April 18, 2002
Staff Forum seeks new members
Would you like to share your thoughts with President McCormick, work with a dynamic group of classified and professional staff from all three UW campuses to provide input on problems at the University and have a positive impact on the UW in general and its staff in particular? If so, the President’s Staff Forum is the place for you.
The President’s Staff Forum is looking for six new members to replace members whose terms are ending. Incoming members will serve for two years (2002–2004), and half the forum will be replaced each year. The application asks for basic personal information, two or three references, a brief description of issues you would like to discuss with McCormick, and an explanation of why you want to serve on the forum. For more information on the forum, and an online application, visit http://www.washington.edu/president/staff-forum/. Paper copies are available by calling 206-543-5010, or sending a request to Box 351230.
Applications are due Friday, May 17. The forum will make recommendations to the president by June 24, and new members will attend their first forum meeting in September.
McCormick created the forum in 1998 as a way to incorporate staff input into deliberations on major UW initiatives and issues. “I routinely consult administrators, faculty leaders, student leaders, and at times alumni and community leaders, but there has not been a regular means for consulting staff,” McCormick said when establishing the forum.
The forum meets with McCormick bi-monthly between September and May to discuss developments affecting the campus community. They also meet in alternate months to further discuss and develop initiatives to bring to the meetings with the president. The president has also kept the forum apprised of major policy developments, legislative proposals, budgetary issues, various task force reports, and proposed tuition increases. The only topics not open for discussion are those reserved for discussion between the University and unions representing staff. These are described in detail on the staff forum Web site.
During 2000–2001, the forum hosted a very successful campus “Conversation About the Future” event featuring futurist Glenn Hiemstra and a panel discussion with staff forum members. The event was broadcast live to several off-campus locations to enable employees at those sites to participate. The forum is currently developing a Web-based idea-sharing system where staff will be able to share stories of successful change and seek solutions to common problems.
