Olivia Medovich
Staff writer
Phil Schooley, staff regent, wants to be a voice for University staff members
Schooley officialy completes his first term as staff regent June 30 and is up for re-election with an automatic win, being the only nominee.
Since no other candidate has filed for the position, Schooley receives maintains his seat on the Board be default and will serve his next term starting July 1, 2012 ending on June 30, 2015.
The staff regent is responsible for representing all University staff on the Board of Regents as well as meeting with Staff Congress, keeping members informed on a regular basis and opening the lines of communication with constituents.
According to the bylaws for the position, the nominee must have been employed at the University for three years and is eligible for re-election after his or her first term, as long as the candidate is still employed by Murray State.
Schooley said as staff regent, he must evaluate what is important and make decisions to benefit faculty and staff.
“I appreciate the staff’s support and hope that I can continue to serve them the way they expect,” he said. “I feel like I can benefit them and do what I can for them.”
Over the past three years, Schooley has helped establish a 4 percent raise and compensation pay for the staff. He’s also been an advocate for the new Science Complex.
“My favorite part is when we accomplish what we set out to do,” Schooley said.
The next three years, he said plans to improve health benefits as well as pay for the staff, he said.
“I feel that’s what the staff regent is here for,” Schooley said.
He said during his next term he would like to see the new Science Complex and the Paducah, Ky., extended campus buildings completed.
Gina Winchester, executive director of Stewardship Outreach and Hospitality Services and president of Staff Congress, said Schooley is an ideal candidate for the position.
“Phil is the three C’s – caring, compassionate and competent,” Winchester said.
She said Schooley will continue to serve and put forth the effort necessary to be a good staff regent.
“He has done an excellent job keeping Staff Congress informed of all workings of the Board and has given countless hours of his time to attending events on and off campus and staying abreast of all the issues,” Winchester said.
Winchester said she would like to see Schooley continue to work closely with Staff Congress and the administration to bring issues forward for consideration.
“Phil has developed a good rapport with the other regents and administration, which lends credibility to the position,” she said.
The staff regent election began Tuesday and concludes at 4:15 p.m. today.
Information about the candidate may be viewed at http://campus.murraystate.edu/org/
StaffCongress/phils.html.
For more information relating to the Staff Regent election or questions relating to online voting contact Orville Herndon at 809-4491 or oherndon@murraystate.edu.