President Harris Creates Inclusive Community with New Forum for Hourly Staff

President Harris Creates Inclusive Community with New Forum for Hourly Staff

On Friday, Sept. 18, President Harris introduced the first ever President’s Forum for hourly employees and staff. Dr. Harris takes the stage and explains, “This forum is new for USD. I know in the past we had a Convocation for our faculty and administrators and there seems to be a need to do this for other members of the campus community who are equally important.”

Traditionally, the Fall Convocation of the Faculty and Administration includes an awards section for outstanding faculty, a brief message from the President and an opportunity for the campus community to connect. The University also holds the annial New Student Convocation at the beginning of the year. Although the Fall Convocation of the Faculty and Administration remains a key event that kicks-off the start of a new academic year, it has now been supplemented by a second event: the President’s Forum.

For Paul Aden, lead mail specialist at the campus Mail Center, the change is both appreciated and exciting: “I think [the new format] is a great thing. I’ve been at USD for eighteen years and I’ve never heard of anything like it. It’s nice to bring some new energy, and it’s helpful for us to hear from the President and hear the university’s priorities.”

President Harris introduced the forum in order to increase two key components at the university: communication and transparency. “If we are all better informed, we will be able to accomplish our goals as an institution more easily. Everyone plays a role in accomplishing the university’s goals — whether you are the groundskeeper or the president, we all play a vital role.”

President's Forum for Hourly Employees