Support Staff Committee records

The current Support Staff Committee evolved from employee arranged social functions and university sponsored events. In the early 1950's an "All University" dinner was hosted by the University. New employees were introduced and goals for the coming year wer discussed. This tradition probably ended with the death of President Humbert. In the 1960's and 1970's clerical employees sometimes arranged group luncheons for fellow employees. One such luncheon at Christmas time a gift exchange grab bag was held and the group sang Christmas carols before returning to their offices. In the mid to late 1970's a more organized luncheon was held on Secretary's Day. On May 14, 1980 the first committee sponsored luncheon was held. It eventually became the May Recognition Luncheon which was held through 1990. In 1991 this luncheon was enlarged to include all hourly employees and is now a dinner. It is planned and hosted by the Personnel Office staff. Administrators and faculty assist with the dining room tasks. Retired and current employees and their guests are invited to a social period followed by a dinner and a recognition program with awards and prizes.

In June 1978, the Job Classification Committee was elected to help plan a classification system for the support staff. The purpose of the original committee was to assist with the task of job classificaton for clerical staff. In June 1979, it was known as Personnel Committee for Classified Staff. The purposes at that time were:

1. Act as a liaison between administrators and employees and communicate concerns.

2. Administer the Staff Development Program.

3. Evaluate the effectiveness of Affirmative Action procedures as they relate to this group.

4. Serve in an advisory capacity.

The name became Personnel Committee for Support Staff at the January 7, 1982 meeting. It is now called Support Staff Committee.

This committee has been either directly or indirectly involved with many other activities and issues concerning support staff personnel. It has been largely responsible for numerous workshops and seminars held for the support staff.

Today the committee serves as a voice to the administration, for the hourly employees, relating concerns and offering suggestions.

The Job Classification Committee’s original statement said they “hope[d] to improve working conditions for everyone at DePauw and to make work at DePauw as attractive as or more attractive than work at other places in the country.” With their first meeting held on June 15, 1978, the Committee understood the need to work with other employees and supervisors to achieve their goals. With their six members and weekly meetings, the Committee worked out glitches in salary, benefits, etc. They wanted “to be fair and achieve understanding. It was pointed out that [they] are classifying jobs–not people.” Weekly minutes of the Job Classification Committee were taken through August 19, 1982. After this point, the Committee continued along some form of its original role, until 1988.