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 the qualifications of electors and members; nominates and receives nominations; presents a slate of nominees; and conducts the elections.

Brandon Wallace (Chair)
Ivy Baird
Chris Gasink
Ben Schille

Community Relations Committee

Responsible for both the year-round Hawks for Humanity fundraiser and the annual Tubs of Love donation drive.

Hawks for Humanity

The Community Relations Committee advertises and accepts applications from local nonprofit organizations that will receive funds generated from the Hawks for Humanity program. The Committee will review applications and determine recipients of funding, and publicize the nonprofits from the Hawks for Humanity program 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 the annual Tubs of Love drive by selecting local nonprofit organizations to receive donations annually.

Diana Duchscherer (Chair)
Brenda Halle
Michael Dieken
Eric Gutzwiller
Sara Hamling
Allie Pasch
Jessica Craig
Jessica Bailey
Hailee Viekman

Engagement/Fundraising Committee

Develops programs to encourage participation, networking, and boost morale of staff within the UND community. The Engagement Committee creates recurring events for staff to connect. A few examples include Turkey and Ham Bingo, Bowling, Staff Takeovers at restaurants, Movie Theater events, Sign Painting events, and Cornhole Tournament.

Heather Arens (Chair)
Hannah Phelps
Mindy Straub
Brie Gibbon Duncklee
Derek Gosselin
Nate Zola
Oren Long
Mike Wozniak
Ashley Vandal

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. The 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.

Andrew Larson (Chair)
Kirsten Pratt
Nancy Geske-Larson
Jonathan Puhl
Kevin Dunn
Anna Kinney
Sara Westall

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 before submission to the Executive Committee; and maintains the Staff Senate display case. Coordinates Staff Senate involvement in local parades.

Jeanette Gratton (Chair)
Michelle Svilpe
Aly Riviere
Jacey Spaeth
Anna Jackson
Scott MacMillan
Tass Wood

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.

Jill Caya (Co-Chair)
Angie Reinhart (Co-Chair)
Marcie Simpson
Jennifer Weigel
Allie Tyree
Madison Torgeson
Anna Dumas

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.

Gabriela Toviah (Chair)
Kaitlin Lockett
Jennifer Wahl
Brenda Serrano
Rhonda Saxberg
Tim Sargeant
Chris Berg
Brian Baier

Ad Hoc Committees

Staff Senate may also form Ad Hoc Committees as needed. One or more of the three Executive Committee At-Large Members typically serve as the chair(s).

Other University Committees Representation

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

Parking Committee
Campus Plan Steering Committee/Working Groups
Budget Committee
Committee on Sexual Violence Prevention and Response
Conflict of Interest Committee
Campus Safety Committee
Community, Engagement, and Opportunity Committee
Senate Legislative Affairs Committee
The President's Cabinet
University Senate
University Senate Executive Committee
Digital Accessibility Committee/Working Groups
Student Fee Advisory Committee