Announcements
From Megan Koeman-Eding, Communications Director:
It is bittersweet to share this news with our members as I have loved serving you all as the Union’s Communications Director for the past five years. I’ve accepted an AP position with IT, the IT Operations Specialist. This position begins Monday, July 8. Therefore, this will be my last newsletter.
While I am excited for this next step in my career, I am sad to leave the PSS classification and our wonderful Union. This means I am no longer eligible to serve as Communications Director and the Union is need of an interim replacement for the remainder of the two year term, beginning July 8. The next election for Communications Director is in spring 2025 with the position officially beginning on July 1, 2025.
If you’re interested in filling in as Communications Director, please reach out to me. I am happy to chat about the position and all it entails. It’s a wonderful role in our Union and one I love so much I wish I was eligible to keep doing it! I’m more than willing to remain a contact for the person who takes over to assist them as they learn the role.
My time with this group has meant more than I can say, especially in regards to my professional growth. Thank you all so much for a wonderful five years!
All GVSU employees will now be able to search and apply for jobs within their Workday profile. To do so, login to your Workday profile, click on the menu icon, and select “Careers Hub” from your menu items.
All external candidates will be able to search for job postings via the new GVSU Careers website.
APSS Celebrates 10 years in 2024
On January 3, 2014, the GVSU COTA (now know as PSS) officially decertified from the Michigan Education Association (MEA) to form its own union. The former board of the GVSU COTA began meeting to establish the Constitution for the Alliance of Professional Support Staff.
The APSS held their first vote on February 14, 2014. That vote established our logo and ratified our Constitution and contract.
On April 22, 2014, elections were held for all executive board positions.
The APSS Bargaining Committee began to meet in May, 2014 in order to establish bargaining priorities for the new contract.
In June, 2014 the Bargaining Committee began meeting with HR to discuss the contract, starting with language changes.
On July 1, 2014 the executive board began their first terms in office.
In September, 2014 the Bargaining Committee reached a tentative agreement with GVSU. The APSS held ratification meetings in Allendale and downtown on September 15, 2014 and the new contract was ratified.
Member Highlights
Thank you so much for the Meijer Gift Cards that I received this past week. I consider it an honor and privilege to be part of the professional support staff at GVSU for nearly 47 years. I saw, and appreciate, all the work this group has done to benefit our talented support staff over the years.
SHERRY BOUWMAN
It was a beautiful day to meet and greet the committee and other PSS members at the open house today! The food was great too!! I appreciate all of your time and effort to take care of us, it’s been quite a journey so far! Thank you!!🌹
REBECCA CASLER
I just wanted to drop a note thanking the Union for the Meijer gift card. What a surprise! It has been a pleasure working for GVSU and with all the APSS folks. The Union has accomplished much over the 35 years that I worked there and I’m sure will continue to do so in the future. Thank you again! I am truly loving retirement so far.
PATTI EISEN
Thank you to the APSS Union for always working so hard on our behalf. You are truly appreciated! I love the new blanket, and opened it right up because it’s chilly in our office. Wonderful, thoughtful gift!
BETH COURTADE
Love, Love, LOVE them! The best appreciation gift ever, I swear. My office is always on the cold side and this blanket does the trick. 😊
LISA MULVIHILL
I just got a nice surprise, a APSS blanket. THANK YOU!!!
RONDA HUSTER
Important Dates
For semester important dates, please visit the GVSU Registrar Academic Calendar.
2024 University Closures
Monday, January 15 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, May 27 – Memorial Day
Thursday, July 4 – Fourth of July
Monday, September 2 – Labor Day
Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29 – Thanksgiving Break
December 23-January 1, 2025 – Winter Break