OS Council reviews status of Compassionate Leave program, learns about diversity efforts 

The OS Council discussed several projects at its May meeting, including the Compassionate Leave program, and learned about the university’s diversity efforts.

The six-month pilot for the Compassionate Leave program has concluded. During the pilot period, 43 people donated their time, 10 people received time, and everyone who requested time (and met the guidelines) received time, Chair Stephanie Higgs said. The minimum time received was five days, and the maximum time received was 20 days. Overall the program was a great success, Higgs said, and the council will recommend to the President’s Council that the program be continued.

The council was presented details of the university’s Diversity Plan by members of the Diversity Strategic Task Force: Wanda Mitchell, vice provost for diversity and chair of the task force; Michael Jones, director of editorial and creative services and chair of the task force’s outreach and engagement subcommittee; and Erika Clifford, human resources partner. The guests reviewed the main components of the 2004-2009 Diversity Strategic Plan, which included the plan’s vision/background, seven major strategies with responsible parties and progress timeline, and specific proposed action steps.

Currently, mentoring, colleague luncheons, socials, communication strategy and working toward professional development are in place, according to the diversity team members. Educating the campus community will be a key factor to awareness of the program. Benchmarks are being set to keep the program committee on track.

To learn more about the Diversity Plan, visit http://www.unh.edu/diversity.

In other business, the council discussed ways to draw attention to the Adopt a UNH Spot program. The Alumni Center held a Volunteer Day recently to kick off the program in its area. Representative Jim Layne of the Alumni Center said the center took advantage of campus resources such as the greenhouses to purchase their annual plants. Departments interested in participating in the Adopt a UNH Spot program should contact Linda Leavitt at Grounds and Roads or email their OS Council member.

Representative Julie Johnson-Dubois reported that Blackboard is being explored as another avenue for the OS Council to communicate with its constituents. She plans to update the council at its next meeting, Tuesday, June 14, on Blackboard’s capabilities.

Higgs reported that the IDEA! Program is going well. Since the launch, about 15 suggestions have been submitted and will be reviewed on May 18, 2005.