SCSU Staff Senate Appreciate ~ Educate ~ Advocate President’s Corner Dear Fellow Staff Members, I have been asked to describe the state of the university on several occasions and my best description has been “Bruised but not Broken!” Webster’s definition of bruise is to hurt (someone's confidence, feelings, etc.) through speech and/or actions while broken is defined as separating into parts or pieces by being hit or damaged; not working properly; not kept or honored. So my answer is not delivered to sound “deep.” I use it with a passion and determination to quiet the noise about SC State University. I use it to decree survival and prominence. I use it to confirm and reaffirm the mission and legacy of “Dear SCC!” A legacy that is strong and remains rich through our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. So, I encourage you to hold on to what you know to be true and relevant about South Carolina State University. Hold fast to the quality of our academic programs, qualified professors and instructors, passionate and certified administrators, and customer service oriented and knowledgeable staff. “Hail! Hail! Dear S.C.C. We’ll defend and honor, love and cherish thee.” For SCSU, Kenita Kenita D. Pitts 803-533-3742 [email protected][email protected][email protected]Volume , Issue April 10, 2015 Beulah El-Amin, 1890 Brenda Daniely, Academic Affairs Kendrick Lewis, Athletics Sandra Scott, Enrollment Management Pecolia Snow, Finance & Management Amanda Staley, Finance & Management Tracy Thomas, Institutional Advancement Joslyn DiPasalegne, Institutional Advancement Cynthia Geter, Office of the President Demetrius Chatman, Office of the President Frances Diaz-Evans, Operations Fran Simpson, Operations Cammy Grate, Student Affairs EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Kenita D. Pitts, President Ron York, Vice President Anquanetta Darby, Secretary Juanita H. Strait, Treasurer Sean Jones, Parliamentarian Donna C. Hanton, Historian Kay Snider, Past President Doris Gathers-Dantzler, Ex-Officio W. Franklin Evans, Ex-Officio 2015-2016 Staff Senators
Transcript
SCSU Staff Senate Appreciate ~ Educate ~ Advocate
Pres iden t ’ s Corner
Dear Fellow Staff Members,
I have been asked to describe the state of
the university on several occasions and
my best description has been “Bruised
but not Broken!”
Webster’s definition of bruise is to hurt
(someone's confidence, feelings, etc.)
through speech and/or actions while
broken is defined as separating into parts
or pieces by being hit or damaged; not
working properly; not kept or honored.
So my answer is not delivered to sound
“deep.” I use it with a passion and
determination to quiet the noise about SC State University. I use it to
decree survival and prominence. I use it to confirm and reaffirm the
mission and legacy of “Dear SCC!” A legacy that is strong and remains
rich through our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.
So, I encourage you to hold on to what you know to be true and relevant
about South Carolina State University.
Hold fast to the quality of our academic programs, qualified professors
and instructors, passionate and certified administrators, and customer
service oriented and knowledgeable staff.
“Hail! Hail! Dear S.C.C. We’ll defend and honor, love and cherish
I am humbled to serve the Staff, Faculty and Students as Acting President of South Carolina State University at a time such as this. The time is upon us for tremendous opportunity to reevaluate our existence and recommit ourselves to those values that define us –Access, Excellence, Integrity, Opportunity and Respect. We must all exude the highest level of moral and ethical standards, which will be the basis for all that we do going forward.
I believe it is accurate to say that SC State University stands upon a strong foundation; and it is that foundation upon which we will rebuild the institution to its inherent strength. I am quite aware that the highly complex nature of the issues that we face has caused moments of pause, uneasiness, disenfranchisement, and even alarm. However, these issues are before us and as we address them, we are also ensuring avoidance in the future. As difficult as they may be, the challenges do not define who we are.
There are several university priorities, but most urgent is our need to address the budget shortfall. Just recently, the University implemented a 7-day furlough program beginning April 13 and ending June 30, 2015. Clearly, the furlough is not easy, but it is necessary. The university’s leadership is
confident that this is one of the most prudent ways to address the shortfall and end the year with a balanced budget. It is also a shared and balanced program among all the faculty and staff members of the institution. The University will remain open and individual employees will take discretionary furlough days, as outlined by the Office of Human Resources. Furloughs can be difficult, so I want to personally thank each of you for your sacrifice and patience as we move closer toward stabilization and sustainability.
On next week, we will host our SACSCOC Special Team for a site visit to our campus. The team will be meeting with key individuals to determine if we have fully addressed the standards cited. We are looking for a positive outcome, be it removal of probationary status or additional time to address issues. I ask that you cooperate with our visiting team and make yourselves available and accessible as you may be called upon to assist.
Recognizing fully where we are at this moment, I must look forward to our aspirations and plans for the university’s future. Challenges have had an impact on our operations, but those challenges have not affected our mission, which is to provide a quality education to students. In the midst of challenges, the academy remains strong. Just recently, we held the Honors and Awards Convocation with some 700 students being recognized for their academic achievements. This is a measure of our success and just one of the many SC State stories that we should all communicate to the external public.
It is my hope that this message motivates you to become engaged and gain a higher sense of pride in the University that has given so much to all of us over the years. Now, it is time for us to give back to the institution during this reformation process. Our investment into this effort will yield positive returns. SC State University is worth the investment. I look forward to listening and working with each of you as active participants in reforming the University. I hope that you are motivated and eager to be a part of the great legacy we are creating at SC State University. I am grateful for your support and sincerely thankful for all that you do and will continue to do to make us the preeminent institution.
Respectfully,
Dr. W. Franklin Evans
FROM THE DESK OF DR. W. FRANKLIN EVANS ACTING PRESIDENT
2015 Quarter Century Club Members-25 years or more of Service Mr. Carl Brown Director, Postal Center
Mr. Ernest Frazier Information Resource Coordinator, UCITS
Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law and should be made payable to:
SCSU Staff Senate (reference “Mascot Fundraiser”)
Donations may be mailed to: Kenita Pitts, Staff Senate President
PO Box 7007 Orangeburg, SC 29117
(or delivered to Room 126 - Lowman Hall)
Page 6 SCSU Staff Senate
Great Customer Service = Being Nice + Being Helpful
Being nice means providing a pleasant and welcoming environment where our
customers feel valued.
Greet customers with a smile as they enter your office/area.
Actively listen to their issues and concerns.
Always remain positive in words and tone.
Apologize for any inconvenience and empathize with each customer’s
situation.
Being helpful means being willing and able to provide information and
assistance to address each customer’s needs.
Know your job and the university in order to convey accurate information.
Understand processes and procedures of related functions, and how your job fits
into the “big picture.”
Develop routines to quickly and effectively resolve common customer
problems.
Recognize that helping customers is your job!
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Customer Service Tips~Mrs. Ellen Ricoma
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S TA F F H I G H L I G H TS
Page 9
Deserving SC State University students who need financial assistance to complete their education will get some help by way of the Tom Joyner Foundation.
Established by “Fly Jock” radio personality Tom Joyner, the foundation will leverage its partnerships with national corporations and celebrities to help SC State raise scholarship dollars.
While fundraising for the university will be conducted throughout the year, the Tom Joyner Foundation has designated SC State as its School of the Month for April. All funds raised throughout the year in support of the university’s Tom Joyner Scholarship Fund will support scholarships. The Tom Joyner School of the Month fundraising campaign is an initiative as part of South Carolina State’s capital campaign, “Preserving the Legacy: The Way Forward,” set to launch April 9.
The Foundation will award scholarships to SC State students weekly. One Hercules Scholarship, named in honor of Joyner’s deceased father, will be awarded to an accomplished male student.
The Tom Joyner Foundation provides programming initiatives and partnerships, such as the School of the Month, in support of historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) and its communities.
As part of the School of the Month, the radio program will feature the designated college or university, highlighting the school’s accomplishments, conducting interviews with the university’s president and spot-lighting national and local donors who make significant contributions to the university.
Thomas Joyner Jr., president and CEO of the foundation, said, "This is a great time for alumni, friends and supporters of HBCUs to come together to raise money for their Bulldogs."
Donations can be made through the university’s website, www.scsu.edu, or through the Tom Joyner Foundation website, www.tomjoynerfoundation.org. Mobile giving can also be done by texting “SCState_Tom” to 80888 to make a $10 donation, which will be charged to the mobile phone. (Message and data rates may apply.)
For more details, visit either website or contact SC State University’s Office of Institutional Advancement at (803) 536-8742.
Meet and work alongside other staff employees from diverse areas of the University
Achieve personal growth and fulfillment through leadership roles and awareness of new opportunities
Enjoy professional development opportunities
Provide useful services to the university community while creating a satisfying place to work
Communicate in a common voice on behalf of all staff employees
Promote effective change
Attend forums to address mutual staff concerns and designated problems
Experience first-hand opportunities to participate in the governance and policy-making structure of the University
Have a voice and a vote on university committees
Participate in Staff Senate as a voting member representing your work area
Bring diverse entities together for the common good of staff employees
Communicate news on meetings and activities of interest to staff
Enjoy a feeling of accomplishment as a result of making a difference
Apprec ia t e * Educa te * Adv oca te
B e n e f i t s o f P a r t i c i p a t i o n
Dues
Each full-time staff member is encouraged to pay dues to the Staff Senate. Dues are collected for the purpose of:
Providing memorial tributes (card) for the death of a South Carolina State University Staff Senate Member
Staff Appreciation Recognition
Staff Spotlight Certificate
Brochures
Supplies (paper, certificates, etc.)
Monthly Workshop & Staff Meeting Materials
Dues are to be paid to the Staff Senate Treasurer.
The Staff Senate Treasurer will keep an accurate record of the dues collected from members. Dues will be deposited by the Treasurer, Juanita H. Strait in the official Staff Senate account, and will be administered according to foundation cash handling procedures.
SCSU Staff Senate
300 College St. NE PO Box 7007 Orangeburg, SC 29117
