Staff will take center stage next week during the 33rd annual Staff Recognition Week, which honors MU’s more than 8,000 administrative, service and support employees.
This year’s theme is “Representing Staff Matters.”
“We would like to recognize and celebrate the great work that all the staff does — the landscapers that keep the campus looking great, the power plant folks, the plumbers, secretaries, electricians, nurses, custodians — all the people who are working day to day to keep things running smoothly,” said Sheldon Stephens, events chair for the Staff Advisory Council.
The Staff Award Ceremony, which staff is invited to attend, happens at 1 p.m. Monday in Jesse Hall Auditorium, followed by a reception. The rest of the week is packed with informative, thought-provoking and fun events.
Human Resource Services is offering a number of practical workshops, such as how to handle your email inbox, work stress and personal finances, as well as sessions on social media, employee performance reviews and Photoshop.
There’s an iPad session 10:30 a.m.–noon Monday in N206 Memorial Union to help staffers better utilize computer tablets and smartphones for work. A seminar on online privacy and security runs 8:30 a.m.–10 a.m. Friday, May 18, at S203 Memorial Union.
The arts and sciences are not forgotten during Staff Recognition Week. Campus museum tours on art history, archaeology and anthropology will be happening Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Staff artists will be showing off their fine art and crafts at Arts & Crafts Showcase in Ellis Library noon–3 p.m. Tuesday and 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.
“Everybody has a life outside of work, and this is a way to get to know what that is,” Stephens said.
Gardeners will find something of special interest. Four campus Garden Walks are scheduled for the week.
Staff can also participate in the fifth annual SAC Online Auction Bidding. It will go live at 8 a.m. Monday and end at noon Friday, May 18, at sacauction.missouri.edu. A mass email will go out to staff that gives auction sign-up details either today or Friday. Participants will need to create a user account to bid.
About 70 businesses are donating this year, said Auction Committee Chair Sheena Waggoner. So far, donations include gift certificates for spa treatments; the University Bookstore; six-month MU parking and transportation passes; Major League Baseball tickets; sportswear; concert tickets; and local restaurants.
In the past, auction profits have hit $3,000, which goes toward staff educational development. Council members hope to top that mark this year.
Below are some of next week’s highlights. For a complete list, go to Page ??? for the Staff Recognition Week advertisement of events.
• MU Staff Annual Awards Ceremony 1 p.m. Monday in Jesse Hall. All staff invited.
• Museum tours and garden walks Tuesday, Thursday and Friday;
• free Bagels, Donuts, Fruit and Coffee Breakfast 8–10 a.m. Tuesday at Student Center patio on Rollins Street;
• Brown Bag Lunch/Ice Cream Social 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Carnahan Quad [rain site, Student Activity Center].
For more information, email staffadvisorycouncil@missouri.edu, or call 882-4269.
Staff Recognition Week’s special edition begins on Page 3.