September 29, 1994: Vol26n4: PSS begins year with planning session

By LISA WILEY
Reporter Contributor
Students aren't the only ones to receive a welcome on the UB campus
this fall. Professional Staff Senators picked up a total of 46 welcome
packets to distribute to new staff members at the Professional Staff
Senate (PSS) briefing and planning session held Sept. 13.
	The packets, prepared by the Welcome Lines Committee, are part
of the policy of having experienced senators individually meet and
greet new staff.
	"I think that we have accomplished a lot and I hope you're
proud of yourselves," said Rosalyn Wilkinson, PSS chair, who reviewed
PSS policies and senator responsibilities at the opening session.
	Approximately 49 senators are elected to represent the 1,200
members who come from five different areas of the university: Health
Services Academic units; Core Campus Academic units; Student Support
Service units; University Support Service units and University
Administration & Operations units. All professional staff members
automatically become PSS members.
	The PSS seeks an active role in university policy decisions
and maintains liaison with other organizations concerned with
university affairs to promote the general welfare of its members and
the university. "Sometimes it takes a lot of work and detail in order
to make changes," says Wilkinson, who is beginning the second half of
her two-year appointment.
	In addition, the PSS provides a forum for information exchange
among the professional staff and encourages the consideration of
issues related to the university administration and makes necessary
recommendations in these areas.
	Last year, the chair, vice chair, secretary and past-chair met
with President William R. Greiner several times. They also
participated in a joint meeting with the top officers, initiated by
the president's office.
	In November 1993, the PSS passed a resolution urging the
administration to "ban smoking in university-owned and -operated
buildings," one of the campus-wide measures that led to a change in
university policy. The "Smoke Free Campus," which prohibits smoking in
all university-owned and operated buildings and vehicles, became
effective Aug. 29. 
	Last year, PSS Executive Committee members reviewed and
commented on the university's Self-Study Report and the Middle States
Association site visit team later interviewed them.
	The Senate passed a resolution last year requiring senators to
serve on at least one of nine standing committees, in an effort to
encourage involvement. "The more you become involved, the more you
know what's going on in your office," Wilkinson says. All PSS members
may join committees; they are not limited to senators.
	 An elected senator may not miss two consecutive meetings or
three meetings all year without an adequate reason, Wilkinson says.
That bylaw, which was not observed previously, is currently enforced.
	Committees offer "a beautiful opportunity" for members of
different departments to connect with one another. Frequently,
participants realize that their situations are very similar, she said.
ne of Wilkinson's first-year goals 
	was to better understand professional staff morale. The PSS
mentoring program, Welcome Lines Committee, and a new staff committee
created this year, called the Quality of Work Life, provide
constructive opportunities to enhance networking and university
understanding.
	PSS promotes the professional development of individuals
committed to higher education careers through the Professional Staff
Senate's Outstanding Service Award and a Chancellor's Excellence
Award. Last year, the Senate conducted a survey that identified
computer literacy as a top professional development need for
classified and professional staff.
	The Senate represents "a lot of people doing a lot of work,
people who really care about the university," Wilkinson adds.
	PSS records date back to 1972, Wilkinson says, but one of the
items on her agenda this year is a project that traces PSS history.
	The PSS and the United University Professions sponsored a
"Quality Through Diversity" workshop Sept. 28. Highlights included
recognizing prejudices and differences in personalities, improving
communication styles and specific empowerment tools to become a
constructive factor in the UB community.
	President Greiner will address a PSS general membership
meeting to be held Oct. 11 from 2-4:30 p.m. in 201 Student Union on
the North Campus.