Skip to Navigation
University of Pittsburgh
Print This Page Print this pages

November 10, 1994

Pitt secretary's handbook revised for first time in almost 10 years

For the first time in almost a decade, Pitt secretaries have a new handbook that they can consult when in doubt about University policies and procedures.

And, for the first time, the handbook is available electronically. In fact, that is the only way the new handbook is available.

"Originally, we got it ready for printing, but then, when we found out it would save money to put it on-line, we decided to go with it on-line," said Shirley Tucker, of the Office of Human Resources and chairperson of the task force that developed the handbook.

In addition to saving money, making the handbook available electronically means that it can be quickly and easily updated when there are changes in University procedures, titles and personnel.

The secretary's handbook can be accessed by any member of the University community with a computing account from his or her work station or from any of the Computing and Information Services computer laboratories on campus.

According to Tucker, anybody who wants to also can print out a hard copy of the handbook or portions of it.

"The way it is set up, people can go in and look at the chapter titles and find out if they are interested in that particular subject," Tucker said. "So, they don't have to go through the entire document. There is a table of contents." The handbook itself was designed by secretaries who work at Pitt, so it is based on years of actual experience. Tucker said it was designed both to help secretaries new to Pitt and as a reference tool for experienced secretaries. Items covered in the handbook include the organization of colleges and schools, acronyms, degree abbreviations, Telefact, phone skills, correspondence styles, travel information, academic activities, proper forms of address, filing tips, computing tips and grants information.

The handbook also contains a faculty and staff directory and advice on such personal items as stress and time management, posture, performance appraisal, job satisfaction and the "keys to success." There is even a brief history of the position of secretary included.

"It's really a potpourri of things that secretaries have found useful, and it's all accessible in one place," said Tucker. To access the new secretary's handbook, log on, and then type "gopher." After the directory appears, go to "General Campus and Community Information," hit return, and then go to "Handbooks," hit return and "Secretary's Handbook" will appear followed by the table of contents.

Along with Tucker, members of the task force for the secretary's handbook included Bonnie Schiavone, medicine; Carol Capson, education; Sandee Cupp, Katz Graduate School of Business; Mary Koller, School of Library and Information Science, and Joan Slezak, budget administration.

–Mike Sajna

Filed under: Feature,Volume 27 Issue 6

Leave a Reply