Early Bird

Staff Senate recap

The December meeting included presentations on development opportunities, performance evaluations and digital improvements.

By Lindsey Coulter

December 15, 2020

The Dec. 8 meeting of the Metropolitan State University of Denver Staff Senate began with a presentation by Christine Márquez-Hudson, vice president, University Advancement, on MSU Denver’s potential participation in the Fox Park development. The new culture/education/working/living development could house additional MSU Denver education, athletic and performance spaces as well as affordable housing for students and employees.

MSU Denver has put together a committee of staff, faculty, students and leadership groups to review the proposed partnership and to share findings with President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., and trustees. A decision will likely be made in early 2021. 

Performance evaluations

Danielle Farrell, assistant director, Learning and Development, visited the meeting to discuss a proposed redevelopment of the evaluation process. The proposed process will be rooted in clear expectations, employee goals, accountability, sense of purpose, ongoing feedback and supervisor coaching, shifting the focus from performance management to performance development to align with the University’s new Strategic Plan 2030 and best practices in performance.

The proposed changes include:

1. Changing the goal of performance development from “To recognize and reward outstanding performance and address areas for improvement” to “Foster an environment for innovation, agility, sustainability, equity and inclusion to provide excellence and service to students and become a best place to work.”
2. Moving to a structure that fosters ongoing feedback using living development plans, more regular one-on-one sessions with supervisors, twice-yearly formal reviews and regular agility conversations.
3. Shifting to a “This process helps employees be their best” mindset in which supervisors, with Human Resources support, will create environments where people can thrive.
4. Aligning performance development with a new compensation structure (this item will have a longer rollout period).
5. Updating the related policy statement to reflect a new focus on performance development.
6. Proposing that Learning and Development owns the process and is in charge of ongoing assessment and development.

To provide feedback and comments, please email profdev@msudenver.edu.

Digital transformation

Whei Wong Howerton, associate vice president for Marketing and Brand, presented on the University’s upcoming digital transformation.

“One of the key University priorities this year is to engage in a digital transformation that focuses on the University website but also considers how we engage with our students and audiences on social media and in digital communications, marketing and advertising,” Wong-Howerton said.

Working with consultant Clique Studios, the project will include an assessment and audit of the University’s current digital platform and recommendations that will have the ability to “bring us into a new space,” according to Wong Howerton.

Members of the University community also are invited to share feedback on MSU Denver’s current digital presence to help the Strategy, Marketing and Communications team better understand user experiences with the digital platform, the ease of navigation and access to communications, etc.

Ideally, the improved website will better serve as the gateway to MSU Denver, with a focus on the current and prospective student user experiences. This strategic redesign is intended to engage students and move them more quickly and confidently toward enrollment and registration. New templates will also be available for departments and colleges to create a more modern and cohesive look and feel for the site.

The goal is to have primary pages live by July 1. The audit and assessment are supported by one-time funds.

Support the digital-transformation info-gathering process.

Other updates

• As of Dec. 4, full-time enrollment for spring is down 18.5%; total head count is down 17.7%. Those numbers align with enrollment figures at other local universities.
• The Material Lending Policy is still out for review, and all Roadrunners are encouraged to weigh in.
• The Dec. 22 Staff Senate Working Session is canceled. Subcommittees are welcome to meet independently.