Policy was the focus of the April 9 Metropolitan State University of Denver Staff Senate meeting, which also covered important updates on University initiatives and the election.  

 As the Staff Senate Policy Review Committee chair and representative on the Shared Governance Enaction Work Group, Sen. Brian Gunther updated the group on policies that the University Policy Advisory Committee has recently voted on and two that staff members can still weigh in on. 

Complaint policy

The complaint policy revises a previous version of the policy to reflect the current staff governance at the University and to improve process transparency and equity for those involved in the complaint process. Anyone who wishes to provide feedback on the most recent version of the Complaints by Administrators and Staff Policy and Flowchart may contact Gunther by Wednesday. 

Survey policy

The survey policy, which aims to harness the amount and timing of surveys distributed from and to the MSU Denver community, is headed to the University Policy Advisory Committee for a second read and potentially a call to vote in the next meeting (policies typically are available to comment on for 30 days after the first read, but a May meeting of the University Policy Advisory Committee has not yet been scheduled). Feedback can be shared directly with senators, submitted through the University Policy Advisory Committee policy–proposal community–review feedback form or through the Staff Senate Contact Form for those who wish to remain anonymous. 

Shared Governance Policy 

Recommendation of the Shared Governance Policy to President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., was approved by members of the University Policy Advisory Committee on the same day of the Staff Senate meeting. In addition to clarifying language, the new policy establishes the Shared Governance Council, which will be composed of members across campus who belong to other shared-governance groups.  

 

Election reminders 

Voting in this year’s Staff Senate election closes Monday at 5 p.m. New senators will be announced in mid-May and will assume their roles July 1.  

There are three executive positions open — vice president; Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion advisor (new position); and treasurer. Additionally, staff members can vote for five senator at-large positions and any positions open in their respective divisions. 

Staff Senate President Ruby Matheny says it’s important for staff members to participate in the election to ensure that the body best represents MSU Denver’s staff. 

“Your vote will influence how your opinions and experiences are represented at our institution’s shared-governance table, so please take a few minutes to vote,” Matheny said.  

VOTE NOW

University leadership updates 

Larry Sampler, campus operating officer and vice president for Administration, and Presidential Faculty Fellow Kelly Evans, Ph.D., joined the meeting to present and take questions. 

Sampler discussed how the Compensation Equity Study will translate to potential salary-level adjustments; more information will likely be available after the semester is over. Additionally, there will be an upcoming communication on potential graduate tuition benefits for staff members. 

Evans discussed the upcoming MSU Denver Community Collab Summit, a professional-development and community-building event planned for faculty and staff members. More information, including a Save the Date with a call for proposals, will be available soon. 

Additional updates, reminders