Your Staff Senate at Work From the Chair’s Corner

Below is the email sent out via a Staff Senate Email to our colleagues on October 19, 2026.

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Dear Colleagues,

What happens when you bring an issue or idea to Staff Senate?

It begins with listening. Your experiences help us understand what is happening across the university and identify concerns that may affect employees in multiple areas.

Our work is not limited to identifying problems. We also gather information, ask constructive questions, recognize successful practices and explore opportunities to improve employee experience.

I also want to thank our staff senators personally. They volunteer their time and talents because they care about their colleagues and the university. Their commitment to listening, working together, and seeking practical solutions makes our work possible.

I have developed a series that over the next several months, I will use this space to share more about the work taking place behind the scenes through our Staff Senate committees. The “Behind the Work of Staff Senate” series will highlight how these committees serve our colleagues, support shared governance and help move staff questions, concerns, and ideas forward. I hope the series provides a better understanding of this work and recognizes the senators who volunteer their time and talents on behalf of staff across the University of Kentucky.

When sharing a concern, we also welcome your ideas for addressing it. You do not need to have a complete solution. Describing what improvement might look like, suggesting a possible next step or sharing an approach that has worked elsewhere can help move the conversation forward.

Depending on the issue, Staff Senate may:

• Gather additional information
• Refer the matter to the appropriate committee
• Research possible solutions
• Discuss it with the Executive Committee or Full Senate
• Raise it with Human Resources, university administration or another appropriate office

Staff Senate does not make administrative policy or hold final authority over every university decision. We can, however, help ensure that employee experiences and perspectives are part of the conversation.

We cannot promise that every concern will produce the requested outcome. We can promise to listen, communicate honestly, seek reliable information, explore practical solutions and represent staff perspectives through shared governance.

Stay Connected

We want to hear about:

• Workplace concerns and recurring challenges
• Ideas and potential solutions
• Successful practices that could benefit others
• Questions about university programs or initiatives
• Employees or teams whose contributions deserve recognition

Our goal is not simply to collect complaints. We want to understand the issue, consider what improvement could look like and work with the appropriate individuals and offices toward practical solutions whenever possible.

Finding those solutions often requires us to work with colleagues who serve the university in different capacities. Our perspectives may differ, and our opinions may not always align, but each person is carrying out responsibilities associated with the role they have been entrusted to perform. Every role matters, and each of us contributes to the mission of the University of Kentucky.

When we approach one another with professionalism, civility and mutual respect, we create a stronger foundation for productive conversations, constructive solutions and a university community where people can work together effectively.

And thank you for sharing your experiences, ideas and suggestions with us. Your willingness to stay connected helps Staff Senate better represent colleagues across the university.

Let’s keep listening, communicating, seeking solutions and telling our story together.

Carl Harper
Chair, University of Kentucky Staff Senate

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The University of Kentucky Staff Senate is the official representative body of university staff. Through shared governance, the Staff Senate elevates staff perspectives, strengthens communication with university leadership, and promotes collaboration among employees across the university. Staff Senate advocates for staff interests, supports a positive workplace experience and recognizes the people whose work advances the university’s mission and service to the Commonwealth.