Staff Senators before the 2023 Staff Appreciation Picnic

The University of Arkansas Staff Senate is a vital organization that seeks to enact positive change and improvements for the staff members of the university. It serves as a platform for the exchange of ideas, assessing proposals, and voicing suggestions and concerns pertinent to the university environment.
The Staff Senate, led by elected senators representing all facets across the Fayetteville campus, acts as an advocate for staff members, addressing crucial issues related to compensation, benefits, safety, parking and other workplace concerns. Their dedication to celebrating, recognizing, and giving back to the hardworking staff helps maintain the tradition of excellence at the University of Arkansas.

You're Welcome at Our Meetings

Any staff member of the University of Arkansas is welcome at the Staff Senate's monthly meetings. Join us! The sessions are held 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. A hybrid option continues to be available for joining online. Our Meeting Schedule has the meeting locations, along with MS Teams links and other details.

Communications

Staff Senate is the elected body of staff members charged with making recommendations directly to the chancellor. To do this effectively, we need to hear from our constituents. If you have ideas, proposals or suggestions for Staff Senate, please review our Feedback page for the email address and related information.

Note that incidents of discrimination, harrassment or threatening behavior should be submitted directly via report.uark.edu.

Staff Senate News

The university announced a classification and compensation study in the spring of 2022 to address not only salaries but overall employee classification and employment structure. Human Resources has details on the Classification and Compensation Project.

Acknowledgment of staff excellence and dedication is a key aspect of the Staff Senate’s work. With award programs like the Employee of the Quarter and and Employee of the Year Awards, the Outstanding Staff Team Award, and the Part Time Employee Award, the Senate recognizes the exceptional performance of staff members who work less than 1250 hours per year, and those who have demonstrated excellent teamwork.

Furthermore, the Staff Senate coordinates several annual events to show appreciation for the hardworking university staff, such as the Staff Appreciation Week in the fall and the Staff Celebration Picnic in the spring. Winter's RazorGifts program encourages staff to gift one another during the holiday season, spreading goodwill and supporting those in need within the community.