In today’s newsletter, Staff Senate President Stacey Miller provides her latest update for the upcoming Fall semester and the next Blood Drive is on August 27. Plus, the latest from the Office of Human Resources, The Ombuds Office, Campus Recreation and more.
Clemson University Staff Senate
Staff Senate Blood Drive scheduled for August 27
The next Staff Senate Blood Drive is scheduled for Wednesday, August 27, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Those interested in donating must schedule an appointment. The Blood Drive will be located at 101 Calhoun Drive on main campus. Donors who give blood can receive a $40 gift card.
President’s Report: August 2025
Dear Fellow Staff,
As the campus comes alive with the energy of a new academic year, we are reminded of the incredible community that makes Clemson University a place of excellence, innovation, and heart. Students return with fresh hopes and ambitions, and behind every successful journey stands a dedicated team of staff members whose work often goes unseen but is always deeply felt.
From administrative coordinators to facilities teams, advisors, and support staff, each role contributes to the foundation of student success. You are the steady hands that guide, support, and uplift our students—ensuring they have the resources, encouragement, and environment they need to thrive.
At Clemson, we don’t just prepare students for the future—we invest in it. I am honored to work alongside so many leaders in higher education. You are the people who make a difference in the lives of students, faculty, and other staff.
One way staff stay engaged and informed is through the Clemson University Staff Senate, which meets monthly to discuss issues, share updates, and advocate for staff interests. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month (except July) and are open to all staff—whether attending in person or joining online. This is a valuable opportunity to stay connected, voice ideas, and help shape the future of our University. To learn more or get involved, visit the Staff Senate website.
As we begin this new chapter, let’s remember to be patient with one another, lend a helping hand, and share a smile. Whether it’s assisting a student who’s lost on their way to class or offering support to a colleague, small acts of kindness go a long way in building a welcoming campus.
“You are about to begin your academic journey at one of the best public research universities in the country, where you will learn from our world-class faculty and engage with our dedicated staff. We are all focused on providing the #1 student experience.” — Jim Clements, President of Clemson University 1
Here’s to a successful, inspiring, and transformative academic year. Thank you for being part of the Clemson story—and for helping write its next chapter.
Go Tigers!
August News from the Office of Human Resources
Apply now for 2026 CU Grow Cohort
CU Grow, Clemson’s professional development program for staff, is now accepting applications for its 2026 cohort! The year-long program offers full-time employees a unique opportunity to deepen leadership capabilities, strengthen workplace relationships and gain valuable career insights — all while building Clemson’s commitment to excellence and service.
Participants are selected in late Fall and begin the program in January. The year-long curriculum includes workshops, skills development, and experiential learning, intended to create opportunities for transformational growth.
Interest Sessions
The Office of Human Resources will offer several virtual interest sessions throughout the summer and early fall to answer common questions about CU Grow. Interested individuals may register for a session through Tiger Training. Attendance is not required for acceptance into the program.
Application Details
CU Grow is open to all full-time staff members with at least three years of Clemson service and performance ratings of “successful” or higher.
Applicants must complete the staff application form and request their supervisor complete the supervisor approval form. An optional letter of recommendation from a colleague or supervisor may also be submitted. The deadline to apply is September 30.
Application details and more information about the program are available on the CU Grow website.
Learn More about SC Deferred Compensation with Empower
Empower, the provider of South Carolina’s Deferred Compensation program, is offering monthly webinars to guide state employees through understanding and enrolling in Deferred Compensation plans.
These programs allow employees to set aside money, either pre- or post-tax, to fund retirement accounts like 401(k) or 457(b) plans.
The hour-long session is open to all benefits-eligible employees and will include an overview of plan options, enrollment steps and a live Q&A session, giving attendees the chance to explore their options and ask questions.
The next webinar is Monday, August 25, from 9 – 10 a.m. via Microsoft Teams. Registration is required, and spaces are limited for each session. Interested employees should register in this calendar entry.
Navigating Your Retirement Fall Schedule announced
The Office of Human Resources is hosting three “Navigating Your Retirement” sessions this fall, designed to support faculty and staff preparing to retire within the next three to 12 months.
These hands-on group sessions walk participants through the steps of the retirement process, outlining employee responsibilities and University protocols. Sessions will be held virtually from 3 – 4:30 p.m. on the following dates.
- August 21
- September 4
- November 20
Interested participants should register through Tiger Training.
MBA Campus Info Session, September 4
Are you interested in learning more about Clemson’s MBA Options and the ETAP benefits available to you as a Clemson employee? Please join our Admissions Team during the on-campus events on September 4th to learn more about the programs that we offer! Can’t make it? No problem! Email us at mbaprogram@clemson.edu to schedule a virtual meeting.
Register for the group info session here!
Register for an individual appointment here!
Fall for Fitness
Clemson staff, get ready to stretch your schedules and your muscles!
This fall, Campus Recreation is giving you more time to hit the gym, climb the wall, or unwind with a yoga class. With expanded hours beginning August 19th across key facilities like Fike Recreation Center and Snow Complex, staying active just got a whole lot easier. Whether you’re an early riser or a late-night lifter, there’s now more room in your day to prioritize wellness.
| FIKE | SNOW | ANDYS | |
| Monday | 5:30 a.m. – midnight | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | noon – 8 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 5:30 a.m. – midnight | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | noon – 8 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 5:30 a.m. – midnight | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | noon – 8 p.m. |
| Thursday | 5:30 a.m. – midnight | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | noon – 8 p.m. |
| Friday | 5:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
| Saturday | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
| Sunday | noon – 10 p.m. | 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. | 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. |
Labor Day weekend and Fall Break schedules will differ, and Andy’s hours are good from August 19th until September 30th. They’ll be updated monthly throughout the semester. Keep an eye on our website, where we’ll post the latest information!
August 2025 Ombuds Report- Getting on the Same Page
Are you and your colleagues on the same page? Are you thinking about your work in the same way? Do you see your objectives and your challenges similarly? Being on the same page is what researchers call shared cognitions, which impact the way your team interacts, communicates, and accomplishes tasks.
People are different and come from different perspectives. This is what makes working in groups so enriching and at times—so difficult! But the idea of shared cognitions is more basic than the personality and style differences that might exist on your team. While different team members might approach a problem differently, shared cognitions are about how we are defining the problem and what we ultimately think our team is responsible for.
In the book Teams that Work, Tannenbaum & Salas (2021) identify 8 shared cognitions that are important for team effectiveness. They are listed in the table below.
| Questions To Ask | Type of Shared Cognitions |
| Where to? | Vision, purpose, goals |
| What’s important? | Priorities |
| Who should? | Roles and responsibilities |
| How to? | Tasks, norms, interdependencies, expectations |
| Why to? | Rationale and connection to larger organization |
| Who knows? | Expertise on the team |
| What if? | Contingencies and succession planning |
| What’s up? | Situational awareness, team cues |
Does your team know the answers to these questions? Would you all answer these the same way?
I once worked with a team that was experiencing some conflict. As we set out on a dialogue session, I realized that some of the team thought their biggest problem was how the team interacted internally, and some of the team thought their external partners were causing their problems. This difference in problem definition caused reactions, plans, and perspectives that that team members could not understand. Instead of just working on why each person behaved a certain way, we needed to go back to how everyone was thinking and get on the same page about that. What problems were happening internally, and how did the team plan to address those? What problems were happening externally, and how did the team plan to address those? Shared cognitions are the foundation upon which interdependence, collaboration, and team success rest.
Here are some strategies for assessing and converging the cognitions that exist on your team:
- Communicate! Share perspectives. Allow others’ perspectives to emerge.
- Establish a team charter or shared expectations document for how you will work together. (The Ombuds Office can help with this!)
- Allow time for brainstorming, and refrain from evaluating the ideas that emerge.
- Have everyone write down what the goals or objectives are for the team, and then compare what everyone has written. This can highlight similarities and differences in how the team sees the work.
- Create a visual map of the team. Who has expertise in what area, and who can back that person up?
- Cross-train each other, both to ensure backup and to enhance understanding of what each teammate does.
- Debrief after projects or events that required coordination and teamwork. What went well? What could be improved?
Is your team on the same page? How can you get there?
Box #1:
What is the Ombuds Office?
The Ombuds Office is a confidential, independent, neutral, and informal space for staff to process concerns, get information, and develop options for how to move forward in a difficult situation. I can provide education, conflict coaching, mediation, and facilitation as well as referrals to other resources across Clemson. If you are unsure how to move forward in any way, I can help you work through it.
Tessa Byer
Phone: 864-656-5353
Email: tbyer@clemson.edu
Address: 135 Old Greenville Hwy, Ste. 203 (Next to Esso!)
*Save the date for upcoming training offered by the Ombuds:*
Introduction to Mediation
September 19, 2025, from 9 a.m. – noon
Virtually only; sign up here:
Don’t Tough It Out: Difficult Situations at Work
October 1, 2025, from 9 a.m. – noon
Location: University Facilities Center; sign up here
Cultivating Resilience
November 3, 2025, from 9-11 a.m.
Location: University Facilities Center; sign up here:
Emotional Intelligence at Work
November 14, 2025, from 9 – 11 a.m.
Virtual; sign up here
MBA Virtual Information Session scheduled for July 9
Interested in learning more about Clemson’s MBA options and the benefits available to you as a Clemson employee from the tuition assistance program? Join the admissions team during our upcoming Virtual Information Session Tuesday, July 9 at noon. Those unable to make the session may register for a zoom call.
Registration for the information session is currently available.
Staff Senate Newsletter: June 2025
Good afternoon! In this month’s newsletter, Staff Senate extends a huge thank you to the participants and sponsors who helped Staff Senate Golf Tournament a great success. The Office of Human Resources is offering a session to learn about the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program. This month’s newsletter also highlights the various resources offered by Campus Recreation enhance overall well-being, Green Zone Training and more.
President’s Report: June 2025
Dear Fellow Staff,
Welcome to summer! The campus is buzzing with excitement as camps are in full swing and prospective students are visiting the campus.
Take this time for you and your family; I hope each of you can take a vacation or staycation. Remember to visit the HR and Library websites for employee benefits, such as discounts on theme parks and passes to SC State Parks.
I am super proud of the caring campus that we have. In May, Staff Senate held its first golf tournament since 2009 to support the Employee Emergency Fund Endowment. Your Staff Senators worked tirelessly to coordinate the event and worked with many partners across campus. If you are able, please consider helping us care for others by donating to the Employee Emergency Fund or The Nook.
Again, thank you for all that you do. We appreciate each one of you.
We hope you can attend our next meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 12, 2025. Reminder: If you would like to ask a question, please request to speak during the open comment period by contacting our office or relaying your questions to your senators.
As always, stay kind and care for yourself and other Tigers,
Go Tigers!
Stacey Miller
President 2025-2026
