Michelle Wichman, center coordinator in the College of Public Health’s Clinical Trials Statistical and Data Management Center, is the 2005-06 Staff Council president. She has been employed at the University since 1992, working first as a researcher in the Department of Anesthesia and then in clinical trials in the Department of Psychiatry before moving to her current position. This is her fourth year on Staff Council.
Wichman recently sat down with fyi to share some of her thoughts and concerns for the year ahead.
Each term as president must have its unique circumstances and challenges. What issues will you address this year?
I’d like to see Staff Council address higher salary increases for nonorganized Professional and Scientific and Merit Supervisory Exempt/Confidential staff. For the past five years, we have seen our colleagues, represented by SEIU and AFSCME, receive significantly higher salary increases. We need to do better for our P&S and MSE/C staff.
I’d also like to see us continue working with Provost Michael Hogan and other campus leaders to create shared governance between staff and their respective colleges and/or units.
I’d like us to look into ways to become more involved in public engagement by volunteering for various groups and organizations throughout Iowa. And I’m intensely interested in seeing how we can work with President David Skorton and incoming Vice President for Research Meredith Hay to increase public outreach. Staff and faculty members, and students, do so much in their jobs and research efforts to affect the health and lives of all Iowans—for example, clinical trials in the College of Public Health and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and work in the Hygienic Laboratory on improving air and water quality. We need to get out there and talk with all Iowans about what we do and the value that we have in this wonderful state.
What about the campaign to unionize P&S staff? What is Staff Council’s role or position?
Staff Council doesn’t have an official position about staff unionizing. Due to some legal issues, we cannot discuss a particular position in our monthly meetings. However, one of the great things about living in this country is that we have the freedom to make choices, such as our choice of representation. I hope Staff Council is the one that most staff would choose. We have 50 Staff Council members representing approximately 5,000 nonorganized P&S and MSE/C staff. They’re working in the best interests of UI staff on issues like continuing education and training, career ladders for research staff, and increasing recognition and awards to outstanding staff, among many other issues.
Are budget concerns affecting staff, and what can Staff Council do in this regard?
The University will receive less than $22 million from our state legislators, almost half of the requested $40 million, so I believe the University will have to address budget issues. Members of Staff Council meet monthly or more often with President Skorton, Vice President Doug True, and Associate Vice President and Director of Human Resources Susan Buckley, as well as quarterly with Provost Hogan, to discuss budget and other issues affecting staff. I believe this frequent interaction is an indication of the respect that the president and University leaders have with staff, and vice versa. Last year, President Skorton asked members of Staff Council and Faculty Senate to be on his General Education Fund Task Force to determine ways to save the University money due to decreasing funds from the state. He wanted to ensure that the voices of staff and faculty were heard.
How is interest in Staff Council around campus these days? Any thoughts or plans about boosting participation?
Interest in Staff Council is higher now than ever. I think part of this is due to shrinking incoming funds from the state and staff wanting to make sure their voices are heard when dealing with these cuts. I also believe interest is increased due to campus climate. Staff Council regularly meets with University leaders and is asked to participate in many events and decisions occurring on campus. People want to be a part of this collaboration. However, there are still areas on campus that do not realize the positive impact that Staff Council has University-wide. We will be taking additional steps to increase communication this year.
Why did you decide to take on the Staff Council presidency, and what do you think will make it possible to meet your goals?
I’ve always had a personal interest in issues pertaining to human resources and ensuring adequate representation of staff. I ran for Staff Council presidency because I knew I could be effective in shaping policies that would impact the greatest number of staff.
To meet our goals, we need more communication with UI staff. We also need to maintain our good relationships and dialogue with University leaders. Open dialogue is key to success. And we need increased support from state legislators so we can obtain additional state funding in subsequent years. Without this funding, we will have difficulty keeping tuition low and recruiting and retaining talented staff and faculty. To that end, I think it is vital that we do all we can to increase outreach, both locally and statewide.
by Gary Kuhlmann |
