StaffN EWS
Senate
LET TER
FEBRUARY 2016
Staff Senate Winter Retreat
Members of the WCU Staff Senate held a winter retreat on December 17, 2015. As part of the retreat, conducted at Western
Carolina University programs at Biltmore Park in Asheville, senators toured the Biltmore Park instructional site. Senators heard
about the many offerings WCU now has at the Asheville location, and saw the classrooms, meeting space, and specialized labs
available there.
The Staff Senate used the time after the tour to discuss strategic priorities for the coming year. As part of the conversation,
senators created goals for their specific committees, with topics ranging from human resources issues to Staff Senate governance
and scholarship opportunities. These topics were evaluated and then prioritized for the entire Staff Senate.
Goals developed during this retreat include advocating supervisor training, addressing salary concerns, working on appreciation
and recognition of staff member efforts across campus, developing a strategic plan for Staff Senate, and more. Staff Senate
plans to address as many of these goals as possible in the coming year.
Staff Senate and Board of Trustees Lunch
On December 3, 2015, members of the
Staff Senate met with WCU’s Board
of Trustees during an informal lunch
session. The Staff Senate were invited to
sit with the Trustees by the Chancellor’s
Office. Conversation during lunch
focused on getting to know one another,
and trustees were also very interested to
hear about staff perceptions on campus,
both in what is going well and what
issues staff feel could use improvement.
Staff Senators referred to the recent
Staff Senate Survey results to answer
these questions. Both the Trustees and
our Staff Senators found value in the
luncheon and look forward to our next
opportunity to get together.
FEBRUARY 2016 | PAGE 1
Staff Senate Nominations
Announcement
Who cares about WCU? The Staff Senate cares and we
are looking for others who care as well. We are looking
for willing staff to serve on the Staff Senate. Do you know
someone who wants to make a difference? Nominate them!
Do you want to make a difference? Nominate yourself!
As a senator you can be a part of: Hosting a forum
with the Chancellor and Provost, serve as an advisory
to the Chancellor on campus-wide committees, award
scholarships, meet new employees and build relationships.
Use the following link to make a nomination:
https://wcu.az1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_
cAY1hccwkLZkdk9
Nominations are open from February 1st
through February 14th.
Outgoing Staff
Senator
Spotlight On:
Jennifer Cooper
What is your Job title and
Department?
I’m the Assistant Director in the Center for Service Learning.
I organize volunteer projects and trips, and manage our
partnerships with 130 non-profits.
Where are you from?
I grew up in the tiny town of Tullahoma, in middle
Tennessee.
Please don’t forget to participate in the
2015-2016 WCU Integrated Awards!
The process is open through February
5, 2016. Please check your staff email
account for the link to nominate
your faculty and staff colleagues for
university-wide and college-level awards
for teaching, research, and service.
New Staff Senator
Spotlight On:
Dustin Melton
What is your Job title and
Department?
My job title is Backflow and Cross
Connection Operator in Charge/Plumber in Facilities
Management
Where are you from?
I am from Sylva, NC
How long have you worked at WCU?
I have worked at WCU for three years
How long have you worked at WCU?
I just had my seven-year anniversary with the Center for
Service Learning. I was also at WCU from 2002-2004,
teaching in the Department of Political Science and Public
Affairs, and working in the Provost’s Office.
What is your academic background?
I went to Haywood Community College for one and a half
years for Electronic Engineering. I am now working toward
getting my Engineering Technology degree from WCU.
What is your academic background?
I earned a BA and an MA in political science from the
University of Tennessee, and I did doctoral work in political
science at Emory University.
What is your favorite thing about working at WCU?
The thing I like best about working at WCU is being a part
of a department that is close to each other and helps each
other when it is needed. Without our department working
well together the university could not operate.
What is your favorite thing about working at WCU?
We’re in such a beautiful place—it’s wonderful to look out
my office window & see the mountains! I love having great
places to run, bike, and paddle so close to campus, and
having coworkers who also appreciate the outdoors.
PAGE 2 | Staff Senate Newsletter