MSUs Staff Senate and Classified Employees

Printable version

Classified employees Fall 2012 quick facts

• Classified employees include union and non-union bargaining unit affiliations.
• There are 1,126 full-time classified employees in five categorized groups:
  • Classified Professional, 266
  • Secretarial/Clerical, 236
  • Technical/Paraprofessional, 278
  • Skilled Craft, 52
  • Service/Maintenance, 294
• 85% work full-time and 15% work part time.
• 38% of the MSU workforce is classified employees.
• The average classified employee has been working at MSU for 8.2 years.
• 30% will reach MPEA retirement age within the next 4 years.

Staff Senate and Its mission
Staff Senate is a results-oriented peer organization that enhances the role of classified employees in shared governance by creating a culture of optimism, teamwork, creativity, resourcefulness, and by dealing with everyone in an open and ethical manner.

The Staff Senate was established by MSU’s President in 1976 as a means of facilitating communication and cooperation among classified staff, and communication with administration in the development of general decisions and policies which affect classified employees. The Senate is intended to promote collaborative efforts by classified staff with others on campus in mutual efforts to effectively and efficiently carry out the land-grant mission at Montana State University, Bozeman.

Staff Senate’s Purpose
The purpose of Staff Senate is to promote and provide for improved working conditions and the professional welfare of the classified employees of Montana State University (MSU) by: facilitating communication and cooperation between the classified staff of MSU Bozeman and Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU), MSU administration, Faculty Staff Senate, Professional Council, all appropriate Montana University System (MUS) organizations, and the Board of Regents (BoR); representing the classified employees of MSU on university committees and other appropriate MSU organizations; promoting the improvement of higher education in the State of Montana; assisting in the development of staff training programs and policies; and carrying out such other goals and activities as the Staff Senate determines to be consistent with the purpose of the Staff Senate, the administration of MSU Bozeman, and the promotion and practice of shared governance.

Staff Senate and Your Participation
Staff Senate meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public, all are welcome. Agendas and minutes are available on the web at www.montana.edu/staffsenate.

Staff input is essential to Staff Senate's ability to convey the classified voice. We encourage you to attend Staff Senate meetings, participate in surveys and other feedback media, and become involved in Shared Governance activity. The agenda, minutes, and meeting schedule are available on the web.

Updated December 12, 2012
MSU Staff Senate • Montana Hall Room 106 • P.O. Box 171865 • Bozeman, MT 59717-1865 • www.montana.edu/staffsenate