The University of South Carolina Staff Senate serves as an open forum to facilitate communication and collaboration among university staff members. It also serves as an advisory committee to the university president, adding an essential voice to strategic conversations and decisions that support the goals of the institution.
The members of the Staff Senate is a voice for the campus community and the General Assembly through Staff representation. Staff Senate acts as a change agent and brings interests and concerns before administration for consideration. Participation in Staff Senate gives staff is an opportunity to promote unity and a sense of community and to network with fellow colleagues while providing service through Staff Senate committees and service projects.
First, attend a meeting. Staff Senate meetings are open to all employees. Contact one of the senators or committee chairs to see how your skills will assist the Senate. Take a look at the website for ideas on how to get involved.
Any permanent USC full-time, or part-time, and research grant position employees who have been employed for a minimum of one year. Any member of the staff may vote to elect staff senators and hold office in Staff Senate.
Yes. You can participate in any Staff Senate activities, such as the 2023 MLK Symposium, Give it Up For Good Community Project, and Imagine Carolina, for example. While we help and support these activities, these activities are not Staff Senate signature events. Membership is open to all USC employees. However, you must be a member of the Staff Senate to chair one of the committees.
Once a month.
No. You should not have to use vacation or comp time while participating in Staff Senate meetings. Employees may participate with approval from their direct supervisor. All time spent at meetings and activities is considered work time. You cannot accrue any overtime through participation in activities spent with the Staff Senate.
Staff Senate meets once a month for approximately 1.5 hours. Senators are asked to serve on one or two Staff Senate committees and are encouraged to serve as a communication link between the Senate and those they represent in their department or unit.
The Staff Senate Fund was established in 2022 and supports a number of staff related programs and opportunities, including launching the staff senate awards and recognition program, leadership development programming, and staff scholarships. When you donate to support USC Staff Senate, it supports the mission of the Staff Senate by wisely investing in Staff Senate initiatives to include for example professional development opportunities for staff and an employee recognition awards program. Feel free to ask a Staff Senate member to learn more on how your donations are being used.
Check out the Staff Senate Accomplishments page.
Each year, Staff Senate holds nominations and elections in March and April for open Senate seats.
Members are expected to serve one, two-year term.
Yes. Members are expected to serve on one or two committees depending upon the committee's time commitments.