In March 1998, the Women’s Studies Research and Resource Center—under the leadership of Cheryl Secrist and her supervisor, Rose Pascarell— sponsored a series of brown-bag discussions to discuss various employee issues. It became evident that a more structured approach was needed to address the wide range of concerns raised during these discussions. This realization led to the formation of the original Ad Hoc Committee for Classified Employees, established to provide a dedicated forum for staff dialogue.
The Ad Hoc Committee evolved into the Staff Advisory Committee, comprising of Mary Thomas (Physics and Astronomy), Joy Staulcup (Registrar), Pam Bruno (Computer Science), Kathleen Cheney (Institute for Research and Reporting), Stacey Remick-Simkins (English Department), Rebecca Walter (TIPP), and Cheryl Secrist (Women’s Studies Research and Resource Center), who was elected Committee Chair. Committee members engaged with other Staff Senate Groups from other Virginia Universities to exchange ideas and explore strategies. These conversations laid the groundwork for the development of George Mason University’s Staff Senate.
Between June and November 1998, the Staff Advisory Committee dedicated lunch hours and occasional evenings to drafting Bylaws and Constitution for a proposed Staff Senate. This effort was supported by Virginia Tech and key individuals at George Mason, including Jeff Brandwine (Legal Services; President Alan Merten; Dr. Scherrens (Senior Vice President) Dr. Rosenblum (Vice President for University Life), and Dr. Elstun and Dr. Taylor of the Faculty Senate. In December, a university-wide election was held, and staff overwhelmingly approved the creation of a Staff Senate.
In February 1999, the Chair of the Staff Advisory Committee presented the vision for the Staff Senate to both the Faculty and Student Senates. The Staff Advisory Committee also met with President Merten to discuss the leadership plans. Concurrently, Stacey Remick-Simkins was nominated by the Virginia Government Employees Association (VGEA) and appointed by the State Compensation Reform Commission, while Cheryl Secrist was appointed to the VGEA Board of Directors and George Mason University liaison.
These engagements and appointments helped establish strong working between the emerging Staff Senate and key stakeholders, including students, faculty, administration, as representative of the Commonwealth.
In March 1999, Eric Brown, from the Office of Fire and Safety joined the Staff Advisory Committee. The following month, nominations for senatorial positions were accepted at a Staff Senate Kickoff event, which welcomed staff and the broader university community to learn more and ask questions about the Senate.
Senatorial elections were held in May 1999, and elected senators officially took office in June. After a month of orientation sessions, the Staff Senate convened its first formal meeting on September 21, 1999.
Founder: Cheryl Secrist
Founding Members: Pam Bruno, Eric Brown, Kathleen Cheney, Stacey Remick-Simkins, Joy Staulcup, Mary Thomas, and Rebecca Walter.
Learn more about the Staff Senate’s past Accomplishments and Initiatives