The Jackson State University Staff Senate is poised to launch a fund-raising drive to provide scholarships for staff and their dependents.
Beginning in January, the Senate will provide seed money for four scholarships of $250 each. Then, said Dr. Rosella Houston, Senate president, “we’re going to ask staff to contribute to it.”
The amounts could rise, depending on the success of the campaign, Houston said.
The Senate discussed staff development. Two slots will be open as Senate seats for the Staff Leadership Institute (SLI). Applications will be sent out in January.
Each academic year, up to 25 participants are chosen for the three-month program. Areas of focus are: communication; use of technology; group dynamics; team building; workplace ethics, collaboration; and performance management.
The Senate also discussed upcoming staff raises, said to be reflected in the Dec. 15 paychecks. Grant employees could receive a 2 percent cost-of-living increase, or more or less, depending on the grant. Staff employed as of May 31, 2014, may be eligible for 3- to 7-percent raises. Higher raises could be given, but only with justification.
Questions about transparency in awarding raises were aired and whether raises were tied to performance evaluations. Some said they had not been told if they were receiving a raise.
The Senate also discussed criteria for hiring and pay for various positions.
The Staff Senate, which meets the second Tuesday of each month, is the official governance group representing all staff of the university. It is responsible for eliciting and expressing opinions, suggestions, and recommendations of the staff in all matters of concern to the staff as a whole.
For more information, see: https://www.jsums.edu/staffsenate/