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

  • In spring 2024, the Engineering Staff Council releases the "Recommended Best Practices for Utilizing CEAS Staff Awards & Cultivating a Culture of Appreciation" to departments and programs in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.
  • In fall 2022, the 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 now available, and the council will use this information to guide future staff retention efforts. 
  • In July 2022, the ESC leadership team presented and 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 the survey results from the survey and see the recommendations put forth by the ESC.
  • In April 2020, the 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.

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

  • Executive: Rebecca Komarek (Chair), Brooke Nelson (Vice Chair), Nicole Morris (Secretary), Deb Ranshaw (Parliamentarian), Committee Chairs
  • Community-Building Committee Chair: Jon Brumm 
  • The Staff Retention and Workplace Culture Committee Co-Chairs: Alana Davis-Delaria, Madison Lane, Anna Guy

 
The Engineering Staff Council will meet at least once a month. The chair of the Engineering Staff Council may call special meetings of the council if and when necessary to conduct business. Staff Council meetings are open to the engineering community and provide a valuable opportunity to make a professional contribution to the college. All staff members are welcome and encouraged to attend. However, only council members may vote on council matters. 

The Engineering Staff Council is a peer-elected committee of CEAS classified and university staff members. All truly successful organizations recognize the value and importance of the contributions and suggestions made by their employees. CEAS recognizes the tremendous value of suggestions received from all segments of the engineering community. The Engineering Staff Council ensures that all staff members have the opportunity to be actively involved in setting the priorities and future direction of the college. 

The Engineering Staff Council originally comprised eight CEAS classified and university staff members. In its initial year, the council expanded to 16 staff members.

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.
  • In the initial startup of the council, the chair position is selected by the dean. This position will serve three years in order to provide continuity while half of the council members cycle out.
  • 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. In the initial time period, some members will serve three-year terms to help maintain continuity.

  • 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 committees of the council 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.

Resolution Template: This template is recommended for any proposed resolutions going before the council.

Resolutions

Bylaws

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