Emory Report homepage   >   Current issue front page

September 20 , 2004

employee Council exec committee to meet monthly with HR

Employee Council held its first meeting of the academic year on Wednesday, Sept. 15, in Woodruff Library’s Jones Room. To begin, President Susie Lackey revealed the theme for 2004–05: “Building a Better Emory … One by One.”

Lackey touched on several council goals for this year including expanding its relationship with the University Senate, monitoring the workings of the new Performance Management and Evaluation System, and—referencing President Jim Wagner’s challenge to make Emory a “destination university”—Lackey said the council should strive to make Emory a “destination employer.”

Lackey also said that the council executive committee will meet each month with Vice President for Human Resources Alice Miller, at Miller’s request, so members can be updated on matters such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and other issues of concern to Emory staff employees. The first meeting will be in October.

Sharon Strocchia, associate professor of history and president of the University Senate, was a guest speaker and she outlined the senate’s responsibilities. “It’s a gathering place for faculty, staff and students to get together and learn about and face the challenges of the University,” she said. The council has nine Senate representatives—including ex officio members Lackey, President-Elect Louis Burton and Past-President Don Newsome. The council then solicited volunteers to sit on several Senate committees, including fringe benefits, parking and transportation, and campus development. —Eric Rangus

For more information about Employee Council, e-mail Lackey at slackey@rmy.emory.edu.

PCSM approves new name: PCORE

The President’s Commission on Race and Ethnicity (PCORE)—formerly known as the Presidential Commission on the Status of Minorities (PCSM)—held its first meeting of the academic year on Sept. 13 in 400 Adminstration.

PCORE’s name change, made with the approval of the executive committee and input from President Jim Wagner and Provost Earl Lewis, “mirrors the changing demographic in the United States and helps us to identify what we are responsible to advise the president on,” according to PCORE Chair Chris Grey, senior assistant dean of admission and director of multicultural recruitment.

PCORE has ordered new stationery, now has a dedicated phone number and e-mail address (pcore@emory.edu), and its website is being redesigned.

The first order of business was to formally elect Grey to chair, after serving as interim chair during the summer. Donna Wong, associate director of multicultural programs and services, will serve as chair-elect.
Each committee gave a brief summary of their goals or projects for 2004–05:

• Staff concerns: Distinguishing job descriptions, as many people with different jobs have the same job descriptions.

• Student focus: “State of Race Debate” spring event, to be similar to race dialogues held in the fall.
• Historical records: Writing history for website.

• Professional development fund: Formerly known as minority faculty fund, will mail out scholarship applications in the fall instead of the spring. Last year they provided 10 grants in the amounts of $200–$500 per grant.

• Special projects: Jody Usher announced an upcoming diversity event, “Train the Trainer Workshop,” co-sponsored by the Emory chapter of the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI), Oct. 29–31. Scholarships are available through NCBI and the Office of Multicultural Programs. For additional information, call Usher at 404-727-8481.

Grey announced the open position for chair of a Race and Ethnic Commission executive comittee. The group was suggested by Lewis to ensure that high administrative position searches seek out diversity.

Major agenda items discussed were the Campus Climate Survey, which will be rolled out in November. The survey will be sent to every staff and faculty member and will coincide with student surveys. The survey will also look at how race and ethnicity affect trends and these demographics will play an important role.
PCORE will next meet on Monday, Oct. 4, at 4 p.m. in 400 Administration. —Katherine Baust

If you have a question or concern for PCORE, e-mail Grey at pcore@emory.edu.

TOP