You may not know this, but the University has a Staff Council that’s hard at work advocating for the interests of its more than 30,000 staff members. It’s a  unique opportunity to see some of the inner workings of the university and connect with staff members from all over campus.  “I’ve worked at the University for over 15 years, but I had never even heard about the Staff Council until I was asked to serve,” says Lisa Rigtrup, the council’s current communications committee chair. “Now that I’ve been on the council for the last two years, I can truly say it’s been one of the best experiences of my career at the U.”

Members of the Staff Council recently attended the annual spring football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. There the council was able to connect with folks as they entered the stadium and promote the Council’s mission. “Staff Council has many more events like that planned for the coming months. We have a new Book Club starting up, we’ll be at Employee Appreciation Day with a table and prizes, and we have an International Food Truck Festival planned for Oct. 4. I’m very excited for the chance to get out there and connect with my colleagues again,” Rigtrup says.

Staff Council consists of 30 staff members (both exempt and non-exempt) from across campus. Council members are appointed by the university president for a term of three years, with one-third of the membership rotating off each year.  With the new fiscal year approaching, the council is accepting applications to join its elite ranks once again. The council currently has several openings and needs new members from Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Health Sciences and Administration districts.

“Our application process is simple. There’s an online form to fill out, and some minimum requirements to meet that are all outlined on our website, but the most important thing is to make sure that your supervisor supports your application to serve,” Rigtrup says. While the Staff Council doesn’t require a substantial time commitment—a few hours each month for most members—it does require some time, so buy-in from the applicant’s home department is critical. “The good news is, the university’s leadership—all the way to the top—supports the Staff Council and its mission to advocate and enhance staff development, well-being, and opportunity. This is an amazing chance to make some new friends, give back to the institution, and serve your fellow staff members.”

Staff Council is accepting applications now! Applications for the coming term are due by May 15.

For more information on the Staff Council, click here.