University Times

The Staff Association Council (SAC) announced at its June 17 meeting that Rich Colwell had been elected president.

Colwell, who has been a member of SAC for 12 of the 13 years he's worked at Pitt, is an electronics specialist III in the associate dean's office, School of Engineering. He had been vice president, steering, for the past three years. (See related interview this issue) Other officers are Carol Neuner, vice president, steering committee; Linda Marts, vice president, communications; and Gwendo-lyn L. Watkins, treasurer. The officers will serve one-year terms. Out-going president Brian Hart will be an ex officio officer, serving as immediate past president.

Neuner is a department administrator in administrative and policy studies, School of Education, and has been employed at the University for 28 years. A member of SAC for 11 years, Neuner ran for vice president, steering, she said, "to serve as a communication channel for all staff and to ensure true shared governance." Neuner had previously served at vice president, communications.

Marts has worked at Pitt for 31 years and has been a member of SAC for two years. She is an administrator I in the medical school's Department of Medicine.

"I decided to join SAC to resolve some issues that I considered important and relevant to me personally," she said. "However, I have found that my issues were the same as the majority of staff and, more importantly, that SAC is instrumental in getting staff opinion and recommendations communicated to the University administration."

Watkins, who was re-elected treasurer, is an administrative assistant in Governmental Relations. She has been employed at Pitt for 29 years and has been a member of SAC for seven years.

"I am a firm believer that a satisfied employee results in good productivity," Watkins said. "After sharing some of my concerns with fellow staff members, it was suggested that I could find some solutions to these concerns by working on the Staff Association Council to become one of those who wanted to ensure, instead of complain about, making a positive impact concerning staff development."

The results were announced by interim elections committee chair Joyce Snyder, who served in that capacity because the current chair was also a candidate for an office. The council approved the election results by unanimous vote.

The council also announced that there were two names inadvertently missed during a cross-checking process in the nomination of members phase. Mary Beth Mengel of anthropology was welcomed as a member and began serving a two-year term. The second person has since left the University.

The next open council meeting is Aug. 12, 12:30 p.m., 2P56 Forbes Quad.

–Peter Hart