What is the University Classified Staff Council
The UCSC membership consists of elected representatives from each operating unit across UTHealth and appointed members as specified by our bylaws. Members must be full-time classified employees who have fulfilled the obligations of their probationary employment period. Click here to see the UCSC Bylaws.
Why We're Here
The University Classified Staff Council (UCSC) advises the President and the Executive Council on matters of importance to classified employees of UTHealth Houston. Such matters can include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Appropriate policies and procedures
- Strategic planning and directions
- Recruitment, retention, promotion, and transfer of classified staff
- Processes regarding continuous quality improvement
- Budget and planning issues
- Houston-wide communications and resource networking
- Campus master planning
- Compensation policies
- Classified staff status, rights, and responsibilities
How We Work
Each member of UCSC serves on one of five standing committees. Special purpose committees may be established on a temporary basis as needed.
The five standing committees are:
- Staff Development Committee focuses on professional development opportunities for classified staff.
- Staff Recognition Committee organizes UCSC's Annual Workshop.
- Communications Committee creates communication pieces (such as brochures and flyers) and publishes news related to classified staff.
- Election Committee maintains UCSC membership and runs the election process for members. It also plans a retreat for members every year.
- Educational Awards Committee raises funds to be awarded to qualified children of eligible full-time classified employees and coordinates the awards process.
The chairs of each committee, along with UCSC officers, serve as the Coordinating Committee. The Coordinating Committee is responsible for the strategic direction of UCSC and for advising the Executive Council on strategic planning issues of UCSC. The Coordinating Committee develops the agenda for UCSC meetings and facilitates the work of UCSC.
What Else We Do
In addition, UCSC council members participate in groups and events across campus and UT System. This includes or has included:
- Volunteering to help with university-wide events like Fun Fest
- Serving on councils and committees across UTHealth and UT System. This may include the HOOP Review Committee, Interfaculty Council, Employee Advisory Council, and other groups.
- Serving on special task forces
- Coordinating professional development events
- Assisting with policy revisions, such as the Sick Leave Pool
- Taking part in programs and events such as the Toner & Cartridge Recycling
A Note From Our FY25 Chair
Greetings and welcome to a new fiscal year!
I am extremely honored to serve as your Chair of the University Classified Staff Council. I have been with UT Systems for 22 years. I began my career with UTHealth in 2017 as an Administrative Manager in the Cizik School of Nursing. I transferred to Revenue Cycle Management in 2023 where I am a Senior Administrative Manager. I believe that classified staff should have easy access to the necessary resources for continued professional development. This holds a very special place in my heart and is a huge part of why UCSC is so important to me. I have experienced first-hand what similar organizations such as UCSC can do to assist classified staff by cultivating career growth and advancement to reach their career goals.
I have three goals for fiscal year 2025. First and foremost, I want to increase campus awareness about who WE are and what WE do as members of the University Classified Staff Council. I intend to strengthen existing partnerships, form new collaborations, and expand communications that will reach all classified staff.
My second goal for all of classified staff is to feel that they have a forum that will not only listen to their issues, questions, or concerns, but will also be able to witness actionable responses to them. To do this, you and our council need to be empowered as individuals while working together to effect real measurable change in our institution.
My last goal is to increase engagement by everyone across the institution with the University Classified Staff Council. Classified staff occupy the majority of the UTHealth employee population. UCSC meetings are open to all classified staff. I understand that a large number of classified staff work in a clinical setting and this could pose as a challenge to attend the meetings in real time. As I mentioned with my first goal, I will strive to increase collaboration with direct supervisors in these environments to find compromises that will allow ALL classified staff to attend meetings and become active members of the future.
You are what allows this council to be successful and accomplish as much as we have and will continue to do in the future. I serve you and the importance of that is not lost on me. I am here for you. If you have anything that you would like for me to address during my term, please, do not hesitate to contact me directly by any form that you feel comfortable. I will always foster a safe and open space to help address any and all issues. Everyone’s voice is valid and important to me.
Again, I am honored to serve as the Chair for the University Classified Staff Council and I cannot express how excited I am to begin this new year! Please do not hesitate to contact to any UCSC member. Please visit our website and consider joining our email list so that you are up to date on all of our events.
Thank you,
Nena Fairbanks, MBA