Responsibilities and Expectations

Elected members of Staff Senate serve three-year terms, beginning with a transition meeting in April immediately following elections. One-third of the Senate is elected each year to ensure overlapping terms. Responsibilities of the Staff Senator role include:

• Read the Staff Senate Code and abide by it
  • Code provides official details of Senate purpose, composition, structure, and more
• Be available and open to the needs and concerns of all University staff
• Inform colleagues in their work areas that they are Staff Senators and to share information about the Senate and its activities
• Encourage participation in University governance, including notifying colleagues about Staff Senate meetings, opportunities to serve on standing committees, and about upcoming elections

To learn more about how Staff Senate works, click below   for an overview of Staff Senate meeting proceedings, and/or sit in on a monthly Staff Senate meeting to witness it live. All KU staff members are welcome to attend Staff Senate meetings, not just elected Senators!

Prioritize and attend monthly 90-minute full Staff Senate meetings throughout fall and spring semesters

Meetings are always held the second Wednesday of the month from 12:00-1:30pm via Zoom

• Documents will be emailed for review prior to each meeting
  • Current meeting agenda
  • Previous meeting minutes
  • New standing reports from Staff Senate President, Treasurer and Standing Committee chairs

Please note:  Staff Senators are expected to be present at each full meeting.

• If necessary to be excused from a meeting, must notify Staff Senate Secretary in advance
  • If not possible to contact Secretary themselves, advise a fellow Senator to notify Secretary on your behalf
  • If advance notice is not possible, absence may be excused by contacting President within 2 days after absence
• Must attend minimum of 4 meetings during the course of a year

• May be removed from office for matters of attendance (2 unexcused absences from Senate meetings)

   

Participate in additional Staff Senate activities

Senators are highly encouraged to get involved in Staff Senate Standing Committee work and move into leadership roles.

• For details, see the summary of Standing Committees and associated roles, and/or sit in on a committee meeting. All KU staff members are welcome to participate in standing committees, not just elected Senators!

Share the work of Staff Senate with colleagues in your departments and workplaces and bring their feedback and concerns back to Senate.

Other staff representation opportunities available to elected Staff Senators include:

• University Senate and its standing committees
• Kansas Board of Regents Special Council for Unclassified Professional Staff and University Support Staff