Welcome to our Staff Senate Website!

My name is Teresa Garcia, and I am honored to serve as your chair once again this year.  I really wanted to start off this welcome with “things that make you go hmmm . . .” because being a staff member at UTPA appears to have changed since I was chair in 2004-2005.  A greater sense of urgency is in the air, and I argue that it’s due to a complicated mixture of higher education funding concerns, economic pressures on our society as a whole, and workplace pressures.   Or is it something else entirely?

 The answer to this question is where you come in.  I was elected as Chair by a wonderful group of individuals that you elected to Staff Senate.  They have chosen to make staff representation a priority in their busy workdays.  My question to you is what did you elect them to do?  What would make your jobs as UTPA staff members more fulfilling?  What pressures do you see in your area or in the University as a whole that Staff Senate may work toward abating?   I invite you to communicate any thoughts you have on these subjects with the senators as a whole by sending an email to ssenate@utpa.edu .  I will forward your comments to all the senators so that we can begin our discussion. 

 The Beatles said, “All we need is love,” but communication is helpful too.  As Staff members, you will be invited to all meetings, not only to become acquainted with those individuals you have elected but also to offer input and suggestions. In addition to emailing the account above, questions and comments can also be communicated to any Staff Senate member or to me directly.  I work in the University Writing Center (Suite 101 in the Library).  My phone number is 316-7975, and my E-mail address is terrieg@utpa.edu . 

Thank you for your interest in Staff Senate!

Sincerely,

Terrie

Staff Senate Chair, 2008-2009