Greetings from the University Staff Advisory Council!

January Meeting Highlights

  • Keynote speaker, Lorenzo F. Candelaria, Blair School of Music Dean highlighted their four areas of focus and One Vanderbilt Productions' partnerships with Casa Azafran, Nashville Parthenon and the Nashville Zoo and taking the arts into the community.
  • Krista Vaught and TaShunda Franklin from the Employee Learning and Engagement team shared their spring workshop lineup which is packed with opportunities for staff to upskill this year.
  • Stacey Bonner, Wellbeing Manager, shared campus & community resources including January's "It's Ok to Not Be Ok" talk and Finance Fundamentals.  The quote of the month is..."Make your mental health a priority".
  • Our Events Committee announced two opportunities to socialize and give back to the community.
    • Get social at the monthly virtual Coffee Break on January 19, at 9:30 a.m. with the topic of New Year Cheer.  Registration is required.
    • Join us on February 5, for an in person volunteer opportunity, VU Food Distribution with 2nd Harvest and OneGen at Fort Negley Park.  Sign up online.
Watch the Full Meeting

Holiday Jingle Fundraiser

The holidays may be over, but we are still in the holiday spirit and the Vanderbilt Employee Hardship Fund needs our support!
The Fund provides assistance to qualifying faculty and staff who are experiencing a temporary hardship due to a significant life event.
How to donate?
Find us on PayPal @USACVU
Mail or deliver a check to the VU Hardship Fund via Work/Life Connections-EAP, Vanderbilt University Medical Arts Building, Suite 010, Nashville, TN  37212
Fundraiser ends January 31, 2022, but donations are always welcome!

Around campus

Let's celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 17, 2022, is a staff holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.  The university has planned several events to commemorate his legacy including a virtual keynote event with poet and author speaker poet Nikky Finney and a lecture from Martha Dawson, president of the National Black Nurses Association.
Hybrid and remote work survey results
In October 2021, a survey was launched to assess the new remote and hybrid work policy to determine how various work arrangements influence employees' engagement, productivity and quality of life.  In December, the results were released showing overall positive results.
On-campus staff spring testing protocols announced
The university is expanding its testing program for on-campus staff to include a sentinel, or random sample, program, that will test a rotating sampling of staff and an asymptomatic program that will require tests on a frequency linked to an individual’s choice to provide proof of their vaccination/booster status.  Beginning Jan. 18, proof of a booster will be required for individuals to be exempt from regular asymptomatic testing.  Submit your vaccine or booster record to vu.edu/submit-vaccine to be added to the appropriate testing program.
Spring 2022 Staff Town Hall available online
Campus leaders hosted a virtual town hall to share updates about the university’s plans for the spring semester, including its COVID-19 operations and community support resources.  Questions not addressed during the town hall will be answered on the Health and Safety Protocols website in the coming week.
Meet a Member: 
Patrick Conwell
VU Police Department, Captain
For Patrick's full feature, and to connect with USAC representatives from around the university, visit our Blog.
Read More

Share your event!

Do you have an event, activity or resource relevant to university staff that would benefit from promotion via the USAC social media channels (Instagram, Twitter and Facebook)?  Let us know!
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Whether you are working from home or are back on campus, know that USAC remains committed to being a champion for staff, and our digital door is always open.  Do not hesitate to share your feedback or experiences via usac@vanderbilt.edu or via our anonymous form.

 All are welcome!  USAC Meetings are held from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and are always open to staff members served by the council.
Vanderbilt University is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action.
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