Focus on AP Council: Ryan Gray

Another academic year has begun. We hope that you have had a great start to the semester! For those of you unfamiliar, the Administrative/Professional (A/P) Council is the vehicle through which A/P employees participate in shared governance at Illinois State University.

The Council's purpose is to serve in an advisory capacity to the administration regarding the general welfare of all Administrative/Professional employees. The Council helps ensure effective communication between the Administrative/Professional staff, Academic Senate, Board of Trustees, Student Government Association, Civil Service Council and other appropriate campus constituencies.

During the August 12 meeting, the A/P Council recognized outgoing members Mboka Mwilambwe, Erin Pearce, David Rardin and Michelle Schuline. New members Binoy Edathiparambil, Jennifer Frobish, Ron Gifford, Erik Rankin and Soemer Simmons began their terms on the Council. Stacy Ramsey, past vice-chair, succeeded Mboka Mwilambwe as chair of the council, Teri Farr was seated as the new vice-chair, and Rachel Calhoun as secretary. Please see the Council website for a full listing of Council members.

The Council serves the A/P employees in many ways and invites all A/Ps to get involved by attending our meetings and events. Here are a few highlights:

The A/P Council offers scholarships to students of current and retired A/P staff members for use as financial assistance while they attend ISU. The scholarship winners for the 2010-2011 school year are:

• Brianna Coleman, daughter of Cheryl Nafziger, Mennonite College of Nursing
• Julie Hines, daughter of Kirk Hines, University College
• Kristen Krueger, daughter of David Krueger, Financial Aid
• Tyler Malone, son of Dave Malone, Department of Agriculture

Come out and socialize with fellow A/Ps during the monthly A/P social. The social takes place at 5 p.m. on the last Friday of the month at Medici in Uptown Normal. We hope to see you there and bring a friend, it’s not only for A/Ps.

The A/P Council will be participating in the Homecoming events on October 16. Please watch the Council website for further information and find out how you can participate.

Here are a few of our goals for 2010-2011:

• The A/P Council will be conducting a fund drive, through the Gladly We Give campaign, in an effort to increase the A/P Scholarship. Our goal is to secure $1,000 in contributions. We look forward to the participation of A/Ps throughout campus to further expand this outstanding program.
• Over the past couple of years, the Council has been revamping its Constitution. We will be seeking your approval of the new and improved Constitution this year.
• We will be continuing our Brown Bag Luncheons. Keep an eye on the website for dates and topics.

Please visit the A/P Council website for information about the council, our events and resources. We are also on Facebook. Please let us know how we can continue to serve A/P employees and our University.

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