University Staff Council
February 2013 Meeting Minutes
In Attendance: Annette Kane, Katie Morris, Allison Venella, Susan Scollon, Gayle Doyle, Kimberly Reilly,
Susan Markert, Rita DiAntonio, Patricia Haley, Linda Hauck. Albert Baladez, Matt Gwin, Megan Jacobs, Joyce
Zavarich, Julie Helverson, Emily Walsh, Carlos Rodriquez, Jen Whinney, JJ Brown, Alice Faraone
Hot Points
The University Staff Council supports the recognition of staff members who significantly contribute to
the success of their individual departments as well as the success of the University. The three awards the USC
sponsors are the Distinguished Service, Above & Beyond and Work Process Improvement. To learn more about
each award please see this link and please consider nominating your colleague's who demonstrate the criteria of
each award.
Meeting Minutes
Welcome & Reflection – led by Allison Venella
 Viewed inspirational Soul Pancake Pep Talk video
 USC member signed up to lead future reflections
March 2013
Susan Markert
April 2013
May 2013
August/September 2013
October 2013
Joyce Zavarich
Kim Reilly
Emily Walsh
Annette Kane
November 2013
December 2013
Katie Morris
Albert Baladez
Awards Update:
Susan Leighton, CON, Distinguished Service Award
Susan updated the USC on the Distinguished Service Award, and asked the USC to play a greater role in
soliciting support for the award. Support is needed in the form of increased Distinguished Service Award
nominees and staff members to sit on the selections committee. The selection committee meets once a year and
reviews all application submitted since the last time the committee met. Specific qualifications, details, the
nomination process and a list of past recipients can be found by clicking here.
Susan highlighted that it has been three years since a team award was handed out, and it would be great to have
some team submissions this year. Susan concluded by telling the USC that the Distinguished Service Award is
confirmed by Fr. Peter and the President’s Office. Nominations will be reviewed sometime in mid August in
time for a special presentation at the St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service.
Brian Galloway Registrar’s Office, Work Process Improvement Award
Brian gave the USC an update on the Work Process Improvement Award and shared amendments for the award.
Amendments were approved at the end of the presentation.
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Last semester the committee reviewed six nominations for the two awards.
Last term’s winners were:
 Justin Ledesma from University Admission for creating a home-grown solution to admission
committee review work.
 Woo Cheng and Susan Jacobs from Graduate Arts and Sciences for their sourcing and
implementation of a third-party’s web-based application system to replace the previous paperbased system.
Current text from WPI website:
 Eligibility: All Villanova University faculty, staff and students (full-time and part-time) are
eligible. An individual/team may not receive an award more than once per fiscal year.
Updated text proposal:
 All Villanova University faculty, staff and students (full-time and part-time) are eligible. Teams
of up to four individuals may be nominated to receive the award. An individual/team may not
receive an award more than once per fiscal year.
Current text from WPI website:
 Amount of Award: $100 per individual credited to personal Villanova University Wildcard
debit account.
Updated text proposal:
 $100 will be credited to the awardee’s Villanova University Nova Bucks debit account. If the
awardees are part of a team, the $100 will be divided equally among the winning members’
Nova Bucks debit account.
Allison Venella – Above and Beyond Award
Allison reviewed the criteria and details for the Above and Beyond Award linked here.
Housekeeping:
All USC members introduced themselves and their role at the University. USC members signed up for future
meeting reflections. A handout from Human Resources regarding upcoming events was distributed and is
attached to the February Meeting Minutes.
Allison introduced the concept of travelling USC meetings, in which each month a meeting is held in a different
building. The Davis Center, the Nursing Simulation Lab, Campus Ministry, and Dundale Hall were volunteered.
The March meeting may be moved to an alternate location. Allison will make an official announcement.
Father Peter will be unable to speak with the USC in March due to a standing meeting. The USC will work to
adapt their schedule in fall 2013 so that Father Peter can attend a meeting. Bob Morro from Facilities will
address the USC in April.
*USC members are requested to find a substitute from their department if they cannot make a meeting*
Committee Selections & Updates:
Allison shared roles and responsibilities of each committee:
Election Committee – An internal group that oversees the fall 2015 USC elections.
Communications Committee – The USC is looking to expand its presence on campus. The USC is looking for
someone to take over USC website responsibilities. Members of the USC suggested that the USC appear on the
Villanova Website main page.
Staff Development – Helps to organize staff workshops, educational opportunities, etc.
Staff Recognition – Works with awards committees to ensure that awards have nominees and the process is
running smoothly.
Suggestions Committee – This is a committee that will spend most of its time operating through email by
coordination suggestions and linking concerned parties. Organization is essential as well as knowing who on
campus to contact. It is recommended that members of this committee have two or more years of tenure at
Villanova.
Community Committee – Assists in planning the four annual USC events.
Area Announcements:
Katie Morris, Administration and Finance
Katie passed on a request from someone in her department who was concerned about the snow removal process.
The concerned party shared that often lots were not clear prior to 9 am, making parking difficult. Pat Haley from
Facilities Management will pass on the concern but sited that there is a priority order starting with Public Safety
and Dining Service.
Rita DiAntonio, Enrollment Management
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University Admissions
In the process of concluding reviews of all freshman candidates for the Class of 2017. Applications for
the fall class exceeded 14,900. Anticipating that admission notices will be sent out during the 2nd week
of March. All academic scholarships will be distributed with Financial Aid packages during the 3rd week
of March.
Financial Assistance
Continues to assist students with funding issues. Need based review for the Class of 2017 have begun.
Notices of financial assistance will be issued the third week of March. Aid policies are being developed
for recently approved on-line programs in Nursing and Part-Time Studies.
Registrar
The Registrar’s Office played an essential role in quickly rescheduling evening class as a result of the
Mendel evacuation. The implementation processes for the event/class scheduler software and electronic
transcript request process are going well.
JJ Brown, Student Life
University Counseling Center
Patricia B and Gary M Holloway Lecture Series
Dr. Judith Beck: MANAGING STRESS
April 3, 4 pm, Driscoll Auditorium
Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., is a world expert in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and author of the basic text in the
field, Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond, which has been translated into 20 languages. She is
president of the non-profit, Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Philadelphia, which she cofounded with her father, Aaron T. Beck, M.D., in 1994. The Beck Institute is renowned nationally and
internationally as perhaps the premier training facility in Cognitive Behavior Therapy for health and mental
health professionals and educators.
New Student Orientation
Orientation will be the following dates:
Move in: Wednesday August 21
Opening Day/Parents Orientation: Thursday August 22
Days 2, 3,& 4 of Orientation: Friday, Saturday & Sunday August 23-25.
Emerging Leaders Institute
Emerging Leaders Institute scheduled on Friday, March 22 from 2:30-9:30 pm. It is communication-centered
program for emerging freshman and sophomore student leaders at the IHM Spirituality Center at Immaculata
University. The purpose of the program is the following: “To enhance the leadership skills of our aspiring
student leaders while providing direction, support, and opportunities for self-reflection.” Registration will be
available on our Leadership Programs website in the next few weeks.
Health Promotion
Love the Skin You’re in Fashion Show – February 26, 7:00 p.m., Connelly Center, Villanova Room
Influencer Series upcoming session on mental health for faculty and staff will be held on February 27, noon,
location TBD, more information will be posted in Campus Currents
AcapellaPalooza!
Villanova's seven Acapella groups all perform in one spectacular evening called AcapellaPalooza! This is the
largest Acapella concert of the year! Due to increasing popularity, the concert will be In the Jake Nevin Field
House for the first time ever. Join The Spires, Supernovas, Nothing But Treble, Minor Problem, Haveners,
Vocal Minority, and the Sirens for an exciting night of acapella music and fun! Friday, March 15 at 7:30pm.
Tickets available in Connelly 2/25-2/28 and 3/11-3/15, also available at the door.
Gospel Choir
Join our Gospel Choir for a spirited and prayerful Spring Concert. St. Mary's Chapel, March 16, 6:00pm.
Megan Jacobs, Law School
The 2013 Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal Symposium--Concussion Conundrum--explores, debates, and
informs on key issues facing players, teams, leagues, doctors, and lawyers regarding head injuries and brain
trauma in sports. The Symposium takes place on March 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., in the Arthur M. Goldberg
Commons at VLS. Panels include commentary from well-known retired professional athletes about concussion
awareness and prevention amongst players; an examination of both sides of the NFL Concussion Injury
Litigation--the concussion injury class action suit brought by former NFL players against the league; an
exploration of the science and concussion-related liability facing professional and amateur sports; and a
discussion about the state of sports and concussions with media personalities. Andrew Brandt, Director of the
Jeffrey S. Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law, moderates all panels. The event is free for registered
attendees. Visit http://mooradsportslawjournal.eventbrite.com/# to register.
For additional information:
http://www.law.villanova.edu/Resources/News/January%202013
/2013%20Moorad%20Sports%20Law%20Symposium.aspx
If you have questions, please contact: kate.johnston@villanova.edu
Matthew Gwin, University Advancement
Philanthropy Week will be held on the Connelly Plaza from April 23-25. Faculty/Staff recognition day will be
on April 23rd. All current fiscal year Faculty/Staff who made a gift to Villanova will receive an invitation.
Make your gift today!
Albert Baladez, Human Resources
National Walk at Lunch Day is April 24th. For more details follow the link!
Villagnome
Megan Jacobs nominated Amy Spare, Legal Research Instructor, on behalf of the Law School. Several members
of the USC made a resounding endorsement of the nomination. A potential May nomination was discussed.
CONGRATULATIONS AMY!
USC February Meeting: March 25, 2013, Devon Room or TBD, Connelly Center, 2:00PM
ALL ARE WELCOME!