Staff Senate is a representative body that provides staff members with a voice in matters affecting employees and the greater university community. Staff Senate works to promote communication, staff engagement, professional development, and collaboration across campus.

Staff Senate:

• Represent staff interests and concerns.
• Share staff feedback with university leadership.
• Recommend initiatives that improve the staff experience.
• Promote professional development and employee engagement.
• Support staff recognition and appreciation.
• Participate in university committees.
• Sponsor and/or support campus events and service activities.

Staff Senate represents all eligible staff employees across the university. This includes:

• Professional Employees -  administrative officers and professional staff, as well as all employees in positions exempt from the provisions of the State Civil Service System.
• Classified/Civil Service Employees - Classified/civil service employees are all employees in positions covered by the provisions of the State Civil Service System. All actions affecting classified employees are made in accordance with civil service rules and regulations.
• Other Academic Employees -  Other academic employees include part-time members of the academic staff and full-time members of the academic staff below the rank of instructor, or equivalent. Employees with academic responsibilities who do not hold faculty rank are also included in this classification. 

No. Staff Senate represents staff perspectives and advocates for issues affecting the staff community. Human Resources administers university employment policies, benefits, and other employee relations matters and processes.

No. Staff Senate is a shared-governance and representative body and does not serve as a labor union.

Any person who is qualified as staff as defined under Article III, Section 1 of the Staff Senate Constitution may run or be nominated for Senator positions.

In September, you will receive a Call for Senator Nominations email where you can nominate yourself.

No. Staff members are encouraged to attend open meetings, participate and volunteer in events, and share ideas or concerns with their Staff Senate representatives or anonymously via the QR code.

Time commitments vary depending on the position and committee assignments. Senators typically attend regular Senate meetings and may also participate in committee meetings, events, and special projects.

LSU Health Sciences New Orleans Staff Senate has the following standing committees:

• Communications Committee.
• Community Engagement and Development Committee.
• Elections Committee.
• Staff Advocacy and Retention Committee.

Staff Senate meets the second Tuesday of each month. Visit our Meetings page for the schedule of meetings and locations.

Yes. Staff members are encouraged to attend meetings that are open to the university community; however, only staff Senators and invited guests are entitled to speak. The presiding officer may permit others to speak if time permits.

Meeting agendas can be found on the Agendas page and meeting minutes can be found on the Minutes page.

Items for consideration should be submitted to the President by emailing staffsenate@lsuhsc.edu prior to the scheduled Executive Committee meeting.

Staff members can submit ideas, questions, or concerns by emailing staffsenate@lsuhsc.edu, or by scanning the QR code on the Staff Senate landing page.

Yes. The Feedback and Suggestions QR code found on the Staff Senate landing page submits entries anonymously.

Staff Senate is a good place to raise concerns that may affect groups of staff or the broader staff community such as:

• Workplace experience and campus climate.
• Employee engagement.
• Staff recognition.
• Professional development.
• Campus communication.
• University services affecting staff.
• Staff policies or procedures.
• Ideas for improving the employee experience.

Staff Senate generally should not handle individual grievances, personnel disputes, discrimination complaints, disciplinary matters, or other confidential employment issues. Employees can contact Human Resource Management Employee Relations or the LSU Health New Orleans Ombuds Office for assistance with personal employee issues.

When your concerns are anonymously submitted, the appropriate committee reviews them. Responses are provided at the next Staff Senate meeting.

Staff Senate elections are held in October. At least one month prior to elections, a Call for Nominations will be sent via email to each staff member and the deadline for candidates to file for election will be no sooner than one week later. Voting occurs via paper or electronic ballot. Each eligible staff member may vote for as many cadidates as there are positions to be filled in their specific job category. Votes are tabulated by the Elections Committee. Candidates that receive the majority of votes win the election and are notified by the Elections Committe via email after elections results are confirmed.

Senators are elected for three-year terms beginning January 1 and expiring December 31.

Visit the Staff Senators page to find your representative by school. 

Yes. A Call for Nominations is sent to each staff member one month before elections.

The Staff Senate webpage is the best way to stay informed.

Staff Senate can be reached by emailing to staffsenate@lsuhsc.edu, or by scanning the QR code on the Staff Senate landing page.