SCSU Staff Senate Appreciate~ Educate~Advocate
Pres iden t ’ s Corner Dear Fellow Staff Members,
I had the pleasure of attending the
general session of the “Call Me Mister”
meeting on Tuesday, September 30,
2014 held in Lowman Hall where the
keynote speaker was one of my best
friends and she posed the following
questions to the students in the room:
Who Are You? Why Are You Here? and
What Is Your Purpose?
As I sat there listening to Ms. Carlita S. Davis, Assistant
Superintendent for Darlington County School District and
former Miss SCSU, I played those questions over and over in
my mind. Who Am I? Why Am I Here? What Is My Purpose?
The more I rewound those questions, the more I honestly
searched for the answers and since that day I have been
asking myself those three simple yet complex questions.
Bulldog Family, what are your answers? I know that some
days are good and some days are bad, but at the end of every
day, we must feel good about our accomplishments and/or
attempts and be thankful!
I am thankful to have a place to call home, thankful to have a
job, thankful for family and friends, thankful for second
chances, thankful for good mornings as I walk the halls of
Lowman Hall, thankful for the pleasant voice and smile of Ms.
Sarah Footman, thankful for laughs and conversations with
co-workers and most of all thankful for God’s grace, mercy,
and unmerited favor.
Have a great Bulldog Day!
For SCSU,
Kenita Kenita D. Pitts 803-533-3742 [email protected] [email protected]
Volume 1, Issue 2 October 17, 2014
Beulah El-Amin, 1890 Candyce Brown, 1890
Brenda Daniely, Academic Affairs Cynthia Mitchell, Academic Affairs
Kendrick Lewis, Athletics Ashley Walker, Athletics
Sandra Scott, Enrollment Management Anthony Wright, Enrollment Management
Carl A’see, External Affairs & Communications Clarence Jones, External Affairs & Communications
Pecolia Snow, Fiscal Affairs Amanda Staley, Fiscal Affairs
Tracy Thomas, Institutional Advancement Joslyn DiPasalegne, Institutional Advancement
Cynthia Geter, Office of the President Demetrius Chatman, Office of the President
Frances Diaz-Evans, Operations Fran Simpson, Operations
Cammy Grate, Student Affairs Sherri Williams, Student Affairs
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Kenita Pitts, President Ron York, Vice President
Anquanetta Darby, Secretary Timothy Smith, Treasurer Sean Jones, Parliamentarian Monica Johnson, Historian Kay Snider, Past President Thomas J. Elzey, Ex-Officio
Doris Gathers-Dantzler, Ex-Officio
2014-2015 Staff Senators
SCSU Staff Senate Page 2
DIVISION OF 1890 RESEARCH & EXTENSION PROGRAMS
2013-2014 STAFF EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
Meet Ms. Keisha D. Dickson
Ms. Dickson serves as the Senior Extension Director for
Grant Management & Internal Compliance, for the 1890
Extension program where she is responsible for the grant
management and compliance oversight of 1890
Extension funding allocations and external grant awards.
Her attention to detail as well as her knowledge of the
State and Federal terms and conditions of external grants
has resulted in the 1890 program securing and
maintaining millions of dollars in grants during her
tenure with 1890 Extension Program and the University.
Keisha has been employed with the University for 8 years and interacts with our
stakeholders and provides a positive experience. In performing her duties at work
and in the community, Keisha has shown that she is loyal, dependable and reliable.
She displays the utmost integrity, honesty and dedication in her tasks and
interactions with others.
Keisha is an active member of Williams Chapel AME Church, Orangeburg, SC.
She is a member of the Steward Board, Finance Committee, Acolyte Ministry, a
Class Leader, and member of the Orangeburg Wilkinson High School Athletic
Booster Club where she serves at the Secretary.
Keisha is the proud auntie of 11 nieces and nephews who mean the world to her.
She loves football, is a diehard Dallas Cowboys fan, loves spending time with
family and friends, enjoys shopping, yoga, and traveling.
Keisha is a 1998 graduate of SCSU and a 2013 graduate of Claflin University.
Keisha’s motto is: Never blame anyone for how they treat you. Good people give
you happiness. Bad people give you experience. Worst people give you a lesson.
Best people give you memories and God gives you all these people, so thank them
and remember, it is well.
Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 2
Meet Mr. Sean L. Jones
Mr. Jones is the Administrative Assistant and Pre-Step
Coordinator in the Office of Teacher Education and has
been employed at the University for a period of 20
years. He is a model employee and epitomizes what an
administrative assistant is, as well as a true Bulldog.
Sean works diligently not only in his office, but you
may find him all over campus, serving as an Usher for
Commencement and Convocation events. Sean is very
resourceful and is able to put you in contact with
anyone you need on campus. Sean loves his university
and he shows it in his work ethic. Also, Sean is a
consummate Bulldog and wants nothing but the best for his alma mater; he
doesn’t just talk a good game when it comes to his job, Sean walks the walk in his
work.
Sean is a native of Philadelphia, PA and resides in Orangeburg, SC. He is a
member of the SCSU Staff Senate where he serves as the Parliamentarian, a
member of Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, Sumter, SC, NAACP- Sumter
Branch, the Hampton University Minister's Conference and the Minister of Music
of Greater Faith Baptist Church, Orangeburg, SC.
Sean is a 2001 graduate of SCSU and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Professional
History.
Sean’s motto is: “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the
bricks others have thrown at him.” ~David Brinkley
DIVISION OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS
2013-2014 STAFF EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
The first SCSU Staff Senate meeting was held
Thursday, October 2, 2014 in the Staley Hall
Auditorium with a total of 23 staff members and
4 community members present.
A special thank you to those that attended and a
very special thank you to DTZ (UNICCO), SCSU
Bookstore (Follett), and the SCSU Division of
External Affairs and Communications for the door
prizes.
Congratulations to our winners: Ms. Carrtina
Glover, Student Success and Retention, Mrs.
Mary Simpson, Claflin University, and Ms.
Pinkey Carter, Brooks Health Center.
Staff meetings will be held every first Tuesday of the month at 3:00 pm.
Page 4 SCSU Staff Senate
Staff Senate Meeting Highlights
Staff Spotlight
Congratulations Mr. Jason Barr!
Jason has been promoted to Database Administrator in
the Division of University Computing and IT Services
(UCITS).
Jason has been employed with the University for 7
years and is an alumnus of SCSU with a Bachelors of
Science in Computer Science.
In his new position, Jason will be responsible for Banner system updates as well
as other software applications.
Jason is a native of Kingstree, SC and is a member of the Black Data Processing
Associates (BDPA).
Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 5
Human Resources Update!~ Mrs. Tiffany Glenn
LOCATION CHANGE!
Representatives will be located in Lowman Hall Room 309
Upcoming Events “Bulldog Madness” (Dukes Gym) October 24, 2014 9:35 pm
Bulldogs vs Bethune Cookman October 25, 2014 1:30 pm The Count Basie Orchestra in Concert October 30, 2014 7:30 pm
SCSU Former Athletes/President’s Golf Tournament October 31, 2014 8:30 am
Stellar Alumni Calendar Unveiling October 31, 2014 5:00 pm
The Influence of James Brown (IP Stanback Museum) October 31, 2014 6:00 pm
Greek Step Show (SHM) October 31, 2014 7:00 pm
Homecoming Parade November 1, 2014 9:30 am
Homecoming Game-Bulldogs vs Savannah State November 1, 2014 1:30 pm
Fresh and Fabulous Affair Alumni Party (SHM) November 1, 2014 9:00 pm
STAFF SENATE MEETING (BELCHER HALL 206) November 4, 2014 3:00 pm
Board of Trustees Committee Meetings November 13, 2014 9:00 am
Bulldogs vs Norfolk State (Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day) November 22, 2014 1:30 pm Full Board Meeting December 4, 2014 9:00 am
Your Input is Important To Us!
We would appreciate any suggestions
you might have as projects that Staff
Senate can initiate, promote or support
that would also promote a positive
atmosphere on campus. I also invite
you to email me with news, questions,
and ideas for future publications -
whether you want to write them
yourself or not!
Contact us:
Page 6 SCSU Staff Senate
OCTOBER IS
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 7
Page 8 SCSU Staff Senate
Many of you have inquired about the meaning of and the possibility of a
non-voluntary furlough. Most of us have experienced “furloughs” here at the
University and just like you; it was not a pleasant time for me.
Furloughs are considered a positive alternative to layoffs, but they have negative
consequences, too. Employee furloughs are mandatory time off work with no pay.
Used as an alternative to a layoff, employee furloughs can occur in both public
and private sector organizations when revenue or projected revenue fails to match
expenses.
Since I am not an attorney, I decided to do the next best thing; google and provide
you with the South Carolina Code of Laws Unannotated Current through the end
of the 2013 Session:
SECTION8-11-193.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in a fiscal year in which the general
funds appropriated for an institution of higher education are less than the general
funds appropriated for that institution in the preceding fiscal year, or whenever the
General Assembly or the State Budget and Control Board implements a midyear
across-the-board budget reduction, agency heads for institutions of higher
education and the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education
through policy and procedure for the Technical College System may institute
employee furlough programs of not more than twenty working days in the fiscal
year in which the deficit is projected to occur. The furlough must be inclusive of all
employees regardless of source of funds, place of work, or tenure status, and must
include employees in classified positions and unclassified positions as well as
agency heads.
(continued on page 9)
The “F” Word No One Wants to Think or Talk About!
Page 9
Scheduling of furlough days, or portions of days, shall be at the discretion of the
agency or individual institution. During the furlough, affected employees shall be
entitled to receive the same state benefits as otherwise available to them except for
receiving their salaries.
For benefits which require employer and employee contributions including, but not
limited to, contributions to the South Carolina Retirement System or the optional
retirement program, institutions will be responsible for making both employer and
employee contributions during the time of the furlough if coverage would
otherwise be interrupted.
For benefits which require only employee contributions, the employee remains
solely responsible for making the contributions. Placement of an employee on
furlough pursuant to this section does not constitute a grievance or appeal under
the State Employee Grievance Act. In the event an institution's reduction is due
solely to the General Assembly transferring or deleting a program, this section
does not apply. The implementation of a furlough program authorized by this
section shall be on an institution by institution basis. HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 353,
Section 2, Pt 1.A.1, eff. July 1, 2008.
I hope this was helpful.
http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t08c011.php
Volume 1, Issue 2
The “F” Word No One Wants to Think or Talk About!
Page 10 SCSU Staff Senate
LOWMAN HALL GOES PINK!
Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 11
LOWMAN HALL GOES PINK!
Page 12 SCSU Staff Senate
Page 13 S C S U S TAF F S EN AT E
www.cdc.gov
Page 14 SCSU Staff Senate
Maintaining a Positive Attitude
SC State faculty and staff members who exude a positive attitude tend to deliver
great customer service. Maintaining a glass half-full outlook is important for
anyone who serves our students and other customers. Here are five tips to help us
develop and maintain a positive attitude.
1. Focus on the things you can control. You cannot control anyone else’s words
or actions, but you can control your reactions to them. Decide to be positive - no
matter what.
2. Find daily inspiration. Find inspirational people, prayers, stories, jokes, music,
and places when you need a little help to see the sunny side of things.
3. Avoid negative people. You know who they are. Limit your contact as much as
possible. Don’t let anybody steal your joy.
4. Stop thinking and saying negative things. Your mind takes cues from what
you say. State what you can do, not what you can’t.
5. Be grateful for what you have. People who have so much are often the ones
who constantly complain. Be grateful. No matter what your situation, it could be
worse.
SOURCES: Geoffrey James in The Customer Service Advantage, Nancy Friedman
of Telephone Doctor
Customer Service Tips~Mrs. Ellen Ricoma
Meet and work alongside other staff employees from diverse areas of the University
Achieve personal growth and fulfillment through leadership roles and awareness of new opportunities
Enjoy professional development opportunities
Provide useful services to the university community while creating a satisfying place to work
Communicate in a common voice on behalf of all staff employees
Promote effective change
Attend forums to address mutual staff concerns and designated problems
Experience first-hand opportunities to participate in the governance and policy-making structure of the University
Have a voice and a vote on university committees
Participate in Staff Senate as a voting member representing your work area
Bring diverse entities together for the common good of staff employees
Communicate news on meetings and activities of interest to staff
Enjoy a feeling of accomplishment as a result of making a difference
Apprec ia t e * Educa te * Adv oca te
B e n e f i t s o f P a r t i c i p a t i o n
Dues
Each full-time staff member is encouraged to pay dues to the Staff Senate. Dues are collected for the purpose
of:
Providing memorial tributes (card) for the death of a South Carolina State University Staff Senate Member
Staff Appreciation Recognition
Staff Spotlight Certificate
Brochures
Supplies (paper, certificates, etc.)
Monthly Workshop & Staff Meeting Materials
Dues are to be paid to the Staff Senate Treasurer.
The Staff Senate Treasurer will keep an accurate record of the dues collected from members. Dues will be
deposited by the Treasurer in the official Staff Senate account, and will be administered according to
foundation cash handling procedures.
SCSU Staff Senate
300 College St. NE PO Box 7007 Orangeburg, SC 29117
[email protected] [email protected]
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