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,
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.
It is time again to celebrate the thousands of faculty and staff members who make Clemson truly special.
The annual Employee Appreciation Luncheons bring together team members from across the University for an afternoon of celebration and recognition.
Main Campus Luncheon
The main campus luncheon will take place on Wednesday, May 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Dish at McAlister Dining Hall. The Office of Human Resources plans the event with support from Clemson Home.
The event is free to all Clemson employees and features a buffet-style lunch including barbecue, hot dogs, veggie burgers, coleslaw, salads and more!
Employees should bring their CUIDs to enter the dining hall.
Clemson University Livestock Poultry Health will host a luncheon for employees in their office (500 Clemson Road, Columbia) on Wednesday, May 14, at 11:30 a.m.
Charleston Innovation Campus
The Charleston Innovation Campus, consisting of the Zucker Family Graduate Education Center, the Warren Lasch Conservation Center, and the Dominion Energy Innovation Center, will host a luncheon at the Graduate Education Center (1240 Supply Street, North Charleston) on May 7.
Interested in learning more about Clemson’s MBA Options and the Employee Tuition Assistance Program (ETAP) benefits available to you as a Clemson employee? Please join our Admissions Team during our upcoming Virtual Info Session on Tuesday, June 10 at noon. Register for the information session to reserve your spot.
The 2024-2025 academic year is almost over, and we have a new cohort of staff senators, ready to drive lasting change for their constituents. As we prepare for the challenges ahead, we might ask ourselves, “How do we do that?” or “How can I advocate for myself and others?” During the April Staff Senator Training, we’ll delve deeper into these questions. But for now, let’s focus on preparing to advocate, channeling that Tiger Spirit. Let’s face it: advocacy isn’t just about roaring louder. It’s a high-stakes game of emotional chess, a delicate dance of persuasion, and a test of your inner fortitude. Think of it as constructing your own personal “Inner Fortress,” a mental and emotional stronghold that allows you to navigate the tricky terrain of advocating for yourself or others.
Forget the image of a medieval castle with moats and drawbridges. We’re talking about a fortress built on solid foundations: self-awareness, emotional regulation, cognitive resilience, and strategic communication. It’s less about brute force and more about nuanced finesse, a blend of vulnerability and strategic savvy.
Know Thyself (Really Know Thyself).
This isn’t your casual “I like long walks on the shores of Lake Hartwell” self-awareness. We’re talking digging deep into your values, triggers, and biases, with the same intensity as a student preparing for finals in Cooper Library. Authentic advocacy demands this level of introspection. Consider detailed journaling, producing a narrative analysis, and honestly confronting those moments that make you cringe.
Ever notice you get defensive when your actions are questioned? Journal it! Reflect on it! Recognizing our flaws isn’t weakness; it’s the key to authentic connection. Question your assumptions. Are you listening to understand, or just waiting to pounce? Tools like 360-degree feedback, which gathers input from peers, supervisors, and subordinates, and models like the Johari Window, which maps self-awareness and awareness by others, can provide crucial external perspectives. These tools help illuminate blind spots and create a more complete picture of your impact.
Master Your Emotional Weather.
Advocacy is an emotional rollercoaster. You’ll encounter resistance, frustration, and maybe even a few tears. Emotional regulation is your seatbelt. Empathy and vulnerability are your airbags, cushioning those emotional bumps. Practice active listening. Learn to recognize those emotional triggers and develop strategies to manage them. Maintaining dignity, both for ourselves and others, is a moral imperative. Consider it maintaining a calm, clear head even when the room is spinning.
Build Cognitive Resilience: Your Mental Bungee Cord.
Challenges are inevitable. How you bounce back defines your success. Reframe requests as collaborative opportunities, shifting from “me vs them” to “us vs. the problem.”
Setbacks aren’t failures; they’re learning curves. Conflict can be a catalyst for innovation. See it as turning lemons into lemonade, but with more strategic planning and less sugar.
Communicate Like a Pro (Not a Politician).
This is where your inner fortress translates into outward impact. Speak with clarity, conviction, and honesty. Courageous communication, even when difficult, builds trust. Understand the other person’s perspective. Focus on speaking their language, not just your own.
Influence with Integrity.
Advocacy isn’t about manipulation; it’s about building genuine relationships and fostering collaboration. Align your requests with the values of your audience. Articulate your worth and challenge limiting assumptions. Build trust and psychological safety. Focus on interests rather than positions to find common ground. Conceive of it as finding collaborative solutions, not just winning the argument.
Develop Strategic Harmony
Picture advocacy as crafting elegant bridges, not dramatic bonfires. Advocacy is about influencing from within, not upending from without. Think well-researched proposals over amplified demands. It’s the art of strategic harmony, where lasting change flows from understanding and engaging with existing structures.
What is your toolkit? Solutions, not just critiques. An advocate cultivates alliances, even across differing viewpoints, armed with solid evidence and unwavering professionalism. Aim to navigate policies with finesse, presenting your case with clarity and conviction. The aim is tangible impact, achieved through nuanced dialogue, not disruptive noise.
The Ongoing Journey.
Building your inner fortress is an ongoing process. It requires constant self-reflection, learning, and adaptation. It’s about embracing vulnerability, fostering empathy, and cultivating a growth mindset.
Remember, advocacy isn’t just a skill; it’s a crucial component of ethical leadership and social change. So, build your fortress strong, and go out there and make a difference.
Sources
Brown, Brené. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Random House, 2018.
Cabral, Amber. Say More About That: …and Other Ways to Speak Up, Push Back, and Advocate for Yourself and Others. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2023.
Cialdini, Robert B. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. William Morrow, 1984.
Davey, Liane. The Good Fight: Use Productive Conflict to Get Your Team and Organization Back on Track. Bibliomotion, Inc., 2017.
Dweck, Carol S. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success. Random House, 2006.
Fisher, Roger, William Ury, and Bruce Patton. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In. Penguin Books, 1991.
Gross, James J. “The Emerging Field of Emotion Regulation: An Integrative Review.” Review of General Psychology, vol. 2, no. 3, 1998, pp. 271–99.
Hansen, Heather. Advocate to Win: 10 Tools to Ask for What You Want and Get It. McGraw-Hill Education, 2013.
Hicks, Donna. Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict. Yale University Press, 2011.
Petty, Richard E., and John T. Cacioppo. Communication and Persuasion: Central and Peripheral Routes to Attitude Change. Springer-Verlag, 1986.
Pink, Daniel H. To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others. Riverhead Books, 2012.
Schein, Edgar H., and Peter A. Schein. Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2013.
Tannen, Deborah. You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation. William Morrow, 1990.
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:
Introduction to Meditation April 26, 2025 from 9a.m.-12 p.m. At University Facilities Center, sign up via Tiger Training.
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 9:30 a.m. and breakfast will be provided. Stick around afterward for some delicious nibbles and recognition of our golfers.
Want to play? Register here — options include teams of four or individual registration. (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.
Click on each month to view approved minutes from that meeting. If a month you would like to view is not listed, it has not been approved. NOTE: The senate does not have meetings in July or November.
