President Young’s Priorities For Staff

Increasing staff professional development and support, providing more access and benefits, and expanding staff in critical areas were among the topics highlighted for new emphasis by President Michael K. Young at the university’s spring forum for staff.

Young expressed his appreciation to staff for their hard work and dedication to the university at last Wednesday’s forum at the MSC Bethancourt Ballroom. He acknowledged that, because the student and faculty populations are growing but with less growth in the number of staff, “we are asking fewer people to do a lot more with less.”

Young says he hopes to alleviate that pressure by expanding staff in critical areas. “We need to decide where is most mission-critical in terms of holding back our progress,” he said, asking staff to help identify those areas of greatest need.

Plans are in the works to enhance financial support for staff, Young noted, saying a pool for three-percent merit raises will be funded by central administration and departments will be asked to consider contributing to that effort as well.

Young pointed to the “2nd.MD” online health resource as a benefit staff can be using “to enhance the quality of the medical care you get.”

Also on the wellness front, Young said there are new staff benefits on the horizon. “We are instituting a policy based on a challenge from the Chancellor to give everybody 30 minutes, three times a week to go exercise.” He said he’s looking to expand the availability of free exercise classes and offer “garage gyms” around campus.

Offering staff free and discounted FitBits — activity trackers worn on the wrist — is also planned, he stated.

And he noted, adding more staff discounts is in the works as well. “We will be looking out in the community for ways we can partner with institutions to get you discounts.”

Young said he is committed to gearing the Texas A&M workplace to improve the lives of staff members. “We will expand the resources available for staff development,” he said, including courses and seminars to help staff improve their job performance or advance to other jobs, if they are so inclined.

An upcoming staff tuition assistance program will be of benefit to staff members who wish to further their education, Young noted, adding the details of that program are forthcoming.

Young noted he and his team are working to give staff members more open access to all the university has to offer. “We’re going to roll out programs over time that will give you opportunities to use all the resources of the university,” he said, including easier access to campus happenings such as plays, games and other events staff may like to attend with their families.

“We want this university to be as widely open and accessible to you for purposes that make your life a little more fulfilling.”

And of critical importance, he explained, “We want to work to create the best possible working environment that we can. We want people to get up in the morning and know when they come to this university they will not only be treated with dignity and respect, but given the resources and the scope to do the job the way they want to do it.”

Young answered several questions submitted by audience members including one about reporting inappropriate workplace behavior. He encouraged staff to use the resources available to report any such behavior. Such resources can be found through Employee Relations, Policy & Practice Reviewand the Employee Assistance Program.