Early Bird

Staff Senate recap

Members heard updates on the Classroom to Career Hub, 2030 Strategic Plan, alternative work arrangements and more.

By Lindsey Coulter

April 21, 2021

The Staff Senate’s April 13 meeting featured updates on several key programs and initiatives and gave members a chance to officially welcome two new senators to the body.

Classroom to Career Hub update

Adrienne Martinez, associate vice president of Classroom to Career Initiatives, presented on the two-year-old Classroom to Career Hub and its potential move to the Tivoli Student Union. Since its inception, the program has restructured existing office space within the former Applied Learning Center and Career Services offices within the Administration Building, former Roadways spaces in the Student Success Building and a peer-mentoring office in the Tivoli Student Union to provide comprehensive career-development services.

Martinez outlined a plan to potentially consolidate all operations in the Tivoli Student Union to improve collaboration and service to students. The move would also allow the C2 Hub to be part of the larger effort to reinvigorate and reimagine the Tivoli building alongside Auraria Campus partners. The program is specifically considering the corner of the Tivoli that is nearest to the Jordan Student Success Building, and the C2 Hub could span all three levels of the Tivoli. The project would also include key building improvements to bring flexibility, inclusivity and vibrancy to the space.

Ideally, the estimated $17 million project would be funded largely through private donations and state infrastructure funds. Martinez and other C2 Hub leaders have shared the plan with a variety of University stakeholders to make the process as inclusive as possible. Those with feedback or questions are invited to contact Martinez or use the anonymous Staff Senate contact form.

Strategic Plan update

Jamie Hurst, J.D., presented on the progress of Metropolitan State University of Denver’s 2030 Strategic Plan, which first kicked off in January 2019. The process has engaged more than 1,000 Roadrunners and community stakeholders and resulted in a plan that addresses where the University is now and where we want to be by 2030.

The Strategic Planning Committee will present its operational plan to the Board of Trustees in December, as opposed to May as previously planned, to give members more time to perfect the plan and focus on helping the University navigate the myriad impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, address racial-justice and equity issues and more, while also considering post-pandemic scenarios, opportunities and challenges for the University. For example, MSU Denver has strengthened its online learning program, and its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity has resulted in more employers and community organizations seeking to partner. Meanwhile, the University remains committed to legislative efforts to correct chronic underfunding by addressing the state’s higher-education base-funding formula, while anticipating enrollment, budget and personnel challenges related to the pandemic.

“Pausing our efforts and looking at all of these things together, I feel confident that we put together the bones of a great plan that will allow us to take advantage of our opportunities as well as move these challenges into a space that will create opportunities,” Hurst said.

Next, the committee will develop an operational plan for each goal, defining key performance indicators and three to five strategies and metrics to measure progress. The plan will be finalized and presented to the Board of Trustees next January.

Learn more about the 2030 Strategic Plan.

Vacancies

Rebecca Reid nominated Jeremy VanHooser to serve as the senator representing the President’s Office/Strategy, Marketing and Communications/Athletics Division. Members recommended to confirm.

Reid also recommended Metza Templeton to fill the at-large seat. Members recommended to confirm.

Alternative Work Arrangements discussion

Reid reported on the development of the Alternative Work Arrangements policy and supporting guide, which have been spearheaded by the Staff Senate Policy Review Committee with input from several campus leaders. The language is still in development as the committee considers questions regarding equipment, Information Technology Services support, potential security concerns and more. Reid noted that the language is intended to be broad to provide for flexibility and recognized that it will also need to expand consistency and equity. All Staff Senate senators and officers have received a draft copy of the policy and will vote in May on whether to advance it to the University Policy Advisory Council for discussion.

Other updates:

• The Staff Senate is hosting social-justice and yoga workshops, led by faculty member JaLisa Williams, affiliate faculty, Social Work, today, Thursday and Monday.
• Staff Senate nominations are open through April 30.
• See previous Early Bird articles for updates and decisions from past Budget Recommendation Committee meetings.
• The University Policy Advisory Committee met March 18 to conduct a first read of three new policies that have since moved to community review: the Information Technology Accessibility Policy, the Electronic Signature Policy and the Sick Leave for Temporary Employees Policy. Anyone wishing to provide feedback may do so through Friday.
• The Employee Recruitment and Retention Policy and comments from the Staff Senate regarding the staff manual were submitted to Human Resources on April 9.
• The Children and Minors in University Programs Policy is pending information on background checks.