direction.  

Council Member Selection

The Engineering Staff Council originally comprised eight CEAS classified and university staff members. In its initial year, the council expanded to 16 staff members. As of 2025, staff now elect nine members each year.

Selection and Eligibility

• Staff members may nominate any classified or university staff member in CEAS to represent them and serve on the council, including themselves.
• Nominees must be at least part-time permanent employees who are not considered faculty.
• If nominated, the staff member will be notified and informed of the anticipated time commitment and responsibilities. If they accept the nomination, their supervisor will be notified as well. If their supervisor approves their service, they will be included in a general election (conducted via Qualtrics) and selected by a popular vote by staff members in the CEAS. In the event of a tie, the new representative will be selected by the Staff Council chair.
• The chair position may serve consecutive terms, if voted by the council members.
• If the chair vacates his/her position prior to the end of their term, council members may vote in a new chair who is currently serving or has served as a member of the council.

Terms and Rotation

The Engineering Staff Council members will be elected to two-year terms. The terms will be on a fiscal year basis and will run from July 1 to June 30. Consecutive terms are allowed. To maintain continuity and succession planning, the council member rotations will be staggered.

Council Member Responsibilities

• Representatives are expected to attend all regular, monthly meetings as well as special or called meetings, including a day-long council retreat in early to mid-summer.
• Representatives serve on council committees and may be elected as an officer of those committees.
• Representatives should make themselves known to their constituents and be willing to hear concerns, receive information and suggestions, and communicate these effectively to the council. In turn, representatives must keep their constituents well-informed of the work of the council and matters that the administration wishes to communicate to the council.
• Representatives should be available a minimum of four hours per month in addition to council meetings for committee meetings and other council work.

Resolutions

The Resolution Template is recommended for any proposed resolutions going before the council.

• ESCR001: Birthday Leave Policy (Approved 4/6/20)
• ESCR004: Staff Professional Development Funds (Approved 2/11/2021)

Bylaws

The Engineering Staff Council approved its bylaws on April 2, 2020.