DECATUR, Ill. – After a successful first year of advocating for staff members, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ University Staff Advisory Council (MUSAC) is returning for a second year this fall.
The 12-member council, composed of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ staff members, makes recommendations to the University Administration and serves as a liaison between staff and University leadership. Chief Human Resources Officer Todd Ray also serves as a MUSAC advisor.
MUSAC provides opportunities for staff to engage with each other, develop ideas, voice concerns, and review and discuss policies and procedures that impact the culture and .
During the last academic year, the MUSAC had several accomplishments, including the elimination of the $50 parking pass fee for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ staff and faculty, holding a Staff Recognition Day donut and coffee event with Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ President Jim Reynolds, and bringing food and coffee vendors to campus during summer break. Upcoming MUSAC meetings will look at ways to improve overall staff recognition and food options on campus. The minutes from MUSAC meetings can be found on the .
Ten MUSAC members are chosen from the following departments – Academic Affairs, Alumni and Development, Marketing & Media Relations & Human Resources, Information Technology, Academic Affairs, Student Financial Services, Athletics, Admission, Student Affairs, and Public Safety – and led by a chair and co-chair.
Last year’s chair, Technology Services Manager Rodger Reed, announced his retirement from Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ last spring, and last year’s co-chair, Admissions Director of Operations & Events Shelby Baum, will step into the MUSAC chair role. MUSAC representative for Marketing & Media Relations/Human Resources and Public Relations Coordinator Matthew Flaten was elected as the new MUSAC co-chair. Flaten will also serve as the staff representative to the Board of Trustees.
Over the summer, elections were held in three departments for new members of MUSAC. Security Officer Jenny Price will represent Public Safety, Senior Graphic Designer Krista Foxx will represent Marketing & Media Relations/HR, and Associate Director of the Student Success Center Gary Cecil will represent Student Affairs.
Here is the current roster of MUSAC members:
- -Academic Affairs: Jeshae Ali, Audition Coordinator/Administrative Assistant
- -Alumni and Development: Susan Berg, Administrative Assistant
- -Marketing & Media Relations & Human Resources: Krista Foxx, Senior Graphic Designer
- -Information Technology: Seth Hansen, Database Analyst
- -Academic Affairs: Jennifer Moore, Executive Assistant to the Provost
- -Student Financial Services: Sandra Renfro, Student Accounts Receivable Coordinator
- -Athletics: Whitney Sowers, Co-Head Coach of the Women’s Softball Team
- -Admission: Derrick Sosinski, Senior Admission Counselor
- -Student Affairs: Gary Cecil, Associate Director of the Student Success Center
- -Public Safety: Jenny Price, Security Officer
Staff members with questions or issues to bring to the MUSAC can contact their representative directly or submit questions on the .
