Staff Advisory Board

Valerie Chase

Department: Business & Administrative Services

Other Campus Committees: Outstanding Staff Award, Student Judicial Board, SAB Newsletter & Marketing Committee, Staff Advocacy, Staff Forums, United Way Committee

831.459-5689 vjchase@ucsc.edu

Personal Statement

Greetings Staff Slugs,

Thank you for electing me to the Staff Advisory Board. As a staff member at UC Santa Cruz for over 25 years, I am familiar with many of the issues facing our campus, and with their effect on UCSC staff. Budget cuts, pay equity, childcare issues, and the creation of a supportive work environment for all staff are some of the issues of deep concern to me. I have a keen understanding of the complex relationships that staff forge with students and faculty to create and contribute to our stellar academic institution, and welcome the challenge of working on issues of concern to UCSC staff.

I have worked with the American Indian Faculty and Staff Association, the Women's Center Board of Directors and the GLBTI Cantú Queer Center to create a welcoming environment for staff, faculty and students from underrepresented communities. I also recently worked with a group of donors who sponsored the Gloria Anzaldúa Study Room at McHenry Library.

I came to Santa Cruz in 1979 as a transfer student, and began working at UCSC in 1985. I've worked at the Cashier's Office, Campus Mail Services, McHenry Library, Merrill Housing, as an Oakes College residential preceptor, and am now the Associate College Administrative Officer for Crown and Merrill colleges.

I am a classically trained violinist and violist and a member of the UCSC Orchestra, Cabrillo Stage and various string ensembles, and sing with the Inner Light Ministries Choir. I live with my life partner, Bobbie Reyes, who is an Early Childhood Education adjunct professor and trainer of infant/toddler care teachers and family child care providers.

As a member of the UCSC Staff Advisory Board, I welcome your comments and observations about issues affecting staff at UCSC. Please feel free to get in touch with me (459-5689, vjchase@ucsc.edu) to share your ideas and concerns.