Organization
It is proposed that Staff Council will amend its by-laws to establish a Peer Support/Referral Committee, composed of five (5) members for the purpose described above. Staff Council officers and members will be encouraged to refer inquiries from employees to any individual member of the committee. Members of the committee are not required to be, but may be, members of Staff Council.
Terms of service for Peer Support/Referral Committee members will be limited to 2 years, with the option of completing two consecutive terms (4 years total). Selection of members shall be by the Staff Council Executive Committee as described below in "How to apply…." The Staff Council Executive Committee shall also select one (1) member to serve as Chair for a term not to exceed the member's term. The Chair of the committee shall maintain a system to track anonymously the type of inquiry or problem involved to assist Staff Council in identifying problems or trends which might warrant review of University policy by Staff Council. No names or specific cases will be identified or maintained.
A joint letter requesting reasonable release time from departmental duties to carry out duties as a Peer Support/Referral Committee Member will be sent by the Staff Council Executive Committee and a Human Resources administrator to the supervisor of each individual chosen. The committee will meet as a group only at the beginning and end of each year, and otherwise as needed.
Responsibilities of Peer Support/Referral Committee Members:
1. Assist staff members one-on-one (not as a committee) with problems
relating to their employment at The University of Iowa.
2. Maintain confidentiality of all concerned.
3. Support staff member by listening carefully, asking clarifying questions,
assessing needs for information and guidance, consulting UI policies and
procedures, and contacting, directing, and/or accompanying staff member
to appropriate authorities or offices as necessary.
4. Provide advice concerning fact-gathering and direct the staff member to relevant documents, appropriate policies and procedures, and offices, e.g., UI Operations Manual, Ombuds Office, Faculty/Staff Services, Family Services, Mediation Service, Affirmative Action, etc.
Qualifications of Peer Support/Referral Committee Members:
Required:
1. Minimum of 2 years current employment at University of Iowa in a non-bargaining
professional/scientific or non-bargaining merit position.
2. Familiarity with The University of Iowa Operations Manual, UI policies
and procedures and UI administrative and staff assistance offices.
3. Experience and/or training in critical listening and communication
skills such as may be gained from mediation training or workshops related
to verbal communications skills.
Desired:
1. Experience in service to staff and the university by participation
on the UI Staff Council, various university charter and non-charter committees,
or in some other capacity directly related to non-bargaining professional/scientific
or non-bargaining merit staff or equivalent experience.
How to apply to serve as Peer Support/Referral Committee Member:
Potentially qualified committee members will be identified by the Staff
Council Executive Committee from a list of volunteers from Staff Council
or volunteers suggested by Staff Council members. Those initially identified
as qualified who are interested in serving will be asked to submit a letter
to the Staff Council immediate past-president stating their qualifications
and reasons for wanting to serve as a Peer Support/Referral Committee
member. Peer Support/Referral Committee members will be selected based
on their letter and a personal interview with representatives from the
UI Staff Council Executive Committee and a representative from the UI
Office of Human Resources.
Campus Notification of Peer Support/Referral Program:
· Staff Handbook
· Staff Council Web Page
· HR Web Page link
· New Staff and Faculty Orientation
· Referrals from Ombuds Office, Women's Resource and Action Center,
and other groups;
· Posters displayed around campus
· News and Views UI Staff Council newsletter
· FYI
· Other sources to be identified