Senate Committees

The Staff Senate is always looking for volunteers to serve and assist on our various Committees. You do not need to be a Staff Senator to participate.

Staff Senate Committees

Staff Senate Committees/Groups

Campus Life

The Campus Life Committee has a main focus of insuring access to affordable daycare on campus and to campus staff. It also collaborates with the faculty and student representatives on childcare issues.  The child-care committee consists of members of the Staff Senate and other caring volunteers, concerned about the need and accessibility for affordable childcare at UMB.
Members: John Barber, Aphrodite Bodycomb (Chair), Shannon Cooper, William (Arch) Griffin, Debbie Horstman, Andrea LeFever, John McNair

Communication/Nominations

The Communications/Nominations Committee manages the marketing of the Staff Senate to the University community that it serves by producing a newsletter and maintaining the Staff Senate website that informs staff of Senate happenings such as open Staff Senate meetings and annual Staff Senate elections. Other responsibilities include conducting and overseeing the annual Staff Senate elections.
Members: Colette Becker, Liz Casher, Bill Crockett, Ken Fahnestock, Andrea LeFever, Phyllis Lovito, Dionne Washington

Community Outreach

The Community Outreach Committee participates in and may coordinate events related to improving the welfare of individuals in the local Baltimore community.  These events may include fundraising for local charities, food drives, clothing drives, bake sales, flower sales or volunteer work.  Recent outreach work included: Any Soldier project, Ice Cream Social at Ronald McDonald House.  Past outreach work includes: toiletry drive to benefit Health Care of the Homeless; JDF Walk to Cure Diabetes; clothing/food drive on the Thursday before Thanksgiving to benefit Thankful Hearts Helping the Homeless; Thanksgiving in February (feeding the homeless at a local shelter); Community Service Fair (the Thursday before Mother's Day, selling baked goods, raffle tickets, and flowers, with all the profits going to charity.)
Members: LIz Casher (Chair), Tom McHugh, Libby Guarnera, Jean Roth, Jill Venezian, Dionne Washington

Policy/Legislation

The Policy/Legislation Committee reviews all Staff Senate by-laws at the appropriate time, researches by-law issues or potential outcomes of a change. The committee recommends amendments as needed but only after ensuring a change will not compromise the integrity of the Staff Senate.

As part of Legislation the Committee or a representative is responsible for tracking all bills, proposals within the state or federal government that may impact staff of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. One member of this committee should be a CUSS representative.
Members: Sharon Andres, Kiscia Cannon, Dave DeLooze (Co-Chair), Roy Ross (Co-Chair)

Campus Committee Appointments

CUSS – A Council of University System Staff (CUSS) representative will be appointed each session of the Staff Senate or approximately once a year. The mission of the Council of University System Staff is to provide a voice for Staff employee concerns in reference to basic decisions that affect the welfare of the University System of Maryland, its constituent institutions, and its employees. CUSS functions in an informed advisory role in administrative areas and in the functional support aspects of academic matters.
Representatives: John Barber, Dave DeLooze, Roy Ross
Alternates: Sharon Andres, Colette Becker, Debbie Horstman

IT Steering Committee – An appointed member of the Staff Senate may sit in on the IT Steering Committee and bring information back to the Senators. This appointment serves as a communication channel between the IT Steering Committee and the Staff Senate.
Representative: Tom McHugh
Alternate: Bill Crockett

Library Advisory Committee – An appointed member of the Staff Senate may sit in on the IT Library Advisory Committee (LAC) and bring information back to the Senators. This appointment serves as a communication channel between the LAC and the Staff Senate.
Representative: Colette Becker

Parking Committee – An appointed member of the Staff Senate may sit in on the Parking Committee and bring information back to the Senators. This appointment serves as a communication channel between the Parking Committee and the Staff Senate.
Representative: Dave DeLooze

Safety Awareness Committee – An appointed Senator participates in the Safety Awareness Committee and may be asked to contribute recommendations or comments as a Senator.
Representative: Jill Venezian
Alternate: Libby Guarnera

Special Events Committee – An appointed Senator will participate as a committee member of the Special Events Committee to assist in the planning and promotion of campus events.
Representative: Kiscia Cannon
Alternate: Debbie Horstman