Howard University Staff Organization (HUSO)

NEWSLETTERDecember 2014

On behalf of the Officers of HUSO, I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a joyous Holiday Season filled with fun, laughter and happiness. As we prepare for the upcoming campus closure, it is my hope that everyone will have a wonderful time celebrating with family, friends and loved ones.

Many have expressed their frustration and disappointment because of the mandatory leave requirement imposed on staff, which comes on the heels of the news that we would not be getting raises this year. The HUSO officers met with Dr. Frederick this week and he agreed to follow the Federal Government and give us Friday, December 26th as a paid holiday, reducing the leave requirement to 56 hours for the winter break. The President also reaffirmed his commitment to fund a staff retreat this academic year, and to give us raises in AY2015-16. He also agreed to review the proposal we have from Six Flags for a possible Employee Appreciation Day in September 2015.

In this brief issue of our newsletter we have provided a photo spread that highlights the success of our Winter Coat Drive with Restore Together, Inc. Volunteers gathered at the home of the organization’s founders Dr. Louis and Rev. Demetra Hutchinson, on Friday, December 12th and prepared over 200 lunches for the homeless. The food was donated by BJ’s Wholesale (Largo, MD) and the Amish Market (Laurel, MD). We also organized and tagged the many coats, hats, gloves and scarfs collected during the coat drive. On Saturday morning we distributed the food and clothing to the homeless at two locations in Washington, DC. Thank you all for your willingness to give the gift of warmth, our contributions made a noticable difference and touched the lives of many. We were thanked over and over again by those who received the food and clothing. I ask that we continue to remember those who are less fortunate during this festive Holiday Season.

Our return to campus in January will mark the beginning of a new calendar year filled with possibilities and new resolutions. The success of all of our dreams, goals and endeavors, individually and collectively, is determined by the level of our commitment to achieving them. With your support, we will continue to work together to bring about positive changes and a better work life for us all at Howard University.

Have a very Happy New Year!Peace and Blessings,

Leslie R. Harris President

Happy Holidays

Winter Coat Drive

Volunteers gathered on Friday evening, Dec. 12th to prepare food for the homeless and to organize and tag the coats, hats, scarfs and gloves collected during the winter coat drive for the homeless. On Saturday morning, the food and coats were distributed to the homeless at the park on 13th and I Streets, NW; and the Shelter on 2nd and D Streets, NW in the District of Columbia.

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HUSO

Distribution of Coats to the Homeless by Restore Together, Inc.Saturday, December 13, 2014

Thank you for your cooperation and participation. Your willingness to give has made a huge difference in the lives of so many who have fallen on hard times. Thank you again for sharing gift of warmth this Holiday Season.

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Howard University Staff Organization c/o 525 Bryant Street, NWRoom C-119Washington, DC 20059

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