Welcome!
Welcome to the Operating Staff Council website at the University of New Hampshire. The OS Council serves in an advisory capacity to the President of the University, reporting to the President on concerns regarding the rights and responsibilities of Operating Staff. The Council is also actively involved in ongoing communication, collaboration, and advocacy to best serve the needs of Operating Staff here at UNH.
This site is an informational tool for Operating Staff where you can read more about our purposes and goals, review our monthly meeting minutes, find your district representative, or access links to other helpful websites. Any time you have a question or concern or if there is a topic you'd like to see the Council address, please contact a representative.
What's New?
Thanks to all Operating Staff who stopped by the OS Council's booth at the Benefits Fair on 10/28 and submitted ideas for our contest.
The winner of the goodie basket was Keith Belanger, who suggested that the OS Council find a way to represent non-status hourly employees. Keith is a dispatcher who works in Transportation Services. He spent six years as a non-status worker and just recently became an OS employee. He supervises a large number of non-status personnel and sees that their interests are not represented, which is why he submitted this idea.
Other ideas that scored high in the voting included:
- From Martha Belanger, the suggestion that the university create a Park-N-Ride at or near the Lee Traffic Circle and offer bus service from there.
- From Linda Isaacson, the suggestion that the council partner with UHS/Dining to offer a pancake breakfast, prepared and served by council reps, that would raise money for a local food pantry AND give reps the opportunity to mingle with their constituents.
- From Cheryl Berry, the suggestion that OS be allowed to use sick pool time for doctor's appointments.
- From Mark Ernest, the suggestion that HR eliminate the waiting period before employee may begin using sick pool time when they are ill or injured.
- From Siobhan Craig, the suggestion that the council organize picnics where the express purpose is to encourage faculty and staff interaction.
- From Patty Raynes, the suggestion that the council work with HR to create more employee discounts with local and national companies.
- From Janice Pierson, the suggestion that the university being offering free yoga classes again and revive the walking club.
Although they were not significantly represented in the voting, two other issues stood out because they were submitted by numerous people:
- Implementing a four-day work week
- Reducing the amount paper that is sent out in the form of letters from the President and VPs, advertising from various departments, invitations, and honors/recognition programs. Many of these paper documents duplicate e-mails or info that is available on-line and this doesn’t fit with our "green" orientation.
We'll be taking a look at those two ideas very carefully.
If you don't see your concern here, don't worry – we have saved every response and will be reviewing them ALL. There are some great ideas out there about transportation, employee communications, and even ways to make our retirement funds more secure.
| Date | Time | Location |
| Wednesday November 12th |
1:00 - 2:30 | MUB Room 321 |
| Wednesday December 10th |
1:00 - 2:30 | MUB Room 321 |
We hope to see you at a meeting soon!
Communication Boards
Another way the council is working to keep in touch with its constituents is through a series of communications boards that are located in areas of campus where a large percentage of employees lack computer access. These boards have current copies of the OS Council minutes, hard copies of the “Taking Note” section of the Campus Journal, and information about a quarterly “focus” topic that is of interest to staff. Check out the last two focus pieces here:
Wellness at UNH
Learn About Learning at UNH