| Greetings from the University Staff Advisory Council!
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February Meeting Highlights
- USAC was joined by Dave Owens, Evans Family Executive Director, and Deanna Meador, Deputy Director to talk all things Wond'ry. From entrepreneurship and social innovation to making and design research, the Wond'ry provides support, resources, and fun to students, faculty, and staff. Have an idea? Be sure to check out the 50x50x50 initiative - a digital box for staff members to submit ideas and suggestions on issues or challenges they have identified in a process or system within their work units or with other work units they engage with.
- Carolyn Floyd, Senior Director of the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt, shared details on the exciting Immersion Vanderbilt program, including the first undergraduate graduating class required to complete the experience. Staff members are eligible to serve as advisers to guide students through the experiential and culminating project phase, and can reach out to the Office of Experiential Learning and Immersion Vanderbilt to learn more.
- Patrick Retton, Associate Vice Chancellor for Administration and Chief of Operations, provided more details on the Disaster Outreach Program. This new program will allow Vanderbilt to provide individualized communications and support to community members in the event of a catastrophic incident. Different from AlertVU, the Disaster Outreach Program determines whether Vanderbilt community members have experienced disaster, and if so, connect them with resources. Learn more about the program and its resources on the website.
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You're invited!
Next month, we're encouraging our USAC members to bring a colleague to the March 14 meeting! While campus members are always welcome to attend, we hope you'll join us next month to hear from our guest speakers Dr. Alex Sevilla and Dr. Alayna Hayes from the office of Career Advancement and Engagement and receive a brief USAC overview including updates from our committees and learning how to get involved for the 2023-2024 cycle.
Reach out to your representative or campus colleague to request an invite!
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Meet a Member:
Mary Kiolbasa
Director of Research Projects
Development and Alumni Relations
"I’ve served on USAC for 3 and half years and have loved the opportunity to meet so many interesting colleagues across campus. As part of the staff-life committee, I was especially proud to work on the professional development proposal, where I learned a lot about benchmarking that I’ve been able to apply to my work in DAR."
For Mary's full feature and to connect with USAC representatives from around the university, visit our Blog.
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Employee Hardship Fund is now
the Employee Critical Support Fund
Vanderbilt's Faculty and Staff Hardship Fund has provided assistance to qualifying faculty and staff who are experiencing a temporary hardship due to a significant life event since 1994. Previously housed within VUMC, the fund has transitioned to Vanderbilt University ownership and now renamed the Employee Critical Support Fund - providing employees peace of mind during times of uncertainty and to demonstrate the power and values of the Vanderbilt community.
Employees are encouraged to contribute to the fund through
the Kroger Community Rewards Program.
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USAC Events
Our events committee has been busy lining up several opportunities to give back to our Vanderbilt and Nashville community. Check them out below!
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Spread the Love.
USAC is once again supporting the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee with our Virtual Food Drive! Visit the donation website to help provide food for children, families, and seniors facing hunger in our community.
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USAC Coffee Break
February 22 | 8am - 9am
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Support the Career Closet!
The Gradute School is excited to announce the 2nd Annual Graduate Career Closet, an event co-sponsored by the Graduate School, BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program, the Career Center, Vanderbilt Libraries, the Women’s Center, and USAC.
The Graduate Career Closet is an opportunity for Graduate School students to get free interview ready clothes provided by faculty and staff.
DONATE! We are looking for business casual and professional items for all genders, as well as accessories, such as ties, necklaces, etc. Please ensure our students could wear these items to an interview (washed, no holes, etc.) and bring any items on hangers or neatly folded. We have various drop off locations where donations can be made; please note that these locations have different time and date availability.
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Nominate your colleagues for a Spring Staff Award
Celebrate and recognize your fellow staff members by nominating them for a Spring Staff Award. Winners of each award will be announced during the Spring Staff Assembly, scheduled for May 22.
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Earn your Master of Liberal Arts and Science at VU
Vanderbilt's Master of Liberal Arts and Science (MLAS) is an interdisciplinary, flexible graduate degree program designed for working professionals that offers weekly evening courses on campus with VU's renowned faculty in the summer, fall, and spring terms. The MLAS program is now accepting applications for Summer and Fall 2023.
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Grow Your Career
Interested in seeing what opportunities are available across campus? Looking for a new role? Visit the Vanderbilt job board!
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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 virtually 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. Email usac@vanderbilt.edu for a Zoom link.
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Vanderbilt University is committed to principles of equal opportunity and affirmative action.
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