2021-2022 Achievements

A report of the activities, achievements and learnings of the 2021-22 Staff/AAP Advisory Council is available here. The membership of the 2021-22 Council and its officers is included.

The 2021-22 Council recognizes the progress that has been made in the following areas and wishes to acknowledge all those across the university who have supported these efforts:

Enhanced Paid Leave Benefits

The addition of staff parental leave, increased rates of staff PTO accrual, new staff sick leave, and shortened disability waiting periods have brought Georgetown’s leave benefits into greater alignment with other area higher education employers. The Council executive committee has recognized in particular the work of Chief Financial Officer and Interim Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer David Green and Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff Kristen Consolo in spearheading these changes.

Reduced Tuition Assistance Waiting Period

The reduction of the waiting period from three years back to one year came in response to significant advocacy and brings Georgetown into closer alignment with other area higher education employers. The Council is continuing to advocate for expanded access to programs not offered by the university.

Improved Recruitment Processes

The launch of the HR eRequest process is intended to shorten recruitment timelines and provide greater transparency. This new system has been implemented under the vision and direction of Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Tony Kinslow and Chief of Staff Jennifer Faler.

Launch of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

In response to advocacy by the 2020-21 Council, IDEAA established policies and procedures to support Employee Resource Groups to “bring together employees who share common interests, backgrounds, and concerns.” The Council has recognized in particular the work of Vice President for Institutional Diversity & Equity Rosemary Kilkenny, Associate Vice President for Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Compliance Bisi Okubadejo, Associate Vice President and Chief of Staff Kristen Consolo, and Chief of Staff Jennifer Faler for their responsiveness to the Council’s request in establishing this important resource for staff.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Planning

The Council has advocated for the development of a strategic plan to integrate Georgetown’s DEI commitments to staff, including implementing metrics, reporting and training standards (see Task Force report below). The task force has expressed gratitude to Vice President for Institutional Diversity & Equity Rosemary Kilkenny for her commitment to advancing this work, including ongoing preparation of an upcoming climate survey.

Competitive Benefits Benchmarking

The Human Resources, Benefits and Employee Relations task force undertook a competitive analysis of benefits offered by area higher education employers in the areas of 1) childcare, 2) dependent tuition assistance, 3) employee tuition assistance, 4) fitness/wellness, 5) parking/transportation, 6) paid leave, and 7) retirement and provided market-based recommendations to David Green.

Professional Conduct Working Group

Established in response to concerns raised by the 2020-21 Council, among others, including the Council’s longstanding advocacy for a university anti-bullying policy and a staff ombudsperson, the Professional Conduct Working Group is working under the leadership of Vice President and CHRO Tony Kinslow, and Professor and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology and Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs Elliott Crooke to assess the university’s systems and policies to address workplace incivility. The work of this group is ongoing with Council representation.

Telework Steering Committee

The Council continues to work with the Telework Steering Committee to improve institutional policies and practices to support teleworking employees. In response to a university-wide mode of work survey designed and administered by OADS, the university has increased flexibility around mode of work designations, and has committed to improving access to essential technology. The university has also continued to expand the number of telework-eligible states.

Public Health Planning

The Council executive committee has advocated for the needs and concerns of staff through the return to in-person operations and evolving health protocols, and wishes to commend Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Ranit Mishori and her team for their extraordinary efforts to protect the health of our community.

Increased Engagement with Campus Leadership

Caucuses have reported commitments from campus leaders to engage more regularly with caucus members.

Growing Awareness of Staff Concerns

Senior university leadership has increasingly cited Council priorities and feedback, reflecting a growing awareness of staff concerns and the need for greater institutional investment in staff.