June 9, 2020
Faculty Senate and University Support Staff Senate pass joint resolution acknowledging contributions of staff during COVID-19 disruptions
Submitted by Faculty Senate and University Support Staff Senate
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions, Kansas State University was committed to carrying out the land-grant mission through research, teaching and outreach. This mission could not have been accomplished without the tremendous work of University Support Staff and University Professional Staff. To acknowledge these great contributions to meet the needs of students, faculty, staff and Kansas citizens during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University Support Staff Senate and Faculty Senate passed the following joint resolution.
Joint Resolution Acknowledging University Support Staff and University Professional Staff During COVID-19 Disruptions
Approved by Faculty Senate and University Support Staff Senate
RESOLUTION: 04/22/2020 Joint Resolution Acknowledging University Support Staff and University Professional Staff Contributions During COVID-19 Disruptions
WHEREAS the COVID-19 pandemic has caused worldwide disruption to every aspect of our day-to-day living, and
WHEREAS Kansas State University has a tripartite mission as a land grant institution in performing teaching, outreach and research activities which must continue despite the pandemic-created obstacles we are experiencing, and
WHEREAS enormous amounts of staff time and effort have been deployed in support of modifying academic, research, technological, business, health and safety, outreach and other infrastructure processes critical to fulfilling our institutional mission, and
WHEREAS staffing shortages have increased demands on staff already doing more with less when circumstances are normal, but which are now exacerbated by the need to continuously redesign how work is accomplished in a constantly shifting environment, and
WHEREAS many staff are completing these extra tasks while also balancing work/life issues at home while stay-at-home advisories disrupt personal lives, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED that Kansas State University Senate leadership acknowledges the monumental contributions of our University Support Staff and University Professional Staff in restructuring how the university carries out its mission-related functions during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure the needs of our students, faculty, staff and Kansas citizens are addressed with the least disruption possible.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Kansas State University Senate leadership acknowledges the extraordinary circumstances under which its staff proudly support their efforts and that these employees will be made a priority for reward and recognition when this crisis is resolved.
Signed by:
Tanya González
Faculty Senate President 2019-2020
Kansas State University
Cyreathia (Sam) Reyer
University Support Staff Senate President 2019-2020
Kansas State University
*Written by the Faculty Senate Professional Staff Affairs Committee