Nominations now open for UK Staff Senate election
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 5, 2023) — Are you a University of Kentucky staff member interested in university-level conversations and decision-making? If so, consider running for election to the UK Staff Senate!
Elections Timeline:
- Self-nomination period: April 1 – April 30
- Voting period: May 10 - May 30
- Election results announced: June 6
- Three-year term begins: July 1
Do you want to learn more about what it means to be in Staff Senate? Join us in April for "Meet and Greets" with current senators. Details on Meet and Greets, links to the self-nomination form, and more can be found on the Staff Senate elections website at https://staffsenate.uky.edu/elections.
"These elections are opportunities to serve staff and the university at a level beyond our daily duties and tasks in our individual departments,” said Staff Senate Chair Olivia Ellis. “Staff Senators are able to discuss and review issues brought forward by staff while also offering solutions and developing them with administration.”
More information is included below, and full election details, including eligibility, are available on the Staff Senate elections website. For additional questions or concerns, please contact the Staff Senate Elections Committee Chair Sarah Steen at sarahsteen@uky.edu.
Staff Senate Membership Election
Established in 2002, the UK Staff Senate is the official representative body of the staff of the university. Members participate in university committees and workgroups within and outside of Staff Senate and have a three-year term in the Senate. Senators advise university leadership on policy decisions impacting employees and create spaces and events that ensure staff members across the enterprise are heard and appreciated.
Beyond representing the interests of staff in conversations and decision-making with university administration, Staff Senate works to strengthen relationships and empower all university employees and students to participate in decision-making processes.
Staff Senate activity has resulted in an increased minimum wage at UK, the extension of vacation use deadlines, added benefits and policy updates, the creation of the shared leave pool, updates to inclement weather closure communications, work-life policies and more.
According to UK President Eli Capilouto, having more people involved with Staff Senate will result in a better understanding of the issues facing campus. “Please consider becoming a Staff Senator," he said. "We need your help if we are going to live up to our aspirations as the University for Kentucky.”
If you’re interested in learning more about Staff Senate and what it means to be a member, please join us for a Meet and Greet in April or chat with a current Senator. If you’re ready to become a candidate for Staff Senate, submit your nomination form online now.
For more information, please visit the Staff Senate elections website or contact the Staff Senate Elections Committee Chair Sarah Steen at sarahsteen@uky.edu.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.