Dear Colleagues,
As President of the Hourly Employees Council, I want to extend a warm welcome to you as we begin the new academic year. It is an honor and privilege to serve as the HEC’s representative in matters of university-wide concern. I and my HEC colleagues will work diligently to ensure that our processes of shared governance at the University of Oklahoma will continue to be robust and effective.
As we greet new and returning students, faculty, and staff to the university in these newly diverse times, I am newly cognizant of the trust and confidence that the staff have placed in us as HEC members of University of Oklahoma’s Staff Senate. It is an awesome responsibility and tremendous privilege to do what we do on a daily basis. I am extraordinarily proud to be associated with colleagues that daily meet that responsibility in the offices, in the laboratory, and out in the larger community -- as staff that breathes renewing life into our mission to pursue truth for the greater service of humanity.
We will face some significant challenges over the coming year. As President Harroz’s recent welcome letter indicated, it will be a year in which we intentionally engage in a process of transformational change that will lead to an even better University atmosphere.
The HEC will support and participate extensively in this collaborative process of transformational change, contributing to ensure that decisions are informed, consistent with our mission, and taken only after meaningful consultation with those most affected by them. As staff, we have an important, indeed vital, voice in this process. It is my intention to promote the HEC and its sub-committees and task forces as institutional pathways for our voice to be considered, formed, communicated, and heard.
I encourage you to meet and discuss any matters of concern with me, members of the Hourly Employee Council, and your respective Council members.
HEC meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month in the Oklahoma Memorial Union, although we are currently meeting online with zoom. First meeting will be August 12th.
All are welcome to attend each monthly meeting, regardless of being an hourly employee or not, and all feedback to the Council is welcome.
Information on the HEC and its membership can be accessed at https://www.ou.edu/hec.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at pbox@ou.edu.
To a productive and satisfying year and with highest regards,
Paul Box
President, Hourly Employee Council
pbox@ou.edu
