| News from UMKC Staff CouncilJune 2025
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Staff Council Initiatives: 2024-2025 Year in Review
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Staff Council made big strides this year to support, recognize, and engage UMKC staff across campus. Here are a few highlights from 2024–2025:
- Supported staff growth and recognition by launching a new Endowment and Scholarship Committee and rolling out an updated Roo Recognition platform.
- Improved communication with the creation of a Voting Member Communications and Training Task Force.
- Welcomed new employees through targeted outreach and Coffee Chats on campus and online.
- Celebrated staff during Staff Appreciation Week, including a Professional Development Conference (246+ attendees) and the annual Appreciation Lunch (200+ participants).
- Updated governance by overhauling the bylaws and creating a process for annual review.
- Gave back to the community through blood drives, park clean-ups, donation efforts, and other volunteer events.
- Offered creative and wellness events like staff art shows, resource fairs, holiday contests, and a haunted campus tour.
- Raised awareness through tabling, cross-campus promotions, and targeted campaigns.
- Featured campus leaders at General Body meetings, including Chancellor Agrawal and speakers from Human Resources, Kansas City Roos Athletics, UMKC Police, and more.
Thank you to all who contributed to a successful year. Want to get involved in the 2025-2026 year? Email staffcouncil@umkc.edu to learn more.
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Staff Council Shelter KC Summer Essentials Donation Drive Runs Through July 31
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The Staff Council Outreach Committee is hosting a donation drive to support Shelter KC, a local rescue mission serving Kansas City’s unhoused population. As summer approaches, protection from the sun becomes essential for those spending extended time outdoors.
Staff Council is collecting donations of sunscreen, SPF lip balm, and new or gently used hats and sunglasses.
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Kasey Kudos is Now Roo Recognition
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Staff Council has rebranded Kasey Kudos! It’s now called Roo Recognition, but the purpose still remains the same: providing a simple way to recognize and appreciate members of the UMKC community.
Staff can log in with their UMKC SSO to access the system and send a virtual note of thanks, appreciation or encouragement. Whether it’s for a major accomplishment or a small, meaningful gesture, Roo Recognition makes it easy to give someone a well-deserved shout-out.
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Help Welcome New Roos: Volunteer for Summer Orientation
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Summer Orientation season has arrived, and we're seeking staff and faculty to assist with check-in at each session. Staff and faculty play a key role in helping incoming students and their guests feel welcomed and supported.
Duties may include giving directions from the parking garage to the Student Union, greeting guests at the entrance, assisting with check-in, handing out swag, and staffing the breakfast table. Shifts run June through August from 7:45 to 9 a.m.
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Get Involved in Roo Welcome 2025
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UMKC faculty and staff play a vital role in Roo Welcome by creating a positive and welcoming experience for new campus community members. We need your help to make this year’s Roo Welcome a success.
Fall Roo Welcome takes place Aug. 20 through Sept. 12. Here’s how you can get involved:
- RSVP to Convocation 2025 (log into RooGroups with your SSO to register).
- Register your division/department for the Resource Fair (log into RooGroups with your SSO to register).
- Volunteer at Jump Into UMKC, our newest student onboarding event.
- Staff a Roo Welcome table.
- Work a Residential Life move-in shift.
- Lead your division/department in planning a Roo Welcome event. Submit it on Roo Groups and tag “Roo Welcome.”
- Motivate student organizations you advise to register for the Student Organization Fair.
- Show your Roo pride—wear UMKC gear during the first weeks of school.
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Save the Date: UMKC Night at Starlight Featuring Life of Pi, Sept. 20
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UMKC continues its partnership with Kansas City’s iconic Starlight Theatre, the city’s oldest and largest nonprofit performing arts venue. Join us for the second annual UMKC Night at Starlight featuring the Tony Award-winning production of Life of Pi and enjoy world-class live entertainment at this beloved outdoor landmark.
Save the Date: Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.
UMKC students, faculty, staff, alumni and constituent groups can get exclusive discounts of up to 25% on tickets in seating levels 2–6 by entering promo code UMKC before selecting seats. Discounted tickets are available now through Sept. 20.
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Other Helpful Staff Resources and Upcoming Events
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- Digital Accessibility at UMKC. New digital accessibility requirements are coming which will affect course content, websites, emails, PDFs and more. Efforts are underway to meet the April 2026 deadline, both at UMKC and the University of Missouri System. Trainings and resources are available:
- All Campus Recruitment Training Aug. 5–6. Join the Office of Admissions to learn about the recruitment cycle and how your office can get involved. Open to all UMKC staff. Register today.
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UMKC Staff Council Meetings will Resume Aug. 6, 8:30 a.m.
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All staff are welcome to attend Staff Council meetings. Staff Council typically meets the first Wednesday of each month from 8:30 to 10 a.m., both in person and via Zoom.
Staff Council will not meet in July.
The first general body meeting of the 2025–26 year is scheduled for August 6 in Bloch Heritage Hall Room 006 and via Zoom. Subsequent meetings for Fall 2025 will be held on Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5, and Dec. 3.
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