Council Notes: Updates from Staff Council
Baylor Staff and their families enjoy a free movie on the field at McLane Stadium, 2024
Welcome to Council Notes! Every month, we'll update this page with the latest information from Staff Council meetings, including links to our minutes and agendas, and info on upcoming events.
January 2026
Staff Council kicked off its first meeting of 2026 with an encouragement to remember and engage the core motivations for why we serve students and faculty at Baylor in our respective roles. We also prayed for many in the Baylor community who are wrestling with long-term health concerns.
Gary Carini, Vice Provost for Artificial Intelligence and Institutional Research, then spoke about the current state of Baylor's engagement with AI. Since an estimated 96% of students use AI, faculty are being encouraged to revisit their learning goals, objectives, and assessments. The university is also working on several AI initiatives: Developing a Research Data Hub, a student/faculty interface, and programming around AI and Ethics, starting with this spring's AI symposium presented by the Institute for Faith and Learning.
Generally, Carini encouraged everyone to get familiar with generative AI and other tools, platforms, and agents that leverage LLMs. Baylor provides Microsoft Copilot Chat and BoxAI (with access to multiple AI models) for use with institutional data, since our agreements with these companies protect our data from being shared. FERPA and other protected university data should not be used on other AI-based platforms.
Carini encouraged staff to participate in the upcoming AI summit and also in the staff AI survey. He closed by answering several questions about the impact of AI on Baylor staff, indicating that while there is no plan for AI to eliminate positions at Baylor, staff should explore time efficiencies that can be gained by AI to help free up time for other work-related tasks. A final question was raised about the ethical implications of the environmental impact of AI, and Carini suggested that Baylor is the perfect place where questions like these should be addressed.
The Council concluded its meeting by sharing brief updates from the Advancement Committee, the Membership Committee, and the Staff Committee. There will be more committee and working group updates at next month's meeting since the new year is just underway.
September 2025
September's Staff Council opened with a brief word of spiritual encouragement and prayer, approval of the August minutes, and then two substantial updates from Hank Steen and Kevin Vance from BaylorHR.
Steen previewed the upcoming health benefits open enrollment period (October 14-28) that will introduce a new, third option to the existing UMR low deductible and high deductible health plan. This new plan, called Surest, does not have a deductible or coinsurance, but offers a flat copay up to an annual out-of-pocket maximum for particular medical services and providers. Surest is designed for those who appreciate the clarity of knowing the up-front costs of health care services.
Vance detailed the upcoming shift from monthly to bi-weekly payroll that begins in January 2027. This shift mirrors best practices at other R1 institutions, allowing faculty to work under standard 9-month contracts as opposed to Baylor's current 10-month contracts. Staff benefit under the new plan by being paid more frequently. Vance counseled members to communicate the value of this change for the university and to encourage staff to begin planning so that any negative impacts can be more easily mitigated when the change takes place.
August 2025
Staff Council spent its August meeting defining its initiatives for the 2025-2026 year. After a series of brainstorming exercises in July, a Council survey, and refining exercises at the August meeting, the Staff Council Executive Team summarized all of the input under the heading "Life at Baylor." The team concluded that life at Baylor as a staff member has three essential phases: Integration, Involvement, and Impact. This year's Staff Council initiatives fall into these phases.
Integration
Staff Council will work with Baylor HR to establish consistent onboarding guidelines that are applied across the university.
Involvement
Staff Council will work with Baylor HR to identify staff in similar roles across our schools and colleges and encourage the formation of communities of practice. The "communities" are conversations, whether in-person or online, where standard processes, procedures, ideas, vendor contacts, and other experiences can be shared to extend our internal resources and enhance the growth and development of staff.
The Council will also conduct a review of direct staff benefits and review the level of equity of these benefits for our growing staff cohort of remote Baylor employees.
Impact
Staff Council will continue to pursue the creation of Staff Regent positions on the Board and will also work with Baylor HR to consider the standardization of a staff promotion process.
After these initiatives were affirmed by the Council by a consensus vote, one member raised a concern about the seeming reversal of Chartwells decision to raise faculty/staff rates for campus dining facilities. The issue will be engaged with representatives from Baylor HR during a conversation at the September meeting and in a possible conversation with Peter Grancik, Associate Vice President of Business Services & Chief Procurement Officer.
July 2025
The Council heard updates and worked together to determine its priorities for 2025-2026. After prayers for those impacted by flash flooding throughout Texas, Council Chair Chelsea Derry shared the good news that the Staff Ombudsperson position pilot was successful and will be moving forward permanently. Susan Anz will serve in this role until the end of her three-year term and Staff Council will work with Baylor HR to determine a fair and equitable appointment and confirmation process going forward. She also shared that there are ongoing conversations with HR about bringing some consistency to retirement recognitions, seeking clarity on staff retreat budgeting, and staff awards. Following these updates, representatives participated in an idea gathering exercise and reported to the Council possible priorities for the coming year. These ideas will be distilled, voted upon at the August meeting, and set theagenda for the work of Staff Council.
June 2025
During the July meeting, the Council heard some updates and worked together to determine its priorities for 2025-2026. After prayers for those impacted by flash flooding throughout Texas, Council Chair Chelsea Derry shared the good news that the Staff Ombudsperson position pilot was successful and will be moving forward permanently. Susan Anz will serve in this role until the end of her three-year term and Staff Council will work with Baylor HR to determine a fair and equitable appointment and confirmation process going forward. She also shared that there are ongoing conversations with HR about bringing some consistency to retirement recognitions, seeking clarity on staff retreat budgeting, and staff awards.
Following these updates, representatives participated in an idea gathering exercise and reported to the Council possible priorities for the coming year. These ideas will be distilled, voted upon at the August meeting, and set the agenda for the work of Staff Council.
May 2025
It was a busy schedule for the May meeting, with special guest President Linda Livingstone providing an update on spring and upcoming summer activities of note, regular committee reports, and a recognition of Staff Council members who are rotating out of their service this year.
President Livingstone’s Update
- Residence halls: We are finishing up Allen and Dawson on time for incoming fall class; begin work soon on Kokernot
- Fall recruiting wrapping up: Enrollment is good (3,400 – 3,600 is goal), increase in high achieving and net tuition revenue. More than 6,000 families and students have come through in the first year of Hurd Center
- First concert at Foster Pavilion – Forrest Frank
- Launch of Baylor In Deeds and the Institute for Global Flourishing
- Extend the Line scholarship campaign: Goal is to raise $250,000 by 2030 exclusively for student scholarships.
- New energy complex: Part of Baylor In Deeds, an RFP resulted in 9 different teams bidding to be the partner that will carry out the work; hope to make announcement this summer.
- TEDx event coming in November: Theme is Innovation in Deeds
Dr. Livingstone also mentioned the bittersweet nature of transitions in campus leadership as long-serving administrators move into retirement or to new opportunities: we are sad to see them go, but excited to welcome new perspectives as new people assume those positions.
Brett Gibson led a devotional on John 20: Pentecost and the Great Commission
Dr. Jeffry Olafsen provided the Faculty Senate report
Committee Reports
Executive Committee reported that work continues to make the Staff Forum more informative and revealed they have asked Provost Brickhouse to join the event this fall.
Working Groups
The staff regent working group presented a preliminary justification for creating a position(s) for Baylor staff to become a voting member of the Board of Regents. Additional refining will take place over the rest of this year, with a hope to submit a final proposal to the Regents in May 2026.
Awards and Recognition
Finally, awards were handed out to council members rotating out of their final year of service and to those who served on the Executive Committee this past year.
We will continue to post updates from Staff Council over the summer – stay tuned!
New Staff Council T-Shirt Available!
Staff Council is partnering with the Baylor Bookstore to offer a brand-new t-shirt featuring the same design from our popular Christmas sweatshirt!
- $17 (includes fac/staff discount)
- Soft tri-blend fabric = major comfort!
- Just say you're there for the Staff Council shirt
📍 Available now at the Baylor Bookstore
📦 Not on campus? Free shipping available – email matthew_culberson@baylor.edu to set it up.
April 2025
Congratulations to everyone for participating in the Staff Council nomination and election process! Across the university, 83 people were nominated for Staff Council this year, and 49.5% of eligible voters participated to elect a total of 34 new representatives.
During the April meeting, Staff Ombudsperson Susan Anz opened the meeting with an encouraging report that indicates Baylor staff are aware of the availability and resources of this new role. Anz will continue to serve as the Staff Ombudsperson for another year and then will explore the best way to transition the role to another person working with HR, with advice from Staff Council. If you are a Baylor staff member with a concern that you do not feel you can take to your supervisor or HR, contact Susan Anz at Staff_Ombuds@baylor.edu or (254) 710-8470.
After a Holy Week-themed meditation and prayer, Dr. Jeff Olafsen provided a brief Faculty Senate update. Faculty Senate and Staff Council were able to encourage Baylor's OGC and Office of the Provost to post slides from the Spring Faculty meeting in lieu of the video, which was unpublished a few days after the meeting. Other issues discussed included the COACHE survey results, retiree access to Baylor-licensed software, access to the new Teaching Professor rank, and ongoing budget concerns, especially related to travel.
The Senate declined a request by Student Government to create a faculty syllabi repository and raised objections about the university cutting funding for KWBU. Members raised concerns about December grade deadlines and faculty dining room access during the summer. The meeting closed with a conversation about issues coming before the Texas Legislature that could impact higher education.
The Council then heard a report on Staff Council elections and held a runoff vote for next year's Vice-Chair and affirmation votes for Chair and Secretary. Chelsea Derry was affirmed as Chair for next year, Maxcey Blaylock was affirmed as Secretary, and Daniel Ramirez was elected Vice-Chair.
The meeting concluded with several brief committee and working group reports:
- The Baylor Bookstore will soon hold another Staff Council t-shirt sale.
- Inquiry into establishing a Staff Regent have stalled but move forward.
- The Ensuring Easter for Everyone initiative and bone marrow drive were successful service opportunities.
- The Council decided not to pursue asking HR to consider increasing vacation accruals to create 12 days off per year.
- A staff mentorship program is still in development and may be implemented next year.
Photo gallery: Ensuring Easter for Everyone - Dallas and Waco
Ensuring Easter for Everyone 2025
March 2025
After opening with a Lent-inspired time of spiritual formation, Chief Investment Officer David Morehead oriented the Council to Baylor's Investment Office and the management of its $2.5 billion endowment. Morehead encouraged representatives to spend endowment dollars before operating dollars as an act of stewardship that curtails tuition increases. As the endowment grows, more money is given to the university, further offsetting tuition funding operational costs. Baylor's Investment Office plans to double the endowment every five years and continue to outperform top universities.
Next, Chair Lauren Muhl reported on a favorable conversation with HR about re-branding the fall and spring staff forum sessions. Conversations have started with Faculty Senate and the Office of the Provost that Council leadership hopes will result in a combined meeting.
Faculty Senate representative Dr. Jeff Olafsen then provided an update from a busy meeting that included conversations about required syllabus statements, lengthening grading periods, testing centers, increased transparency on university finances and budgets, managing the rapid-fire changes coming from Washington D.C., nine-month faculty contract implications for summer funding, shared governance and enhanced communication with the Council of Deans, retired faculty access to university resources, issues with the Bookstore having inadequate textbook stock, and the Office of General Counsel's rationale for removing the video from the Faculty Fall Forum meeting due to their guidance on the changing legal environment.
The Chair then encouraged participation in the annual Great Colleges to Work survey and announced volunteer opportunities to serve on a committee to honor Baylor staff.
A slate of next year's Staff Council officers was then introduced with Chelsea Derry serving as Chair, a run-off between Daniel Ramirez and Whitney Cortner for Chair-Elect, Maxcey Parrish as Secretary, Hannah King as Treasurer, Luke Whiting as Chaplain, Eric Ames as Webmaster, and Jamie Basher as Parliamentarian. Voting and confirmation will take place at the April meeting.
The Advancement Committee then presented the upcoming Staff Council t-shirt sale that will take place at the Bookstore and encouraged the Council to contribute to the Staff Council Scholarship Fund during Giving Day on April 2.
The Membership Committee reported that 84 people were nominated for open Council seats and are being confirmed by HR ahead of elections for ten university divisions to be completed before the April meeting.
There will soon be two Staff Council service events: An Easter food insecurity event for students in concert with The Store and a Be the Match drive. Each will be held at the School of Nursing and on the Waco campus.
The Benefits & Eligibility Committee reported on comparative research on leave accrual that showed Baylor's generosity in this area and asked whether the Council should request a one-day (8 hours) sick leave accrual per month as opposed to the current 7.33 hours per month. Conversation was tabled due to time.
Finally, the Mentorship Committee shared their research into staff mentoring programs at other institutions and offered a proposal for Baylor to implement a program oversee either by HR or added to the infrastructure of Staff Council. An online survey was distributed the Council for feedback.
February 2025
The February Staff Council meeting opened by acknowledging the unique stresses being faced by all who currently work in higher education, and encouraging everyone to find space for open conversation and self-care. After an opening prayer and the approval of January minutes, Dr. Jeff Olafsen reported that at the January Faculty Senate meeting Chief Financial Officer Curtis Reynolds and Provost Brickhouse reviewed external and internal financial challenges that will impact budget planning for the coming year. Senators discussed the impacts of the university's shift from ten to nine-month faculty contracts and an update to the faculty workload policy that sets faculty service at 10%. Faculty Senate also talked about the potential impact of federal and state legislative decisions on Baylor. Following this report, the Council voted to approve updates to the Staff Council Constitution by the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and the Executive Board. The Membership Committee chair then reviewed this year's Staff Council nomination and voting goals, timeline, and process. Chair Lauren Muhl then led a discussion of the new staff awards submission process that merges the annual staff award nomination process into the BaylorPLUS recognition program. Concerns were raised by the Council about this new approach that will be communicated by the Executive Board to HR.
Not sure who represents your area on Staff Council? See the list here!
January 2025
After opening with a meditation on the Gospel of Mark and prayer, Raphael Abayateye from Global Engagement provided the Council an overview of the programs and services of the office. Then, Daniel Ramirez and Caroline Nickle from Baylor Marketing and Communications reviewed best practices for the use of email at Baylor and encouraged the use of the university’s Emma mass email platform. The Constitution and By-Laws committee reviewed proposed edits and some minor revisions to Staff Council by-laws that will be reviewed and voted on at the next meeting. Dr. Jeff Olafsen provided a brief Faculty Senate update that included a report on changes in research administration, updates on microaggressions in the classroom, AirBNB as an option for travel, the asynchronous Monday in the spring, the ongoing transition to Interfolio for faculty reviews, changes coming to the student evaluation process, and the upcoming Faculty Senate elections. The meeting concluded with committee reports that covered upcoming Staff Council nominations and elections, the staff compassion fund, a developing survey on remote and flex work, and an update on developments toward a staff mentoring program. The meeting was adjourned, and the Council will convene again in February.
Not sure who represents your area on Staff Council? See the list here!
December 2024
At the November meeting, Staff Council heard a brief report from our Faculty Senate liaison and then discussed the successful Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night at McLane Stadium. The Council then discussed the quality of faculty/staff wellbeing efforts at the university in response to a request made by a representative from Staff Senate at Texas Tech University. Staff Ombudsperson Suzan Anz then came to report and receive feedback on the first eight months of having this role at the university. Staff are reaching out to Susan, and she has been effective in hearing expressed concerns, directing people to university support resources, and ensuring confidentiality within federal and state reporting constraints. She assured the Council of the demonstrated importance of the role for Baylor and that it would continue moving forward. Staff members in need are encouraged to contact Susan at Staff_Ombuds@baylor.edu or (254) 710-8470. Lastly, Council members were tasked with encouraging people in their areas of the university to complete the Chartwells survey and a Child Care Task Force survey that is being conducted by the Baylor Women's Colloquium.
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