SASC Subcommittees
Personal & Professional Development
The Professional & Personal Development Committee works to expand growth opportunities for staff both within and beyond their current roles. The committee is collaborating with HR on upcoming college-wide Career Mobility initiatives, developing a shadowing program to help staff learn more about their colleagues and the work they do, and exploring ways to broaden the reach and utility of the Professional Development fund.
HR & Outreach
The HR & Outreach Committee serves as a bridge between staff and institutional HR efforts, gathering feedback on the HR-related employee experience for non-union full-time professional staff, and bringing feedback and suggestions workload challenges and hiring process pain points and elevating those perspectives to the appropriate groups for consideration. The committee maintains an active presence in college-wide HR initiatives, including participation in the Benefits Committee and the Our Voice focus groups.
Buddy Program
The TC Buddy Program aims to give new colleagues a strong onboarding experience by pairing them with a knowledgeable, supportive peer who can serve as a go-to resource outside of HR. Buddies help introduce new staff to the culture at Teachers College, offering guidance and advice as they find their footing. Currently, matching is underway, and the committee is developing FAQs and discussion topics for veteran employees. The program's official kickoff is set for Summer 2026 — staff interested in participating can reach out to sasc@tc.columbia.edu.
Community Bridges
The Community Bridges Committee fosters connection and belonging across campus through a range of programming and partnerships. This year's initiatives include a quarterly Grief Support Group, a Staff Graduation Celebration, and the 2nd Annual TC's Big Queer Photo. The committee also collaborates actively with HR, OCA, VPA, and College Events, and continues to explore deeper partnerships with OCA in support of affinity groups.
Recent Accomplishments
Since Spring 2025
Advocacy
Professional Staff Assembly Meeting PSAM – February 2025
- A popular and widely attended afternoon event where many members of the full-time, non-union community played competitive games of BINGO!
Reconvening of the College-Wide Benefits Committee – Representative from SASC
- Anticipated to regroup and begin work no later than August 2025
Partnership with Columbia Dining & Staff Discount
- Partnered with Columbia Dining and proposed solutions to on-campus dining and catering challenges
Formalized a Partnership with TC HR
- Advocated for a non-voting, dedicated HR liaison to work in tandem with SASC to address hot topics for full-time, non-union staff
Community Volunteer Give-Back – June 2025 (post-poned)
- Organized upcoming volunteer giveback to serve at Broadway Community, Inc. and lend a helping hand to our neighbors in need
Support
Recognition & Appreciation
- Supported Staff Appreciation & Wellness Week(s) by hosting various events centered around well-being and work-life balance
Community Building Across Campuses
- Hosted space for members of the community to attend Columbia Community Hours – a monthly gathering space for all University staff and faculty in the Faculty House Lounge
- Partnered with the Vice President's Office for Diversity & Community Affairs (ODCA) to host an LGBTQIA+ Celebration June 2025 (view the photo gallery - TC credentials required)
Workplace Wellness
- Incentivized participation in the Uptown/Downtown University Steps Challenge – Congratulations to our winners and all participants, who participated in stepping in the streets!
SASC Rebrand & Member Recruitment
- Organized a retreat with current and former members to help inform the strategic direction of SASC. Intentionally reimagined our brand, mission, and values – redesigned our website to highlight our work and recent accomplishments
- Proposed an updated mission and vision statement for the SASC constituency to vote on passing
- Strategically designed our recruitment campaign as it relates to the future of SASC, including offering (2) “Eat & Meet” events to network with current members and provide prospective members and opportunity to inquire about involvement and expectations
- Targeted outreach to supervisors encouraging their support in recommending a staff member to self-nominate, highlighting learning, development, and leadership opportunities presented by serving on SASC. Opportunities extend beyond being a voting member on the council through SASC Subcommittees (Advocacy & Support)
SASC Bylaws
- Proposed a change to the term of SASC Council Member service from three (3) years to two (2) years to better align with other terms of service at the College
SASC Buddy Program
- Successfully paired 2 new TC employees with veteran staff members
Bridged Connections with Campus Partners
- Engaged in conversations and initiated positive relationships with campus partners less routinely connected to, including: Office of the Vice President for Finance & Administration, the Office of the Provost and Columbia Dining