University of Michigan - Flint

The voting will begin at 8am on Monday, May 5th, and end on Thursday, May 8th, at 5pm.

The ballot is available online at:  The voting period has now ended.

If you receive a login box, please use your uniqname@umflint.edu and your LAN password to proceed.  If you have trouble with the login or receive a message that you are ineligible to vote, please contact Debi Rowden at 237-6331 or Crystal Pepperdine at 766-6628.

Beulah A. Alexander, Executive Secretary to the Dean & SEHS Staff Supervisor, School of Education and Human Services
Staff Council is designed to be an instrument to assist with positive changes for staff on the campus of the University of Michigan-Flint and to be a voice to administration. Being a long time former member of Staff Council, I hold this group very close to my heart.

If I am given the honor of being elected to serve on Staff Council, I would assist them with their positive goals and development as they continue to be a positive voice for the staff at the University of Michigan-Flint and to continue to improve to assist with providing opportunities for the staff.

Rhonda Broadworth, CAS Coordinating Secretary, College of Arts and Sciences
With the support of my supervisor, I am happy to accept the nomination for Staff Council.

I have been with the university for eight years and have volunteered at many campus functions. I would like to serve on Staff Council to further my service to the university while helping fulfill the Council’s mission of creating a ‘spirit of unity and open communication’ between staff and administration.

These are exciting times for UM – Flint! Our university is in the midst of major growth that will bring about many changes on our campus – changes that will affect employees of this campus (i.e. parking, safety, etc.). I want to be an active participant by listening to the needs of the staff, conveying those needs to administration and helping to implement those changes.

Sally Conley, BBA, MPA, Institutional Review Board Core Support Staff, Office of Research
In the past few years I have been contemplating the need to become more involved with staff and faculty supported committees on campus. I am in favor of a variety of activities that the staff council is involved. Because of my current role on campus as the IRB Core Support Staff, I have had the opportunity to develop and maintain good working relationships with a variety of faculty, staff and students. I am confident that I can work to develop these relationships further and to accomplish the goals of the staff council.

I would also like to further implement change at UM-Flint by addressing current concerns of the council such as increasing staff morale, promoting tuition assistance programs, recognizing achievements of staff members, raising money for activities and lobby for discounts at the Early Childhood Dev. Center.

Please accept this letter as proof of my interest and intent to be selected for the University of Michigan-Flint’s Staff Council.

Karen Davis, Secretary, English Department
I would be honored to serve on Staff Council. Membership on the council would provide the opportunity to get better acquainted with fellow staff members and to serve as a liaison for staff in campus issues. I am enthusiastic about this opportunity to represent our staff in conversations about issues at the University; particularly increasing staff morale and identifying areas of concern. I am eager to work with the current council members to continue the wonderful programs and services they offer and to be instrumental in the implementation of new initiatives.

Jennifer Fisch-Ferguson, Secretary Senior for Pre-College Programs, Educational Opportunity Initiatives
Having been part of the University of Michigan Flint family for three years now I am very interested in running for Staff Council. While the Council has made many great changes and has had positive effects in many areas, there are four that I really see needing more attention. I look forward to being able to take part of the challenge for improvement and serving the Staff and Faculty community as a representative.

Promote employee Tuition Assistance – I feel that every staff member should easily be able to take advantage of the great opportunity to take classes and should be encouraged to do so by supervisors and faculty!

Recognize achievements of staff – We all work hard to keep UM Flint the great educational institution it is and it’s great to be recognized for the efforts that each of us puts into our jobs.

Offer service credit to employees who volunteer – As a person who has been volunteering since early childhood I think everyone benefits when communities have a strong volunteer base. Sometimes it takes a bit of incentive to get you to start, and once you do it’s hard to stop!

Lobby for staff discounts at the Early Childhood Development Center – we should definitely have an advantage! Most other Universities offer discount programs for child care. It is just another way to show appreciation for dedication and commitment by offering discounts and incentives when possible.

Dee Dee Hurley, Human Resources Assistant Senior, Human Resources and Affirmative Action
I have always been an involve participant with campus activities since I was hired back in 1999. Staff council has been a venue on campus to help enhance employee moral as well as promote employee involvement on our campus. I think I would be a capable asset in continuing with this mission.

Specifically, I would like to help with the parking concerns here on campus. I am hopeful that once I have some knowledge on the campus parking policies, I may be able to help generate new ideas in this area. In addition, I am always open to new ideas & listening to what the campus needs are & then helping to find ways to implement these new ideas or campus needs. I look forward to this wonderful opportunity to continue my support in helping all UM-Flint staff members.

Laura Milem, Senior Secretary, Philosophy Department and Women's & Gender Studies Program
I believe open communication between faculty, staff and students is one of the most important aspects of improving the campus at University of Michigan-Flint. I also believe that mentoring and being mentored has a positive impact on the success rate of all on campus. If communication is honest, forth right, and effective, the campus benefits immensely. Students are the number one priority and the faculty and staff should do everything in their power (within reason) to ensure success. We are here because of the students yet, to be effective as a staff member, we must identify, clarify & specify the needs of not only the students, but the staff as well. If elected, I would like to identify an initiative that represents the immediate interest of the staff and work at finding and following through the path to its completion. To identify that initiative, I would like to see a format that would give us (the Staff Council) suggestions and opinions of the staff. It is not my opinion that matters but the opinion of the staff and that it be given a voice.

Sharon A. Seames, Faculty Secretary, School of Management
I would like to formally announce my interest in a Staff Council position at the University of Michigan – Flint.

In the past I have helped organize and facilitate events and ceremonies and I am willing to offer my time and skills as I find this to be a great position to use my experience to enhance our Work community. I also know that I can bring new ideas, perspectives and skills to help the Council to grow and expand.

Thank you for your time and consideration.