Kathryn Howard, who this month presided over her final meeting as chair of Case Western Reserve University's Staff Advisory Council (SAC), remembers a time when employees had no official voice in University matters.

But that changed in 1990 when then President Agnar Pytte formed SAC to establish a conduit for communication between staff and administrators. It allowed staff to provide formal feedback on policies and raise awareness of issues that affect the University and its employees.

photo by Susan Griffith Kathryn Howard (left), chair of the Staff Advisory Council, talks with staff members Tina Jurcisin (center) and Gail Shipley before a recent council meeting.

"The formation of SAC provided staff with the feeling that they had a voice in matters at the University that we did not have prior to the council," said Howard, a research assistant in infectious diseases at the School of Medicine since 1983.

In a little more than 10 years, SAC has done more than just help staff be heard. It has made them a force.

"SAC provides a voice for every staff member at the University in affairs that concern them," said Howard, who was first elected to the council as a representative in 1992 and has been involved with SAC for the better part of a decade. "But in the past year or so, the council has started down a road not taken-one not everyone may have chosen-a path of activism."

A banner year

Under the leadership of Howard, who said she would not have been able to accomplish anything without the support of council representatives, SAC has just completed one of its most active years.

Working closely with Human Resources and the Office of the President and Provost, SAC has been instrumental in the University's decisions to establish an adoption leave, alter its discretionary day policy, conduct the first Student-Staff Interaction Day and institute a campus-wide community service day.

At this month's meeting alone, the council passed resolutions asking the University to review staff access to educational benefits and to enhance the tuition waiver in order to better empower employees in their pursuit of lifelong learning.

"SAC is something the University did not have for the first 10 years of my employment here," Howard said. "Unless you were here before, you may not be able to appreciate the difference the council has made in the day-to-day life of staff members."

Over the past few years, SAC has been actively involved in establishing the University's domestic partner and short-term disability benefits and enhancing staff retirement plans, including the addition of Plan C.

Among its other accomplishments: the council also helped start a mentoring program for new staff members; helped found the Party on the Quad, an annual summer celebration for the campus community; and helped create the President's Award for Distinguished Service, which every year honors up to three staff members who most exemplify outstanding citizenship, service and commitment to the University.

And there's more to come.

From adviser to advocate

This academic year the council is expected to play an integral part in discussions about pets on campus, child care at the University and health insurance for retirees.

In addition, Howard has appointed an ad hoc committee to look into the management philosophy of staff empowerment that was implemented by finance and administration. A report and recommendations as to how that program can be expanded to include all staff in all departments is expected next spring.

SAC also is working to increase the amount, currently $500, of the President's Award for Distinguished Service.

"There are issues of concern to staff that still need to be resolved," Howard said, "but I hope the council continues to gain momentum in the coming year and becomes an even greater voice-and force-for staff."

According to Howard, this recent transformation of the council from adviser to advocate is due in large part to the vision of the University.

For the first time this year, SAC conducted a series of open forums between staff and new President Edward M. Hundert and hosted a set of town hall gatherings with various University vice presidents. Both programs are expected to resume this fall.

"President Hundert's willingness to engage in dialogue with staff has really fueled the opportunities for positive change," Howard said. "Since his arrival, I have felt an atmosphere of empowered optimism among staff that is quite unique as far as my experience on campus."

Active and inclusive

Howard is turning over the council reigns to vice chair Joanne Dicarlo, a research assistant in dermatology at the medical school. Jeanne Madison, assistant director of corporate and foundation relations, will serve as vice chair for the coming year. SAC leaders are elected to serve a one-year term as vice chair, followed by a one-year term as chair.

The council currently has 53 representatives, including two ex officio members, the University's chief financial and administrative officer, Hossein Sadid, and vice president for human resources, Tony Kinslow. SAC's executive committee consists of the council's current chair, vice chair and secretary and its past chair.

In its elections for the first time this year, SAC provided voting booths at various times of the day and at different locations around campus. Howard said more second-shift employees than ever before cast ballots for SAC representatives this year. Election results are expected in the next few weeks.

For additional information on SAC, how to become involved or to join the council's electronic mailing list, go to http://www.case.edu/president/sac/sac.html.

Return to the online edition of the 8-21-03 Campus News.

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