Be represented.

Tri-Chair Letter - June 2026

Eryn Van Poole — Wed, 27 May 2026 21:58:17 +0000

Tri-Chair Letter - June 2026 Eryn Van Poole Wed, 05/27/2026 - 15:58

Hello Staff and Research Faculty, 

We hope your summer is off to a great start following a successful Spring semester.

We want to acknowledge your hard work in moving the university through another academic year. We also want to highlight some of the ways that Staff Council is representing you in campus-wide initiatives and hiring committees.

The Tri-Chairs are greatly appreciative of campus leadership, who have ensured shared governance is included in these committees and processes, as well as the Staff Council members who have taken on additional responsibilities by serving on these hiring and strategic committees.

Here are a few of the committees we have been invited to serve on:

AI Strategic Steering Committee (representative: Jonathan Marenus), which “assists with the creation of resources and guidance to campus users as well as the formation of an AI community of practice.”

Signature Event Working Group – MLK Convocation (representative: Leah McDaniel Parvez), which advises on programmatic content and goal setting for the annual Convocation event.

Space Management Task Force (representative: Jessica Sandoval), which is tasked with “update[ing] our space guidelines, policies, and infrastructure to support effective use of space on the Boulder campus.”

Campus Shared Values Authoring Committee (representative: Crystal Cyr), which is “charged with developing a draft set of campus values and definitions that are inclusive, actionable and grounded in community input.”

VC Communications, Marketing, and Social Media search committee (representative: Christopher Mellott). The Tri-Chairs also participated in shared governance interviews for the finalist candidates.

VC Information Technology search committee (representative: Jessica Sandoval)

These invitations to serve demonstrate how we have strengthened our partnerships across campus, and we look forward to continuing and expanding our service next year.

Finally, as Staff Council’s year ends, we want to give a huge thank you to all of the Staff Council representatives and officers who are rolling off at the end of June. This year has been full of advocacy, partnerships, and employee recognition (check out the Committee accomplishments article). Thank you for your service and dedication to the employee experience here at ̽��Ƶ!

We wish everyone a rejuvenating summer, and we’ll see you in the fall!

We want to highlight some of the ways that Staff Council is representing you in campus-wide initiatives and hiring committees.

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2025-2026 Staff Council Committee Accomplishments

Eryn Van Poole — Tue, 26 May 2026 19:26:48 +0000

2025-2026 Staff Council Committee Accomplishments Eryn Van Poole Tue, 05/26/2026 - 13:26

Awards and Staff Recognition Committee (ASR)

The Awards and Staff Recognition Committee of Staff Council honored 1,003 ̽��Ƶ university staff, classified staff, professional research assistants, and research associates for their milestone years of service. The committee also recognized the four Chancellor’s Employees of the Year and the two University of Colorado Staff Council Staff Excellence Award recipients with gift bags. In addition, 18 Brightest Buff Awards were presented.

Committee for Belonging, Equity, Accessibility and Mattering (BEAM)

🌈 1. Advancing the Resolution Supporting Transgender, Intersex & Non‑Binary Employees 

Main accomplishment: BEAM ensured ongoing follow‑through and implementation of the Staff Council–adopted resolution titled “Reaffirm and Commit Support for a Positive Work Environment for the Transgender, Intersex, and Non‑Binary Community.” 

Originally presented to Staff Council on April 16, 2025 
Co‑authored by Kathleen Stutzman and Rose Smith 
Now moving into implementation with campus leadership

Project management leadership: Carla Anthony (Assistant Vice Chancellor for Employee Relations, Compliance & Performance Management) is coordinating four sub‑working groups: 

Name Change Working Group
- Advising the ongoing OIT-led project to improve the name change process across campus. 
Training Working Group
- Working to ensure campus-wide professional development trainings are welcoming to all. 
Insurance Benefits Working Group
- Working with the CU Systems Benefits Office to ensure our health insurance is serving our community effectively and equitably.  
Data Privacy Working Group
- Working with Athletics and OIT to ensure data collected through CU platforms is being collected and used responsibly.

 📚 2. Launching the Little Free Library (LFL) 

This year, BEAM will launch the first Little Free Library on the ̽��Ƶ campus, filling a major gap in accessible LFL locations in the area.  We will start the LFL off with books that celebrate and affirm our LGBTQIA+, transgender, intersex, and non‑binary communities. A ribbon‑cutting is planned for the inaugural location.

🧭 3. Mentorship Project Progress 

We continued development of the Staff Council Mentorship Project, originally created to strengthen connection and support among council members .

Blood Drive and Community Service Committee

Through our 4 blood drives hosted in partnership with Vitalant over the academic year, we welcomed an impressive 194 first-time blood donors. The university collected an average of 52 units per day across the four drives, contributing to an impressive 619 units of red cell and whole blood donations. When including plasma and additional red cell units, the total climbed to 654 units for the academic year.

Thanks to the ̽��Ƶ community’s involvement in these blood drives, 1,962 individuals in Boulder County will receive the lifesaving blood products they need. The ripple effect of these drives is lives changed, families supported, and hope restored.

In recognition of these efforts, ̽��Ƶ received Vitalant’s Leadership in Giving Award, which members of the Blood Drive & Community Service Committee accepted on behalf of the university on Wednesday, April 29.

In addition to 4 successful blood drives, the Blood Drive & Community Service committee hosted a fall coat drive where we collected 220 coats that were sent out into the community through Coats for Colorado and Streetscape.

None of these accomplishments would be possible without the incredible contributions from students, staff, faculty, and the ̽��Ƶ community.

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee published four newsletters this year, with each newsletter sent out to over 6300 people. Each newsletter typically included over 25 articles. Newsletters on average received 1,440 total clicks and 212 survey responses.

Through dedicated partnership with committees, we revitalized the Staff Council website by meeting with groups individually and hosting breakout sessions at full council meetings. In total, 52 representatives across eight committees collaborated to modernize and elevate content that had remained largely unchanged for a number of years.

The Communications Committee also reached out to other Staff Council committees to find ways to support events. One example of an event we supported was Take Your Kids to Work Day. We publicized the activity on the Event Calendar and also posted details on the Staff Council website.

Experience and Elections Committee (ExEl)

This year marked an exciting evolution for this committee, as we expanded the committee's traditional focus on elections to take on a broader role in shaping the experience of Staff Council representatives. This shift created new opportunities to build community, strengthen institutional knowledge, and enhance the effectiveness of Staff Council.

One of the highlights was working with Rose Smith, Staff Council representative, BEAM Co-Chair and Observatory Manager at Sommers-Bausch Observatory, to host an event for Staff Council representatives and their families. Rose and her team welcomed us and shared deep knowledge of the observatory's work, operations and teaching activities, and gave us a glimpse of incredible objects in space.

The committee initiated important efforts towards improving continuity and transparency by working to document election-related processes not currently in the Elections Code. Additionally, the committee developed in-depth position descriptions for Staff Council officer roles. These provide greater clarity around expectations and responsibilities, and help to better prepare candidates, support current officers and strengthen overall leadership effectiveness. We are excited to continue this work in years to come, and continue contributing to more consistent experiences, strong transitions from year to year and leadership development for the future of Staff Council.

Front Line Staff Committee

The Front Line Staff Committee had a productive and impactful year, partnering closely with Central HR to support Front Line Staff participation in the QuickStart program and ensure employees received the guidance and resources needed for success.

In addition, the committee provided support for language services initiatives and initiated discussions with the Office of the Provost regarding the expansion of language services at the campus level.

Outreach and Events Committee

This year, the Outreach and Events Committee successfully hosted Take Your Kids to Work Day, the Staff Appreciation Breakfast, and our newest Treat and Greet events. Thank you to all staff who participated and made these events fun places to mingle with coworkers! These events will be back next academic year after the summer break. Keep an eye on the Staff Council newsletters for how to sign your department up for Treat and Greet sessions.

Payroll, Benefits, Retirement and Legislative Committee (PBRL)

PBRL’s work this year centered on strengthening its strategic role, deepening partnerships, and advancing several major policy initiatives. The committee made meaningful progress toward redefining its identity by exploring a potential name and charge update. It advanced the staff sabbatical initiative through extensive benchmarking, multiple draft proposals, and collaboration with University of Colorado Staff Council (UCSC) for feedback. PBRL also built a stronger relationship with HR, sharing survey findings, advising on performance‑management improvements, and supporting the development of focus groups and change‑management strategies. The committee completed and analyzed the PBRL Staff Survey, using the results to inform HR discussions and identify themes around supervision and communication. Additional accomplishments included engaging with the Office of Faculty Affairs (OFA) on faculty–staff relations, monitoring policy impacts such as HB25‑1002, and raising the issue of Tuition Assistance Benefit gaps (particularly for CU on Coursera).

Research Faculty Special Committee

Monthly Office Hours: Launched in December, held monthly on the first Monday as a forum for Research Faculty to raise questions and concerns (e.g., career pathways, visa/funding impacts).
Newsletter Communications: Distributed two newsletters, improving communication and visibility of Staff Council resources, in partnership with Strategic Relations and Communications (SRC).
Campus Partnerships: Ongoing efforts to strengthen collaboration and connections supporting Research Faculty, including through meetings with HR and RIO personnel.
Advocacy in Campus Conversations: Representing Research Faculty in discussions on budgeting, time & labor changes, and policy/technology updates.
Campus Engagement: Participation in outreach events with focus on Research Faculty and their associated units.

Staff Council Committee Accomplishments for the 2025-2026 Academic Year.

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Staff Council election results: Meet your new 2026 representatives

Eryn Van Poole — Tue, 26 May 2026 19:17:38 +0000

Staff Council election results: Meet your new 2026 representatives Eryn Van Poole Tue, 05/26/2026 - 13:17

Staff Council is excited to announce the winners of the 2026 - 2027 ̽��Ƶ Staff Council elections, as well as announce our new officers. We are deeply grateful to all the candidates willing to take the time and make the effort to be involved!

If you were not elected or were unable to run but are still interested in volunteering your time with Staff Council, we encourage you to contact Staff Council directly. Any CU Staff, Research Associate, or Professional Research Assistant employee can participate and can benefit from networking opportunities, event volunteering, and professional development through committee work. No prior experience or specific time commitments are required.

Elected Representatives

The following representatives were elected by popular vote during our election cycle by you, the ̽��Ƶ Staff, Research Associates, and Professional Research Assistants. In the event that the top elected candidate is unwilling or unable to fulfill their duties, a runner-up (if available) is named in their place.

Area-specific

These are staff members elected by popular vote to represent a specific "area" of campus. If you are unsure what area your position is covered by, visit our Area Breakdowns page or our Representatives page.

Area 1: Lauren Way
Area 2: Marysia Lopez
Area 3: Amy Drury
Area 4: Claude Masson
Area 5: Megan Varra
Area 6: Leah McDaniel Parvez
Area 7: Vacant - please reach out if you are in Area 7 and interested in being a representative!
Area 8: Alexa Holland-Plum
Area 9: Sarah Seibold

Elected At-Large

Elected At-Large representatives are staff members elected by popular vote to serve the entire ̽��Ƶ campus, rather than a specific area.

Charles Ferrer
Jessi Follett
Janelle Henderson
Alexis McClain

Appointed Representatives (At-Large)

These are staff members appointed by the Staff Council Experience and Elections committee to serve as representatives for a 1-year term. Appointed representatives are selected by current Staff Council representatives from candidates who were not elected in the initial area/campus popular votes.

Alisha Stewart
Carly Pruiett
Christopher Mellott
Jan Owens
Nicole Morris
Yasmine Ortuno

Officers

Officers are nominated and elected by ̽��Ƶ Staff Council representatives after the general elections are complete. The majority of these positions are 1-year terms.

Tri-Chairs

Leah McDaniel Parvez, continuing a 2-Year Term
Lauren Way, 2-Year Term
Chris Marelli, 1-Year Term

Co Vice-Chairs

Christopher Mellott
Clara Smith

Treasurer

Kathy Stutzman

Secretary

Cameron Brooks

UCSC Elected Delegates

Megan Varra
Alternate: Jessica Sandoval

Staff Council is excited to announce the winners of the 2026 - 2027 ̽��Ƶ Staff Council elections, as well as announce our new officers.

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Staff Council History - Celebrating 64 Years of service

Eryn Van Poole — Tue, 26 May 2026 19:04:11 +0000

Staff Council History - Celebrating 64 Years of service Eryn Van Poole Tue, 05/26/2026 - 13:04

The Article was originally shared in 2013

The Boulder Campus Staff Council (BCSC) hosted a reunion of past and current members on April 18 to celebrate 50 years of service. Margaret Kneebone had the distinction of having the earliest service date, starting at CU in 1969 and beginning her service on Staff Council a few years later. She served on council one elected year and 26 additional years in a non-elected support role. Later in her career, she was honored as an honorary lifetime member of staff council.

What began as a celebration evolved into an educational session where current Staff Council members could learn from their predecessors’ experience. In addition to Ms. Kneebone, 27 other past members attended the reunion where they shared numerous and inspiring experiences and memories. Some recounted memories of rallies held to expand staff rights, while others talked about Staff Council’s role in educating staff on how to contact legislators and advocate for themselves. Everyone reminisced about the pride they felt regarding the accomplishments during their time serving staff.

What type of person volunteers to serve on Staff Council?

This past year, Boulder Campus Staff Council officers were invited to participate in a research project regarding shared governance. As it turns out, many different types of employees chose to serve. The research showed that no defined length of service, type of occupation or gender predetermines a council member. Rather, the defining quality is desire to make a difference on the campus via researching and contributing ideas that can improve work life and streamline work processes. Staff Council members have different backgrounds, experiences and talents. What has brought them together is the common goal to use these talents to ensure the university continues to grow and evolve, and that staff positions also continue to grow and evolve.

Was it worth adding the role of council member on top of regular work duties?

The 28 past council members said “yes” over and over again as they shared their experiences and the bonds they formed with their fellow Staff Council members. As current members listened to the experiences, it felt like a family reunion where the older generations told of the good ‘old days, with a slight hint of hyperbole to get the next generation to wish they had been there. Staff Council is currently developing a pamphlet with a timeline of the first 50 years of accomplishments and hopes to have this ready for issue in the fall of 2013.

Highlights from the University of Colorado Staff Council’s first decade:

Staff Advisory Council’s (SAC) only statutory authority was as an advocacy group for staff. To effect change it needed to influence administration regarding the issue being discussed. Some early accomplishments involved:

updating the personnel manual;
reviewing benefits within an overall budget and recommending changes based upon staff surveys;
researching of compensation within comparable universities and advocating for increases to both administration and the legislature;
joining CU Presidential Search Committees;
serving as delegates within campus committees and further expanding the voice of staff, and;
representing staff at Board of Regent meetings.

SAC’s advocacy added another voice along with the student and faculty councils that were already in place. Staff were a critical, and until this time overlooked, voice.

In 1962, the Staff Advisory Council (SAC) was created and authorized by the Board of Regents to represent the staff of the University of Colorado’s Boulder campus. The primary purpose was to improve productivity by alleviating the frustrations due to cumbersome bureaucracy, gathering ideas for streamlining processes, eliminating inefficiencies and being the conduit for improved communication between the staff and administration. The goal was to improve morale by allowing staff to have a voice within the administration. The secondary purpose was to review the personnel manual and to recommend changes regarding general policies and benefits to the personnel department.

SAC stabilized through the 60s, transitioning from the founders to newly elected members, updating and enforcing bylaws in order to remain a strong advocacy group. Other campuses formed similar staff councils but ran their resolutions through the Boulder SAC until the Board of Regents formed the CU System Council in 1972. At that time the University of Colorado Denver, what is now the Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs requested their staff councils become autonomous from the Boulder campus Advisory Council. The campus staff councils formed a committee to recommend guidelines and implementation and the result is the current system-wide organization. Each campus council, in addition to the System Council, elects three representatives to the University of Colorado Staff Council (UCSC). This 15-member council reports to the Board of Regents and works with the University of Colorado System’s Human Resources Department.

After 50 years, how does Boulder Campus Staff Council represent staff today?

By serving as a viable communication conduit between staff and administration. BCSC surveys provide representatives with valuable insights that are shared within campus ad hoc issue committees, Chancellor’s Executive Cabinet, State-wide Liaison Council and more. Because of the increased speed of business, there is now an increased need for quick but informed decision-making by administration. Throughout the year, BCSC reps that are serving as staff delegates on committees are asked to provide insight on how staff might react to a campus committee decision.
By staying informed on shared governance issues impacting the campus. Being informed takes research and training. As needed, speakers are invited to monthly meetings to keep the council up-to-speed. Council members are encouraged to broaden their perspective to the campus and System level, while representing their geographic area on campus.
By enhancing campus morale through hosting annual staff appreciation events such as the Fall Welcome, Winter Breakfast, Spring Luncheon and Years of Service recognition.
By hosting or lending support to events that promote the personal and professional development of staff such as the Bullying in the Workplace workshops, diversity events, Women in Leadership events, healthy workplace fairs and more.
By advocacy for issues that affect staff. This advocacy includes supporting the continuance of the University Benefits Advisory Board (UBAB), lobbying to improve the tuition benefit, stressing the importance of supervisor training and review to make sure evaluations are consistent with CU goals and advocating to allow Boulder campus employees to purchase equipment at auctions.
By writing articles to keep staff informed regarding what BCSC is working on to support them, and also articles to recognize the staff accomplishments.

You do not need to be elected to the Boulder Campus Staff Council to serve on our committees! Please check out our website if you are interested in our work. www.colorado.edu/staffcouncil or send an email to scouncil@colorado.edu.

The Article was originally shared in 2013 regarding the Boulder Campus Staff Council (BCSC) hosting a reunion of past and current members on April 18 to celebrate 50 years of service.

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Staff Council Elections Are Open! Make Your Voice Heard!

ancr9609 — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:42:34 +0000

Staff Council Elections Are Open! Make Your Voice Heard! ancr9609 Tue, 03/03/2026 - 14:42

Staff Council elections are underway, and we encourage all Research Faculty to take a moment to participate by voting for at-large representatives.

While there are no elections specific to Area 10 (Research Faculty) this year, the at-large representatives play an important role in shaping Staff Council priorities and advocating for issues across campus that affect you. Your vote helps ensure that Research Faculty perspectives are represented in Staff Council.

Voting is open through March 27. You should have received a unique voting link via email. If you have not received the email or are having trouble accessing your ballot, please contact staffcouncil@colorado.edu for assistance.

Taking part in the election is a simple but meaningful way to support shared governance at CU. Thank you for lending your voice!

Staff Council elections are underway, and we encourage all Research Faculty to take a moment to participate by voting for at-large representatives.

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Welcome to Peter Duong, the newest Area 10 Representative!

ancr9609 — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:35:12 +0000

Welcome to Peter Duong, the newest Area 10 Representative! ancr9609 Tue, 03/03/2026 - 14:35

Join us in welcoming Peter Duong, who was recently appointed to fill the Area 10 Representative vacancy. We are excited to have him join Staff Council and the Research Faculty Special Committee!

As a Research Business Intelligence Manager in the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP), CU’s largest research institute, Peter leads the lab's internal data efforts, information systems, and process automations. His team's scalable solutions have been instrumental with helping stand up data initiatives within other RS Institutes. Outside of work, he has a heavy interest in organizing backpacking trips, playing sports, and enjoying board games.

Join us in welcoming Peter Duong, who was recently appointed to fill the Area 10 Representative vacancy. We are excited to have him join Staff Council and the Research Faculty Special Committee!

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Letter from the Committee

ancr9609 — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:16:18 +0000

Letter from the Committee ancr9609 Tue, 03/03/2026 - 14:16

Dear Research Faculty Colleagues,

On behalf of the Boulder Campus Staff Council (BCSC) Research Faculty Special Committee, we are pleased to share an update on our goals for the 2025–2026 academic year and the progress we have made so far.

Our committee was formed to enhance representation, visibility, and support for Research Faculty across campus. Our goals for this year are:

Establishing communication channels and increasing engagement with Research Faculty;

Understanding and improving the onboarding experience for newly hired Research Faculty; and

Promoting clear and consistent recognition of Research Faculty in campus messaging.

Our Progress So Far

Monthly Office Hours: We launched our recurring monthly office hours in December and continue to host them on the first Monday of each month. These sessions create an accessible space for Research Faculty to ask questions, share concerns, and connect with committee representatives. Keep reading for the time and location of our office hours.

Growing Newsletter Communications: The newsletter you’re receiving now represents our second issue, part of our ongoing effort to build consistent communication pathways and increase visibility of Staff Council resources for Research Faculty.

Increased Presence Across Campus: In collaboration with the Outreach & Events Committee, members of our committee have been attending Staff Council Treat and Greets, with an emphasis on visiting institutes and units with Research Faculty, and other engagement events across campus.

Strengthening Partnerships with HR: This year we held a productive meeting with Katherine Krick, the HR Service Supervisor for Research Faculty. This relationship is essential to our second major committee goal related to onboarding. You can read more about Katherine and her work below.

Advocacy in Campus Conversations: Committee members have been actively involved as education liaisons and advocates for Research Faculty during discussions related to campus budgeting processes, time & labor project changes, and evolving technology and policy decisions. Our goal is to ensure that Research Faculty perspectives are represented early and consistently in campus planning.

Expanded Representation on Staff Council: We are thrilled to welcome Peter Duong to Staff Council and share that all Area 10 (Research Faculty representatives) seats are filled, strengthening our collective voice and expanding participation across committees. Learn more about Peter below.

Looking Ahead

In the coming months, we will continue developing and deepening partnerships, connecting with you, and advocating for Research Faculty in campus decision-making. We are committed to supporting all Research Faculty and ensuring that your voices are both heard and valued.

We welcome your questions, ideas, and participation. Please join us during office hours or reach out at any time.

Thank you for everything you contribute to ̽��Ƶ.

Warm regards,
The Research Faculty Special Committee
Boulder Campus Staff Council

Kate Cochran & Ginnie Hershbarger
Research Faculty Special Committee Co-Chairs

Staff Council Area 10 Representatives
kate.cochran@colorado.edu | ginnie.hershbarger@colorado.edu

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Letter from our Chairs - Spring 2026

Eryn Van Poole — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 21:00:27 +0000

Letter from our Chairs - Spring 2026 Eryn Van Poole Mon, 02/09/2026 - 14:00

Hello Staff and Research Faculty,

Welcome to the Spring Semester! We hope you were able to find rest and connection over the winter break. In our fall letter, we acknowledged the many challenges our community has been navigating due to federal changes to policy, funding, and more. Unfortunately, we know that, for many, those challenges have continued into the new year.

As we begin the spring semester, we want to recognize the weight this may carry and remind you that you are not alone. We encourage you to take care of yourselves and one another and to use the many campus resources designed to support your safety and well‑being. And as always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions, concerns, or ideas about how Staff Council can better support and advocate for you.

At the same time, we want to acknowledge the bright spots that emerged during the fall, highlighting the moments when our community came together, supported one another, and made meaningful progress to improve staff and research faculty experiences across campus. These collective efforts remind us of the strength and dedication of our community, even in difficult moments.

Celebrating Our Fall Accomplishments

This fall was a meaningful and productive semester for Staff Council, and we want to extend our gratitude to all of you who contributed to a successful semester!

Building Campus Relationships

We strengthened relationships with new campus leadership and deepened our collective advocacy on behalf of staff and research faculty.

Staff Appreciation Breakfast

In December, we welcomed between 900-1000 attendees at our annual Staff Appreciation Breakfast. Thank you to everyone who joined us. We loved celebrating with you!

Community Giving Drives

Your generosity helped us support our broader community in powerful ways:

Blood Drive: Donations from our blood drives last year will support 1,962 recipients.
Food Drive: Staff and research faculty contributed 126 pounds of food during the Staff Appreciation Breakfast.
Coat Drive: Together, we collected 217 coats to keep our community warm this winter.

Advocacy for a Positive Work Environment

We received an official response from campus leadership regarding our Resolution to Reaffirm and Commit Support for a Positive Work Environment for the Transgender, Intersex, and Non‑Binary Community. Work is now underway across several dedicated working groups, each charged with addressing specific issues and recommendations from the resolution.

Looking Ahead to Spring

We are entering the Spring semester with momentum and a continued commitment to advocating for staff and research faculty.

Advancing Resolution Priorities

We will continue collaborating with campus leadership and the working groups to make measurable progress on resolution recommendations, including improvements to the name change process at CU.

Strengthening Collective Advocacy

We are deepening connections with the unit-level staff councils and advisory groups across campus to amplify staff and research faculty voices and strengthen shared advocacy efforts.

Collaboration with the Boulder Faculty Assembly

We are excited to continue our growing collaboration with the BFA on issues of mutual interest and to foster stronger relationships between staff and faculty.

Committee Work

Our committees continue to lead meaningful efforts in support of their individual charges, and their contributions directly strengthen the staff experience. Committee meetings are open to all staff and research faculty, and we invite you to reach out to committee chairs if you would like to get involved or learn more. Your voice truly makes a difference.

Spring Elections

Staff Council elections are underway for the 2026-2027 cycle! If you or someone you know are interested in connecting with colleagues across campus to represent and advocate for staff and research faculty, we encourage you to join an upcoming information session or submit a nomination form. Self-nominations are both welcomed and encouraged!

Thank you for the many ways you strengthen and support our campus community. Your resilience and dedication do not go unnoticed, and we remain committed to elevating staff and research faculty voices and advocating on your behalf.

We wish you a restorative start to the spring semester and look forward to continuing our work together.

Warmly,
Crystal, Jessica, and Leah

Spring semester letter from our Tri-Chairs of Staff Council.

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Nominations for 2026 Staff Council now Open!

Eryn Van Poole — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 16:37:45 +0000

Nominations for 2026 Staff Council now Open! Eryn Van Poole Mon, 02/09/2026 - 09:37

We are accepting nominations for 2026 - 2027 Staff Council through February 16th and are excited to invite Classified Staff, University Staff, Professional Research Assistants, and Research Associates to join us for an information session to learn what we do, what to expect as a representative, and what the election process looks like.

Benefits of serving on Staff Council include:

Making a real impact on the lives of over 7,000 staff and research faculty.
Professional development.
Networking with staff and administration from all over the University..
Gaining a better understanding of University functions, benefits, and organization.

Information Sessions are brief presentations followed by a Q&A to answer your questions about ̽��Ƶ Staff Council! Staff Council meetings and committee meetings are open to the public and are currently held virtually. You can find more information, including how to attend, on the Staff Council Calendar.

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including those with disabilities, to engage fully. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact Eryn Van Poole via email eryn.vanpoole@colorado.edu .

We are accepting nominations for 2026 - 2027 Staff Council through February 16th

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Representation for University Staff

Eryn Van Poole — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:10:23 +0000

Representation for University Staff Eryn Van Poole Tue, 02/03/2026 - 14:10

Who Represents the needs of University Staff?

The University of Colorado’s staff governance councils work to ensure that university and classified staff and research faculty have a voice in university decision-making and policy development.

If you have concerns or suggestions to improve working at CU, these governance bodies are the best place to advocate for your needs.

Staff Council members are elected by you to represent and advocate for employee interests; provide input on Human Resources policies, benefits and compensation; organize professional development and recognition programs; and support well-being and morale.

̽��Ƶ Staff Council

This group represents classified and university staff, as well as research faculty, to address campus concerns and policies.

University of Colorado Staff Council

This system-wide council consolidates input from all campus councils and communicates staff concerns to university leadership and the Board of Regents.

How do I contact Staff Council?

̽��Ƶ’s Staff Council welcomes your feedback, concerns and ideas.

For more information about how to participate in staff council meetings and events, visit the staff council website.

̽��Ƶ Staff Council Website

Contact Staff Council

COWINS represents classified staff only

The Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions (COWINS) is a union that represents all covered, classified employees for the State of Colorado. The COWINS union is authorized to negotiate on behalf of all covered, classified state employees, including CU classified staff.

Non-classified, non-covered employees can sign up to be dues-paying members. However, university staff who choose to join in this capacity will not be covered under the provisions of the State Employment Relations Act or the terms outlined in the Partnership Agreement. University staff who choose to join in this capacity do not receive the rights, protections or benefits that are typically extended to classified state employees formally covered by the Agreement.

The University of Colorado’s staff governance councils work to ensure that university and classified staff and research faculty have a voice in university decision-making and policy development.

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Be represented.

Tri-Chair Letter - June 2026

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2025-2026 Staff Council Committee Accomplishments

Awards and Staff Recognition Committee (ASR)

Committee for Belonging, Equity, Accessibility and Mattering (BEAM)

🌈 1. Advancing the Resolution Supporting Transgender, Intersex & Non‑Binary Employees

📚 2. Launching the Little Free Library (LFL)

🧭 3. Mentorship Project Progress

Blood Drive and Community Service Committee

Communications Committee

Experience and Elections Committee (ExEl)

Front Line Staff Committee

Outreach and Events Committee

Payroll, Benefits, Retirement and Legislative Committee (PBRL)

Research Faculty Special Committee

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Staff Council election results: Meet your new 2026 representatives

Elected Representatives

Area-specific

Elected At-Large

Appointed Representatives (At-Large)

Officers

Tri-Chairs

Co Vice-Chairs

Treasurer

Secretary

UCSC Elected Delegates

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Staff Council History - Celebrating 64 Years of service

The Article was originally shared in 2013

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Staff Council Elections Are Open! Make Your Voice Heard!

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Welcome to Peter Duong, the newest Area 10 Representative!

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Letter from the Committee

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Letter from our Chairs - Spring 2026

Celebrating Our Fall Accomplishments

Building Campus Relationships

Staff Appreciation Breakfast

Community Giving Drives

Advocacy for a Positive Work Environment

Looking Ahead to Spring

Advancing Resolution Priorities

Strengthening Collective Advocacy

Collaboration with the Boulder Faculty Assembly

Committee Work

Spring Elections

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Nominations for 2026 Staff Council now Open!

Benefits of serving on Staff Council include:

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Representation for University Staff

Who Represents the needs of University Staff?

̽����Ƶ Staff Council

University of Colorado Staff Council

How do I contact Staff Council?

̽����Ƶ Staff Council Website

Contact Staff Council

COWINS represents classified staff only

Off

🌈 1. Advancing the Resolution Supporting Transgender, Intersex & Non‑Binary Employees 

 📚 2. Launching the Little Free Library (LFL) 

🧭 3. Mentorship Project Progress 

̽��Ƶ Staff Council

̽��Ƶ Staff Council Website