About the Rice University Staff Council
The Rice University Staff Council (SC) serves as a representative body that advocates for the interests of university staff, fostering engagement, professional development, and a positive work environment. SC works collaboratively with university leadership to address staff concerns, enhance communication, and promote initiatives that support staff well-being and success.
The Executive Committee oversees SC’s operations, including governance, budget approval, and ensuring that resolutions and initiatives align with the council's mission. SC operates through a structured committee system that includes standing subcommittees focused on staff advocacy, professional development, engagement, and communications.
SC does not serve as a complaint department or handle employee relations matters. Instead, it provides structured avenues for staff to express concerns, propose solutions, and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive workplace.
PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the Staff Council will be to build a collaborative staff community, facilitate professional growth and networking through a partnership with Human Resources, and create a culture of staff advocacy and partnership with the University’s administration that serves to support the formal University mission statement as defined by the Board of Trustees.”
VISION
The Staff Council will act as an advisory and consultative body to the Vice President for Human Resources, and upon request, to any university administrator or business unit, on any matter that may affect the issues, policies, and practices that impact or are impacted by staff.
MISSION
- To facilitate active and direct communication between staff and the university administration.
- To serve as a sounding board for the administration regarding proposed actions, programs, policies and procedures that will affect the staff.
- To provide a forum for hearing and reviewing staff concerns and interests.
- To recommend staff representation to serve as appointees on University Standing Committees or Human Resources committees.
- To foster the development of a supportive and collaborative network of colleagues through social and professional development opportunities that promotes the RICE MILE and university mission.
HISTORY
The Rice University Staff Advisory Committee 2.0 (SAC 2.0) was formed in summer of 2019 and was comprised of current and former SAC members, as well as ad hoc working members. The SAC 2.0 task force conducted a thorough self-study and researched peer institutions, to consider whether SAC aligned with their current vision and purpose, “to serve as an ongoing means of communication between the University’s administration and staff, to help Rice’s educational community to be an efficient, fulfilling and attractive environment for employment and to support Rice’s mission and the V2C2.
The SAC 2.0 task force recommended the new name of the Rice University Staff Council, with the logo below, to “Engage, Connect, and Advocate” for all University staff and to implement Fiscal Year 2021.
