On April 20, over 150 classified staff members from units throughout the University attended the annual Classified Staff Breakfast in the University Club, where Chancellor Sherry Penney applauded their many accomplishments, including the recent participation of 18 staff members in Worker Education Program (WEP) professional communication classes sponsored by the University and SEIU Local 285.
Introduced by Beth Marshall, Acting Director of Human Resources, one
of those participants, Christine Boseman of the Auxiliary Service
Department, read her essay "Then and Now." She stated, "While working
at the University, I have accomplished some valuable goals. Some of
my major accomplishments have been working toward getting a degree
and improving my secretarial skills."
Delivering a similarly positive message, Karla M. DeLeon, who
recently moved from the Office of Career Services to the Division of
Continuing Education, read from her text entitled, "The Right Path."
She announced, "In the future, I will not only become a professional,
but a more educated person with a lot to offer." Both essays were
published in the WEP course book Working Writers III.
Noting the eloquence and poise of these two presenters, Chancellor
Penney reminded attendees that individual staff accomplishments
contribute to the strength and growth of the University as a whole.
She went on to applaud the prizewinning artwork of Bernadette
Levasseur of the Copy Center, and mention that Barbara Davis of the
Anthropology Department was recently interviewed by The Boston
Globe for her work with the Holbrook Public Schools.
The Chancellor also recognized university-wide successes such as
Daffodil Days and the Making Strides against Breast Cancer walk as
well as widespread staff participation in ARD committees. She said,
"The staff of UMass Boston has great talent and energy. I am very
proud of your hard work and accomplishments. You are the unsung
heroes of the university."
Gail Hobin, Director of Community Relations and Special Events
explained, "This is an event used to recognize all the contributions
of the staff and to update them on things that happen around the
University." Staff members in attendance expressed gratitude for the
chance to meet with each other and learn more about university
happenings. Ann Disessa of the Classics Department remarked, "I enjoy
going and meeting some of the people I talk with on the telephone but
never get a chance to see." She added, "It is also an important
opportunity to get an update on what's going on in the campus
community."
Chancellor Penney provided the staff with information on rising enrollment figures and updates on projects such as ARD, PeopleSoft, the acquisition of the Pump House, and the new student center -- all of which signal the growth of the university. Chancellor Penney also noted the growing numbers of employees who have been with the university for 20, 25, and 30 years. Addressing the staff as a whole, Chancellor Penney stated, "You are the source of our success."
-- By Anne Marie Kent
SEIU Grant Funds Worker Education Program Classes
Last May, an exciting partnership between the University and SEIU Local 285 resulted in the availability of Worker Education Program courses for staff skills enhancement. Interviews and focus groups conducted with classified staff helped identify training needs, and classes were developed in response. In October, the WEP, working with the Learning Center and Human Resources, offered programs emphasizing skill development in the following areas: writing, workplace communication, conflict negotiation, and collaborative problem solving. Summer WEP courses offered will include "Speaking Up, Speaking Out," a course in public speaking; "Effective Communication," for enhancing personal communication styles; and "Negotiation Skills" training to help deal with conflict. All classes are hands-on and interactive.
-- A.K.