Staff Advisory Committee
The Staff Advisory Committee (SAC) connects Saint Louis University staff to important information and advises on SLU policy that would affect staff.
Any University staff member who does not belong to a collective bargaining unit is eligible to join the Staff Advisory Committee. Interested staff may join by completing the online membership application linked below.
To propose a topic for Staff Advisory Committee discussion, make an anonymous suggestion using the link below.
The University administration sanctions SAC, and time spent attending committee and subcommittee meetings is officially considered paid time by the University. Because meetings are held during normal office hours, those interested in becoming members of SAC should inform their supervisors before joining the organization. If requested, the SAC Executive Board or the vice president for human resources will provide any supervisor with information about SAC.
Mission Statement
In accordance with the Catholic Jesuit identity of Saint Louis University, the purpose of the Staff Advisory Committee shall be to communicate the interest and concerns of a diverse University staff; to function in an advisory capacity in the development, review and implementation of University policies which affect staff; to provide a means of communication with the administration and faculty, and support them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the staff; and to create and nurture a spirit of unity among all employees at the University.
Executive Board
The 2024-2025 Staff Advisory Committee Executive Board consists of the following members:
- Chair: Chris Luebbert, Office of the Vice President for Research
- Past chair: Judi Buncher, Vice-President's Office of Mission and Identity
- Corresponding secretary: Courtney Neal, Office of the Vice President for Research and Partnerships
- Recording secretary: Kristin Hrasky, Doisy College of Health Sciences
- Membership coordinator: Jennifer Elwyn, neuroscience program
- Treasurer: Matt Campbell, Doisy College of Health Sciences
- Archivist/historian: Karen Bolinger, Center for Advanced Dental Education
You may contact the Staff Advisory Committee Executive Board through the general e-mail, SAC@slu.edu or by contacting the current chair at SACChair@slu.edu.
History
The Staff Advisory Committee was created in September 1992 as the Human Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC). The Saint Louis University administration officially recognized it as a sub-committee of the Human Resources Board and renamed it the Staff Advisory Committee (SAC) in July 1995.
The Staff Advisory Committee has representatives serving on a number of SLU committees and human resources sub-committees considering:
- FMLA Leave
- SmokeFree SLU
- FlexTime/Timekeeping
The Staff Advisory Committee was instrumental in the development and approval of the following policies and programs:
- Paid parental leave policy
- Reduction in force policy to include tuition remission
- Peer review policy
- Cura personalis program
In addition, the committee has suggested SAC members for diversity training forums, requested the change in jury duty pay to allow staff to retain payment, and made recommendations in the corrective counseling policy. SAC has raised concerns about policies regarding internal promotional procedures, transfer request procedures, and improving communication with internal applicants.
Joyce Huelsmann Outstanding SAC Member Award
Every year, a member of the Staff Advisory Committee receives the Joyce Huelsmann Outstanding SAC Member Award. The award was established to honor founding SAC member Joyce Huelsmann (SLU staff - 1963-2010) and recognizes a member of the Staff Advisory Committee who has best exhibited the qualities necessary for the type of leadership, service and positive spirit that were a hallmark of Joyce Huelsmann and her involvement at Saint Louis University, and more specifically, the Staff Advisory Committee. Her high moral standards, strong work ethic, and personal commitment to leadership through example, integrity, compassion, and respect for all continue to be a cornerstone of the Staff Advisory Committee. Past recipients include:
- 2024: Matthew Campbell, Doisy College of Health Sciences
- 2023: Judi Buncher, Vice-President's Office of Mission and Identity
- 2022: Ellen Weis, Office of the Registrar
- 2021: Kathryn Dortch, corporate and foundation relations
- 2020: Kristin Hrasky, Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training
- 2019: Debbie Dill Garvin, alumni and donor engagement
- 2018: Amelia Blanton Hibner, School of Social Work
- 2017: Peter Garvin, public safety
- 2016: Rita Stites, School of Medicine, pediatric administration
- 2015: Frances "Sue" Stevens, Department of Internal Medicine
- 2014: Yvonne McCool, Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing
- 2013: Cyn Wise, biology
- 2012: Susan Torretta, psychiatry
- 2011: Carolyn Mulhall, molecular virology