Staff Council

Stephen Snipes, assistant director for technical services for the Student Union, Activities and Recreation Department (SUAR), was the top chef at the 2018 Staff Council Chili Cook-off and Cornbread competition.

His chili recipe claimed first prize and was named the fan favorite by popular vote of those who attended the event.

The UNC Charlotte Staff Council annual Chili and Cornbread Cook-Off will be Thursday, Feb. 15, in the Cone University Center, Lucas Room.

Faculty and staff members can stop in between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to vote for their favorite chili recipe.

Contestants will vie to be named among the top three chili chefs; winners of fan favorite, best cornbread and best table decorations will be named, too.

Full-time employees of the University are provided 24 hours of community service each year, but many times these hours go unused.

The UNC Charlotte Staff Council wants to change that by providing a Community Service Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 6, in the Cone University Center, Lucas Room.

Area organizations (Concord House, Shoebox Ministries, Joyful Hearts for Joy Prom, Meals on Wheels and local nursing homes) have been selected to receive homemade items such as cards, jewelry and decorative gifts.

The Department of Reading and Elementary Education in the Cato College of Education won the Staff Council Homecoming Decorating Contest.

Rachel Pierson-Bonin, HR, was the individual winner.

The UNC Charlotte Staff Council sponsors a decorating contest during Homecoming to encourage offices/departments and individuals to display their Niner spirit.

Campus units that competed in the contest were:

Barnhardt Student Activity Center was alive with food, dancing, games and more as University employees took advantage of the Staff Council’s Fall Festival, Tuesday, Oct. 10.

This annual event, which coincides with fall break, provided a brief respite for staff members to relax with one another and support a local nonprofit organization. This year, attendees could bring a donation for the Urban Ministry Center’s Room in the Inn for the chance to win a prize.

Fall break is approaching, and that coincides with an annual autumn tradition — the Staff Council Fall Festival.

This year’s festival is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center.

UNC Charlotte recently hosted the quarterly meeting of the UNC Staff Assembly, which is composed of elected delegates from each of the 17 campuses in the system. The UNC Staff Assembly “serves in a parallel function with the University Faculty Assembly and the Association of Student Governments to address constructively the concerns and interests of the respective campuses and the whole University.”

Chris Maynard, a staff member in Travel and Complex Payments, was the big winner in the Staff Council’s annual Chili and Cornbread Cook-off, held Thursday, Feb. 23, in the Cone University Center Lucas Room.

Maynard’s chili recipe placed second, her cornbread recipe was judged the best, and her serving station won best décor. John Stephens from ITS took top honors for his chili recipe; while Niambi Ivery, CRES, was voted fan favorite.

Suzanne Jasmine from the Belk College of Business placed second in the cornbread competition.

Dennis Kowalski from facilities management was the fan favorite at the recent Staff Council Chili/Soup Cook-off for his brisket chili.

Best table decoration went to Kim Hight from the Financial Aid Office. She prepared the entry “My Mama’s Recipe.”

While the fan favorite was decided by votes from employees who sampled the entries, Erin Ritter from financial aid was named the Staff Council’s favorite for her “49er Miner Chili.” Debby Watts from the Venture program was the council’s second-favorite recipe (Venture Backpacker’s Chili Warmup).

As part of this year’s Homecoming festivities, the Staff Council teamed with the Student Government Association to sponsor a Homecoming Office Decorating Contest. Natalie Cornell, UNC Charlotte alumna Class of 2014 and a staff member in the Events and Special Projects Department of the Division for University Advancement, was named the winner.