Join Staff Senate, Make a Difference for Fellow Employees

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U of A employees enjoy the annual Staff Appreciation Picnic.

Are you ready to be a key voice for your co-workers, advocate for meaningful changes and celebrate the outstanding contributions of staff at the U of A? Joining the Staff Senate is your opportunity to lead, collaborate and shape the workplace we all share.

Staff Senate is a key elected body in the U of A community, among the Faculty Senate, College Council, Associated Student Government and Graduate Professional Student Congress.

The Staff Senate represents you. As an elected senator, you'll be a direct line of communication between staff and campus leadership, advocating for important issues such as compensation, benefits, safety, parking and workplace improvements. Your voice matters, and this is your chance to use it to make a real impact.

Staff Senate hopefuls first must be nominated by two employees, one of whom can be the candidate.

The nomination period begins Tuesday, Jan. 14, with an online form available then at staffsenate.uark.edu, with a close of 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31. The website in February will feature nominee photos and statements. Online balloting will be open the week of Feb. 10.

Celebrate and Recognize Excellence

The U of A thrives because of its hard-working staff, and the Staff Senate takes pride in celebrating that excellence. By joining the Senate, you'll be at the heart of these initiatives, ensuring your colleagues feel valued and inspired.

Each year, we organize events like the Staff Celebration Picnic in May and Staff Appreciation Week in October to honor your dedication. We also shine a spotlight on exceptional achievements through awards such as Employee of the Quarter, Employee of the Year, Part-Time Staff of the Year and Staff Team of the Year.

Support Staff Through Giving Back

The Staff Senate is committed to making a difference beyond recognition. We organize impactful programs like the Staff Senate Scholarship and RazorGifts, designed to support and uplift our campus community. As a senator, you'll help manage and expand these efforts, leaving a legacy of generosity and care for your peers.

Why Join the Staff Senate?

• Advocate for change — Be a voice for your colleagues and influence policies that shape the campus experience.
• Build community — Forge connections across departments and divisions, creating a stronger, more unified staff network.
• Develop leadership skills — Enhance your career by gaining experience in advocacy, event planning and collaboration.
• Make a real difference — Your work in the Senate directly impacts the lives of staff and improves our workplace for ourselves, faculty, students and the overall community.

Step forward today and take your place in the Staff Senate. Together, we can advocate, celebrate and give back to the incredible staff who make the U of A extraordinary. Nominate yourself or a colleague now and help lead us into a brighter future!

About Staff Senate: Created in 1976 by Board of Trustees Policy 810.1, the Staff Senate and its elected senators have the responsibility of making recommendations to university leadership on any matter of staff concern, including quality of work life, the efficiency of operations and staff service to the campus community. Staff Senate advocates in the areas of compensation, working conditions, health and wellness, fringe benefits, safety, parking, and other workplace issues. In addition, the Staff Senate works to celebrate, recognize and give back to staff through programs such as Employees of the Quarter and Year, awards for Staff Team and Part-Time Employee of the Year, Staff Appreciation Week, the annual Staff Appreciation Picnic, Staff Senate Scholarships and RazorGifts.

Monthly meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month from 1:30-3 p.m. and are open to the public both in person and virtually. Meeting details, list of sitting senators and additional information can be found at the Staff Senate website.