Spectrum - Volume 17 Issue 03 September 08, 1994 - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 1993-94

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences 1993-94

Spectrum Volume 17 Issue 3 - September 8, 1994

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Staff Association (CALSSA) experienced many significant events during the past year. This report will attempt to highlight many of those activities.

On July 29, 375 staff members attended a picnic sponsored by the college. Those in attendance included full and part time, salaried and wage employees. They came from off-campus Extension research centers, Extension field offices, and departments within the college. At the picnic, Dean Andy Swiger presented the first Employee Recognition Program Dean's Award to Leon D. Alley, of biological systems engineering.

During the year, the Employee Recognition Program honored many employees in the college, both on and off-campus. The Versatility Award was presented to six individuals while 12 individuals received the Exemplary Employee Award (EEA). All departments within the college contributed to the program by donating a gift of their choice to the winners of the EEA.

The Employee Recognition Program is an on-going program to recognize individuals within the college who reflect the dedication and commitment of all staff members.

Staff members were appointed to serve on various search committees within the college. Some of these included a national search for both the director of Virginia Cooperative Extension and the director of Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. We also participated in the selection of Dean Swiger.

A survey generated by the college's Commission on Classified Staff Affairs was distributed to all staff members within the college. The survey included items such as staff morale, communication interaction between faculty and staff, career development, upward evaluations, shared governance, etc.

The information from the survey will be used as an information resource for the commission.

CALSSA decided to once again work on a service project. Our selection was the Montgomery County Community Shelter whose mission is to "provide transitional housing for one to three months to the homeless while they get back on their feet." All departments were contacted and the response was overwhelming. Faculty and staff members worked together to make this project a huge success. The association adopted the Montgomery County Shelter as an on-going project. A fund drive was conducted in May with each department having the responsibility of distributing flyers and collection of the donated material.

In addition to our service project, we solicited funds for the homeless after the hurricane devastation in Florida. Faculty and staff members on and off campus contributed a total of $550 which was forwarded to the American Red Cross.

The Parking and Transportation Committee (a CALSSA standing committee) worked with the staff in the college to address problems. A representative of Parking Services was invited to speak at one of our meetings to address our concerns.

The staff participated in many forums to review the status of the university budget and legislative process. Among our many speakers, Dean Swiger discussed the budget situation and implications for the college with CALSSA at its February meeting. Throughout the year, guest speakers from across the university made presentations that aided the representatives in better understanding the many policies and procedures at the university. In March we elected staff members to various commissions and the Advisory Committee within the college. We also saw the change in the college governance structure with the addition of a new commission: the Commission on Administrative and Professional Faculty. We have staff representation on that commission as well as all others within the college.

In May, CALSSA announced the first staff professional-enrichment program in conjunction with the Faculty and Staff Giving Opportunity. This program will focus on professional enhancement of staff members on and off campus. This is an opportunity for college employees to promote college staff members. Gifts designated for this program will provide members with funds that may not be available otherwise.

New association officers were elected in June

Submitted by Joyce Smith, CALSSA president 1992-93, 1993-94