Staff Council Priorities & Initiatives

Below are the 2023-2024 Staff Council Priorities and updates as of January 2024. Priorities may shift or expand throughout the year.

Review, provide recommendations, and advocate for:

Salaries/wages that support the cost of living in the DMV area.
- Update: Under review by the Staff Experience Committee. Please contact Committee Chair Nicole Mintz to join the committee.
Benefits that support the varying life stages and challenges of GW staff.
- Update:
  - Under review by the Staff Experience Committee and Service Committee. Please contact the Committee Chairs to join the committee.
  - A council member was selected to join the HR Benefits Advisory Committee.
  - Passed the Resolution to Support the Permanent Adoption of the GW Remote and Hybrid Policy in February 2024.
An improved, equitable, and transparent performance review/merit process.
- Passed the Resolution to Support Wage Adjustments for Staff and Permanent Decoupling of Annual Wage Increase from Performance, April 2024
Clear pathways for advancement, growth, and recognition within the university.
- Update:
  - Under review of the Staff Experience Committee, Staff Recognition and Development Committee, and the Communications Committee. Please contact the Committee Chairs to join the committee.
  - Created Staff Spotlights Community Connections to highlight staff and departments on the Staff Council website and Staff Council Newsletter.

Advocate for:

Increased transparency and communication from university leadership.
- Update: We are starting in-house by working to build a transparent website, have open meetings, and distribute a monthly newsletter.
Insight into the university budget process.
- Update: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bruno Fernandes attended the January Staff Council meeting to discuss the university budget.
Staff Council representation and involvement with university events, searches, initiatives, and committees.
- Update:
  - The Staff Council represented university staff at President Granberg's investiture as school banner barriers alongside student and faculty representatives, and the council president spoke during the ceremony.
  - Staff Council members are now represented on the Faculty Senate committees.
  - The Staff Council has a representative on the HR Benefits Advisory Committee.
  - The Staff Council President is on the University Leadership Council.
  - The Staff Council has been invited to report at Board of Trustee meetings.

Identify and support organizational efficiencies.
- Update: The Staff Experience Committee is working on a resources document for new staff to help them get started at GW. Please contact Committee Chair Nicole Mintz to join the committee.
Support a more holistic onboarding process for new staff.
- Update: Under review of the Staff Experience Committee. Please contact Committee Chair Nicole Mintz to join the committee.
Create an inclusive community where staff across the university can support, mentor, and celebrate each other. A place where we foster belonging, and advocate for increased and equitable opportunities.
- Update: Under review of the Justice, Equity, and Diversity Committee. Please contact Committee Chair Alexandra Washington to join the committee.
  - Creating a framework for Employee Resource groups, also known as affinity groups.
  - Examining training resources are already available or should be made available to staff.

Establish priorities and internal administrative functions and processes for the inaugural year.
- Update: Priorities created and publicized.
Provide informal options for the council to meet.
- Update: The council will meet every other month in an informal meeting that is private to council members.
Be flexible and prepared to address staff concerns as they arise.
- Update: Created a feedback form for staff to share concerns and ideas.