J. David Wilson
Housing
Years at Murray State: 28 years
The candidate was presented with the following questions. The responses are printed as received and have not been edited by Staff Congress.
1. What do you perceive as the responsibilities of the Staff Regent?
I believe the Staff Regent is responsible to work with Staff Congress to address issues that impact the staff. He or she must keep open lines of communication with staff concerning issues facing the university. The Staff Regent must keep the President and the Board informed about issues facing the staff and work toward solutions that are in the staff members best interest. Also, he or she must be active in Staff Congress and work regularly with the Staff Congress executive committee to address staff issues.
2. Do you understand the governance of the Board of Regents and how you would serve in that capacity? Explain.
The Board is comprised of eight (8) members that are appointed by the governor, and there are three members that are elected- Staff Regent, Faculty Regent and Student Regent. The Staff Regent is generally elected for a three (3) year term.
The Board basically has the responsibility to approve the process of running the university. This authority covers everything from graduation, to establishment or closure of an academic program, to capital projects, to employee raises, to evaluating the president, to approving rates for tuition, mandatory fees, and housing and board rates. The Regents are also assigned to various committees that do the leg work for most of the issues they must approve.
I believe that my responsibility is to represent our non-teaching university employees. I would need to keep the Board up to date on issues facing the staff, and working with the Regents to hopefully make decisions that would not adversely impact the staff.
3. Serving as Staff Regent requires time commitments during the normal work hours (8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.), nights and weekends. Are you aware of the time commitment involved, and will you be able to devote this time and still perform your regular work duties?
Yes
4. Describe the most important work or University service experiences which will assist you in being an effective Staff Regent.
In addition to the information I listed in question #5, I have worked on several university committees over the years. I served on one of the budget review groups that were tasked to look at ways to reduce expenses and also suggest ways to potentially generate revenue. I served on one of the committees that made plans to reopen campus after we were shut down for COVID. I also served on a university safety and security committee. I could list other items, but what I have learned that could make me an effective Staff Regent is that transparency in what the Board does is so very important, listening to the staff and bringing their issues forward, communicating with staff on a regular basis, and when looking at an issue, always think about how this could impact the staff.
5. Have you served in campus governance before and if so, how long and in what capacity? (example Staff Congress, Faculty/Staff Insurance and Benefits Committee, etc.)
I was recently elected to complete Ms. Evans term as Staff Regent. I have been a member of Staff Congress for the past seven (7) years, and I served as Staff Congress President for two (2) years. I have also served on various committees including Faculty/Staff Insurance and Benefits committee, the University Budget Committee, Staff Survey committee, Working Conditions Committee, Credentials and Elections Committee, and the University Leadership Committee.
6. If elected regent, what will be your top goals to benefit MSU staff?
1) To continue working toward a consistent raise structure for staff.
2) To work with staff congress and Human Resources to identify additional benefits.
3) There have been several statements on the staff survey with concerns over the ability to fill positions. I would like to work with Staff Congress and Human Resources to see what changes can be made to improve the process.
4) To work with Staff Congress to identify ways that we can recognize the exemplary work that our staff do on a daily basis.
5) The last two staff surveys reflected an alarming trend of more and more instances where staff do not feel that their jobs are important and that they are not appreciated. I would like to work with Staff Congress to have several focus groups to gather information and identify resources and possible programs to help offices and departments deal with this growing trend within our staff.