Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Staff Senate convened Aug. 9 and discussed the campus security threat that occurred Aug. 5, committee updates and more.
Staff Senate Vice President Brandi Rideout, senior director of Alumni Engagement, opened the meeting by asking senators to share a recent professional or personal win or to recognize a co-worker or department prior to moving into discussion, committee updates, Senate business and community announcements.
Crisis-communication discussion
Attendees shared their thoughts on the University’s communications Aug. 5, when a threat was made to the Colorado Community College System, impacting the tri-institutional Auraria Campus. Overall, senators felt the communications were handled relatively well. Key points made during the discussion were that:
- The University did a great job of updating the community.
- Follow-up texts and emails were appreciated, even those with no new information.
- Messages were simple and clear.
- Information regarding counseling resources after the fact was essential, as this type of event can trigger trauma responses.
Senators also addressed urgent communications and closures, saying that:
- All offices should have an emergency plan in place, and employees should know exactly what to do in an emergency.
- Tri-institutional communication and organization could have been better facilitated, as different offices received information at different times.
- The original communication could have been more specific as to whether campus was facing an active shooter.
- A strategy for including hybrid environments should be considered to help department supervisors account for employees.
- Campus community members should always have their phone, keys and identification on them.
Round-robin committee updates
Senate Policy Review Committee
A work group composed of campus stakeholders is developing an emergency campus-closure policy. Once a draft is ready, officers and senators will have an opportunity to provide feedback.
Senate business
- The recent Staff Senate leadership retreat was successful, especially the activity on Senate norms. Staff Senate President Rebecca Reid is hopeful that a draft will be ready by Tuesday for review by Staff Senate officers and senators.
- Committees should draft at least one goal to contribute to an overarching goal for the Staff Senate.
- Committees — including the Staff Employment Policy and Support Committee, the Recognition and Scholarships Committee, the Campus Ethics Committee, the Communication Committee and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee — are open to all staff members.
- If an employee would like to reserve time to speak or present at an upcoming Staff Senate meeting, they are invited to contact the Staff Senate.
Community announcements
- Homecoming events begin Sept. 27, and the full schedule of events can be found here.
- Reid is receiving the 10 Under 10 Award, which recognizes the top 10 alumni who have graduated in the past 10 years.
- Convocation is Thursday.
- Volunteers are still needed for the Westword Music Showcase, specifically Sept. 10 at 5 p.m.
- MSU Denver is hosting its inaugural Universitywide Welcome Week beginning Monday.
- Staff Senator Lisa Langford is retiring Aug. 31. Employees are invited to attend a retirement party in her honor in Room 330C of the Jordan Student Success Building at 10 a.m. on Aug. 31.