Advocacy in Action
News from Your Staff Council - June 2020

Hello from New Staff Council President and Staff Council Statement to the Campus Community

As I enter my 3rd week as Staff Council president, I am encouraged by the solidarity of our campus community during this time of uncertainty regarding COVID-19. I also want to give my gratitude for all of the frontline employees as they continue to perform essential services across campus as well as those who continue to work remotely.

The protests that have erupted around the country and in our own community regarding racial injustice have reaffirmed the commitment of UI Staff Council to stand up for and support all persons who suffer from discrimination in any form and to take appropriate action to facilitate the eradication of discrimination on and off campus. Please join us in this fight!

Please see the Staff Council Executive Committee’s statement in support of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Iowa.

New Councilors Join to Advocate for YOU!

With the start of the new Staff Council year, we are welcoming several new councilors, as well as a number of others who have been reelected or have joined Staff Council after one or more years away. Read more

When it's Time to Stay Inside, Write a Story!

There are as many stories of staff responses to working at home as there are staff. For one staff person, less commute time left more time for creativity. In this case, Rachelle Justice, Sr. Chemical Safety Specialist in Environmental Health and Safety, decided she had a story to tell, so she wrote and illustrated a children’s book for families who are working and learning at home. The book is called “Hunker in My Bunker:When It’s Time To Stay Inside” and includes ways that make being together fun. Ms. Justice wanted to make her story accessible to as many people as possible; she said, “I made seven (7) different styles. It's all the same story but you can pick which kid/family matches your own most closely.” Or, she adds, “Switch it up!”

Staff Council is excited to see how UI staff are responding to the changing circumstances we all face during this time of disruption. If you have a story to tell, let us know and we may feature YOU in a future newsletter.

What can I do to support my co-workers? You can BUILD!

One of the common questions we hear as councilors is “How can I -personally- make a difference?” Many staff are eager to serve one another and contribute to a culture that is more inclusive, welcomes diversity, and increases dialogue across difference, but would appreciate more clarity as to the best way forward. One of the many efforts of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is their series of trainings in BUILD – Building University of Iowa Leadership in Diversity. The program is for UI faculty and staff to “gain strategic knowledge and skills to contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.”  This program is so important that 64% of Staff Council members are either BUILD certified or have taken at least one course; Staff Council leadership encourages all councilors and other staff to try to attain BUILD certification as soon as possible. What is BUILD certification?   Read more

Staff Council – What’s It All About?

The purpose of Staff Council is to support the mission of the University of Iowa and to advocate on behalf of University of Iowa staff through participation in shared governance. 55 councilors are elected by the more than 7,800 UI staff and of those 55, nine are elected to the Executive Committee to serve as officers and members at large. The Executive Committee sets the agenda for the Council as a whole and interacts with university administration and the other shared governance partners. In these times of uncertainty and upheaval, Staff Council remains focused on being your strong voice in the discussions of the issues we face as UI staff. We welcome your comments and suggestions; please send them to: Staff-Council@uiowa.edu.