The 22 members of the Staff Advisory Council gathered Sept. 16 for the council’s inaugural meeting to discuss bylaws, introduce members, elect officers and examine the mission and goals of the council.
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 that serves as a representative advisory council for non-faculty employees of the Health Science Center.
“The mission of the council is to represent the approximately 2,900 non-faculty employees at the Health Science Center in the best way possible,” said Minerva Castillo, chair of the council. “In order for this committee to succeed, it must work with diligence to establish realistic goals that will make it an effective body.”
Officers were elected at the meeting and Castillo was named chair of this year’s council. Other officers include: Janice Smith, who was named vice-chair; Lee Ann Schwarz, who was named secretary; and Sandy McFadden, who was named historian.
“It’s important to remember that all 22 council members have been selected by their peers to begin the path for future staff members to address needs and goals of the Health Science Center staff community,” Castillo said.
Building the infrastructure will play a key role in the council’s first year and three committees within the council will be established to do this.
•The communications committee is charged with planning and coordinating activities at which university staff can meet their representatives and learn about council activities.
•The benefits committee will review staff members’ concerns regarding benefits.
•The staff development committee will evaluate a way in which staff members can benefit from training programs.
The Staff Advisory Council is scheduled to meet bi-monthly, according to the bylaws, but Castillo said the bylaws are flexible and may change based on the needs of our institution.
“Since this is the council’s first year, we will spend time reviewing the bylaws and many other things to make sure they fit with our goals,” Castillo said. “Our focus is to provide better communication for our employees and to improve the university as a whole.”
The council will meet with President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., on a monthly basis to update him on issues concerning the Health Science Center staff and the matters of the council.
“Dr. Cigarroa has been very supportive of this effort throughout the process of forming the council,” Castillo said. “We thank him for standing with us.”
Non-faculty employees are encouraged to submit questions, comments or concerns to the council by e-mailing
SAC@uthscsa.edu.
The Staff Advisory Council is an organization that is directly linked to the U.T. System’s Employee Advisory Council (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. The Health Science Center EAC members include Diana Hottle, administrator at the Institute of Biotechnology; Janice Smith, executive assistant in the office of the dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; and Connie Dykes, administrator in the department of general dentistry. More information about the EAC can be found at:
www.utsystem.edu/EAC/.
Congratulations to the members of the 2005-2006 Staff Advisory Council:•Yollie V. Acosta, research associate in the pharmacology department
•Georgina A. Anguiano Elliot, executive assistant in the office of the dean of the Medical School
•Marilyn Belcher, financial manager for academic support in the office of the vice president for academic administration
•Minerva Castillo, administrator at the Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics
•Julie Marie Crane, administrative assistant II in the cellular and structural biology department
•Craig D. Duncan, preventative maintenance service coordinator in the facilities management department
•Connie L. Dykes, administrator in the general dentistry department
•Jayson L. Felty, programmer analyst in the library
•Ola J.D. Hudgins, director of financial systems and technology in the office of the assistant vice president for business affairs
•Becky Karp, academic coordinator in the office of the dean of the Medical School
•Sandra L. McFadden, assistant director of accounting in the office of accounting
•Peggy J. McNabb, administrative assistant II in the office of medical continuing education
•Celeste M. Mussey, captain of the U.T. Police
•Beatrice R. Pena, manager of dental clinical services in the dental clinic
•Brian K. Purcell, local area network manager in the department of educational media resources
•Irma C. Sanchez, traffic office supervisor of U.T. Police
•Lee A. Schwarz, administrative assistant II in the office of the dean of the Medical School
•Cindy L. Shortt, director of network customer services in telecommunications and networking
•Janice L. Smith, executive assistant in the office of the dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
•Paul J. Summers, administrator in the department of acute nursing
•Molly B. West, executive assistant in the department of surgery
•Amy A. Zingery, software systems specialist II in the department of surgery
