Elections for Staff Council will begin this week as the advisory body seeks to set its membership for the coming academic year.
There are about 385 full-time and 115 part-time staff members employed at the College, and Staff Council is the group charged with representing them. It consists of 16 individuals selected from all divisions as well as three at-large members; two of its representatives serve on Campus Senate.
Elections for one-third of the council — including one of the at-large members — will start soon and conclude Wed., May 8. Members serve three-year terms. More information will be available online and coming via email.
Kim Wallace, development officer for athletics and affinity groups and current Staff Council co-chair, said the group doesn’t make policy but serves an important role in boosting communication and relationships.
“This is an opportunity to build morale, build culture, host events, answer questions and give input to senior staff and the president about issues that are going on around campus,” she said.
The council meets monthly to discuss various topics. This academic year, that has included expanded abortion coverage through the College’s health insurance and the suspension of the triennial review process. Members of senior staff often are guests at meetings to answer questions,
Staff also can submit questions online about anything through an “Ask Kenyon Staff Council” form. Council leaders then do their best to track down answers.
“It’s a good place if you have a question and you’re not sure who to ask or perhaps you’re not comfortable asking it in an identified way,” said Wallace, whose term on the council is coming to an end.
Popular annual events organized by the council include a number of staff-only luncheons — including one for Halloween, which includes a costume contest, and a holiday meal in December.
“The idea is to have these opportunities for just staff members to gather together,” said Emily Shackle, associate director of alumni and parent engagement and the council’s other co-chair. “This year, our event subcommittee has been trying to identify some new ways, beyond the luncheons, to engage staff members and have that sense of community among staff.”
That led to a coffee and doughnuts giveaway over Spring Break, and an end-of-year wine-and-cheese and awards reception is planned for May 22. Staff members who foster community in their job and on campus as a whole will be recognized.
The group also sends cheer baskets and cards to staff members who are celebrating milestones or going through difficult situations. Requests for such outreach efforts can be made using this form.
Shackle, who will continue as a co-chair of the group next academic year, said she originally got involved to meet people from across campus and she’s excited to remain part of it.
“It was really beneficial to be able to branch out a little bit more beyond my division,” she said. “I am just a person who likes to get involved in things, and I think Staff Council is a worthy cause.”