May 22, 2000
OP administrators looking at staff issues
By Jennifer McNulty
Recognizing that the university needs to work harder to attract and retain good employees,
administrators "at the highest levels" of UC's Office of the President
are considering several workplace enhancements to maintain the university's competitiveness
as an employer.
"They are definitely looking at recruitment and retention issues," said
Kathy Day-Huh, outgoing chair of the Council
of UC Staff Assemblies (CUCSA). Day-Huh, executive assistant for the Miller Institute
for Basic Research in Science at UC Berkeley, was on campus recently for CUCSA's
spring meeting.
CUCSA was established in 1974 to support communication with the Office of
the President on behalf of nonrepresented staff. The council is composed of two delegates
from each campus, the Office of the President, and the national labs who meet on
a quarterly basis. "We are a funnel of information," said Day-Huh.
At UCSC, up to 12 staff members can participate on the campuswide Staff
Advisory Board. Two board members are selected to serve two-year appointments
as CUCSA delegates. UCSC's current delegates are Elaine Wedegaertner, associate registrar,
and Peter Phillips, senior custodial supervisor.
"It's been a very positive experience," said Wedegaertner, whose term ends
this fall. "It's gratifying to see things come to fruition."
Although CUCSA does not address terms and conditions of employment, the council has
exercised its advisory role on numerous issues, including the extension of health
benefits to domestic partners, the creation of catastrophic leave policies, and the
adoption of the new Veteran's Day holiday. The council is currently advocating for
the creation of faculty/staff partnerships on the campuses to enhance the workplace
environment.
"Right now, in the year 2000, we're looking at a new working environment,"
said Day-Huh. "Compared to 20 years ago, employees are more professional, staff
have different and often complex responsibilities, and we are accountable on more
issues. Faculty also may do a lot of their own clerical work now, so working relationships
between faculty and staff have changed dramatically in the past 20 years."
Faculty/staff partnerships could help offices focus on "best practices"
to avoid problems, and they could provide resources when conflicts arise. Each campus
could develop its own vision as part of the growing focus on "work/life"
issues, said incoming CUCSA chair Ginger Birkholm, a legal analyst at UC Irvine.
"With all the cuts of the early 1990s that haven't been restored, staff in some
areas feel underappreciated," said Birkholm. "We're all working harder
and longer, and feeling tremendous pressure without necessarily feeling appreciated
for our efforts. Ultimately, we are all here to further the mission of the university,
which is teaching, research, and public service."
As the university braces for the enormous enrollment growth associated with "Tidal
Wave II," issues of staff morale and workplace enhancement are at the fore,
said Birkholm, who looks forward to assuming her CUCSA leadership role in the fall.
"We all know we're not going to get rich working at the university, so why do
we stay?" she asked. "It's because we're dedicated to the mission of the
university, we like the atmosphere, and we're proud of the product. Working for the
university gives us all those intangible rewards."
Every workforce faces its share of challenges, but working together to find solutions
is essential to long-range success, said Birkholm.
"There are wonderful things being done on the different campuses, and part of
our role is to share that information and encourage campuses to learn from one another,"
she said.
To reach a member of the UCSC Staff Advisory Board, call (831) 459-3371, send e-mail to staffadv@cats.ucsc.edu, or visit the SAB web site at: www2.ucsc.edu/sab/tree/
