The Plan of Organization at UMBC states that there shall be a
"means for the academic community to discharge its functions with
respect to educational policy and other pertinent affairs, and
to represent the academic community to the administration of UMBC,
the University of Maryland System Administration, and the Board
of Regents of the University of Maryland System."
On this campus, there are five representative bodies to carry
out these functions: namely, the Faculty Senate, the Student Government
Association (SGA) Senate, Graduate Student Association, the Professional
Associate Staff Senate (PASS), and the Classified Staff Senate
(CSS).
Through the vision of Michael Hooker, at UMBC we participate
in "shared governance", not strictly "top down" management. By
having our own Senate, we have an equal voice in that governance.
In the entire UM System, we are the only institution to have a
separate, elected representative body for its classified employees.
The administration at UMBC is charged with the responsibility
of running this university. UMBC is made up of many parts; we
are one part. When the president has to make a decision, he must
take all parts of the university into consideration. However,
we have a voice so that when administrative decisions are made
that affect us, those decisions can be informed decisions. That's
not to say that we will agree with every decision, but we have
an avenue for open dialogue with the administration on the impact
of those decisions on the staff.
In the spring, nominations to the CSS are solicited from all
permanent classified employees. The CSS is made up of 16 senators
who are elected for two-year terms. One-half of the members are
replaced each year.
The Senate has formal by-laws. Each year it elects a president,
vice president and treasurer. It has standing committees, several
ad hoc (as needed) committees, and also has representatives on
university committees.
There are several very important things you should know about
the Senate. We are recognized at UMBC and at System administration
as an organized body that represents the classified staff at UMBC.
We are employees like you, elected by you to represent your interests.
We have open communication with our administration and they share
information with us all the time. We are informed on campus, System
and State affairs. If news is breaking, we get it. If you have
questions, we can get answers.
Although we're called a "Senate" that does not mean that we have
the experience of our state or national senates. We are young,
and were formally recognized in the last five years. (this was
written in early 1990s). But we are off to a good start. We have
a good opportunity to make progress here. We have an extraordinary
opportunity to participate fully in the family at UMBC. We need
your participation; we need your input.
Our hope is to better communicate the Senate's activities to
you and to get you more involved in the Senate and in the governance
of UMBC as a whole.
Future Senators - staff in admissions and registration who admit
students, staff in accounting who are responsible for billing
and obtaining reveneues for UMBC, staff in physical plant who
keep us running and maintain our beautiful grounds, staff in academic
departments who support teaching and research faculty, Library
staff who assist our faculty, staff and students, - are important
to UMBC.
