Apply now for seats on the Civil Service Committee

Seats at Crookston, Duluth, and the Twin Cities campuses are open

UMD's Linda Olcott joined the Civil Service Committee in 2004. She has edited the e-mail InTouch for civil service staff for three years.

Photo courtesy of the CSC

By Peg Wolff and Heather Powell

Brief, March 21, 2007

If you have been thinking about getting involved with the Civil Service Committee (CSC), this is the perfect time to do it.

Each spring, the CSC seeks eligible employees who will guide it through the coming year. Representation is sought from four broad areas of the University: (a) Academic Affairs, Senior Vice President and Provost; (b) Academic Health Center, Senior Vice President; (c) coordinate campuses; and (d) at large, which includes all other units. An e-mail message announcing vacancies for 2007-08 was sent to identifiable civil service employees around March 15 for the vacancies they're eligible to fill.

Linda Olcott, associate administrator for UMD Facilities Management, joined the committee in 2004. Because of expanded job responsibilities, she will not apply for a second term--but she says the decision was hard to make.

"I value the work and integrity of the Civil Service Committee and have felt I was able to contribute--by editing the monthly e-InTouch, and by representing the best interests of the Duluth campus," says Olcott. "I've grown personally and professionally by serving, meeting new people, facing new challenges, and strengthening staff connections with the larger University community. It has been an extremely rewarding experience."

Cathy Marquardt, a scientist in the Office of the Vice President for Research, is serving her second three-year term on the CSC. She is currently vice-chair and will become the chair in 2007-08.

"I am proud of the accomplishments the CSC has achieved," Marquardt says. "We've made improvements in the pay plan language and have continued to enjoy a positive working relationship with the Office of Human Resources."

First-year CSC member Susan Rose, a community program specialist in the Department of Epidemiology, Twin Cities, got involved with the subcommittee on compensation.

"I have found my working experience with the Civil Service Committee and the compensation subcommittee gives me a broader understanding of governance issues at the University," says Rose. "I have also found the employees on both these committees to be hardworking and professional--a good group of people to work with. I'm enjoying the work, the learning, and the building of new working relationships. This has been a positive experience for me. I can recommend [it] to all civil service employees--you will gain from the experience of becoming a Civil Service Committee member."

Seats available for 2007-08

Employees covered by the Civil Service Rules have an opportunity to serve on the Civil Service Committee. The CSC, comprised of 15 members, reviews policies and issues that affect civil service employees, acts in an advisory capacity to the president and the administration, and recommends changes in Civil Service Rules.

Rule 3 of the Civil Service Rules states that a search committee will screen, interview, and refer names to President Bruininks to replace six vacancies and several alternates.

While the president appoints the committee members, any employee covered by the Rules is eligible to serve on its subcommittees. Employees are encouraged to attend monthly meetings and to raise issues and concerns at any time. Monthly meetings and minutes are posted on the CSC Web site, along with contact information for the committee and individual members.

The Civil Service Committee will have five vacancies for the academic year beginning in July: three on the Twin Cities campus and one each on the Duluth and Crookston campuses. Each is a three-year term.

Alternates, which serve one-year terms, will be appointed to fill unexpected vacancies during fiscal year 2007-08 and will serve with a vote when regular committee members are absent.

Committee vacancies for 2007-08 by area are Academic Health Center (2); Duluth campus (1); Crookston campus (1); and at-large, which includes all other units (1).

Eligibility: All civil service staff, covered by the Civil Service Rules, who have held temporary or continuing appointments of at least 50 percent time or more for at least two calendar years are eligible to apply.

For first consideration, apply by Friday, March 30. Additional consideration will be given to individuals from units with vacancies. Applications will be accepted until interview times are filled during the week of April 16-20.

The application and other information is available on the CSC Web page at www.umn.edu/csc. If you have questions, contact Mary Berg, chair of the search, at bergx017@umn.edu or 612-627-4014.

Peg Wolff, University Relations, Twin Cities, chairs the CSC this year. Heather Powell, U Card Office, Twin Cities, is the communications chair.