Clemson University Staff Senate

Meet Your Newest Staff Senators

Staff Senate is excited to announce your Staff Senators for the 2025-28 term! The Staff Senate would like to send a huge thank you to everyone who was nominated or voted during this year’s election process, with 670 votes cast across eight elections and vacancies in 16 budget centers.

Jay Cooley – Student Affairs

Cory Tanner – College of Forestry, Agriculture and Life Sciences

Mallory Maher – College of Forestry, Agriculture and Life Sciences

Bryson Toole – College of Arts and Humanities

Connor Stephens – College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences

Helen Diamond-Steele – Division of Community, Engagement, Belonging and Access

Aubrey Baldwin – College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences

Staci Koonce – College of Education

Rob Seay – Clemson University Restoration Institute

Anthony Herrera – University Facilities

John Chorazak – University Facilities

Obryan Machado – Finance and Operations

Nicci Hanewald – Office of the President & Board of Trustees

Alison Fecher – Office of the Provost

Allison Bower – Public Service Activities

Meredith Williams – Research & Economic Development

Lynn Tumblin – Harvey S. Peeler Jr. College of Veterinary Medicine

2025 Staff Senate Golf Tournament

The Staff Senate Golf Tournament returns after a hiatus of several years!

Join us on Thursday, May 22nd at Clemson’s beautiful Walker Golf Course for a friendly round of 18 holes. Tee time is 9:00am and breakfast will be provided. Stick around afterward for some delicious nibbles and recognition of our golfers.

Want to play? Register your team of four (Registration includes 18 holes, a cart, breakfast, hors d’oeuvres, water and soft drinks)
Sponsorships are available! Please visit this page for more information on becoming a sponsor.

This year, the proceeds of the tournament will benefit the Employee Emergency Fund which assists employees experiencing a financial hardship due to unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable circumstances.

Staff Senate Newsletter: March 2025

March 2025 TABLE OF CONTENTS


President’s Report

WATCH: Staff Senate President Jeff Anthony and Vice President Stacey Miller provide their latest report and updates for the month of April.


Ombuds Report


News from the Office of Human Resources


News You Can Use

Clemson MBA Spring Open House

Are you interested in learning more about Clemson’s MBA Options and the ETAP benefits available to you as a Clemson employee? Join us for our upcoming Admissions events to learn more!

Clemson MBA Open House

Join us for our Spring Open House and meet with MBA staff, tour our beautiful Greenville ONE campus, and meet with a member of our Admissions team.

Tuesday, April 1st

10:00am-1:00pm (drop-in)

Register for Open House!

Clemson MBA Interactive Online Info Session

Join our Admissions team over Zoom to learn more about Clemson’s part-time, online, and hybrid degree options available!

Wednesday, April 9th

12:00pm-1:30pm

Register for Online Info Session!

Office of Human Resources: March 2025

Digital I-9s: Easier, Faster and More Secure!

To streamline the new hire process and support departments across campus, the Office of Human Resources has transitioned to electronic I-9 forms through PeopleSoft for newly hired faculty, staff and students.

Federal law requires all new hires verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States by completing the I-9 form by their third day of employment. Completing the form electronically maintains the privacy of personal information, enables digital record-keeping, reduces errors and allows for faster processing. 

Moving forward, employees should be directed to complete Section 1 of the I-9 form through Employee Self-Service. A Tiger Training module is available to walk employees through the necessary steps. Employees cannot complete the form until their hire is entered in PeopleSoft. 

Once submitted, the appropriate Clemson representative who reviewed the employee’s identification documents should review the form and complete Section 2 in PeopleSoft. A Tiger Training module for University representatives is also available for those reviewing the form and the employee’s documentation. 

International employees cannot use the electronic I-9 form and must complete a paper form with the International Employment Unit during the hiring approval process. Refer to the International Employee Hiring Instructions for more details. 

For more information on the I-9 form, visit the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification webpage.  


Upcoming Navigating Your Retirement Sessions

Are you thinking about retirement but don’t know where to start?

“Navigating Your Retirement” is a hands-on group session designed for faculty and staff who plan to retire within three months to a year.  The course covers how to begin the retirement process, an employee’s role and responsibilities, and the required steps to retire from Clemson University. 

Sessions are hosted by the Office of Human Resources’ Workforce Benefits and Well-Being Unit, with in-person and online courses available. All sessions are from 3 – 4:30 p.m. Interested participants should register through Tiger Training

In-Person Sessions 

  • Thursday, March 13 
  • Thursday, April 17 

Virtual Sessions 

  • Wednesday, March 19 
  • Thursday, May 22 

Summer and Fall session dates and availability will be released at a later date.

Questions? 

PEBA offers appointments for one-hour phone consultations and one-hour video consultations. Faculty and staff can schedule an appointment online or learn more on PEBA’s website.  


Supervising for Success

The Supervising for Success training series has been paused while OHR trains new instructors and updates training materials. The program is expected to relaunch in the fall of 2025. Tiger Training has updated the training modules’ due date for individuals currently enrolled in the program.

New supervisors are still required to complete the New Supervisor Orientation and Kronos Training courses in Tiger Training within 30 days of their transition to their new role.

New Employee Orientation

New Faculty and Staff Orientation will now be held once per month to reflect the needs of the University community. Sessions will be held every third Tuesday. New employees or supervisors looking to enroll new hires should visit Tiger Training to find a suitable session.

Ombuds Office March 2025: Patience

“Take it slow, and things will be just fine, you and I’ll just use a little patience”. -GnR

It’s astonishing how quickly the academic year flies by! Spring break is nearly upon us, and the 2024-2025 school year is rapidly approaching its conclusion. I began my tenure in the Ombuds Office at the start of this year and recently completed my probationary period and review. During this time, I’ve been eager to develop my skills as an Ombuds, dedicated to supporting everyone at the University. Like many, I entered this role with ambitious goals. I aspired to provide the same level of service and support as more experienced Ombuds. However, I soon realized that training and experience, both crucial components, cannot be acquired overnight. Initially, I experienced frustration when I had to defer to the expertise of others. I spent countless hours contemplating how to expedite my training to provide the full range of services our office offers. I even lost sleep reflecting on the counseling, mediation, and group discussion sessions I attended, searching for a ‘quick fix’ to gain substantial experience. The truth, as I’ve learned, is that there is no shortcut.

In our constant pursuit of self-improvement and goal achievement, it’s vital to remember the wisdom of St. Francis de Sales, who, in his book, An Introduction to the Devout Life, advises, “Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself.” Cultivating patience is a gradual journey, requiring the development of specific skills and mindsets. How, then, can we slow down in our fast-paced world, allowing ourselves time to savor life, reflect, and grow?

Here are several strategies to aid you on your path:

  1. Cultivate Mindfulness:
    • As I discussed with the Staff Senate in December, learning to “press pause” is essential. Mindfulness involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. This practice diminishes the tendency to dwell on the past or worry about the future, both of which fuel impatience. Becoming aware of the physical and emotional sensations that arise when impatience surfaces, and observing these feelings without reacting, can lessen their power (eMindful).
  2. Shift Your Perspective:
    • View delays and obstacles as opportunities for reflection and learning. When faced with a frustrating situation and feelings of impatience, consider the root cause of your discomfort (BetterUp). Acknowledge that certain situations are beyond your control. Focus your energy on what you can influence and release the rest.
  3. Focus on Emotional Intelligence:
    • Stress and anxiety can amplify impatience. Techniques such as exercise, relaxation, and adequate sleep can help regulate these emotions (Calm.com). Practice self-compassion when impatience arises, recognizing it as a common human experience.
  4. Build Tolerance for Discomfort:
    • Practice patience through small, everyday opportunities. Patience is a skill, developed over time. Begin by embracing minor annoyances, such as traffic delays or waiting in line at the grocery store. Practice resisting the urge for immediate gratification to strengthen your ability to wait and persevere (Goodwall).
  5. Enhance Interpersonal Skills:
    • Practice active listening, truly hearing others without interrupting or formulating your response. As we emphasize in our Conflict Management training, strive to understand perspectives from a shared foundation rather than imposing your own. Allow others ample time to express themselves without judgment or assumptions, focusing on their intended message. Pay attention to your body language and learn to manage your emotional responses.

By consistently implementing these strategies, we can gradually cultivate greater patience and enhance our overall well-being. Taking the time to appreciate life, live in the present, and extend grace to ourselves allows us the space and energy to achieve our goals. Let’s all embrace a little patience as we enjoy spring break and finish the school year with vigor!

Citations:

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.

Michael Scott

Phone:  864-656-6353

Email:  mesctt@clemson.edu

Address:  135 Old Greenville Hwy, Ste. 203 (Next to Esso!)

*Save the date for upcoming training offered by the Ombuds:*

Cultivating Resilience

March 27, 2025 from 9:00 to 11:00

Virtually only, sign up here: 

https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/5e898aea/sessions/5440/enroll

Introduction to Mediation

April 16, 2025 from 9:00 to 12:00

In person at University Facilities Center, sign up here:

https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/648ef8d6/enroll

Giving Effective Feedback

June 20, 2025 from 9:00 to 10:30

Virtually only, sign up here: 

https://clemson.bridgeapp.com/learner/training/3bc50439/sessions/5493/enroll

Staff Senate Newsletter: February 2025

Upcoming Events at the Brooks Center

Collage Dance Collective

Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

Brooks Theatre

FREE, ticket required

Working to inspire the growth and diversity of ballet, Collage Dance Collective showcases a repertoire of relevant choreography and world-class dancers representative of the communities they serve. The professional company has presented thirteen full-length seasons in Memphis, plus national and international touring, presenting a diverse range of classical and contemporary choreography. Collage Dance Collective will perform Their Eyes Were Watching God, a neoclassical ballet based on the book by Zora Neale Hurston, and Rise, set to the iconic “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968.

This performance is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support comes from the City of Clemson, Clemson Area African American Museum, Clemson University Global Black Studies, Clemson University Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center of the Division of Community, Engagement, Belonging, and Access, Clemson University Libraries, College of Arts and Humanities, Clemson University Humanities Hub, and the Office of the Provost.

Clemson University Orchestras: Silent Film Concert

Sunday, February 16, 2025 at 3 p.m.

Walhalla High School Auditorium

$5 Adults/Students FREE

Get ready for a cinematic experience like no other at the 2nd Annual Silent Film Concert presented by Clemson University Orchestras. A side-by-side concert experience with local high school musicians.

Into the Woods, presented by the Clemson Players

Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. and

Sunday, March 2, 2025 at 3 p.m.

Brooks Theatre

$15 Adults, $10 Students

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by James Lapine
Directed by Kerrie Seymour
Musical Direction by Luke Browder
Conducted by Kim Souther

Fairy tales and real life collide in Sondheim and Lapine’s Into The Woods. Full of the late Stephen Sondheim’s signature sounds – both beautiful and incongruous – Into The Woods explores and explodes the idea of “happily ever after.”

Jazz at Lincoln Center present New Orleans Songbook: The Spirit of Mardi Gras

Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.

Brooks Theatre

$45 Adults, $20 Students

Revel in the soul of New Orleans and the spirit of Mardi Gras with the latest JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER PRESENTS concert touring the nation in 2025 celebrating the New Orleans Songbook. Led by acclaimed pianist Luther S. Allison, featuring the soulful vocals of Quiana Lynell and Milton Suggs and backed by an equally brilliant band, this concert celebrates the legendary composers and timeless songs that define the Crescent City – best known as the historic epicenter of jazz. From the pioneering sounds of Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong to the distinctive stylings of Ellis Marsalis and James Black, this celebratory evening of amazing is not to be missed by fans of jazz, New Orleans and great music.