About CSAC

The History of CSAC

The Chancellor's Staff Advisory Committee (CSAC) was created by former Chancellor Ira Michael Heyman as an advisory body to assist the administration to make well informed decisions on issues affecting Berkeley staff. Initially, faculty members were called upon to nominate staff who were knowledgeable about campus operating practices and who would give the Chancellor direct and honest input in the development of campus policies and programs affecting staff. Subsequently, nominations were made by the committee members themselves. Currently, members are selected from campus staff members at large who are interested in serving on CSAC. Since its inception, over 110 staff members have served the Chancellor and campus through work on CSAC.

CSAC Accomplishments

CSAC has been instrumental in establishing many important programs and events including:

• the Staff Ombuds Office
• the Staff Internship Program
• Staff Appreciation Day (Cal Fest)
• The Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Awards

Committee Description

CSAC consists of up to sixteen members who are appointed by the Chancellor for a term of three years. In addition to staff members, there are three ex-officio members of CSAC: the Vice Chancellor for Administration, the Associate Vice Chancellor for Health & Human Services, and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Human Resources. All non-academic career employees of the Berkeley campus are eligible to serve as members of the Committee. CSAC strives to reflect the diversity of the staff population.

The Committee speaks through the Chair with a unified voice and is guided internally by an elected executive committee, consisting of the chair, vice chair, past chair, and the chair-elect. The Committee meets every other Wednesday and each member is granted two hours of administrative leave to participate. Much of the work of CSAC is accomplished through standing subcommittees and ad hoc committees. Decisions are made by consensus.

Subcommittees

CSAC has three main subcommittees that are responsible for much of the standing work that the committee accomplishes during the year. CSAC's current subcommittees are External Relations, Membership, and the Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Awards (COSA).

Sub-committee Co-Chairs facilitate each subcommittee and are responsible for:

• Scheduling meetings
• Developing the subcommittee agenda
• Reporting electronically or in person to the full group
• Coordinating subcommittee work
• Coordinating a year-end report

Serving on CSAC and its subcommittees offers members the opportunity to refine and gain a variety of skills including:

• Analysis (qualitative/quantitative)
• Conflict resolution
• Interpersonal effectiveness
• Planning and organization
• Change facilitation
• Leadership

Subcommittee Co-Chairs can also expect to enhance their skills in the following areas:

• Oral communication and persuasiveness
• Leadership
• Written communication
• Delegation and follow-up

External Relations

Prepares all written communications on behalf of CSAC. This includes drafting formal invitation and acknowledgement letters for guests, writing quarterly reports to the Chancellor, and any other communications projects as assigned by the chair.

2009 Co-chairs: Isabel Chen and Roia Ferrazares

Membership

Develops and implements a broad strategy for the recruitment and support of CSAC members. This includes managing the annual new member recruitment and selection process, working with the chair-elect to acculturate, mentor, and support new members, working with the past chair to outreach to CSAC alumni, organizing team-building activities for the entire Committee, and coordinating the Outgoing Members Lunch.

2009 Co-chairs: Cynthia Barnes-Slater and Livier Bejínez

Chancellor's Outstanding Staff Awards (COSA)

Administers the COSA on behalf of the Chancellor and CSAC. This includes coordinating outreach efforts to recruit award nominations, developing and facilitating selection of award recipients, organizing the COSA reception, and identifying appropriate recognition opportunities for COSA recipients.

2009 Co-Chairs: Syreeta Shepherd and James Sullivan

2009 Membership (See full biographies)