Crossroads Conference previewed at Staff Council meeting
For the first time, the popular Crossroads Conference will be held in a hybrid format, Staff Council members learned at their March meeting. The daylong professional development and networking event will be held May 21 at the Student Union Memorial Center. This year's theme is "Finding U at UArizona."
The May 21 event featured about 80 workshops covering topics ranging from managing conflict to practicing mindfulness at work.
"We will have over 40 workshops at this year's event," said Jill Hewins, co-chair of the council's Professional Development Committee and program manager with the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. "About half will be focused on professional development topics such as time management, project management and working with University Libraries. The other half will focus on personal development topics, like managing stress and navigating workplace pressures."
Jill Hewins, program manager in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and co-chair of the Staff Council professional development committee
The event, geared toward University Staff and Classified Staff employees, will feature keynote presentations by Kasey Urquidez, vice president for enrollment management and dean of undergraduate admissions, and Elliott Cheu, interim senior vice president for research and innovation.
Once the sessions are finalized, staff will receive an email with registration information and the full agenda will be posted on the Staff Council website.
The Crossroads Conference, which began in 2006, returned last year after being paused from 2020-22 due to the pandemic. More than 500 people attended last year, and Hewins expects to at least match that total this year. Pricing details are still being finalized, but the Zoom option will likely cost less, Hewins said.
Financial conversation continues
Melanie Madden, chair of the Staff Council and program manager for curricular affairs in Academic Administration, provided updates on the University's financial action plan.
Melanie Madden, program manager for curricular affairs in Academic Administration and chair of the Staff Council
Madden presented a list of seven items being advocated for by the Staff Council, including minimum notice periods, enhanced human resources support and continued Qualified Tuition Reduction benefits for laid-off employees. The full list can be found on the Staff Council website.
Madden also reported that the first meeting of the newly formed University Advisory Council – a group of students and faculty and staff members who offer guidance to University President Robert C. Robbins on significant University matters –was productive.
"I think it was a great opportunity for staff to get their voices heard from the people who are making the decisions," said Madden, who is a member of the University Advisory Council.
Other topics discussed at the meeting:
- Council members unanimously passed a new set of bylaws, which will be published on the Staff Council website this week.
- Those interested in running for council chair, vice chair, treasurer or secretary for fiscal year 2025 can declare their candidacy April 8-24. Candidates will have time at the April 30 meeting to discuss their interest in the positions.
- Past issues of the Staff Council Courier newsletter have been archived on the Staff Council website.
The Staff Council is a shared governance organization that represents University Staff and Classified Staff employees. The council meets via Zoom the last Tuesday of each month throughout the year. Meetings are open to all employees.
The March meeting, which had been scheduled for March 26, was held March 28 due to a campus visit by a candidate for senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 30.
More information about the Staff Council can be found on the council's website. Anyone interested in becoming a Staff Council representative can apply online. Those who want more information can contact Melanie Madden.