Q&A with Allen Bol, incoming chair of CSSAC

Allen Bol, chair of the Clerical and Service Staff Advisory Committee. (Purdue University photo/Alex Kumar) Download image

Allen Bol will become chair of the Clerical and Service Staff Advisory Committee on Sept. 1.

Bol, a library assistant in Purdue Libraries, represents District I -- academic schools and divisions reporting to the provost and the director of Intercollegiate Athletics.

How long, and in what positions, have you worked at Purdue?

I started at Purdue as a student in 2000 and began working as a student clerical worker for the Department of History. Upon graduation, I was a substitute teacher for a bit before returning to campus in 2008. I joined Purdue Libraries as a library assistant, where I have stayed for the last nine years.

Why did you decide to become involved in CSSAC? In what capacity/on which committees have your served?

My family has a strong connection with working at Purdue. My mother, a former CSSAC member, and father worked many years in the clerical service/staff area and my brother works in maintenance at Hilltop Apartments. Through the years, I learned the joys and concerns from all areas of the campus and decided that I wanted help make a difference. I eventually joined the Libraries version of CSSAC, which I also chaired. After my term on there ended, I wanted to continue to be a representative voice, so I applied for CSSAC.

As a CSSAC member I have been a member of the Communications Subcommittee, Leaves Committee, the Healthy Boiler Initiative and the Staff Appeals Board for Parking and Traffic.

What did you learn as vice chair or as a committee member that will assist you as chair this year?

Outgoing Chair Tiffany Eakin did an outstanding job and it will be hard to fill her shoes.  This past year has been a great learning experience and I look forward to leading where Tiffany left off and continuing to make Purdue one of the best places to work. 

What will CSSAC be working on during the upcoming academic year?

We will continue corresponding to the entire clerical and service staff with our newsletter, Campus Connection. The Professional Development Committee will continue to offer annual grant awards for employees and their dependents. Our Purdue Employees Activity Program (P.E.A.P.) will continue to offer all staff trips to exciting places like our upcoming Chicago winter shopping trip.

What are your own goals as the chair of CSSAC?

I would really like to improve the communication lines of CSSAC. Many staff members have no idea that we are out there and have no idea how much of a benefit a group like CSSAC is for them. I would like to find ways to communicate with all staff who may not always have access to email and to develop clear pathways for them to give us their feedback.

What would you like faculty and staff to know about CSSAC? 

That we are here to represent the clerical and service staff members from all ends of campus. If you have a concern, please make a CSSAC member aware, or choose to stay anonymous and fill out a Bridge form, which can be located on our website. We also like to hear praises, so if there is anything we have done that you really enjoy, let us know. We are always looking for feedback.

How can faculty/staff get involved with CSSAC?

CSSAC would not be successful if it were not for the support and encouragement of the faculty. They can help staff stay up to date on CSSAC events and allow them to participate in the many activities CSSAC has to offer. They also can encourage staff to apply to CSSAC when our membership drive opens in May.

What do you hope to have contributed as chair of CSSAC and the University once your term ends?

CSSAC has a rich history of remarkable members that have left a lasting impact. I hope to leave an impact that will continue to help clerical and service staff members for years to come.