December 2023

The University Staff Council cultivates a collaborative work environment for Texas A&M staff under the Office of the President through quality representation, impactful service, innovative programs and open workplace communication.

Staff are encouraged to attend the next University Staff Council (USC) meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at 1:30 p.m. in person at the General Services Complex in Room 101 or via Zoom. The vision of the USC is to help staff feel supported, included and valued at Texas A&M University, where we live the Aggie Core Values of respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service. Come to the meeting and let your voice be heard or learn more about what the USC is doing for you. The USC Common Grounds speaker series will return in January. You may access full meeting minutes from previous meetings on the USC website. 

After serving as interim president since late July, The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents confirmed General (Ret.) Mark A. Welsh III as the 27th president of Texas A&M on Dec. 12.

During his State of the University address, then Interim President Welsh discussed efforts to reestablish transparent communication and remove barriers to such communication. He shared an update on the organizational structure for the President’s Cabinet and the Office of the President on Dec. 7. The newly announced structure ensures the right people are accountable and responsible for their areas of focus, which should help eliminate confusion and enhance communication across the university. 

We are excited to report more than $500 was raised in support of the Staff Emergency Fund (SEF) through the Kendra Scott Jewelry fundraiser in November. All donations are matched dollar for dollar by the Office of the President, so the total contribution exceeds $1,000. Remember, the SEF is dependent upon donations to provide assistance to staff with emergency expenses that create emotional and financial hardships. By supporting the SEF, you can help make a difference when financial help is needed most. Please consider making a donation before the end of the year.

Pamela Praesel, retiree, and Stacey Havel, photographer.

If you or a colleague are planning to retire, the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness now offers a voluntary photo op at your retirement planning meeting. Employees may choose to have a photo taken to share with family, friends or colleagues, or post on social media with #TAMURetiree to commemorate their milestone. You can learn more about preparing for retirement online. 

We would like to recognize and congratulate two USC representatives who have shared their plans for retirement: 

Sharon Alderete, assistant director, Humanities in Medicine, and USC representative, retires on Dec. 31 with 25 years of service. Sharon served several university departments, with the last 10 years at the School of Medicine. She received the Judy Smith Award, Outstanding Staff Award and was awarded a challenge coin for selfless service from the School of Medicine. We wish you well, Sharon! 

Pamela Praesel, communications manager, Division of Marketing and Communications, and USC Communications and Outreach Committee chair and USC representative, retires Jan. 31, 2024, with 26 ½ years of service supporting the Division of Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness (HROE). She received three Division of Finance Keys to Excellence Awards, the Division of Administration Service Excellence Award and a President's Meritorious Service Award. Congratulations, Pamela!

The USC Professional Development Committee is seeking input on how staff defines “professional development” and what avenues of learning staff prefer (i.e., online, in person, hybrid, LinkedIn Learning, etc.), along with what areas of professional development are of interest to staff. Suggestions from staff on who they would like to hear from as Common Ground speakers are also welcome.

2024 is almost here. As you plan events for the coming year, please consider inviting the USC. We actively seek opportunities to engage with our campus community at events, conferences or meetings to share what we do and how we can be of service to our staff members. We can also attend a meeting to speak to your department or team about the USC. 

Also, if your department or office is planning campus events or conferences and you need volunteers to assist you, the USC can help! Selfless service is an Aggie core value that we can put into action here. Send us your event information and we will help you find volunteers.

Many campuses and locations throughout the Texas A&M System will be closed Dec. 25-29, 2023, and Jan. 1, 2024, as an official university holiday for winter break. However, some campuses and locations follow alternative schedules, which are posted online.  

For the Texas A&M campus in College Station, please note that normal transit service will continue through final examinations with service ending at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12. Transit break service will begin Wednesday, Dec. 13, and run through Friday, Dec. 22. There will be no bus service for the remainder of the year, and break service will resume Jan. 2, 2024. Bus routes and schedules are available on the Transportation Services bus routes page and in the Texas A&M mobile app.

Are you a new manager at Texas A&M? Do you have a supervisory role in your unit or are you a seasoned manager looking to strengthen your skills? HROE hosts Managers’ Minutes, a biweekly Zoom session held every other Thursday, where we share tips, best practices and offer helpful guidance related to employee and team management. Join the distribution list and help spread the word by posting a flyer in an approved space in your department.

Take advantage of Aggie Dining’s FREE meal deal for the spring semester. Purchase a meal plan for spring 2024 and receive one free meal every week. Aggie Dining offers a wide range of meal plan options for faculty and staff at Texas A&M. Meal plans are designed to help employees budget and save money while dining on campus.

Congratulations to all those graduating this fall! Thank you to the staff at all of our campuses who supported the faculty and students to make this possible. We know that the success of one is due to the support of many. Congratulations and Gig ’em!

Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023
1:30 p.m.
General Services Complex 101 or
via Zoom

Consider donating to the Staff Emergency Fund.

Contact USC | USC website

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