Dean's Support Staff Advisory Committee

The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSUCHM) Dean’s Support Staff Advisory Committee was established in April 2019 so that permanent full-time and part-time MSUCHM support staff can bring pertinent issues affecting MSUCHM’s operations to its dean for prompt discussion and resolution. Send any questions or reach out the committee at CHM.DSSAC@msu.edu.
 

Meetings

 

Bylaws

  • Committee Bylaws

    1.0 | Purpose

    The Michigan State University College of Human Medicine (MSUCHM) Dean’s Support Staff Advisory Committee (DSSAC) was established in April 2019 to provide a direct conduit and representation that enable MSUCHM support staff a mechanism to bring pertinent issues affecting MSUCHM’s business and operations to the Dean’s office for timely discussion and resolution.

    2.0 | Charge

     2.1  The Committee is charged with the following:

    2.1.1  Communicating the Committee’s purpose to all MSUCHM support staff and developing the means for MSUCHM support staff to communicate ideas and concerns to the Committee.

    2.1.2  Soliciting and representing ideas and input from MSUCHM support staff for discussion with and advising the MSUCHM dean and on matters brought to the attention of the Committee.

    2.1.3  Selecting and summarizing issues for presentation to the MSUCHM dean for discussion and resolution.

    2.1.4  Developing, proposing, and communicating solutions for resolving pertinent issues to MSUCHM support staff.

    2.1.5  Seeking feedback from MSUCHM support staff when the Committee and the MSUCHM Dean have agreed on a mutually beneficial solution to an issue.

    2.1.6  Recording and cataloging the solution for review and access by current and future MSUCHM support staff. 

    3.0 | Limitations

    3.1  No action on the part of the Committee and/or the MSUCHM Dean is intended to supersede MSUCHM support staff rights and obligations available through their particular bargaining units, MSUCHM, and MSU. Any action on the part of the Committee and/or the MSUCHM Dean is intended to address and resolve issues before they reach a point which requires the assistance of a bargaining unit or MSUCHM administration. 

    4.0 | Composition of Committee, Committee Member Terms, and Committee Vacancies

    4.1  With a focus on achieving a fair representation of the diversity of MSUCHM support staff, the Committee will decide the number, composition, and selection of Committee members through its voting membership.

    4.2  he Committee will be composed of approximately 15 MSUCHM full-time/part-time support staff from the MSUCHM East Lansing, Flint, and Grand Rapids locations. However, there may be years where fewer than 15 members could be serving due to committee members departing CHM or MSU, lack of interest in serving on the committee, or any other unforeseen circumstances. The selection committee ensures to maintain committee representation from the APSA, APA, and CT unions, as well as representatives from a variety of CHM departments and Dean’s office units.

    4.3  For regular Committee membership, a member’s term of commitment begins on July 1, ending on June 30 of the final year of the term. Membership requires a two-year term commitment.  Members wishing to serve additional terms must reapply.

    4.4  Two Co-Chairs and Secretary will be selected, and each will serve 2-year terms:

    4.4.1  Ideally, the co-chairs will serve off-setting terms, so there is ease in transition, but these bylaws are not intended to enforce that rule, merely use it as a best practice.

    4.5  Should a Committee member resign or is otherwise unable or unwilling to fulfill the term of service, the Committee may select an interim Committee member to serve until the vacancy is filled through the Committee’s selection process, which selection is then subject to approval by the Committee in accordance with Section 6.0.

    4.6  60 days before the expiration of a Committee member’s term outlined in Subsection 4.3 or upon a vacancy occurring as described in Subsection 4.5, the Committee shall notify MSUCHM full- and part-time staff of the opportunity to apply for and serve on the Committee subject to the Committee’s selection process.

    4.6.1  Subject to additional contents as determined by the Committee, the notification shall minimally:
    4.6.1.1  Contain a brief description of expectations if an applicant is selected to serve on the Committee.

    4.6.1.2  List the expected term of service by the applicant.

    4.6.1.3  Require the applicant to explain his or her qualifications and interest to serve on the Committee.

    4.6.1.4  Describe the selection process and provide a set date by which a decision will be made.

    5.0 | Committee Meetings

    5.1  The Committee will convene as necessary to establish and develop strategies for meeting objectives - but not less than once per month.

    5.2  The Committee Co-Chairs shall be responsible for calling to order and selecting the meeting dates and locations, as well as preparing and sending a meeting agenda to Committee members at least 1 day in advance of the meeting.

    5.3  Any Committee member may submit a request for a meeting to address a matter which he or she feels is in need of immediate attention, subject to the Committee Chair’s review and approval which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

    5.4  Any Committee member may submit an item for an agenda prior to the meeting or move to amend the agenda at the start of a meeting.

    5.5  All Committee meetings will be recorded and/or documented by the Committee Secretary (meeting minutes), who in turn will disseminate a draft of the meeting minutes to the 1) Committee leadership team for review and correction as necessary and 2) the MSUCHM Dean’s Office solely for the purposes of reviewing the accuracy of comments and/or information attributable to the MSUCHM Dean. A copy of the meeting minutes approved by the Committee will be preserved by the Committee Secretary in a location accessible by the full Committee and MSUCHM staff.

    6.0 | Committee Voting

    6.1  2/3 of the committee must be present to have a quorum to take action at any meeting.

    6.2  The matter to be addressed and subject to a vote must be noticed in accordance with Section 5.

    6.3  After a request to speak has been raised to the Committee Co-Chairs, a Committee member may have up to 5 minutes of uninterrupted time to address the matter to be voted upon.

    6.4  After any Committee member has had the opportunity to address the matter to be voted upon in accordance with Section 6.3, the Committee Co-Chairs may open the matter for general discussion.

    6.5  Upon motion of the Committee Co-Chairs, the matter may 1) be tabled for further consideration and discussion by the Committee or 2) put forth for a simple majority vote by the attending Committee members.

    6.5.1  A 2/3 majority vote by the full Committee is required for a matter which limits the right or participation of or involvement by any Committee member.

    6.6  The Committee Secretary shall note the Committee decision and include a descriptive summary of Committee comments, discussions, approvals, and objections (i.e., name of Committee member and his/her condensed comments).  

    7.0 | Committee Communications

    7.1  The Committee will approve a Committee member responsible for internal and external communications on its behalf.

    7.2  For internal Committee communications, the approved Committee member will be responsible for drafting, distributing, and storing all internal Committee communications in an area accessible to all Committee members, including but not limited to meeting minutes, proposed Committee documents, and survey results.

    7.3  For communications from the Committee to the MSUCHM community (e.g., surveys, questionnaires, Committee news), the approved Committee member will be responsible for drafting the proposed communication and submitting it for review and comment by Committee members sufficiently in advance of distribution.

    7.3.1  In the event a simple majority of the Committee members cannot agree on the proposed external communication, the matter will be submitted to the Committee Co-Chairs for a final determination with input from the Committee members.

    7.3.2  In the event of a dispute related to the proposed communication and the Committee Co-Chairs’ determination, a Committee member may request a meeting under Section 5.0 and a formal vote by the Committee under Section 6.0.

    8.0 | Amendments

    8.1  Any Committee member may submit a proposal to amend the bylaws as an agenda item for consideration during a Committee meeting that has been scheduled in accordance with Section 5.0.

    8.2  The proposed amendment shall be subject to Committee members' approval in accordance with Section 6.0.

    8.3  Any approved amendment shall be merged with the bylaws with reference to the date the amendment is effective.

    updated 05/24/2023

Committee Members

Julie is the administrative assistant in the Department of Pediatrics & Human Development. Her main role is to support the Chair of the Department. She also supports 8 research faculty between the Grand Rapids Research Center and Secchia Center, assists in planning and coordinating events within the department, she is the reappointment, promotion, and tenure coordinator, and completes many administrative duties. Julie has her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Logistics from Central Michigan University. She has been with MSU for 5 years, starting as an Executive Assistant in Family Medicine before transitioning to her current role. In her spare time, she loves spending time with family. Her and her husband stay active with their two young children.

Sarah is the Assistant Director of Advancement Communications in the college’s Advancement Office. Working in collaboration with frontline fundraisers to strategically communicate the college’s mission and goals, Sarah builds understanding and inspires action among alumni and donors--revealing how their generosity is making a difference. Sarah has been with MSU for over ten years and joined the college in 2019. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, live music, gardening and writing.

In 2018, Tae joined the Division of Public Health in Flint. She is the Executive Assistant to Wayne McCullough, PhD, Interim Director. She enjoys working with and supporting the talented and diverse faculty and staff. While she is a Wisconsin native, she is a proud MSU mom. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her two adult children and granddaughter; and attending cultural and live sporting events. Her hobbies include calligraphy, sewing and loves a creative challenge.

Lori works in the JustInTimeMedicine (JIT) office as an Application Administrator. She provides support to the curriculum by managing how the content is presented on the webpage for the students and faculty. She started in 2016 as a Curriculum Assistant for the LCE and Intersessions. She enjoys spending time with her two little girls (2 and 4 year) as well as biking and swimming.

Jacqueline is the Family Medicine Clerkship Coordinator and Faculty Appointment Coordinator at the Grand Rapids Campus. In her role as a Family Medicine Clerkship Coordinator, she is responsible for the coordination of clerkship orientations, lectures, clinical rotation placements, and provides administrative support to the Family Medicine Clerkship. In her role as a Faculty Appointment Coordinator, she is responsible for coordinating the faculty appointment process for the College of Human Medicine faculty located in West Michigan. Jacqueline has been with Michigan State University College of Human Medicine since January of 2021. Outside of work, Jacqueline enjoys traveling, downhill skiing, playing pickleball, and spending time with her friends and family.

Ruth works in the Office of Student Affairs and Services and has served as a Curriculum Assistant in higher education for 12 plus years, helping recruit and develop adult learners to become instrumental doctors in Human Medicine.  In addition, she manages the Advanced Baccalaureate Learning Experience Program (ABLE Program): reviewing, organizing, and processing accepted candidates’ applications to complete the cycle.  In addition, she creates program booklets and flyers and edits and updates curricular resource materials. Additionally, she generates and manages grade reports to collect data to provide statistical information and interpretation. Helps to organize and support student engagement events on and off campus for the following programs: Career Day, Graduation Ceremony, Health, and Wellness Programs, Medicine Ball, Scholarship Awards, Senior Banquet, and White Coat Ceremony. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with family; she enjoys listening to music, participating in Argentine Tango and Salsa dancing, walking, and reading autobiographies of famous individuals, specifically those who have made a difference in other people’s lives, helping to overcome barriers.    

Kim has been with Michigan State University College of Human Medicine since March 2022 and serves as Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator in External Relations.  Kim supports the Director of Community & Government Relations, the Community Engagement & Outreach Administrators in both Lansing and Detroit. She manages calendars, coordinates community visits, assists with Your Health Lecture Series, Project Medical Education and provides support for unit events. Prior to MSU, she worked at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University as the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of the College and the Dean of Academic Affairs. She has also worked in local government and public broadcasting.  She earned a Bachelor's degree from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Communications from Western Michigan University. Her professional experience includes grant writing, strategic planning, fundraising, community events management, volunteer committee member, volunteer recruitment and facilitating effective communication among internal and external stakeholders. Kim is a life-long resident of West Michigan and enjoys spending time with family, hiking, gardening, reading, traveling and listening to music.

Emily has been with the CHM Operations Team for over 5 years. She is the Events and Conference Manager at the Secchia Center. Prior to being the Events and Conference Manager, Emily was on the Operations Team as the Parking Administrator and Operations Assistant. She plans internal and external events, oversees all the Secchia room calendars, manages custodial, and works closely with the Director of Security and Operations. Emily has a Bachelor Degree in Psychology and Social Work from Central Michigan University with a minor in Leadership. Outside of work, Emily enjoys running, baking, and time with her 2 loving boys (Caiden and Carson), little girl (Ella) and husband (Caleb).

Liz has worked for Michigan State University for over 20 years and a secretary for the Department of Pediatrics and Human Development.  Outside of her primary faculty responsibilities, she coordinates the departments faculty academic curriculum, programs, and conferences, as well as many other administrative duties. Liz loves to plan youth activities and had the privilege for five years teaching watercolor art at MSU Grand Parents University. Liz and her husband Cecile enjoy their three grown children and three grandchildren at their cabin regardless of it snowing or camping by a fire.  Liz’s favorite hobby is canning seasonal goods.

Julia is the Communication Manager for Academic Affairs and Admissions. Previously she was the Assistant Director of the Leadership in Rural Medicine Programs and worked at MSU Extension prior to that role. She also taught Communication at Alma College as a full time Instructor and Adjunct. Her current role within the College is to work with Admissions to help tell our story to our next class of MDs and to work with Academic Affairs to better organizational communication at the College. She is currently in her PhD Program at MSU’s College of Communication Arts and Science: Media and Information Program. When she is not working or in school, she enjoys time with her family, sewing, cooking, and traveling.

Grace is a HR assistant for the College of Human Medicine in Grand Rapids. She started her journey with Michigan State University in October 2018. Grace’s primary responsibilities are coordinating the faculty appointment process for non-MSU-employed faculty. She collects faculty appointment applications, completes faculty appointments transactions, change of statues, and terminations. Along with the East Lansing human resources team, Grace is responsible for the coordination of the university’s annual mass update process for the Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Upper Peninsula communities. Grace has her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northwood University.