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.
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.
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
The South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program is offering a new way for employees to explore and take advantage of their retirement savings options.
Beginning in June, Empower, the state’s Deferred Compensation provider, will host a monthly webinar to guide state employees through plan highlights and enrollment details.
Deferred Compensation allows employees to set aside an amount of their choosing, either pre- or post-tax, to fund retirement accounts like 401(k) or 457(b) plans.
The sessions are open to all benefits-eligible employees and will cover the basics of both the 401(k) and 457(b) retirement plans available through the Deferred Compensation Program. The hour-long session will have a 30–45-minute presentation followed by a Q&A, giving attendees the chance to explore their options and ask questions.
Other key points of the session will include:
The first session will take place on Monday, June 23 at 9:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams.
Registration is required, and spaces are limited for each session. Interested employees should register using this registration link.
More dates will be announced at a later date.
In February, I wrote about the Job-Demands-Resources (JDR) model of work stress. As a reminder, the JDR model says that our collective job demands create stress and strain, which can eventually lead to physical and mental health problems and negative outcomes for our organization. At the same time, our collective job resources inspire motivation, which can lead to positive organizational outcomes, such as productivity, profitability, and employee engagement (see model below).
Job demands could include a difficult co-worker, long work hours, or a tense relationship with your supervisor, while job resources could include a wellness program, adequate annual leave or a trusted relationship with your supervisor.
For some of these demands and resources, we have no control or way to change them. None of us can control Clemson’s state mandated annual leave policy no matter how much we might want to. I mentioned in February that job crafting is something in your control you can do to enhance your job resources.
On the other hand, there is something in your control you can do to make your job demands even more challenging: self-undermining. Self-undermining at work includes not showing up, coming to work late, and having a bad attitude. Let’s say you have a difficult relationship with your supervisor. Then you show up late and fail to turn in some assignments on time. As difficult as it is to have a supervisor who you feel doesn’t like or support you, it’s not going to get any better when you begin to slack off. Now in addition to the tough relationship, you are creating performance issues for yourself—an added job demand that makes your stress at work increase.
One of the reasons we begin these cycles of self-undermining behavior is because we feel stuck when our job demands increase. Instead of figuring out some solutions for the challenging relationship with your supervisor, you might find it simpler to become complacent. But simple now does not mean easier on you overall. Your self-undermining behavior will ultimately come back on you—not on the other person.
When I work with employees who feel that they are the recipient of an unfair evaluation or disciplinary action, I always separate their next steps into two categories. The first category is the performance one. If a supervisor is giving direct feedback on what you need to start or stop doing, it’s in your best interest to start or stop doing those things. If you ignore the specific feedback, your supervisor might decide to take further disciplinary action. A verbal reprimand that feels unfair can quickly become a suspension that impacts your pay and your reputation in the office.
The second category is the justice one. If you feel that an action is unjust or unfair, there are steps to take. For some situations, there are official appeals processes; for others, writing a rebuttal or making your voice heard in a meeting might be your only recourse. The key is that these two categories need to happen at the same time. If you ignore the performance concerns while you fight for justice, you are undermining yourself by creating a bigger mess to clean up. You can fight for justice while also ensuring that you are responding to a supervisor’s performance concerns.
In order to break the cycle of self-undermining, we need to identify what our job demands are, and brainstorm some ways to address, mitigate, or remove them. If you are struggling with a relationship at work, maybe you need some mediation or some help sharing your concerns with the other person. If you are struggling with motivation or getting your job done on time, maybe you need some help with time management and finding purpose in your work. If you are unable to advocate for a pay increase, maybe your supervisor will approve a more flexible weekly schedule. When our job demands rise, we can always combat the process by job crafting and working to increase our job resources in equal measure.
Things are hard right now at home, in the classroom, at work, and around the world. Don’t make things even harder on yourself by undermining your own success and stability.
Bakker, A.B. and Demerouti, E. (2007), “The Job Demands‐Resources model: state of the art”, Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 309-328. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940710733115
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
As an employee, Campus Recreation has fantastic opportunities for faculty and staff to stay active, reduce stress, and connect with colleagues through access to our amazing Campus Recreation facilities.
The Fike Recreation Center is the main recreation center on Clemson’s main campus. Fike offers state-of-the-art fitness equipment, invigorating group exercise classes and spacious courts for basketball and racquetball. It also has a climbing wall, an indoor track and even a sauna and swimming pool to go along with its comprehensive indoor environment to support every aspect of your wellness journey.
But the excitement doesn’t stop there, as the University also offeres the Snow Family Outdoor Fitness & Wellness Complex. Whether it’s relaxing by the cozy firepit, soaking up the sun on the beach or rallying with friends on the sand volleyball court and expansive fields, the Complex offers a variety of options.. Right within the complex, you’ll also find the Andy Quattlebaum Outdoor Education Center (affectionately known as Andy’s). This incredible resource empowers your outdoor passions, offering rentals for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, games, sports equipment and even camping gear for your next adventure.
With such diverse and exciting options, your Clemson employee membership isn’t just access to a gym – it’s your pass to a healthier, happier, and more adventurous lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to push your limits, relax by the water, or explore the great outdoors, Campus Recreation has something for everyone.
Membership is easy and affordable. Payroll deduction is available for full-time faculty and staff, with fees will coming directly out of your paycheck after tax. Memberships will continue until you decide to cancel or separate from the university. You can cancel at any time when you opt for payroll deduction.
If you’d like to sign up for a members, fill out the Payroll Deduction Enrollment Form. To cancel, fill out the Payroll Deduction Cancellation Form.
Want to enjoy our amenities with your family? Campus Recreation also offers add-on memberships for family members as well. You can view rates and restrictions on our website.
Guests are currently not allowed to use Campus Recreation facilities.
Most fitness classes are free with your membership. Just be sure to reserve your spot ahead of time, as they often fill up quickly. This summer features three classes: Cycling, Pilates, and TBS (Total Body Strength).
Please check the website for the most up to date hours of operation.
The Office of Military and Veteran Engagement is hosting a Green Zone Training opportunity Tuesday, July 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Green Zone Training provides faculty, staff, and graduate assistants with an understanding of the military experience of veterans and military-connected students as they transition from the military to campus life.
Through Green Zone training, participants will learn:
Green Zone Training is held regularly throughout the year. Participants may register for Green Zone Training via Tiger Training. For additional questions or details, contact Emily DaBruzzi or Scott Cook.
The Clemson University Staff Senate is extending a huge thank you to the sponsors and participants who helped make the Staff Senate Golf Tournament a major success. Thanks to both sponsors and participants of the Golf Tournament, Staff Senate raised over $15,000 for the Employee Emergency Fund.
Golf Tournament Sponsors
Kim, Lahey & Killough Law Firm (Title Sponsor – $5,000)
Juneau Construction Company (Paw Sponsor – $1,000)
Clements Electrical (Paw Sponsor – $1,000)
CoTransCo of SC, LLC (Paw Sponsor – $1,000)
Diamond T Promotional Gear (Donated all the banners/signs)
Home Outlet (Hole Sponsor – $500)
Bermuda Triangle Dive Shop (Hole Sponsor – $500)
South Carolina State Credit Union (Hole Sponsor – $500)
The Comfort Cause (Sponsored a team of four to play – $500)
Welcome back! Check out the latest report from Staff Senate President Stacey Miller, this month’s Ombuds report from Michael Scott and the latest “News You Can Use” for staff, including next week’s Employee Appreciation Luncheon and the Summer side hustle course.
President’s Report
Ombuds Report
Office of Human Resources
News You Can Use
Dear Fellow Staff,
Greetings! First, I would like to thank Jeff Anthony, your ’24-25 Staff Senate President, for his hard work and dedication to the Clemson staff this past year. Jeff’s commitment to Clemson has created a great foundation to start my term as your ‘25-26 Staff Senate President. Jeff was instrumental in advocating for the Staff, and I will continue to lead the same way. If you see Jeff around campus, thank him for his service.
Staff Senate is already hard at work; we are meeting with leadership, fundraising for the Employee Emergency Fund endowment, and recognition through service letters.
It’s hard to believe we are at this academic year’s end. May is the perfect time to reflect on the past year; your fellow senators and I would like to thank each of you for your hard work and dedication to Clemson.
Let’s take a minute to talk about the impact that you had on students. Every role at Clemson touches lives; you are instrumental to the success of our students and the effect Clemson has on the State of South Carolina. As a staff member, your role is vital to the success of Clemson Elevate and Clemson University. It significantly impacts student success and experiences, and changes lives across the state. For that, we applaud you.
For many of us, summer is when we catch up on projects we overlooked throughout the year. Take this time to breathe; go out to lunch with a co-worker across campus ($5.00 Fridays, at the dining halls are a perfect time to catch up with friends.)
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, May 8, 2025, 2:30-4:00 PM, Riggs, room 305. 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 others, Tigers.
Take care of yourself, Tigers; you matter to us!
Go Tigers!
Stacey Miller
President 2025-2026
