Follow Up from the Staff Retreat (March 2014)

Dear Friends,

Thanks again to everyone who helped organized the staff retreat.  I appreciate the suggestions many of you provided for making the next retreat even better.  

I would like to take this opportunity to describe my role in greater detail.  As Dean Kornbluh described at the retreat, I am taking on a new set of responsibilities within the College.  One of my new roles is to serve as your Staff Advocate.  Based on your retreat feedback, one of the important things that I need to provide is consistent communication between the Dean and the staff.  This includes consistent updates from the University and College and communicating for the staff to the Dean.  I intend to provide information via the bi-weekly A&S newsletter and the Staff Advocate “badge”, as well as email updates to all staff.       

In this role, I serve as a resource to all staff in identifying and evaluating options for the resolution of workplace issues.  This could include identifying work-life balance in scheduling, identifying needed training, or conflict resolution with a colleague or supervisor.  I hope to provide neutral advocacy to help everyone work towards positive outcomes. 

I am also available to confidentially listen to any concerns about the workplace.  I can help direct staff to resources on campus, College and University policies to answer questions, or serve as a sounding board.  Feel free to reach me by email (bdharr3@uky.edu) or by phone (859.257.4019).  

The College of Arts and Sciences Staff Appreciation Day luncheon is scheduled for June 4 and the UK Staff Appreciation Day luncheon is June 5.  More information on both events to include locations and times will be forthcoming in future newsletters. 

The presentation slides from the staff retreat are posted on the A&S Staff website. They are located at:  https://staff.as.uky.edu/culture-committee. 

The College is moving forward in the standing up of the initial pilot group for the Mentorship Program (Mentor and Mentee selection & pairing).  Participants in the pilot program will be notified.  If you have questions regarding the program please contact either me, the A&S Staff Council Chair-Kari Burchfield, or the A&S Staff Council at:  rs_AandSStaff@uky.edu.

Thanks again for all of your hard work and efforts.    

Best Regards,

Brad