Staff Senate

The University of South Carolina Staff Senate serves as an open forum to facilitate communication and collaboration among university staff members. It also serves as an advisory committee to the university president, adding an essential voice to strategic conversations and decisions that support the goals of the institution.

Next Meeting

Tuesday, March 14 at 3 p.m., Close-Hipp Lumpkin Auditorium, 8th Floor
All staff are invited to attend virtually via Microsoft Teams.

Call to Order- Rushondra James, PhD – President

Roll Call/Attendance Report- Katherine Hilson, Secretary

Establish Quorum- Bo Hart, Parliamentarian

Approval of Minutes – Bo Hart, Parliamentarian

Guest Speaker:

Julian R. Williams, JD, Vice President, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

President’s Update:

Rushondra James,PhD - President

2023 -2024 Executive Committee Nominee Speeches:

President Elect – Tyson Lusk

Vice President – Megan Colascione

Treasurer - Vanessa Berry

Secretary – Katherine Hilson

Parliamentarian – Chris Burkett

Reports of Committees:

Membership – Kelley Fink

Communications – Craig Brandhorst/ Dwaun Sellers

Staff Policy and Well-Being – Megan Colascione/ Ja-Nae Epps

Professional Development – Georgia Doran

Community Projects – Joe Fortune/ Christine Shelek

By-Laws – Kim Rose

Ad Hoc Committees:

Staff Awards - Chris Burkett

Scholarship/ Fundraiser - Loren Murphy

Order of Business – Bo Hart, Parliamentarian

Announcements / Good of order (Executive Committee or Senators)

Adjourn

Next Meeting: Tuesday,April 11, 2023 – 3:00 p.m. -4:30 p.m. Close-Hipp, Lumpkin Auditorium

Representing Your Voice

Your elected Staff Senators have the opportunity to:

Provide input and help to shape USC programs and policies that have an impact and are of interest to staff.
Gain a deeper understanding of how the university works, how decisions are made and what offices do what.
Collaborate with staff from across campus and to be a part of a community that cares deeply about the well-being of staff at USC.
Provide your colleagues a voice in university governance.
Connect with USC leadership. Staff Senate hosts senior leadership at monthly meetings and provides time for staff to engage in a conversation with campus administrators.
Hear first about upcoming USC initiatives.
Develop professionally and try on a different hat. The Senate provides many opportunities to serve on university-led committees, planning groups and staff senate committees.
Network and gain greater access to additional leadership opportunities.

Meet your Staff Senator and share with them what matters to you.

Meet the Staff Senate Executive Committee

The Staff Senate executive committee began its tenure in Summer 2022 and is made up of five officers including president, vice president, parliamentarian, treasurer and secretary.

After starting her University of South Carolina career 13 years ago in the College of Social Work, Rushondra James moved to the College of Information and Communications, where she serves as assistant dean for student services. James brings her work experience, institutional knowledge and commitment to peer advocacy to bear in her current role as staff senate president.

Learn more ...

Staff Senator Elections Have Begun

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.