Top of Mind

Food Drive – A Big Thank You!

On behalf of Staff Council, The Food Drive Committee, Honorary Chair Jim Garrett and all of the team leaders, we want to THANK the entire campus community for your participation in our 31st Annual Food Drive. Here are this year’s impressive results:

• Total dollars raised online: $100,161.87

• Total pounds: 1,597.75 (including can openers)

• Can Opener count: 569, greatly exceeding the goal of 350 (donated to our CMU Food Pantry)

Using the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s formula to convert dollars to pounds and adding that figure to our cash total, our grand total raised this year is an incredible…

$102,159.06!!!

Again, thanks to all students, staff, faculty, alumni and friends who gave monetary contributions, gave can openers, gave nonperishable donations and volunteered. Our drive is crucial to our friends at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank and the people they serve in our community.

We truly make a difference with our drive each year!

Staff Council Food Drive Committee

Staff Council General Body Meeting

December Highlights

Treasurer Report

Approximately $118,000 remains in the budget.

Amendments to the Constitution

Proposed changes to Article V:
Section I: Term of office will begin in July and end in June (currently August–June).
Section II:
U.S.-based satellite campuses: Chair-appointed representatives will serve two-year terms with full rights and privileges but are exempt from attendance requirements.
International satellite campuses: Two appointed, non-voting representatives per campus will serve two-year terms and be exempt from attendance requirements.
Discussion continues about defining "satellite locations" and aligning constitution language.
Updates passed initial vote; final vote to occur in January.

GEM Updates

The Governance, Elections and Membership (GEM) Committee is considering additional updates to clarify at-large vs. non-at-large roles, improve continuity, establish committee budgets and develop templates for operations.
New members are encouraged to join.

Committee Highlights

Benefits: 28% of staff responded to a recent survey. Health and retirement benefits were top concerns. Full report to come.
Food Drive: Concluded with major contributions, including a $13,000 cash donation. CMU provided nearly 40% of the Food Bank’s $250,000 Giving Day goal!
DEI+B: Dr. Wanda Heading-Grant will attend the 2/14 meeting (1 p.m.). Agenda to follow.
Sustainability: Seeking a co-chair. A Fix-It Fair is planned for February.
TOCTW: Planning a passport/scavenger hunt and seeking department hosts.

General Business

Best wishes for a great end to the semester and a wonderful winter break!

Meeting Dates & Minutes

Upcoming Events

Winter Break

The university will be closed from Dec. 23 – Jan. 1. Wishing everyone a happy, safe and peaceful holiday season.

Check out the Winter Break page for details on eligibility. Looking forward to seeing everyone refreshed and rejuvenated for the Spring semester!

Provided by University Leadership

Christmas Tree Recycling

The Allegheny County Parks Department is offering its annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program this holiday season. Each year, over 3,000 trees are received and recycled, with the resulting mulch throughout the 12,000+ acres of the Allegheny County Parks.

All lights, decorations, tinsel and stands must be removed from trees before drop-off.

Christmas tree recycling will be available from Dec 26 – Jan 19, at all county parks from 8 a.m. until dusk.

Sponsored by Allegheny County Parks Department

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Birthday Celebration

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, the Office of the Vice Provost of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion, with support from Chartwells, invite the entire campus community to join us for a special birthday celebration. Stop by a campus location to grab a sweet treat and learn more about upcoming programs celebrating the life of Dr. King.

Stop by at the Cohon University Center, Tepper Quad, Sustainability Studio in Hunt Library from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Check out the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion page for even more events.

Hosted by the Office of the Vice Provost of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion

A Note From the Communications Committee

The Staff Council Communications Committee is made up of dedicated representatives who work together each month to bring you The Staff Voice. We collaborate with fellow committees, the broader Staff Council body and organizations across campus to share news and updates that matter to staff in every role.

We sincerely thank you for your engagement throughout the year. Your support inspires us to continue delivering timely and relevant information about what’s happening at CMU and how you can get involved.

As the year comes to a close, we wish you a safe and joyful Winter Break. We look forward to bringing you more of the Staff Voice in 2025!

With gratitude,

Staff Council Communications Committee

My Heart is in the Work Facebook Group

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Connecting with Staff Council

Have an idea or concern? Please don't hesitate to reach out to your Staff Council Divisional Representative or an At-Large Representative. You can also send an email to staff-council@andrew.cmu.edu.

The Staff Voice is a monthly newsletter distributed by the Staff Council Communications Committee. You are receiving this email because of your status as a staff member of the university.