Benefits Task Force to host forums, Feb. 14, 15

The Benefits Task Force was charged with reviewing and recommending budget-neutral updates to the university’s benefits program. Recommending a meaningful education benefit is an important part of that charge and has been the focus of the task force following the June 10, 2011, announcement that the Northwest Independent Colleges (NIC) Tuition Exchange Program will sunset effective with students entering college in fall 2016. You are invited to review BenTF’s current best thinking about this important topic and to provide feedback via this feedback form by Feb. 24 to BenTF@pugetsound.edu. Additionally for those who wish to discuss the recommendation in person, we will be holding open forums in Murray Boardroom at the following times:

  • Feb. 14: 1–2:30 p.m.
  • Feb. 15: 11 a.m.–noon

After considering campus input, a final recommendation will be submitted to the president’s cabinet on March 1, and cabinet will make a final recommendation to the board of trustees for action at its May meeting.

February Meeting Cancelled

Since the Staff Senate had both a regular meeting on January 11 and a special meeting on January 23 to hear a presentation by the Budget Task Force, Chair Rusty Horton has elected to cancel the group’s regular meeting originally scheduled for February 8.

The next Staff Senate meeting will be March 14, when Sherry Mondou, vice president for finance and administration, will speak about protocol for staff layoffs and will answer questions about previous layoffs. Staff Senate meetings are open to all staff members.

Staff Recognition Lunch Scheduled for May 25

The 2012 Staff Recognition Luncheon will be held Friday, May 25. The Staff Recognition Committee has shifted the luncheon date from the Friday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January in order to hold the event in Memorial Fieldhouse. This location allows the staff to be seated together in a spacious venue with improved visibility and sound for the presentation portion of the event.

Other aspects of the luncheon will remain the same: we will celebrate the anniversaries of long-service staff, have a delicious meal catered by our Dining and Conference Services colleagues, enjoy a presentation from President Thomas, receive door prizes from our community donors, participate in a food drive, and recognize Excellence in Action. Following the event, staff will be released to enjoy an early start to the Memorial Day holiday.

In the meantime, please submit your Excellence in Action award nominations before the March 30 deadline.

Book and Bake Sale a Success!

The Staff Senate Book and Bake Sale held on December 2, 2011, in the Wheelock Student Center earned $248.15. All proceeds went to the newly-renamed Rosa Beth Gibson Staff Senate Book Scholarship Fund.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the Book and Bake Sale!