Each day more than 5,000 Health Science Center employees dedicate themselves to maintaining and advancing our remarkable institution of excellence; and it is essential that faculty, staff and students participate in decisions that are made regarding future success of the Health Science Center.
After discussions with The University of Texas System, President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., and the Executive Committee of the Health Science Center, approval was granted to establish a Staff Advisory Council. It will serve as a representative advisory council for non-faculty employees of the Health Science Center.
Similar to existing faculty and student organized advisory committees, the Staff Advisory Council will provide staff with the opportunity to play a direct role in decision-making. Seventy-five percent of Health Science Center employees are staff members, making it essential to have this type of organization.
“Staff members are strongly encouraged to nominate themselves to potentially serve as a representative of the Staff Advisory Council,” said Minerva Castillo, past representative of the U.T. System’s Employee Advisory Council (EAC).
Nomination forms are expected to be e-mailed to staff this month and individuals without e-mail accounts will receive a hard copy.
“This is the staff’s chance to make a difference in the life of this institution,” she said. The Staff Advisory Council is expected to officially begin in September.
About 30 members will be chosen from nominations and will participate in meetings in which they can discuss current issues concerning the Health Science Center, recommend new ideas or suggest alternatives for existing matters which directly affect non-faculty staff. Council discussions or recommendations will be made directly to President Cigarroa.
“The self-nomination form will allow all non-faculty staff that meet specific requirements to possibly take part in this organization that will contribute to advancing our institution,” Castillo said.
The Staff Advisory Council is an organization that is directly linked to the U.T. System’s EAC. The EAC was established in 2000 by the Board of Regents to provide a vehicle for communication, and to facilitate the flow of ideas and information between employees, the Board of Regents and executive officers of the U.T. System. The EAC consists of 32 members, including two members and an alternate from each U.T. System institution.
More information about the EAC can be found at:
www.utsystem.edu/EAC/.
Most U.T. System institutions have already formed similar councils that have been successful.
“We hope that our staff members understand the importance of this council and will want to participate,” said Diana Hottle, EAC representative.
For more information about the Staff Advisory Council, contact Hottle:
hottle@uthscsa.edu, Diana Drouillard-Barrera, EAC representative:
drouillard@uthscsa.edu, or Castillo:
Castillo@uthscsa.edu.
