VCU 2005 staff senate convenes, announces this year’s top priorities

By Malorie Burkett

The Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health System staff senate has convened for the 2005-2006 academic year.

Top priorities this year include increasing unity between the Monroe Park and MCV campuses, creating more visibility for the VCU staff senate and launching the new VCU Pride Campaign, an initiative that will help VCU promote university-wide achievements and accomplishments and instill pride within the university and surrounding communities.

The priorities were announced during the senate’s annual orientation session and reception.

“VCU staff members are an integral part of this university that can make a difference,” said La Forest Williams, president of the VCU staff senate. “Whether it’s getting more involved in university activities, volunteering or contributing in some manner, I challenge everyone to find that niche of what they can do to make that difference within the VCU community.” 

Williams says the senate also will work closely with the VCU faculty senate and student government association in order to achieve a university-wide focus on the initiatives.

“The VCU staff senate is taking things to the next level and getting the job done,” said Williams. “There’s a change in the atmosphere with the VCU staff senate that tells me we’re on the right track to becoming an even more exceptional senate. The best is yet to come.”

The VCU staff senate provides a forum for the exchange of ideas and information among staff, administration and faculty. The senate addresses concerns, issues and needs brought forward by employees of VCU and the VCU Health System. The group consists of 50 members, 25 from each campus, who serve a three-year term.

For more information, visit http://www.vcu.edu/staffsenate.