At the end of each academic year, the University of Houston’s Staff Council traditionally elects a new president. This year, the council voted to change its annual officer election process to further strengthen its leadership.

Following a model set by staff councils of other universities and UH’s Faculty Senate, the council will begin electing a president-elect, who will serve in this role for one academic year. Following that year, he or she would assume the role of president.

Starting this summer, the council will nominate officer candidates for all of the officer positions: president, president-elect, secretary, treasurer, parliamentarian and historian. The previous position of vice president will be replaced by president-elect. These candidates will be elected in August and begin serving in their respective positions starting in September. The president-elect will serve in that position for one year before assuming the role of president in September 2008.

Only Staff Council members can nominate officer candidates and vote in officer elections. Future officer elections will be conducted during the summer.

“This sends the message that the council’s leadership is there for the long haul and that this candidate is committed to the university,” said Joe Papick, director of the Child Welfare Education Project in the Graduate School of Social Work and secretary of Staff Council. “This is an important change for Staff Council and for the university in terms of developing skills and knowledge pertinent to the position of president.”

For more information on UH Staff Council, visit http://www.uh.edu/sc/.

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu