Committees

Get involved.

Staff Senate has several committees that are made up of Staff Senate members. These committees provide administrative functions for Staff Senate or are a focus area for Staff Senate for some of the mission areas.

Staff Senate Committees

Each Staff Senator is asked to join one committee of their choice. Involvement is not limited to one and many members take part in a few.

Constitutions, Bylaws and Elections Committee

Reviews, drafts, and recommends amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws and presents them to the Executive Committee and then to Staff Senate for approval. The Committee rules on questions relating to qualifications of electors and members; nominates and receives nominations; presents a slate of nominees; and conducts the elections.

Mike Wozniak (Chair)
Andrea Velaris
Andy Larson
Kellie Ebertowski
Kristin Ellwanger
Va'afusuaga Boese

Community Relations Committee

Responsible for both the year-round Jeans Give Back fundraiser and the annual Tubs of Love donation drive.

Jeans Give Back

The Community Relations Committee advertises and accepts applications from local nonprofit organizations that will receive funds generated from Jeans Give Back. The Committee will review applications and determine recipients of funding, and publicize the nonprofits from Jeans Give Back as submitted throughout the year. All collected donations from UND employees will be turned in for deposit.

Tubs of Love

The Community Relations Committee coordinates annual Tubs of Love drive by selecting local nonprofit organization(s) to receive donation(s) annually.

Diana Duchscherer (Chair)
Brenda Halle
Michael Dieken
Mariah Pingleton
Eric Gutzwiller
Sara Hamling
Tim Sargeant

Engagement/Fundraising Committee

Develops programs to encourage participation, networking, and to booster morale of staff within the UND community. The Engagement Committee creates recurring events for staff to connect. Examples include monthly Coffee with Kathy Armacost, 31 Days of Glory and semesterly BINGO/Trivia.

Jordan Eberhardt (Chair)
Hannah Phelps
Heather Arens
Monica Evavold
Cheryl Misialek
Carlos Caro
Meghan Benzing
Paula Cox

Legislative Committee

Provides Staff Senate with information regarding legislative activity, placing particular emphasis on issues affecting higher education and UND staff. The Committee depends on feedback from the Staff Senate to propose and initiate a coordinated effort as a result of the given information. Committee also acts as parliamentarian or source of parliamentary procedure according to Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised. The Chair of the Legislative Committee serves on the University Senate Legislative Affairs Committee.

Brian Schill (Chair)
Anna Kinney
Scott MacMillan
Natalie Talk
Kevin Dunn
Mike Ullrich
Beth Valentine

North Dakota State Staff Senate

The North Dakota State Staff Senate (ND SSS) serves staff members at institutions throughout the university system. The ND SSS identifies staff interests and issues; acts as a forum for staff-related matters; and promotes communication between campus staff, the NDUS chancellor and the State Board of Higher Education. The ND SSS meets at least four times a year.

UND Staff Senate President, Vice President and Past President will serve as members of the ND SSS with the Past President rotating off each year.

Public Relations Committee

Works in conjunction with other Staff Senate Committees: publicizes events sponsored by the Staff Senate; opens channels of communication with the campus community; raises awareness about the vital role performed by staff in the operation of the university; develops documents and correspondence prior to submission to the Executive Committee; and maintains the Staff Senate display case. Coordinates Staff Senate involvement in local parades.

Lindsay Sannes (Co-Chair)
Jeanette Gratton (Co-Chair)
Rhonda Saxberg
Aly Riviere
Michelle Svilpe
Hara Wasiak
Kristen Pratt

Staff & Professional Development Committee

Identifies, recommends, and coordinates various programs and activities that will provide professional and personal growth for all UND employees. This includes the development of scholarship programs, sponsoring an annual speaker and coordinating workshops and training sessions on a regular basis.

Jennifer Weigel (Chair)
Jill Caya
Brandon Wallace
Kristi Embry
Renee Kringlen
Andy Larson
Angie Reinhart

Staff Recognition Committee

Develops and administers events and programs to recognize and reward Staff Employees for their service to UND. Coordinates events such as Spring Fling, and in conjunction with Council of State Employees (COSE), plans activities for State Employee Recognition Week. This Committee also administers the UND Staff Senate Senator of the Year award and coordinates the monthly and annual UShine award.

Ivy Baird (Co-Chair)
Kaitlin Lockett
Jen Proulx
Sara Westall
Katie Kucera
Jessica Craig

Ad Hoc Committees

Staff Senate also has three Ad Hoc Committees. The three Executive Committee at-large members are the coordinators for these committees.

Jen Proulx
Tim Sargent
Ivy Baird

Other University Committees Representation

Staff Senate has members who serve on the following University Committees.

Building/Facilities Access Committee
University Budget Committee
Committee on Sexual Violence Prevention
North Dakota State Staff Senate
Senate Legislative Affairs Committee
The President's Cabinet
University Bookstore Advisory Committee
University Senate
University Senate Executive Committee